The best rowing machines for Apple Fitness Plus allow you to stay fit while using Apple's fitness platform. Rowing offers a full-body workout and makes for a fantastic at-home calorie burn ideal for low-impact exercise.
By adding one of the best Apple Watches like the Apple Watch Series 9 or the Ultra 2, you can track your progress and see your exercise results on Apple Fitness Plus as your workout.
Rowing machines are fantastic for boosting your Vo2 max as well as helping build stamina levels and muscle. These are the best rowing machines for Apple Fitness Plus no matter your budget or your level of expertise.
Quick List
Apple's recommendation
Resistance mechanism: Water
Maximum weight: 350 pounds
Tension levels: 6
Featuring on the Apple Fitness Plus website, the Life Fitness Row HX Trainer is recommended by Apple so you know you can trust it. Its frame is a mixture of natural wood and steel-tempered material. It features four resistance levels so you have options. It's about seven feet long but easily stored away.
Runner up
Resistance mechanism: Air
Maximum weight: 500 pounds
Tension levels: 10
Consistently highly rated, the Concept2 Model D helps you engage all major muscle groups with a smooth and high-calorie-burning motion. In return, you get real-time performance stats, while you can also connect it to heart rate monitors and fitness apps (including Apple Fitness Plus, of course) to track your progress.
Great value
Resistance mechanism: Air
Maximum weight: 285 pounds
Tension levels: 16
Excellent value, the Sunny Fitness SF-RW5801 still offers plenty of features. It has 16 adjustable resistance levels, along with transportation wheels for mobility, a bottle and device holder, and a non-slip pedal with an adjustable strap. This is a brilliant option for those looking to have something easy to store without a huge budget.
Budget pick
Resistance mechanism: Hydraulics
Maximum weight: 250 pounds
Tension levels: 12
Another budget-friendly offering, this rower has a full range of motion that mimics being out on the water. It has a multi-function electric monitor to display all your stats and progress. It also offers a comfortable molded seat, and adjustable hydraulic cylinder resistance for a smooth ride.
Build endurance
Resistance mechanism: Magnetic
Maximum weight: 250 pounds
Tension levels: 14
The Fitness Reality Magnetic Rowing Machine pairs up with the MyCloudFitness App so you can track your distance, calories, total count, and strokes per minute for free. It has a nylon belt drive system with up to 14 levels of resistance so it's suitable for rowers of all levels.
Easy storage
Resistance mechanism: Magnetic
Maximum weight: 300 pounds
Tension levels: 8
Ideal for anyone short on space, the Circuit Fitness rower folds up easily. It also has an LCD panel so you can track your progress, foam-covered handlebars to ensure a non-slip grip, along with adjustable foot straps. This is a great option for someone living in a small apartment in the city, perfect for at-home workouts.
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Water resistance
Resistance mechanism: Water
Maximum weight: 275 pounds
Tension levels: 16
A different way of doing things, the Phantom Hydro water tank holds water at a 60-degree angle with 16 hydro blades that provide resistance. You can use the swivel display to monitor track time, distance, strokes, total strokes, strokes per minute, time, calories, and much more. It has an upright foldable design too so it's simple to store away between sessions.
Captain, my captain
Resistance mechanism: Water
Maximum weight: 320 pounds
Tension levels: 12
Designed to look like a real ship, the Mr. Captain Water Rowing Machine uses water resistance to create an authentic rowing experience. It has a Bluetooth monitor for managing your time and helping you reach your goals. An ergonomic seat keeps you comfy while there's an active recoil system, and height-adjustable footplates with straps.
Join the club
Resistance mechanism: Water
Maximum weight: 700 pounds
Tension levels: 12
Handcrafted, this rowing machine has a water flywheel that replicates the actual rowing feel. The flywheel sits in an enclosed water tank so you get smooth, quiet, and self-regulated resistance. A performance monitor helps you track basic stats, while you can store it upright between uses.
Q&A
How do I find the best rowing machine for me?
You can always trust iMore. Our team of Apple experts have years of experience testing all kinds of tech and gadgets, so you can be sure our recommendations and criticisms are accurate and helpful. Find out more about how we test.
Rowing is a great class offering on Apple Fitness Plus. The exercise uses up to 86% of your muscles and provides that all-important high-calorie-burning, yet low-impact workout that many people find easier to sustain than anything that can cause joint issues.
We're fans of the Life Fitness Row HX Trainer as it's Apple's recommended rowing machine. It has a natural wood and tempered steel fame so it looks good, while its four levels of resistance are useful. Adjustments can be made easily while the system provides a smooth and natural feel with each stroke.
If value is your priority, the Stamina BodyTrac Glider 1050 Rowing Machine is a good option. It's budget-friendly while still giving you full range of motion and an authentic on-the-water feeling. Both beginners and advanced rowers will appreciate this along with all the others listed.
If you're keen to smash your goals with the best rowing machines for Apple Fitness Plus, you can't go wrong with any of the ones listed above.
