FAQ
If you are motivated to get fit, it is not a big deal whether you have a gym quality rowing machine or a budget rowing machine as long as it performs to your needs. Older users may prioritize a rowing machine with back support over any type of resistance. Younger users may look more on other features.
We review rowing machines to help a wide range of users get an idea on what are the best rowing machines under 500$. However, to answer questions not in those stamina air rower reviews or magnetic rowing machine reviews, here are the frequently asked questions:
Can You Lose Belly Fat on a Rowing Machine?
Technically, no exercise can target one certain spot of your body to lose weight. When you exercise, you burn calories and lose fat from your body as a whole, so rowing will not burn any more belly fat than other exercises. Rowing, however, is a high-intensity activity. It is a combination of cardio workout and resistance training; thus, it burns more calories than other cardio activities. As such, you lose body fat and that includes your belly fat.
What is the Best Exercise for Seniors?
Exercising is not just for losing weight but also for overall health, especially for seniors. As long as there is no restriction from your doctor or a medical condition, age is never an obstacle in exercising. Here is a list of the best exercises for seniors:
Cardiovascular endurance – This is for a healthier heart and lungs. You may want to try: Brisk-walking, jogging, swimming, climbing stairs, cycling and even dancing.
Flexibility exercises – This is to prevent aching joints and stiff muscles. You can try yoga or simple stretching exercises.
Balance exercise – This is to improve physical balance and avoid falling. You can try Tai chi, yoga or posture exercises.
Strengthening exercises – This is to build stronger muscles. You can try elastic bands, body weights or other functional training.
What are the Best Rowing Machines for Home Use?
Before buying anything these days, we always hear the advice “You must choose wisely”, but that is not as easy as it seems. Even choosing a rowing machine is hard nowadays. With the number of different brands and models available in stores or online, finding the best rowing machines for home use is difficult. Let us share with you our best picks just based on these 3 factors: Price, resistance and monitor functions:
Winner:
Concept2 Model D Indoor Rower – This is a favorite among professional athletes.
Runners Up:
Stamina ATS Air Power – This rower uses wind-resistance to give you a great workout with low impact. Compared to Concept2, this is not as pricey. Our list of products above does include Stamina rowing machine reviews but for models below $500.
Stamina Avari Magnetic Rowing Machine – This is a popular magnetic rower at a fair price. What sets it apart from the rest is that it is programmable. If you want a non-programmable but also adjustable model, you can read our stamina body trac glider 1050 rowing machine reviews above.
Sunny Health & Fitness SF-RW5515 – Now, this one is below $500. Check our full review of this product above.
Are Rowing Machines good for Seniors?
An indoor rowing exercise is a cardiovascular workout with a low impact. Therefore, it is good even for aging bodies. Seniors and young men and women alike can enjoy the benefits of indoor rowing machines in building stamina and strengthening of muscles. It also helps in keeping your lungs and heart healthy.
What is the Best Exercise for over 60?
Even though age is not an obstacle to exercise, older adults obviously would have a different workout routine than younger adults. As much as anyone can do anything, certain activities can be inappropriate and no longer safe for these older adults. The best exercises for them are a combination of cardio and weight training.
Buyer’s Guide: Best Rowing Machine Under 500$
Just based on our rowing machine reviews, you can already see that it gives a lot of benefits to your body, so who would not want one? The holdback is usually because of budget and confusion in choosing one. We have taken care of the budget part with our list of rowers below $500. Now, let us help you try to understand a bit more about rowers and find out what type and functionality fit you the most.
Best Rowing Machine Under 500$ Types
The Best Rowing Machine Under 500$ has 4 different types categorized by how they produce resistance.
Piston-Resistance Rowers – This machine has hydraulic pistons connected to its handlebars. These pistons provide resistance to the machine and are usually adjustable.
Water-Resistance Flywheels – A machine with this type of resistance normally has an enclosed water tank with suspended paddles inside. These paddles spin once you pull their handlebars. It then uses the water in the tank to provide resistance that feels like you are rowing in the water. This type usually costs more than $500 but we include this here as a good to know information.
Air-Resistance Flywheels – This type of machine comes with a flywheel that looks like a fan blade. Just like the water type, the blade spins when you pull the handlebars. However, this uses the air rather than water to provide resistance and you get more resistance the faster it spins.
Magnetic Resistance Flywheels – This type of rower also has a flywheel, but it uses electromagnets in providing braking resistance. This is the smoothest and quietest resistance type. However, they can take up a lot of room so they may not be ideal for smaller spaces, but smaller models are now popping up.
Which Type of Rowing Machine is the Best?
The answer to this question would depend on your needs and what you have to ask yourself is “What do I want to accomplish while using a rowing machine?” Which is why it is important to understand the different types. Keep in mind that each type has different features.
For beginners or those who just want a simple workout, a magnetic resistance or hydraulic piston might be good enough, not to mention affordable enough. For those rowing enthusiasts though or advanced rowers, they might need air or water-resistance machines.
How to Choose the Best Rowing Machine Under 500$?
Price
Price can help narrow down your options in choosing the best rowing machine to buy, not to mention it is one of the most important factors to consider. Of course, the lower your budget is, the fewer options you have. Keep in mind that for rowers, you get exactly what you paid for. If you spend time searching or if you know where to look, you will definitely find a good value rowing machine, but it still will not perform as great as those high-end expensive ones.
Resistance
Resistance is probably the most important factor you need to consider before making a decision. Each type has its distinct characteristic and you have to understand what your needs are so you can decide which type you want.
Monitor Functions
The screen display of your rowing machine helps you keep track of your workout. Of course, one with a better monitor is more expensive than a basic rowing machine. If you are not concerned with your data, you can go with the cheaper ones but if you want a record of your every workout, you need to invest in a higher quality model.
Our Recommendation for 2019
Now that you have an idea what to look for in a good rowing machine, it might be time to get one. We definitely recommend the Sunny Health & Fitness Adjustable Resistance Rowing Machine Rower as one of the best rowing machines under 500$. It boasts of adjustable resistance levels and good features. You do not need to be a gym-expert to know that much.
To conclude, keep in mind that regardless of Gym-Expert’s recommendation on the best rowing machine under 500$ 2019, the best machine is one that you can enjoy using and can afford realistically.