Best Rowing Machine Under £100 (UK): Tried & Tested

Looking for the best rowing machine under £100? You've come to the right place. Our experts have bought, tried and thoroughly tested a range of budget rowing machines, all priced below £100, to find out which one is genuinely worth your money.

There are a lot of badly made, cheap rowers out there. To save you shelling out another £100 in a few months because you bought a dud, here are the two best rowing machines under £100 we'd actually recommend.

Sunny Health & Fitness SF-RW1205: Best Overall

The Sunny Health & Fitness SF-RW1205 is by far the best budget rowing machine under £100 on the market today.

For less than £100 you're getting a home rower with 12 resistance levels, a number that's unmatched at this price and well above what we expected. The hydraulic-cylinder movement feels smooth in use, and the wide padded seat stays comfortable through long, gruelling sessions. We had no trouble with 60-minute rows on it.

The bright, clear digital LCD monitor tracks your time, stroke count and total calories burned, and the frame still felt sturdy and well-built after several months of fair use.

Key specs: 12 resistance levels, hydraulic cylinder resistance, pivoting foot pedals, wide padded seat, floor levellers, and a monitor showing time, count, total count, calories and scan. Slide rail length 73 cm; overall dimensions 137L x 50.8W x 54H cm.

Check price on Amazon

Body Sculpture BR3010 Rower and Gym: Runner-Up

The Body Sculpture BR3010 Rower is our runner-up for the best rowing machine under £100.

While it has fewer resistance levels than the Sunny Health & Fitness (3 compared with 12), it has the benefit of being a combination rower and gym machine. If you want something more versatile, this rower also handles push and pull exercises such as chest presses and shoulder presses.

The free DVD supplied with it walks you through how to use the rower, including a range of exercises you can follow along with at home. It also folds up for easy storage once you've finished your workout.

Key specs: 3 adjustable resistance levels, built-in gym for arms, chest, shoulders, lats and abs, secure footplates, progress tracking, free DVD, and a folding frame for easy storage.

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FAQs

Can you lose belly fat on a rowing machine?

Yes, you can lose belly fat on a rowing machine. Research has shown that people who did at least 55 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise per week gained less than half as much visceral fat over 16 weeks as those who did low- to no-intensity exercise.

What is the best cheap rowing machine?

The Sunny Health & Fitness SF-RW1205 is the best cheap rowing machine on the market. At less than £100 it's packed with features and feels comfortable and sturdy in use. To compare rowers at different price points, see our guide to the best budget rowing machines.

Is 20 minutes of rowing enough?

We all know exercise matters for losing weight, but how much do you actually need? Some studies suggest just 20 minutes of cardiovascular exercise a day can make a big difference. That holds true for those who are severely overweight, but people looking to lose only a few pounds around the midsection will usually need to do more.

Can you lose weight with just a rowing machine?

Yes, it is possible to lose weight with just a rowing machine. One study found participants lost more weight when they combined weight training with low-intensity aerobic exercise (like walking or rowing) than when they used weight training alone. So adding 20 minutes of low-intensity rowing per day to an active lifestyle may be one of the best things you can do for your weight-loss goal.

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• Best Budget Rowing Machine
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