Piston Rowing Machines Offer Budget Friendly Exercise

Although there are various price points for piston rowing machines, these rowers are less expensive than those using magnetic, air, or water resistance. Sometimes referred to as hydraulic rowers, they offer a budget friendly workout because of their simple design, small footprint, and use of fewer parts.

How Hydraulic Rowers Work

Hydraulics use force applied at one point to convey that power or movement to another point through fluid. Some vehicles feature hydraulic brakes.

In piston rowing machines, hydraulic cylinders are attached to the handlebars. When the person rowing exerts force on the handlebars by pulling them back, they will feel that resistance of the air or fluid in the cylinders and have to work against it.

Simple Design Means Cost Savings

The simpler mechanics of this type of rowing machine make it popular with individuals who are looking for a decent cardiovascular workout and some upper body toning. Most piston rowers, however, have fixed seats, so there is no leg movement, minimizing the effects in terms of a full body workout.

This fixed seat position doesn’t emulate real world rowing because you can’t recreate the difference in hand height on the stroke and return. In fact, the sometimes jarring movement experienced with some lower end models may lead to muscle strain or minor tendon injuries.

Not all piston or hydraulic rowing machines offer variable resistance, but if you shop around you’ll be able to find a few. While you can’t adjust the resistance “on the fly” while you’re rowing, you can adjust the tension or resistance on the cylinders before you begin rowing in order to customize your workout to your fitness level.

Pros

There are several features that make piston rowing machines an excellent choice for novice rowers or anyone who wants a simple rowing routine. While they may not be suitable for intense rower training, they are more than adequate for a typical individual’s daily workout. Some pros to consider include:

• A lower price tag due to simpler mechanics and design, especially compared to water rowers that can be quite expensive.
• Compact size – most hydraulic indoor rowers are quite small, and many fold up easily for storage when not in use.
• Some higher end models offer variable resistance by adjusting the fluid in the cylinders before you begin working out.
• Piston rowers are quieter than either water or air rowing machines, making them ideal for apartment dwellers.

Cons

If you’re concerned about getting a full body workout or intend to use your indoor rower to train for actual rowing, there are some drawbacks with a piston machine that you should keep in mind:

• The seat on most piston rowing machines is stationary, so your legs won’t be applying any resistance, nor doing any real work.
• Hydraulic rowers don’t emulate real world rowing conditions because your hands can’t recreate the difference in hand height on the stroke and return.
• The action isn’t as smooth as on machines using other forms of resistance such as magnetic or water.
• Resistance can’t be adjusted during the course of your workout.

Before choosing an indoor rower, take the time to compare the features and cost of each machine in relation to your own needs and budget. If you’re looking for an inexpensive, reliable machine that’s easy to care for and use, one of the many piston rowing machines now available may be the ideal choice.

What's the Best Hydraulic Rower?

When it comes to choosing the best hydraulic rowing machine on the market today, it's usually a matter of personal preference.  We like the Kettler Favorit, which has been on our best rowing machines list for quite some time.

It's a solid choice from a solid company that puts a lot of time and research into all of their cardio equipment, and it's a good choice for those on a budget who just want a good daily cardio workout.