Recently, I felt my stomach drop as I pedaled as fast as possible over a steep hill—except that the hill was a computer-generated graphic and I was riding a stationary spin bike in Manhattan. The following week, I spotted the Eiffel Tower while pedaling inside a dark room in Brooklyn.
Welcome to the world of “immersive” indoor cycling, a growing, experiential-based workout trend that’s adding visual elements to spinning like never before.
And you don’t need to be in a bike-friendly city to grab a seat: IMAXShift, which opened its first studio earlier this month in Brooklyn, joins Les Mills’ The Trip, (currently offered at seven gyms around the world, including TMPL in New York City and 24-Hour Fitness in Santa Monica), and Equinox’s The Pursuit (now in 26 of its gym locations across the country, including NYC, LA, Chicago, Miami, and Dallas).
“We’re really redefining what people expect to get from fitness and what a workout can be,” says Bryan Marcovici, CEO of IMAXShift. In all three of these classes, riders are placed in front of a screen and then provided (very different) viewing experiences, which according to some add elements like entertainment value and motivation to the workout.
But does the visual element provide real value, or is it just another (very expensive—IMAXShift is $34 for a 45-minute ride) workout gimmick?
(Photo: IMAXShift)
Virtual reality riding
At the core of Les Mills’ approach to immersive fitness with The Trip is the feeling that you’re actually going on a, well,trip during the class. The brand’s designers use computer-generated graphics to create set “trips” that are essentially a video game for spinning (Trip 6 was just released and a new one debuts each quarter). Playlists match the speed of the visuals, and instructors are then trained to teach the trip, so that if they’re telling you to crank up the resistance because the next hill is rough, you’re actually looking at said hill.
“What I’m very proud of is how the team worked to merge the music that they pick really carefully with the graphics, and they create this story,” explains Les Mills CEO Jesper Magnusson. “When you speed up, the speed you’re moving through the world increases.” The effect is pretty mind-blowing. I wasn’t kidding about my stomach dropping during The Trip, and on one very curvy stretch of road I stopped to observe a phenomenon: The other riders’ brains were so convinced they were on the track that several people were leaning to the right and left. I felt like I could zone out and just zoom through, while still working up a serious sweat.
This is where IMAXShift—which incorporated all of its proprietary IMAX movie technology like a curved screen, theater geometry, and speakers behind the screen—goes wrong. Instead of a course, its approach essentially shows scenic images (think forests and cityscapes), but you’re not made to feel like you’re a part of it. Instead, it’s a bird’s eye view, reminiscent of an old-school computer screensaver. The teaching style—they tapped top talent Jesse Alexander and Bree Branker, both formerly stars at Flywheel—doesn’t allow for you to be “transported,” since you’re focused on resistance and RPMs throughout. Instead of being entertained, I was mostly thinking, What do crashing ocean waves have to do with tap backs? The visuals were almost distracting.
The Pursuit (Photo: Equinox)
Metrics, magnified
Which is not to say that a focus on stats can’t work in this realm. In fact, Equinox’s The Pursuit is all about them, with metrics from the bikes essentially projected onto the screen in front, where they’re used in interactive “games.”
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“Our members, many of whom are competitive by nature, love the strong technology component in class and are pushed by the metrics-driven nature of the program,” says Jeffrey Scott, senior national group fitness manager for cycling at Equinox. “Most of the classes are at capacity, and we’re working hard to expand the offering to meet the demands of our members.” It works because the visuals act as an incentive as you watch your number on the screen and race to compete with your classmates.
And these visual cycling purveyors will likely be racing to keep up with each other—and what will surely be new competitors—as gym-goers decide if there’s value in the virtual.
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Treadmills and bikes get a lot of love when it comes to cardio equipment. Rowing machines? They tend to keep a lower profile. Which is unfortunate when you consider a rowing machine engages nearly 86 percent of your muscles in a single stroke, making it one of the best full-body workouts.
Meghan Musnicki is an Olympic rower and personal trainer.
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Unlike high-impact exercises like running, rowing is low-impact yet high-intensity, strengthening while simultaneously keeping stress off your joints. “Rowing on the erg, just like on the water, uses a significant number of your largest muscles, with your core, legs and glutes doing a lot of work,” says Laura Simon, two-time Olympic hopeful and director of women’s rowing at Norcal Crew. “It’s truly a mainframe workout that uses all of the muscles that support your spine and strengthen your core,” she adds. “The arms contribute, but are more used as a follow-though–like a golf swing or swimming stroke.”
Oh and did we mention, it delivers a killer cardio session, boosting endurance and torching calories in minimal time? Yeah, there are a ton of different ways to use a rowing machine to up your fitness game.
To find the best rowing machines, we enlisted gold medal-worthy help. While Olympic rowers compete on the water, they spend plenty of time on indoor rowing machines (or rowing ergometers).
“Over the course of the year, it averages out to a 60/40 split of outdoor to indoor rowing,” says Grace Luczak, an Olympic rower for Team USA. “Erging, or indoor rowing, is used as a tool to improve fitness—something to rely on when the weather goes south and temperatures slip to the single digits, and as a way to determine our individual fitness. It’s a tool to confirm our training plan is working or needs adjustment.”
Whether you’re an experienced rower looking to refine your technique or a beginner eager to reap the benefits, investing in a high-quality rowing machine can take your fitness routine to the next level. Below, we break down the best rowing machines according to our elite experts—so you can row strong, sweat smart, and train like a pro.
There’s a general consensus among Olympic rowers (and their coaches) that the Concept2 rowing machine is the best at-home rowing machine. It’s compact and easy to store, budget-friendly, and measures your progress with a fuss-free performance monitor. “It’s the gold standard for competitive rowing in terms of measuring times and speeds,” says Gevvie Stone, an Olympic rower for Team USA. “It’s a relatively affordable piece of workout equipment, it’s durable, takes up a small amount of space when upright, it’s relatively easy to transport, and it provides plenty of data on its monitor.”
Though this rowing machine may have been designed with CrossFitters in mind, the team’s goal was crystal clear: They wanted to go head-to-head with the Concept2. And folks, they accomplished that. Rogue is known for making wickedly tough and durable products, and the construction of this machine is no different. The brand is also known for thoughtful design features, and this machine is no different. The Echo Rower's quick-release foot straps are wider than other models and allow for fast transitions on and off the rower, making it ideal if you’re using your rower as a part of a circuit-style workout. Oh, and the large tires and foldability make it a dream for small spaces. It’s just an all-around solid choice.
Hydrow delivers an immersive experience that makes you feel like you’re on the water. “Workouts are filmed live from an actual rowing boat, so you’re watching your trainer row on a body of water while you work out,” says two-time Olympic gold medalist Meghan Musnicki. Aside from the touchscreen display and speakers that give you the view and sounds of the river, you also get a similar feel with its patented drag mechanism. (If the premier model is a little too steep—or too large—for you, check out the Hydrow Wave Rower: it’s 30 percent lighter and smaller, and comes in five colors.)
Luczak loves the feel of RowPerfect. The machine is unique in that both the seat and foot stretcher move, which mimics the feel of rowing on the water in a boat. It’s also said to be gentler on your body than static machines by reducing the force your lower back experiences with each stroke.
Musnicki also likes NordicTrack for its interactive workout experience. “Similar to a Peloton bike, you can pick your workout and your trainer and get in a great sweat.” This model has a 22-inch rotating touchscreen, 26 resistance levels, and manual air resistance, but there’s also less expensive options available, like the NordicTrack RW600 Rower ($899).
If you prefer the feel of water rowers, you can’t do better than the WaterRower. Designed in the ‘80s by US National team rower John Duke, this machine combines beautiful design with unique resistance to create a streamlined experience. Its WaterFlywheel design uses a specially-formed paddle, which cups the moving water and reduces slippage. The handcrafted workmanship makes it a beautiful machine to keep in your home–choose from one of two solid hardwood colors to best match your aesthetic.
Like the WaterRower, it’s a beautiful machine handmade from American cherry wood that you won’t have to worry about hiding out of sight (though you can fold down the screen and store it vertically if you need). The water flywheel never needs to be filled–which we love. But where it really shines is in the workouts themselves. The Ergatta rower offers gaming-inspired content that’s meant to make workouts way more fun and engaging with a 17-inch touchscreen.
The Sunny Health & Fitness Elite Smart Magnetic Water Rowing Machine is a strong contender at an outstanding value. Experienced rowers will value the smooth, consistent resistance (that mimics the feel of rowing on water), thanks to the magnetic and water hybrid resistance system. You get some nice bells and whistles–like a Bluetooth-enabled monitor that tracks time, distance, strokes per minute, and calories burned–combined with a compact footprint for smaller spaces.
Need something super affordable? The TOPIOM Water Rowing Machine is built with a water-based resistance system that delivers a smooth and consistent stroke. The ergonomic seat and adjustable footrests make it easy to sync to your size (but small FYI it does sit fairly low to the ground compared to some other more propped-up models). Now, don’t expect all the bells and whistles of pricier machines: To keep costs low, the machine comes with a basic monitor that lacks advanced features–and a certain degree of reliability. That being said, this rower is well-built and will get the job done, without breaking the bank.
Luczak’s strict requirements for at-home rowing machines include good durability, low noise output, smooth operation, reasonable price, and—more recently—connected fitness. Here are the factors to keep in mind when shopping.
1. Resistance Type
Rowing machines come with four main resistance types: water, air, magnetic, and hydraulic. Water and air rowers provide the most realistic rowing experience, while magnetic rowers offer quieter, adjustable resistance. Hydraulic rowers are compact and budget-friendly but may lack smoothness.
2. Comfort and Ergonomics
“We do as much mileage in a week as a runner would for a marathon,” says Luczak. “That’s a lot of time on the rowing machine.” A well-padded seat, adjustable footrests, and a smooth, natural stroke are essential for long-term comfort. The handle design and seat height can also impact ease of use, particularly for those with mobility concerns.
3. Technology and Connectivity
Many modern rowers feature performance monitors, Bluetooth compatibility, and app integration to track metrics like stroke rate, distance, and heart rate. But there’s another piece you may want to consider: interactive workouts. “No one wants to be isolated when working out, even Olympians,” says Luczak. “Having the connected fitness component was critical for keeping me engaged and getting me off the couch when the Olympics were postponed a year.”
4. Quality and Durability
A sturdy frame (wood or steel) ensures longevity and stability, especially for high-intensity workouts. Check the weight capacity and overall construction to ensure it can handle regular use.
5. Size and Storage
Rowing machines can take up a lot of space. If you’re tight on room, consider a foldable rowing machine or a model that is able to be stored vertically. Measure your available space before purchasing to ensure a good fit.
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