Nike says it has been thinking long and hard about sports bras. So hard, in fact, that it has enlisted the help of some non-human entities.
Meet Haley, a “thermoregulation mannequin” used for Nike sports bra technology research and development…which means Haley actually sweats in order to test the merchandise.
Haley’s not alone, though. Nike also built a physical “boob robot” with a chest that mimics the soft tissue of breasts, which they call “Brabot.” Along with Haley and Brabot, Nike has also expanded its use of body scan artificial intelligence, taking dynamic three-dimensional measurements of thousands of women. This tech that more comprehensively captures the female form, and moves and reacts the way our boobs and bodies do when we exercise, is all in service of creating more inclusive apparel.
“We know more about the female body than ever before,” Dr. Bridget Munro, Nike’s women’s research director, said at a recent event celebrating Nike’s 50th anniversary in Los Angeles. “Our investment in women’s research, sport science technology, and data visualization give us the ability to better understand her needs and create the best products possible for her.”
Photo: Nike
At the event, Nike announced that it had expanded its range of sizes for leggings, which now come in sizes from extra small to 4X, as well as for sports bras. It now offers more than 70 cup sizes, and customers can choose from three different levels of support—light, medium, and high—for all three of its major bra franchises.
To achieve this expansive product set, Nike’s vice president of global apparel Melissa Schirripa said the brand had to “completely re-engineer fit, balance, and proportion.” It did that with the help of technology.
“The real breakthrough in better-fitting apparel for more body types has been the proliferation of digital tools,” Schirripa said. “We’re using data visualization and avatars to more accurately match the wide range of curves, heights, and weights we all have. We’re not just grading up, we’re creating specific designs for a much larger percentage of our population to reinforce that sport will never be defined by size.”
Unlike a metal robot, Brabot is made with material that mimics soft tissue, which means it can act as a more useful stand-in for a model who, uh, has boobs. This intelligent torso robot can stretch and move over and over in a way that might tire out a human model, and provides testing consistency. Nike says, “Brabot can reliably and repeatedly assess the support offered by a bra.”
Haley the sweating mannequin also gets employed in quality control and testing, and helps designers decide, for example, where ventilation or extra sweat wicking is needed.
“We have worked to understand how her bra affects her breast tissue, where she sweats and gets hot, how she moves, her movement efficiency, where she experiences discomfort, how she feels,” a Nike spokesperson said over email.
The dynamic body scans have also helped designers better understand how bodies of different shapes and sizes move, which is crucial for athletic gear. When you’re strapping on a sports bra, it doesn’t just have to just fit in the moment. It has to support you and remain comfortable whether you go on a walk or end up twisting yourself into a pretzel on your yoga mat.
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“It’s easy to design for a body standing still, but Nike has mastered the body in motion,” Munro said. “Our latest capabilities comprise the most intelligent and holistic support system we have ever built for women.”
Nike has clearly invested a lot of time, money, and futuristic tech into making bras that serve everybody. That inclusivity may enable more women to participate in fitness and feel seen. (It’s also a convenient way to attract more loyal, paying customers to a corporation worth over $150 billion.) But hey, if it’s all in service of making a good sports bra that actually fits, doesn’t chafe, and lets women run and jump to their heart’s content, we’re here for it.
“I want women to know how much blood, sweat, and tears went into sports bras,” Munro said.
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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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