Air Rowing Machines

Air Resistance Rowing Machines

Air resistance rowing machines use a flywheel to generate resistance. When the rower pulls on the handlebar, it causes the spinning fan flywheel to create wind. When the handle is pulled harder, the flywheel spins faster and you feel more resistance. Therefore, the level of resistance is directly related to how fast/hard you row.

This resistance type is ‘’variable” because the rower determines the resistance level by how fast or hard they row. However, some air-resistance rowers feature a lever that can be used to adjust the airflow and resistance to the fan blade. Air rowers allow users to speed up or slow down their rowing pace right in the middle of their workout even without touching the controls.

The variable resistance has made air rowers very popular for cross-fit and high-intensity interval training (HIIT) workouts. They allow rowers to work out intensely or easily without adjusting any settings or stopping.

Air resistance rowers typically have a large footprint compared to other resistance types mainly due to their long seat rails which provide a very smooth rowing motion that simulates outdoor rowing very well. However, the rower makes a bit of noise because the flywheel creates a whooshing sound as you pull the handlebar. This can be irritating, especially for people who have roommates and people who want to train while watching TV or listening to music at normal volume.