Rowing Machines

The rower is the most-programmed machine in group training, which makes duty cycle the whole question. A rower in a class format is used in short, hard bursts by a new person every few minutes, and the parts that fail are the seat rollers, the handle and the chain or strap — not the frame.

Air rowers give resistance proportional to effort and are the standard for conditioning and competition formats. Water rowers give a smoother catch and a quieter room, which matters in a studio where a coach has to be heard.

Rowers are usually bought in rows of several. Order the floor protection with them: a bank of rowers on bare concrete is loud and moves.