Water and air resistance have long been the all-time favorite for delivering a realistic and smooth experience for indoor rowing machines. Being able to simulate the real-life motion of rowing on water has been an important goal in order to provide effective off water training and deliver an excellent full body workout. In this article water vs air rower, we will dive into the specifics of each and which one might be the perfect fit for your home gym.
My Top Water VS Air Rower Picks:
 | WaterRower Natural |
| View on Amazon |
 | Concept2 RowErg |
| View on Amazon |
Water Resistance
Water resistance indoor rowing machines contain a water tank with a propeller flywheel creating resistance with every stroke you take. Water based resistance is dynamic, meaning that it increases or decreases based on the effort you put in or your stroke intensity. Because of this you don’t typically have the ability or need to have resistance adjustment. Some water resistance rowing machines such as the E520 Fluid rower do however.
Water resistance is attractive to many home gym users as it provides a quieter, more fluid and natural rowing experience that closely mimics and simulates the actual experience and feeling of rowing on the water. Not to mention the little to no noise aside from the relaxing sound of the water splashing against the sides of the water tank. Water resistance offers great stability and control, allowing for a better workout and improved form as providing a smooth natural rowing stroke can be easier on your joints and back.
Pros
- Smooth and realistic
- Resistance scales on effort
- Relaxing sound
- Fluid natural stroke
Cons
- Resistance adjustment requires adding or removing water
- Tablets required to keep tank clean
WaterRower Natural
The most popular water resistance rowing machine is the WaterRower Natural. Hand crafted in the USA from sustainable wood which absorbs sound and vibration makes it a truly natural and enjoyable rowing experience.
Air Resistance
When thinking about indoor rowing machines and resistance, you may automatically think that water resistance is best and air resistance can’t possibly compete. However, air resistance has been used and held in high regard for use in indoor rowing machines for a very long time.
The most famous air resistance rowing machine being the Concept2 RowErg Rowing machine, which is known as the gold standard for indoor rowing by all serious athletes from Olympic medal holders to top CrossFit athletes. Despite not providing the fluid and natural resistance of water, the Concept2 RowErg rowing machine does an excellent job of mimicking the feeling of rowing on water and is backed up by top Olympic rowers worldwide, making air resistance an excellent training tool for providing a top indoor rowing experience.
Some of the benefits of air resistance when comparing water vs air rower include the easy ability to adjust your resistance and set specific resistance levels which allows for a more customizable workout. Another big advantage that air resistance machines have is the lower maintenance of not having to look after a water tank as well as generally being lighter to move around. With having lower maintenance as well as extreme durability, air resistance rowing machines such as the Concept2 RowErg also have some of the best longevity making them a popular choice for gyms and fitness centers.
Pros
- Smooth and realistic
- Resistance easily adjustable
- Durability
- Lower maintenance
- Light and portable
Cons
- Noise; much louder than water resistance
- Generates a bit of wind
Concept2 RowErg
The Concept2 RowErg is one of the best air resistance indoor rowing machines. It features a slick black aluminum monorail and smooth stainless-steel track and includes 10 resistance levels to choose from giving you the experience of rowing in a lightweight racing scull to a heavy row boat.
Check out my Concept2 RowErg buyers guide for more information on the Concept2 RowErg rowing machine.
Conclusion
Perhaps you enjoy the natural feeling and sound of the water resistance rowing machines or the convenience of setting a specific resistance on an air resistance rowing machine, both provide their benefits as well as both being able to provide an excellent natural and smooth indoor rowing experience.
There are many different water and air resistance rowing machines out there for purchase, however if you are after excellent build quality which offers durability as well as the option for replacement parts and great company reputation I would highly recommend purchasing either a WaterRower or Concept2 RowErg rowing machine. Both are considered the gold standard for their resistance types. Both are similar in price, however if you want Bluetooth / app integration options then you either need to purchase an add on such as the Bluetooth ComModule or SmartRow for the WaterRower or purchase the WaterRower Performance Erg which ends up generally being more expensive than a Concept2 RowErg rowing machine which comes standard with Bluetooth capability.
Check out my article Concept2 RowErg VS WaterRower where I compare the two most popular water VS air rower rowing machines.
Ultimately, the choice between either the water vs air rower comes down to personal preference and your fitness goals such as whether you want to be able to compare times against other users. Either way both are an excellent choice. All the best with your decision and happy rowing!