Fitness Flohmarkt · Guide
Buying a rowing machine: Air, water or magnetic
Air, water, and magnets differ more from one another than two models of the same design. This guide classifies the three systems and shows you which device from our Rowing Machines Category fits your room, your budget and your neighbors.
In short
Air resistance suits you if you train intensively and at varying paces: the pull gets harder the faster you pull. Water feels closest to rowing on a lake, but requires maintenance. Magnetic is the quietest option and therefore the first choice for a rented apartment. At Fitness-Flohmarkt you will exclusively find air resistance machines, ranging from CHF 645 to CHF 1,495.
Resistance
Air, Water, or a Magnet: What Really Changes the Resistance
The resistance on a rowing machine is the force you’re working against with every stroke, and it’s generated in three ways: via a fan, via paddles in a water tank, or via magnets on the flywheel. Air and water behave almost identically: the harder you pull, the higher the resistance, without you having to adjust anything. Magnets work the opposite way: the resistance is fixed as soon as you select the level and remains the same no matter how fast you pull. Almost everything else follows from this. Air and water are loud but well-suited for interval training because the machine responds immediately to every hard pull. The magnet is quiet and consistent but doesn’t reward explosive effort. And the resistance system is the only decision you make when purchasing that you can’t change afterward.
| Resistance | Draft | Volume | Adjust the intensity | Care | Goes well with |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Air | The faster you pull, the harder the pull gets | clearly audible noise | about your speed and the wind turbine's base stiffness | Dust off the wind turbine, check the drive system | Interval Training, Hybrid Training, Gym, and Club |
| Water | the closest thing to rowing on the water | a low-frequency hum, which many find pleasant | based on your speed; base resistance based on the fill level | Treat the water regularly; check the tank | Low-impact endurance workouts, living space, appearance |
| Magnet | steady, doesn't react to your pace | the quietest | fixed increments on the lever or display | the least; wear and tear mainly on the belt | Rental Apartment, Rehabilitation, Basic Training |
The second difference has to do with the settings. With an air-powered machine, you adjust the basic resistance on the flywheel; the rest is determined by your pace, which AirRower has ten levels for that. With the water rower, the water volume in the tank determines it; that is a one-time setting and not one that you change between two intervals. Only the magnetic rower allows you to repeat a resistance level precisely. If you want to know how we proceed with other product groups, you can find that in our Overview of Buying Guides.
Direct Comparison
Which rowing machine is better, water or magnetic?
For most living rooms, the magnetic fan is the more practical choice, while the water fan is the more aesthetically pleasing one. The water fan wins in terms of feel: The blades create a draft that most closely resembles rowing on a lake, and many people find the deep, gentle sound more pleasant than that of a fan. The trade-off is weight, maintenance, and price, because a full tank is heavy, the water needs to be treated regularly, and these machines are rarely inexpensive. Magnetic resistance wins out in terms of noise level, price, and maintenance, making it the right choice for quiet, basic training in a noisy apartment. However, there’s a third scenario: If you’re doing short, intense intervals and want the machine to respond immediately with more resistance when you push harder, neither option is suitable—you need an air-resistance bike.
Space requirement
How much space does a rowing machine take up?
Expect a footprint of about 2.90 m in length and 1.20 m in width; ceiling height isn’t an issue when rowing. The three machines in our lineup are between 234 and 238 cm long and between 51 and 63 cm wide. Since the seat and the rowing motion move along the rail, the length of the machine is also the space it occupies. Add about 50 cm behind the machine so you can get on and off comfortably without bumping into the wall, and 238 plus 50 cm equals the 2.90 m mentioned above. You need less width than most people think: Your arms stay close to your body, so about 30 cm on each side is sufficient. The situation is different with the SkiErgometer out, which we carry at the same price as the AirRower: It measures only 130 cm in length, but is 215 cm high, and that makes taking a look at the basement ceiling worthwhile.
When space is permanently tight, dismantlability is more important than any other figure. The AirRower can be separated into two parts and stored in a corner. According to their data sheets, the two Assault models cannot be folded, but they have transport wheels that allow you to tilt them to the side. For a practice or a studio that is not a problem, but in a small city apartment it is.
Volume
How loud is an air rower?
An air resistance rowing machine is the loudest piece of equipment in a home gym, and the noise increases with your pace. Two distinct types of noise are produced that have nothing to do with each other. The fan wheel generates airborne sound, a steady rush like a powerful fan that swells and fades with every pull. The seat rollers, rail, and frame generate structure-borne sound that travels through the floor into the neighbors' ceiling. A mat helps against the structure-borne sound, but nothing helps against the noise. That is precisely why we say it openly: if you live in an apartment building, someone sleeps directly below you, and you want to work out after 10 p.m., an air machine is the wrong choice. In that case, you need a magnetic machine, and we do not carry those.
If you're still staying in the air, at least get the ground to go with it. Our Flooring buying guide Place cardio equipment on 6 to 8 mm rubber, and that is sufficient for the purpose: The mat protects parquet and tiles, dampens structure-borne noise, and keeps the equipment in place during vigorous pulls. Under a rowing machine, a continuous surface is better than individual loose tiles, otherwise the machine will wander between the edges.
Assortment
Fitness-Flohmarkt carries these three rowing machines
All three rowing machines at Fitness-Flohmarkt work with air resistance and differ mainly in construction, console, and weight capacity. The AirRower is the entry-level model with a ten-stage wind wheel, a 200 kg weight capacity, and the ability to be disassembled for storage. The two Assault models are designed for continuous use: a two-stage chain and belt drive, adjustable steel footplates, no power connection required. The Assault Rower PRO additionally brings a three-fan system and a console with ANT connectivity, which Assault Rower Elite a 4-way leveling system for uneven floors. Anyone who rows every day won't notice the difference on the first day, but after two years.
AirRower | Rowing machine
- CHF 645.-
- 238 x 63 x 85 cm
- up to 200 kg
- Air resistance, 10 levels
- dismountable in two parts
- Art. F-85216
The cheapest air bike in the range and the only one that you can split into two parts for storage. The resistance runs via a wind wheel with ten levels, and you do the fine-tuning through your pace. With a permitted user weight of 200 kg, it even exceeds the two Assault models. It does not have a touchscreen; the console shows the training values as a guide.
Ideal for: the first home rowing machine of your own, for multi-purpose rooms.
View AirRower
Assault Rower PRO | Rowing machine
- CHF 1,095.-
- 234 x 56 x 114.5 cm
- up to 160 kg
- Triple-fan system
- ANT console
- Art. F-64115
Manually powered, without a power connection, featuring a two-stage chain and belt drive and continuously increasing resistance via the three-fan system. The console measures time, distance, 500m split, stroke rate, and calories. In addition, it features a multi-grip handle system, adjustable steel footplates, seat lock, and a 4-way leveling system. With a net weight of 50 kg, the machine remains stable even during hard drives.
Ideal for: Studios, clubs, practices, and home gyms where multiple people train every day.
View Assault Rower PRO
Assault Rower Elite | Rowing machine
- CHF 1,495.-
- 235 x 51 x 123.5 cm
- up to 160 kg
- 65 kg dead weight
- 4-way leveling
- Art. F-88184
The most robust of the three devices: two-stage chain and belt drive, adjustable steel footplates, sweat-resistant seat, and a 4-way leveling and stabilization system that ensures a secure stance even on uneven surfaces. No power connection required. At 51 cm, it is also the narrowest model, which matters when multiple devices are placed next to each other.
Ideal for: Athletic areas and competition preparation, where multiple athletes use the same apparatus consecutively.
View Assault Rower Elite| Model | Resistance | Dimensions L x W x H | Max. Load | Special feature | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AirRower | Air, 10 levels | 238 x 63 x 85 cm | 200 kg | dismountable in two parts | CHF 645.- |
| Assault Rower PRO | air, three-fan system | 234 x 56 x 114.5 cm | 160 kg | ANT console, without power | CHF 1,095.- |
| Assault Rower Elite | air, two-stage drive | 235 x 51 x 123.5 cm | 160 kg | 4-way leveling | CHF 1,495.- |
A note from the manufacturer itself: The performance values on the display are for guidance and may differ from what you would achieve rowing on the water. This is completely sufficient for progress tracking and interval training, but not for comparison with other people's personal bests.
Occasion
Buying a rowing machine used: what to check on a secondhand one
Second-hand rowing machines appear irregularly because they become available less frequently during gym liquidations than strength equipment. As of August 2026, in the Rowing machines category three new devices, while in the Cardio category frequently changing used equipment, from treadmills to indoor bikes. If you find a used rowing machine there or elsewhere, check five things: does the seat glide smoothly without jerking along the entire rail, are the chain or belt free of slack, are the foot straps secure, does the display immediately show a reading when you start pulling, and is the fan free of dust and hair. The seat is the part that shows the previous usage most clearly.
We offer second-hand items from studio liquidations, trade fairs, and clearance stock. What that means for you: The price is good, the piece is unique, and the exact specifications are always listed on the product page rather than in a general model description. When in doubt, ask about the condition before ordering.
Recommendation
What is worth it for whom
Beginners in the home gym
You want to start at home and don't know yet how much you will row. The AirRower for CHF 645.– It can be taken apart and controls the intensity through your pace. This means it grows with you instead of boring you after three months.
Studio, club, physiotherapy practice
A machine that several people train on daily needs different bearings and a different rail than a home device. The Assault Rower PRO is built for this and is not by chance also found in the Rehab and Physio CategoryThe fluid movement without hard impacts makes it useful for returning to exercise and building fitness.
Hybrid and competitive athletes
If you train rowing as a competitive discipline, you want a piece of equipment that reacts immediately to hard strokes and can withstand multiple athletes in succession. Weighing 65 kg, the Assault Rower Elite remains stable even when things get fast. You can find the right environment for it in the Conditioning category.
Rented apartment with neighbors below you
You rent an apartment, someone sleeps below you, and you work out late. Then air resistance is the wrong technique, no matter how good the machine is. Buy a magnetic resistance machine, even if you don't get it from us, and put a suitable mat under it. What thickness belongs under cardio equipment is stated in the Fitness floor buying guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Buying a rowing machine: the most important answers
How much does a good rowing machine cost?
At Fitness-Flohmarkt, the three rowing machines range between CHF 645.- and CHF 1’495.-. The lower end is sufficient for starting out at home. Anyone who has multiple users on the machine daily pays more primarily for the rail, bearings, and drive system, not for the console. The current price is always listed on the product page.
How many muscles does rowing work?
Rowing engages over 75 percent of the muscles in a single movement. Legs and glutes provide the drive, core and back transfer it, and arms and shoulders finish the pull. At the same time, the cardiovascular system is working. That is why you train strength endurance and conditioning in the same session without changing equipment.
Is rowing low-impact on the joints?
Yes. The pulling and gliding motion happens without hard impacts; unlike running, the knees, hips, and spine do not experience impact stress. The prerequisite is proper technique: the drive comes from the legs, and the back remains straight. If you have existing back problems, you should clarify this with your doctor or physical therapist beforehand.
Does a rowing machine need a power outlet?
The two Assault models don't need one. They are powered exclusively by your own strength, and the console operates independently of the mains. This allows you to set them up in the garage, basement, or an adjacent room without having to plan for a power outlet. That is a practical advantage of air resistance over motorized cardio equipment.
Can a rowing machine be stored away after a workout?
The AirRower can be disassembled into two parts and thus stored in a corner or in a closet. According to the data sheet, the two Assault models are not foldable, but they do have transport wheels: you tilt the machine and roll it to the side. A rower with a length of 234 cm cannot be made to disappear completely.
Which rowing machine is suitable for beginners?
An air machine with an adjustable wind turbine, for example the AirRower with its ten levels. The reason: You determine the intensity through your pace rather than through a setting that you first have to figure out. A relaxed steady pace and maximum intervals work on the same machine without you having to convert anything.
How much body weight does a rowing machine support?
The AirRower can support up to 200 kg, and the two Assault models up to 160 kg. This figure refers to the user weight and is a limit, not a reserve. If you are close to it, choose the device with the higher rating. In this case, that is not the most expensive one, but the cheapest one.
Ready for the first interval?
A rowing machine is the purchase people regret the least and make too late the most often. If air is the right choice for you, you can see all three models side by side here.
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