Average Rowing Machine Weight Limits

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You can get in great workouts on rowing machines but you want to take their weight limits into account. Discover a few averages.

I looked at 65 rowing machine examples for this article and calculated that their average weight limit was 306.86 pounds (139.16 kg). The same rowing machines had a median weight limit of 285 pounds (129.25 kg).

It is worth noting that there are different categories of rowing machines and even within these categories, individual brands can vary a lot.

For example, the list has rowing machines that have a weight limit of 500 pounds (226.76 kg) and more.

On the other end of the range, there are rowing machines with a weight limit of only 220 pounds (99.77 kg).

Because weight capacity is an important feature, you definitely want to find out this detail of the model you intend to buy or use.

This article will go over the averages and medians of the different categories and also show these details for the individual brand models that the list includes.

Rowing machine weight limits

You can find the different categories of rowing machines and their average weight limits and brands below.

As mentioned above, the overall average of this rowing machine statistic is 306.86 pounds (139.16 kg). The median weight limit of the same brand models was 285 pounds (129.25 kg).

Magnetic rowing machine weight limits

Magnetic rowing machines make your movements harder by, as their name implies, making magnets pass each other. Many people like the silent use of this category.

The average weight limit of the magnetic rowing machines on this list is 279.64 pounds (126.82 kg). The median weight limit is 275 pounds (124.72 kg).

One model that stands out is the Hydrow Magnetic with a relatively high weight limit of 375 pounds (170.07 kg).

On the flip side, the Bluefin Blade 2.0 and Ativafit Magnetic only have a weight limit of 220.46 pounds (100 kg).

While the average weight limit of magnetic rowing machines seems to be relatively low, there are still individual models that perform well in this area.

Air rowing machine weight limits

In air rowing machines your pulling movements make a fan turn against air resistance.

These air rowing machines had an average weight limit of 337.68 pounds (153.14 kg). The same models on the list had a median weight limit of 298.81 pounds (135.51 kg).

The air rowing machines with the highest weight limits were the EliteTopRow Air and the Row Warrior with capacities of 550 pounds (249.43 kg).

On the other hand, the N/C Air only has a weight limit of 220 pounds (99.77 kg).

When it comes to weight capacities, air rowing machines tend to be a sturdy category.

Water rowing machine weight limits

One of the benefits of water rowing machines is that they feel a bit more like the real sport. Additionally, as you can see below, they have relatively high limits.

More specifically, the water rowing machines below have an average weight capacity of 362.27 pounds (164.30 kg).

These machines have a median weight limit of 330 pounds (149.66 kg).

The WaterRower Classic stands out in its extremely high weight limit of 992.08 pounds (449.92 kg).

On the lowest end of the list, there is the Murtisol Water with a weight limit of only 264 pounds (119.73 kg).

The high average weight limit of water rowing machines is partly due to the exceptional WaterRower Classic but there are other sturdy options too.

Hydraulic rowing machine weight limits

Hydraulic rowing machines create resistance with the help of hydraulic tubes. Overall, they tend to be the category with the lowest rowing machine weights which makes them popular in home situations.

The hydraulic rowing machines below have an average weight limit of 254.72 pounds (115.52 kg). This is very similar to the median weight limit which is 250 pounds (113.38 kg).

An option that stands out is the Sunny Health & Fitness SF-RW5639 with a weight limit of 350 pounds (158.73 kg).

On the other hand, the Sunny Health & Fitness SF-RW1205 and the ProGear 750 Rower are the hydraulic rowing machines with the lowest weight limit, 220 pounds (99.77 kg).

While the price of hydraulic machines is one of their pros, you can also see these are not the most sturdy pieces of cardio equipment out there.