Life Fitness rowing machines

Why choose a Life Fitness rowing machine?

Life Fitness is an American brand with a strong, commercial background: you find the machines worldwide in gyms, studios and hotels. That experience translates into rowing machines that are sturdily built, row comfortably and last a long time. For you, that means gym quality in your home, whether you work calmly on your fitness or train hard. Take a look as well at the other fitness equipment from Life Fitness.

What sets Life Fitness apart is the choice in resistance. The Row HX uses water resistance: a paddle moves through a water tank, so the resistance follows the full rowing motion and scales automatically with your effort. That gives the most true-to-nature rowing feel, close to rowing on open water, without a dead moment. The HEAT rowing machines instead combine air and magnetic resistance, which you set precisely over a hundred levels with a large dial, with precise power measurement. This way you choose between a natural, fluid feel and a performance-oriented, exactly adjustable workout.

Both approaches share the attention to comfort and detail Life Fitness is known for, from smooth-running bearings and a low-maintenance drive to well-thought-out footrests and handles. This way you row pleasantly, whether you choose the natural Row HX or the sporty HEAT.

Which Life Fitness rowing machine suits you?

The right choice depends mainly on your rowing feel, your way of training and your budget. The situations below help you quickly find the right direction.

You want the most true-to-nature rowing feel and a beautiful look: The Row HX is then the logical choice. The water resistance feels like rowing on the water, and the wooden frame makes the trainer beautiful enough to leave in the living room. Take a targeted look at our range of water-resistance rowing machines.

You train intensively and performance-oriented, or do interval training: Then the HEAT rowing machines are in their element. With their hybrid air and magnetic resistance, a hundred precisely adjustable levels and a precise power meter, you get the best out of yourself. Take a targeted look at our range of air-resistance rowing machines.

You want to set the resistance very precisely yourself: On the HEAT rowing machines you set the resistance over a hundred levels with a large dial, which you can even reach from the starting position while rowing. On the Row HX you regulate the base resistance by adjusting the water level in the tank; in addition it scales automatically with your force.

You are looking for studio or gym quality: The HEAT rowing machines are built for intensive use and group training. Also take a look at our professional rowing machines.

You prefer a low entry: The Row HX has a low entry at seat height, which makes getting on and off easy, pleasant for beginners or with sensitive knees. The HEAT models instead have a higher, sportier seating position.

The Life Fitness rowing machines explained

Row HX (water resistance, wooden frame)

The home rowing machine with natural water resistance. A paddle with three blades catches immediately and holds the resistance throughout the whole stroke, without a dead moment. The frame is a handsome combination of durable Scandinavian beech wood and steel, with a stable double rail. You adjust the base resistance via the water level, and thanks to the low entry, the smooth-running bearings and the low-maintenance, quiet drive, you row particularly comfortably. The LCD display shows your data and can be linked to fitness apps via Bluetooth.

Heat Row (hybrid air and magnetic resistance)

The performance-oriented rowing machine, built for intensive training and group classes. The resistance is a hybrid of air and magnet, adjustable over a hundred levels with a large 300-degree dial that you reach from the starting position. With the precise power measurement (WattRate) and eight training programmes you train in a very targeted way. The robust steel frame and the maintenance-free belt drive make it suitable for frequent, heavy use.

Heat Performance Row (top model)

The most performance-oriented version, with the same hybrid air and magnetic resistance on a robust steel and aluminium frame. The top model for those who want to get the maximum out of their rowing training, with the build quality and precision of a studio machine.

What to look out for when buying a Life Fitness rowing machine?

The resistance system

The Row HX works with water resistance, which scales automatically with your effort and gives the most natural rowing feel. The HEAT rowing machines use a hybrid air and magnetic resistance that you set very precisely over a hundred levels. Choose water for a natural, fluid feel, or air and magnet for precision and performance.

Frame and look

The Row HX combines wood and steel, which gives a warm look that fits nicely in a living space. The HEAT models have a robust steel frame with a sportier, more technical character. Choose on the basis of your interior and your way of training.

Entry and comfort

The Row HX has a low entry at seat height, which makes getting on and off easy. The HEAT rowing machines have a higher seating position. Both have adjustable footrests with straps for a good rowing position, and an ergonomic handle.

Monitor, data and apps

All models have a display with your training data, such as time, distance, strokes per minute, calories and power. The Row HX can be linked to fitness apps via Bluetooth; bear in mind that the full functions of such apps usually require a paid subscription, while the rowing machine works perfectly well with its own display without. The HEAT models moreover show a precise power measurement and multiple training programmes.

Space and storage

A rowing machine requires length (over two metres). All models have transport wheels to move them easily, and for the Row HX a separate storage stand is available to put it upright. Do you want to protect your floor, then also take a look at the rowing machine accessories.

Our advice: First choose your rowing feel. Do you want the most true-to-nature, fluid feel and a beautiful, wooden trainer for home, then the Row HX is an excellent choice. Do you train intensively and performance-oriented, or do you want to set the resistance very precisely with a precise power measurement, then the HEAT rowing machines are more logical. Are you in doubt, then come and try the trainers side by side in our showroom.

Who is a Life Fitness rowing machine suitable for?

A Life Fitness rowing machine suits a broad group of sportspeople who want to train full-body and low impact:

• Home sportspeople with an eye for interior who, with the Row HX, want a beautiful, wooden rowing machine with a natural rowing feel.
• Performance-oriented sportspeople who, with the HEAT models, want to train intensively, measurably and in a targeted way.
• People who want to lose weight or improve their fitness with an effective, calorie-rich full-body workout.
• Sportspeople with sensitive joints who want to train low impact without shock load.
• Sportspeople in rehabilitation who want to build up in a controlled way, in consultation with a therapist.

Are you looking for a simple, cheap entry-level rowing machine, then a budget brand is more logical. Do you instead want the quality of a leading fitness brand, with the choice between a natural water rower and a performance-oriented studio rower, then Life Fitness offers a strong, versatile choice.

Need help with your choice?

Would you like to buy a Life Fitness rowing machine but are you not yet quite sure which one best suits your wishes and needs? Then we are happy to help. You can reach our specialists by phone on +31 85 773 00 57, send an email or visit our fitness store in Volkel, the Netherlands.

Frequently asked questions about Life Fitness rowing machines

What is the difference between the Row HX and the HEAT rowing machines?

The Row HX works with natural water resistance and has a wooden frame, ideal for a true-to-nature rowing feel and a beautiful look at home. The HEAT Row and Heat Performance Row work with a hybrid air and magnetic resistance on a robust steel frame, with a hundred adjustable levels and a precise power measurement, built for intensive, performance-oriented training.

What is the difference between water resistance and air and magnetic resistance?

With water resistance a paddle moves through water, so the resistance scales automatically with your effort and gives the most natural rowing feel, without a dead moment. With the hybrid air and magnetic resistance of the HEAT models you set the resistance precisely over a hundred levels, ideal for structured interval and strength-oriented training.

Which muscles do you train on a rowing machine?

Rowing is a real full-body workout. About 60% of the motion comes from your legs, around 30% from your back and about 10% from your arms, while your abdominal and shoulder muscles work along. This lets you train almost all your large muscle groups and your fitness at the same time in one flowing motion, which makes rowing excellent for losing weight.

Can I set the resistance of a Life Fitness rowing machine?

Yes. On the Row HX you adjust the base resistance via the water level in the tank, and in addition the resistance scales automatically with your rowing force. On the HEAT rowing machines you set the resistance precisely over a hundred levels with a large dial, which you can even reach while rowing.

Are Life Fitness rowing machines suitable for rehabilitation or older people?

Yes. Rowing is low impact and kind to the joints, and the Row HX moreover has a low entry that makes getting on and off easy. Build up calmly and in rehabilitation always consult your doctor or physiotherapist first.

Can I try out a Life Fitness rowing machine first?

Yes, in our fitness store in Volkel you can compare and try out the Row HX and the HEAT rowing machines before you choose. The difference in rowing feel between water and air with magnet in particular you feel best when you try them side by side. Feel free to drop by or call us in advance.