Are Rowing Machines Loud?

Rowing machines range from fairly quiet to noticeably loud. The type of resistance is the biggest factor, but your technique, your floor and the room matter too.

Noise by resistance type

• Air: the flywheel draws air through a cage, which makes a whooshing noise. The harder you pull, the louder it gets. Air machines are usually the loudest of the three.
• Water: the paddles move through a tank, so the sound is a gentle sloshing that many people find pleasant. Some find it louder at high intensity.
• Magnetic: resistance comes from magnets, so there is little air noise. These are generally the quietest.

For the differences in feel and use, see air vs water vs magnetic rowing machines.

Manufacturers rarely publish comparable decibel figures, so treat any exact numbers with caution and, if you can, try a machine before you buy. Our own research did not find reliable, like-for-like noise figures, so we have not quoted any.

It depends how you row

Noise is not fixed. On an air machine, a slow, easy row at a low stroke rate is much quieter than an all-out sprint. If you mostly plan to do steady, easy sessions, an air machine may be quieter in practice than the reputation suggests. If you plan to do hard intervals, the noise at peak effort is what matters. If you are considering an air rower on a budget, our page on the JTX Ignite Air shows what to check before you buy.

What else makes noise

• The seat on the rail: a rattle can come from dirt or a dry rail. Wipe the rail and follow the manufacturer’s guidance on care. See how to clean your rowing machine.
• The chain or strap: they hum or click as they move.
• Your technique: slamming the seat at the catch or snatching at the handle adds noise.
• The floor: hard floors and thin floors carry sound. Flats and upstairs rooms can amplify it.
• The handle returning: letting the handle snap back against the machine makes a clack.

Ways to reduce noise

1. Put the machine on a thick rubber mat.
2. Row smoothly, with a controlled recovery.
3. Keep the machine clean, and tighten loose bolts.
4. Row at a time that suits your household and neighbours.
5. Consider a quieter type if noise is the main concern.
6. Place the machine away from shared walls, and ideally on a ground floor.

Which situation, which suggestion

Your situation	What to think about
Ground-floor house, understanding household	Any type is likely to be fine
Upstairs flat, thin floors	Magnetic or water; use a thick mat; row at sensible hours
Early morning or late evening sessions	A quieter type, and gentle technique
Garage or shed	Noise matters less; protect the machine from damp
Shared house with a baby or shift workers	Try before you buy if you can

Small spaces and shared homes

If you live in a flat or share walls, check the machine type and test it in a shop if possible. Our guide to rowing machines for small spaces covers footprint and storage. Think too about when you will row, as a quiet machine at 6am is still not silent.

Myths about noise

• “All rowing machines are loud.” Not so. Types differ a lot.
• “Quiet means weak.” Magnetic machines can provide plenty of resistance. Noise is not a measure of the workout.
• “A mat solves everything.” A mat helps with vibrations through the floor, but not with air noise.

Choosing

Noise is only one thing to consider. See best rowing machine for a comparison of current models, and are rowing machines good for the wider benefits.