Small stature rowing enthusiasts understand the challenge of finding an affordable, compact rowing machine that is suitable for their height and weight.
The good news is, there are some great rowers that feature adjustable seats so that you can find a height that works with your size.
Today’s article is reviewing a list of the best rowing machine for short people.
These products come in a variety of price points, designs, and features so no matter what your budget or needs are you’ll find something suitable here.
We will also talk about some factors to be on the lookout for to help you determine which rower is right for your needs.
Here are our top 13 picks of the best rowing machine for short people:
What Is The Best Rowing Machine For Short People?
The best rowing machine for short people is something they will feel comfortable using.
The following list lay down the best rowing machine for short people to consider in 2022:
1. Sunny Health & Fitness Rowing machine SF-RW5515
The Sunny Health & Fitness Rowing Machine is a perfect option for short people to consider.
It offers 8 levels of adjustable magnetic resistance with its built-in transportation wheels that allow for effortless transport from one room to the other.
It comes with a large LCD console that displays your pace, distance, and time.
This machine comes with a high-quality magnetic resistance system that provides you with a smooth and stable workout.
The Sunny Health & Fitness Rower has an ergonomic design primarily made with short folks in mind which allows you to sit comfortably and get the most out of your workouts.
Moreover, This rower also features anti-slip handlebars that will keep your hands from slipping off during the most intense rowing sessions.
2. Echelon Row Connected Rowing Machine
Echelon Row Connected Rowing Machine is a heavy duty rower designed primarily to support higher weight capacity.
It is a portable, foldable rowing machine that has been designed to be easy to set up and use.
Its ergonomic design is designed specifically for working with your feet, knees or hips. This results in less injury and downtime.
This rower features a built-in device holder which has a handlebar that allows you to easily hold your phone, tablet or other electronic devices while you are rowing.
The Echelon Rowing Machine features the patented Echelon technology that allows you to control the resistance and incline of the rower, meaning you can adjust the intensity of your workout without having to manually adjust your system.
Moreover, you get access to 32 electronic resistance levels that can be adjusted to the amount of resistance you need.
The Echelon Row is a rower designed for home use with the Echelon 12-month Limited Parts and Labor Warranty.
3. Sunny Health & Fitness SF-RW1205
If you are looking for a sleek, high-tech elliptical that will bring your fitness to the next level, look no further than the Sunny Health & Fitness SF-RW1205.
This versatile exerciser boasts a whopping 12 levels of smooth and quiet hydraulic resistance, making it perfect for people of all fitness levels.
With a digital monitor that tracks your progress and customizable settings, you’ll be able to achieve your fitness goals faster than ever before.
The Sunny SF-Rw1205 has an ergonomic compact design that’s sure to make you comfortable during your rowing workout despite your height.
It comes with adjustable features, including the foot pedals, straps, foam handlebars, and cushioned seat so you can easily customize them to suit your personal fitness needs. If you’re ready to experience a whole new level of fitness, let the Sunny SF-RW1205 take you there.
4. Concept2 model D Rowing Machine
If you are opting for the best rowing machine for short athletes, then look no further than the Concept2 Model D Indoor Rowing Machine.
It offers a superior cardio workout that is fun, efficient and challenging.
This rower is absolutely considered one of the best rowing machine for bad knees, meaning it places less tension on your knees and joints while squeezing the best out of you.
The CONCEPT2 PM5 Performance Monitor provides the user feedback on stroke rate, pace, distance, and calories burned to keep you motivated and engaged during your rowing workout .
This rower also features an advanced ergonomically designed handle for comfort during use.
This helps to stay balanced while working out, plus gives more options when exercising on uneven surfaces or while training at high speeds.
This Concept2 rowing machine is lightweight, easy to move from places around and comes with a standard 14″ seat height which makes the perfect height for short dudes with an aluminum I-beam monorail and stainless steel track for a consistent back-and-forth slide.
The CONCEPT2 machine can be quickly broken down into two segments for storage.
5. NordicTrack RW900 Rowing Machine
The NordicTrack RW 900 Rower with its sturdy, heavy duty construction is one of the best option short folks should consider.
With its ergonomic design, this rower not only offers a more comfortable workout, but also provides one of the most effective workouts for your body.
Rowers have been using NordicTrack rowing machines for over a decade and it has become one of the best known and most popular rowers in the world today.
The NordicTrack RW900 rowing machine features a very simple design that is easy to set up and use.
It features a full sized rowing seat which makes it very comfortable to sit on and use for trainers with different heights, especially those who are looking for the best rowing machine for tall people as well.
When you are using your NordicTrack RW900, there are 26 of Digital Resistance Levels available, which means that there will be something for everyone whether they are just starting out or they have been rowing on their for a while.
This rower also features a 30 watt premium sound system in order to provide an excellent experience when you are using this rowing machine .
6. WaterRower Club Rowing Machine
The WaterRower Club Rowing Machine has been made for both home and commercial use. It features a sleek design with attractive mahogany wood finishes.
You will enjoy working out with this rowing machine because it includes top quality materials that are meant to last long.
If you are worried about space issues in your home or gym environment, then this machine is ideal for you because it does not require much space to store or operate.
It comes with a multi-function monitor that tracks your performance as well as other important details such as speed, stroke rate, heart rate, calories burned, etc…
The resistance of this rowing machine impacts how fast you row.
Means the faster you row, the more resistance you create, and the more challenging your workout gets.
You can select from mutually compatible rowing machine modes to make it easier on yourself or challenging for a few extra calories burned.
Race back and forth between intensities as you challenge your body and get fit using an indoor rowing machine with a monitor to help guide your way.
7. Sunny Health & Fitness SF-RW5639
Sunny Health & Fitness SF-RW5639 rowing machine is absolutely great for short rowers, as well as those who are looking for a high quality hydraulic rowing machine.
This model features 12 levels of adjustable resistance, enough to get the most out of your rowing workout whichever level you are.
The Sunny SF-RW5639 also features a padded seat that provides optimal comfort and support, as well as a non-slip grip handlebars that provide optimal comfort and support to the user.
8. Marcy Foldable Magnetic Rower
The Marcy Foldable magnetic rower has a foldable and compact design as it can be stored in a small space.
This machine also comes with two built-in transport wheels that allow easy moving and storage when you’re not using the machine.
With a stroke rate of 4 to 5.5 Strokes Per Second and a maximum resistance of 8, the Marcy rower provides an absolutely low-impact exercise equipment.
The rower comes equipped with a multi-angle monitor that folds both forwards and backwards.
It’s an easy-to-read LCD panel that can be used to keep track over time, count, total count, and calories data to keep you motivated and on pace.
The resistance on this rower also can be adjusted to 8 PRESET LEVELS of magnetic resistance to suit different levels of workout intensity, so you can adjust it while you row to make it more challenging, or row it less to make it easier.
9. Stamina BodyTrac Glider 1050
If you’re looking for the absolute smallest rower, both in use and in storage, the Stamina BodyTrac Glider may be what you’re looking for.
It comes in much cheaper than a lot of the other rowers on this list.
Under $500, the Stamina BodyTrac Glider definitely falls into the category of the best rowing machines under 500$.
The rowing on this rower is smooth, and the full-motion rowing arms provides a natural rowing movement, helping you realize the proven benefits that rowing provides for the entire body.
The Stamina BodyTrack Glider is very lightweight scaling 38 pounds, which makes it easy to move around from one room to the other with no problem at all.
The BodyTrac Glider frame supports 250 pounds of weight capacity. Obviously not an ideal option for those looking a budget-friendly machine.
10. Sunny Health & Fitness SF-RW1410
The Sunny Health & Fitness SF-RW1410 comes in a sleek, solid steel frame with a compact design primarily made with short rowers in mind.
It allows a full range movement, with 12 levels of adjustable hydraulic resistance to choose from.
The Sunny SF-RW1410 comes equipped with a custom-designed with a fully thick-padded seat that is designed to provide maximum comfort and support.
It has non-slip grip handlebar design, which provides the user with the ability to ride comfortably and safely.
This rower also features a large adjustable footrest that allows the user to choose from three different foot positions (flat, up or down) for optimal comfort and support.
The SF-RW1410 has an LCD display that shows time, count, calories burned and total counts. It can be used in both English and Spanish language settings.
11. FITNESS REALITY 1000 PLUS
The FITNESS Reality 1000 Plus is a great model for short guys due to its compact design, heavy duty frame, plus high level of comfort and stability.
It is a very well built rower with a sleek design primarily made with beginners who don’t have any prior experience competing at any kind of high intensity exercise sessions.
Once you receive this machine, there would be some assembly required but it’s pretty easy to do.
However, when you do assemble it, make sure the bearings you install go on at exactly right angles so that the wheels roll smoothly.
Once it’s together, there’s no assembly required anymore.
The Fitness Reality 1000 Plus has many features that make it stand out from other machines.
It has a large screen display of 5″ (1280 x 720) resolution which can be used with both Android and iOS devices, which also makes it very easy to read even on the small screen of your phone or tablet.
This is one of the best features this machine has because you can easily see all your workout data and keep track of your workout without any issues.
The Fitness Reality rower also comes with a free app called MyCloudFitness available on iOS and Android which lets you track your workout results for time, distance and calories burned.
This rower comes with a heart rate monitor, which allows you to see how fast or slow your heart rate is throughout your workout.
All in all, this rowing machine is a great investment for anyone who wants the convenience of an exercise experience whilst not leaving home.
12. JOROTO Magnetic Rower Rowing Machine
With 10 levels of adjustable magnetic resistance, The JOROTO Rowing Machine will fit for the different workout plans for beginner or experts.
This rower features adjustable non-slip pedals, which makes it a great fit for different feet sizes to provide the most efficient use.
The digital monitor can be adjusted to the most comfortable angle to read the display for the users with different heights.
You can use it to keep track over time, count, total count, and calories data to keep you motivated and on pace.
The JOROTO rowing machine also comes with a phone holder on the monitor, the user can watch workout class or movies while doing rowing workout.
13. WATERROWER A1 Home Indoor Rower
The WATERROWER A1 Rower does check all the boxes needed to make it the best rowing machine for a short person should opt for.
It’s really hard to find flaws in this machine.
This rower has been well constructed to support 661.39 Pounds as a maximum weight capacity, so that heavy users would have no trouble using this rowing machine over a long period of time.
If you are looking for something that will be able to do everything you need it to do and probably more, then you have come to the right place.
The WaterRower A1 Home has an easy-to-read LCD screen with digital readout on the left side of the monitor.
The monitor displays important stats like stroke count, calories burned, average time per stroke and stroke rate along with other information like pace/pace or RPM along with your stroke rate.
The monitor also has a water level indicator which makes it easy to check on your water level at all times while rowing.
The WaterRower A1 rower also comes with a warranty on the structural frame for 5 years from the date of purchase.
What You Should Consider When Choosing The Best Rowing Machine For Short People?
A short person has to be extra careful when buying a machine. These are some things to consider when trying to find a rowing machine for a short person:
Dimensions
The design and size of the machine are such important factors when looking for a cardio machine.
Rowing machines come in a variety of sizes, so it is important to choose a compact design rower that fits your needs.
Budget
It is so crucial to consider your budget when looking for a rowing machine.
Buying an affordable rower will give you more freedom when it comes to choosing accessories like monitors and straps.
Space
One of the most important things to keep in mind when choosing a rower is how much space do you have?
Not all models will fit in an apartment or condo, so make sure you take measurements before you buy.
If you have a small space, you may want to look at folding models or ones that can fold up when not in use.
Weight Capacity
Rowers come in all weights, from light to heavy.
The first and most important thing you want to consider when looking for a rowing machine is the user weight limit the machine has.
You need to make sure that it has higher weight limits so it can handle intense workouts without any issues.
Resistance Levels
Rowing machines come equipped with levels of resistance that adjust how difficult it is to row.
You should choose a rower with multiple levels of resistance so that you have a diverse range of options to easily achieve your fitness level and goals.
Type Of Resistance
In today’s market, there are literally a ton of different resistance types to choose from.
The most common feature that can increase or decrease the price range is the resistance type of the machine.
Hydraulic-piston rowing machines dominate the under $300 space, but there are a few magnetic and air rowing machines like Sunny Health & Fitness SF-RW5515.
The hydraulic rowers usually tend to be the most affordable. Next comes the magnetic.
Before making your final decision on which rower to buy, make sure you go through the different resistance levels of rowing machines out there to get a better idea on what you are getting.
Monitoring screen
These days, most rowing machines are equipped with LCD screens that allow you to adjust the resistance levels and monitor your workout from start to finish.
This means that you can focus on your performance and not on your machine, which is great news.
Final Thoughts
Short people can be good at rowing. You’re not doomed if you don’t have a genetic advantage with height.
There are plenty of models when it comes to the best rowing machine for short people. But In this article, we listed our top picks for short athletes to help them get the best rowing experience possible.
The Sunny SF-RW5515 rower has chosen to be the best rowing machine for short people because its design works excellent for short people (as well as everyone else big, small, tall, etc.)
FAQ
Can you be a good rower if you’re short?
Absolutely you can.
Remember, the length of your stroke matters, but not nearly as much as weight in the overall scheme of rowing.
What is a good height for rowing?
The world-class rowers have long levers (arms and legs) so that they can make long strokes.
Male rowers tend to be between 1.90m and 1.95m (6’3″-6’5″) while females 1.80m-185m (5’11”-6’1″).
Is height an advantage in rowing?
In general, the taller you are, the better natural lever you seem to have, and the more of a mechanical advantage you will get.
