Rowing Machines at the Gym
Do gyms have rowing machines, and does Planet Fitness have one? Here is a clear, current answer on what gyms actually keep on the cardio floor, what most of them use, and when a home rower makes more sense.
The short version
Most gyms keep at least one rowing machine on the cardio floor, and most Planet Fitness locations do too, though not every club has one, so it is worth confirming with your specific location before you count on it.
The rower you meet at a functional or CrossFit style gym is almost always an air resistance model, because that style gets harder the more you pull and holds up to constant use. If your gym does not have a rower, or you want the same feel at home, a machine of your own covers the same ground for a single purchase instead of a monthly fee.
On the gym floor
What rowing machines gyms actually use
Rowing machines come in four resistance types: air, magnetic, water, and hydraulic. On a commercial gym floor, and above all in functional fitness and CrossFit style gyms, the standard is air resistance. An air rower drives a fan wheel, so the resistance climbs the harder and faster you pull and there is no ceiling on it. That open ended resistance suits interval work and hard group classes, and the plain fan design takes daily use from dozens of members without much upkeep, which is why gym buyers reach for it first.
The chains that market themselves on comfort and quiet are the exception. Those floors often lean on magnetic or water rowers, which run far quieter than a fan, before they add an air machine. So the resistance style you find comes down to the kind of gym you walk into, not one universal rower.
The common question
Does Planet Fitness have rowing machines?
Yes, most Planet Fitness locations have rowing machines, but it is not guaranteed at every club. Planet Fitness clubs are franchised and vary in size and tier, so the exact equipment on any given floor depends on the location. The larger clubs, and the higher Platinum tier in particular, are more likely to carry a rower, while a smaller or older club may not. Because it varies, the reliable move is to call your local club or check on a free tour before you assume the rower is there.
What you can count on at almost any Planet Fitness is a deep bank of the core cardio machines: treadmills, ellipticals, upright and recumbent stationary bikes, and stair climbers. If a rower is not on the floor, any of those covers your cardio in the meantime, and the stationary bike is the closest low impact stand in while you wait.
Technique
Using the rower at your gym
Good form runs legs first, then back, then arms on the drive, and reverses that order, arms then body then legs, on the way back to the start. Keep the stroke smooth rather than rushed and let your legs do most of the work, and you will get more out of every pull with less strain on your lower back.
For full sessions you can follow at the gym or at home, see our rowing machine workouts.
The money question
Gym rower or home rower?
If rowing becomes your main cardio, the math starts to favor owning one. A gym membership is a cost that repeats every month for as long as you keep it, while a home rower is bought once and then costs nothing to use. A capable magnetic rower for the home starts around 150 dollars, so if you would otherwise pay for a membership largely to use the rower, a machine of your own can pay for itself inside a year or two and keep saving after that.
The case for the gym still holds if you value the variety of a full floor, the pull of live classes, or simply getting out of the house to train. If it is mainly the rower you are after, browse our overall picks on the best rowing machines guide, or start with the best budget rowing machines if price is the deciding factor.
Same feel at home
Bringing the gym feel home
The thing that makes a gym rower feel like a real workout is that air resistance answers your effort: pull harder and it pushes back harder, with no fixed setting to top out. A home air rower brings that same open ended feel to a spare room, which is why it is the pick for interval training and anyone chasing a gym style burn. If that is the feel you are after, see the best air rowing machines.
If a quiet room matters more to you than that dynamic bite, a magnetic rower trades the scaling resistance for near silent operation, which is the friendlier choice for an apartment or shared walls.
Quick questions
FAQ
Does Planet Fitness have rowing machines?
What rowing machine do most gyms use?
How long should a beginner row at the gym?
Is the gym rowing machine good for weight loss?
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