Rowing Machine vs Treadmill: Which Is Better?

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Quick picks

Best overall for low-impact cardioConcept2 RowErg Indoor Rowing MachineIt is the safer long-term pick for many home users who want full-body conditioning, a simple design, and no app lock-in. AmazoneBayDetails ↓

Best overall for walking and runningNordicTrack Commercial 1750 TreadmillIt is the better fit if you want familiar treadmill training, incline/decline variety, and a large touchscreen. AmazoneBayDetails ↓

Best for a smaller cardio cornerConcept2 RowErg Indoor Rowing MachineIt still needs space during use, but it separates into two pieces for storage and keeps the setup straightforward. AmazoneBayDetails ↓

Best for run-specific trainingNordicTrack Commercial 1750 TreadmillThe walking-to-running motion is much closer to outdoor running, and the incline/decline range adds variety. AmazoneBayDetails ↓

Comparison table

Our picks in detail

1

Concept2 RowErg Indoor Rowing Machine

Best for: Low-impact full-body cardio, durable home use, and buyers who want a straightforward machine without a subscription-first experience.

Concept2’s current U.S. rowing machine is the RowErg, which is the name to look for if you are comparing current listings. It uses air resistance, includes the PM5 monitor and Device Holder, and keeps the experience focused on training instead of entertainment.

The main appeal is simplicity and trust: a proven design, strong workout data, and easy storage compared with many large cardio machines. The trade-off is that rowing has a real technique curve, and air resistance is not silent, so it is better for people who are willing to learn the stroke and live with fan noise.

Resistance

Air

Monitor

PM5

Included accessory

Device Holder

Seat height

14 in standard legs; 20 in tall legs

Max user weight

500 lb

Storage

Separates into two pieces

Assembled footprint

About 8 ft x 2 ft

Recommended clearance

9 ft x 4 ft

Pros

• Low-impact cardio that is easier on the body than running for many users
• Full-body training feel with a simple, proven design
• PM5 monitor is widely respected for straightforward workout tracking
• Breaks into two pieces for storage
• High max user weight compared with many home cardio machines

Cons

• Rowing technique takes practice
• Air resistance creates fan noise
• Seat comfort may not suit everyone
• Long footprint during use

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2

NordicTrack Commercial 1750 Treadmill

Best for: Walkers, joggers, runners, and households that want incline/decline training with a large touchscreen and guided workouts.

This is a connected treadmill built around the familiar walking and running motion. The 16-inch pivoting touchscreen, 0–12 mph speed range, and incline/decline range make it one of the more versatile current treadmills for home users who want more than a basic deck.

The big ownership question is the ecosystem. The Amazon listing includes iFIT Pro membership, which means the connected experience is part of what you are buying. That can be a plus if you like guided training, but it is worth checking how much of the machine you want to rely on app features versus the hardware itself.

Display

16 in pivoting touchscreen

Speed

0–12 mph

Incline/decline

12% incline to -3% decline

Deck

Cushioned and folding

Membership note

Amazon listing includes iFIT Pro membership

Pros

• Familiar walking and running motion
• Incline and decline range adds workout variety
• Large touchscreen makes guided training feel more immersive
• Folds for storage

Cons

• More impact than rowing, especially at running speeds
• Connected features may depend on membership and platform access
• Verified customer feedback often raises support and reliability concerns

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The short answer

For most home buyers, the rower wins if your top priorities are low impact, full-body conditioning, and simpler ownership. The treadmill wins if you want to walk, jog, or run in a way that feels natural and transfers to outdoor running.

That means the better machine is not the one with the most buzz; it is the one that matches your body, your goals, and your space. If you mainly want gentle cardio and a machine that does not feel like a running platform, a rower makes more sense. If you want easy-to-understand workouts and a familiar stride, a treadmill is the safer bet.

• Choose a rowing machine if you want low-impact cardio, full-body work, and a simpler machine to live with.
• Choose a treadmill if you want walking or running, incline training, and better transfer to outdoor running.
• If you are unsure, think about the workout you would still do on a tired day; that is usually the machine you will keep using.

How rowing machines and treadmills feel differently

A rowing machine is a more technical piece of cardio equipment. You sit, drive with the legs, finish with the back and arms, then recover and repeat. That makes it excellent for people who want a challenging cardio session without the pounding of running, but it also means beginner technique matters more than it does on a treadmill. If you are new to the stroke, a technique-focused guide like how to use a rowing machine is worth reading before you settle on a model.

A treadmill is much more familiar. You step on, walk or run, and adjust speed or incline. Because the movement is so natural, treadmills are often easier for beginners to adopt quickly, especially if their main goal is walking, steady-state cardio, or run training. The trade-off is that running is more impact-heavy than rowing, so treadmill use tends to feel more weight-bearing.

Noise and storage matter too. Rowers, especially air rowers, make fan noise, but the overall setup can be simple and compact in storage because the Concept2 RowErg separates into two pieces. Treadmills usually fold, which is convenient, but they still need a stable floor, room for the deck to move, and enough ceiling height for safe use in a basement or garage.

• Rowing is seated, technical, and low-impact.
• Treadmill training is familiar, weight-bearing, and easy to start.
• Rowers make fan noise; treadmills make motor, belt, and footstrike noise.
• The RowErg breaks into two pieces, while the Commercial 1750 folds for storage.

Impact and joint loading

Rowing is generally the lower-impact choice because your feet stay connected to the footplates and you are not repeatedly striking the ground. That is one reason rowers are popular with people who want hard cardio without the same pounding that comes with running.

A treadmill is still useful if you want lower impact than outdoor pavement, especially when you walk instead of run, but it remains a weight-bearing machine. If joint comfort is a major concern, compare the movement pattern carefully and talk with a doctor before starting a new exercise program.

• Rowing reduces impact by keeping the motion seated and controlled.
• Walking on a treadmill is gentler than running, but it still loads the body.
• If low-impact training is your main goal, the rower usually has the edge.

Muscles and movement pattern

Rowing uses the whole body in a coordinated sequence: legs, hips, back, core, and arms all contribute to each stroke. That is why many home users describe it as a more complete conditioning tool than a treadmill.

Treadmill work is more lower-body dominant. It still challenges the core and legs, but the emphasis is on walking or running mechanics. If you want a machine that prepares you for outdoor running, treadmill training is much more specific.

• Rowing is more whole-body and coordination-heavy.
• Treadmills are more specific to walking and running mechanics.
• Choose based on the movement you want to practice, not just the muscles you can name.

Learning curve, noise, and storage

Rowing form matters. A good stroke takes a little effort to learn, and that learning curve is why some beginners quit too soon. If you want the benefits of rowing without wasting workouts on sloppy form, spend time on technique before chasing pace or intensity.

Treadmills are easier to understand on day one. The trade-off is that running can be louder and more jarring than most people expect, especially in upstairs rooms or apartments. A quality mat or rubber flooring helps either machine feel better and protects the floor underneath. If your cardio corner shares space with strength gear, anchor racks as intended, use safeties or spotter arms on those stations, and keep children away from moving belts, cords, and flywheels.

• Rowing rewards technique; treadmills reward consistency.
• Flooring matters under both machines.
• If the room also holds lifting equipment, follow normal rack safety practices and keep walkways clear.

Which machine fits your goals better

If your main goal is to build a cardio habit you can stick with, the right answer is usually the machine that matches your preferred movement pattern. Some people never get comfortable rowing because it feels too technical. Others hate treadmill running because the pounding and repetition wear them out mentally before the workout is over.

That is why the best choice often comes down to use case rather than a universal winner. The better machine is the one that fits your space, your joints, and the kind of training you are actually excited to repeat.

Choose a rowing machine if...

A rower makes the most sense when you want a lower-impact session that still feels demanding. It is also a strong choice if you want a machine that can serve both steady cardio and harder interval work without taking over the whole room.

For buyers comparing current models, the Concept2 RowErg is the name to know, and you can compare it with other options in our best rowing machine for home guide.

• You want low-impact conditioning.
• You want a full-body workout feel.
• You prefer a simpler machine with less app dependence.
• You are willing to learn rowing technique.

Choose a treadmill if...

A treadmill is the better pick when you want walking, jogging, or running to feel as close as possible to real-life running. That makes it especially useful for people training for outdoor events, building walking consistency, or using incline work to vary intensity.

If folding storage matters, compare treadmill options in our best folding treadmill for home gyms guide. The NordicTrack Commercial 1750 stands out if you want incline and decline variety plus a larger touchscreen.

• You want walking or running to be the core workout.
• You want better transfer to outdoor running.
• You like larger screens and guided workouts.
• You do not mind a more impact-heavy machine.

Current models worth considering now

Two current U.S. models stand out in this matchup because they reflect the real trade-offs most shoppers care about: the Concept2 RowErg for low-impact rowing, and the NordicTrack Commercial 1750 for walk-run training with a connected console. If you want more cardio shopping context, the broader Cardio Machines buying guide is a useful next stop.

One shopping trap to avoid: older articles still use the Concept2 Model D name, but current U.S. shoppers should look for RowErg. On the treadmill side, pay attention to how much of the experience depends on app features or a membership, because that changes the real ownership cost and how simple the machine feels over time.

• Concept2 RowErg: best if you want a durable, low-impact rower with straightforward training data.
• NordicTrack Commercial 1750: best if you want a connected treadmill for walking, running, incline, and decline.
• If you need help with room layout before buying, revisit how to set up a home gym in a small space and best home gym flooring for every setup.

Buying guide

Impact and joint comfort

The biggest difference between these machines is impact. Rowing is usually the softer choice because you are seated and the motion is controlled. Treadmills are weight-bearing, and running adds more pounding than walking, even on a cushioned deck.

If you have any medical concerns or are returning to exercise after a long break, talk with a doctor first. Then choose the movement you can repeat comfortably: rowing for lower impact and whole-body conditioning, treadmill walking for familiar movement, or treadmill running if you want run-specific work.

• Rowing is usually the lower-impact option.
• Treadmill walking is gentler than treadmill running.
• Choose the machine that matches your joints and your long-term habits.

Training specificity and learning curve

A treadmill is easy to understand but still valuable because it is specific. If you want to train for outdoor runs, pace work, hills, or brisk walking, it is hard to beat a treadmill for transfer. A rower can still be a very hard workout, but the technique is less intuitive and worth learning properly.

That is why first-time rowers should treat form as part of the purchase decision. If the stroke never feels natural, the machine will collect dust. A technique guide like how to use a rowing machine can make the learning curve much shorter.

• Treadmills win on familiarity and run-specific transfer.
• Rowers win on total-body conditioning and low-impact work.
• If you dislike learning movement patterns, treadmills are easier to adopt.

Space, flooring, and household safety

Measure your room before you buy. The RowErg has a long in-use footprint, but it separates into two pieces for storage. The Commercial 1750 folds, which helps, but you still need enough floor space for the deck, the user, and safe movement around the machine.

Use proper flooring under either machine. Rubber flooring or a quality mat helps protect the floor and cut vibration, which matters in apartments, garages, and upstairs rooms. If the space also includes strength equipment, anchor racks as intended, use safeties or spotter arms on those stations, and keep children away from moving parts and cords. For layout help, see best home gym flooring for every setup and how to set up a home gym in a small space.

• Check footprint, ceiling height, and clearance before buying.
• Use a mat or rubber flooring under either machine.
• Keep children away from moving belts, flywheels, and cords.
• If the room also has a rack, follow normal anchoring and safety practices.

Console, app ecosystem, and ownership

A lot of shoppers focus on hardware and then regret the software. That matters more on treadmills than rowers. Simple rowers are often easier to own because the training experience is built into the machine. Connected treadmills can be great if you love coaching and classes, but they may depend more heavily on an app or membership.

The NordicTrack Commercial 1750 is a good example of that trade-off. The screen and training ecosystem are part of the appeal, but you should be comfortable with the subscription side of the purchase. If you want a rower that keeps things simple, the RowErg is easier to understand and maintain.

• Connected treadmills can be more engaging, but they may also be more dependent on memberships.
• Simple rowers are often easier to own and maintain.
• Buy the console experience you will actually use, not the one that looks best in a promo video.

FAQ

The bottom line

If you want a one-machine cardio setup and care most about low impact, the Concept2 RowErg is the cleaner long-term pick. If you want walking, jogging, or running with incline and decline variety, the NordicTrack Commercial 1750 makes more sense.

In simple terms: choose the rower for conditioning and joint-friendlier work, choose the treadmill for run training and familiar movement. If you are still deciding, compare the current options in best rowing machine for home and best folding treadmill for home gyms.