Rowing Machine Dimensions: How Long They Are and the Space to Use One
For anyone checking whether a rower fits along a wall, in a closet or in the trunk of a car. Lengths of the main rower types, the clearance needed to row, the stored size of machines that fold or stand up, and how rail length relates to rower height.
A full-size rowing machine is about 7 to 8 ft long (213 to 244 cm) and about 2 ft wide (51 to 64 cm). The Concept2 RowErg, the most common gym rower, measures 8 × 2 ft (244 × 61 cm) and needs a 9 × 4 ft (274 × 122 cm) area to use. Hydraulic-piston rowers are much shorter, about 4 to 5 ft (122 to 152 cm).
- Average length
- 7-8 ft (213-244 cm)
- Average width
- About 2 ft (61 cm)
- Concept2 in use
- 9 × 4 ft area
- Upright height
- About 82 in (208 cm)
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Rowing machine dimensions by type
A rower has to be long enough for your legs to straighten fully while the seat stays on the rail. That sets the length of every full-size machine at 7 to 8 ft, whatever the resistance type. Width varies less.
| Type | Length | Width | Height | Stores by |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Air rower (Concept2 type) | 96 in (244 cm) | 24 in (61 cm) | Set by the monitor arm | Splitting in two |
| Water rower | 80-86 in (203-218 cm) | 20-23 in (51-58 cm) | 20-21 in (51-53 cm) | Standing upright |
| Magnetic rower (full-size) | 80-86 in (203-218 cm) | 19-25 in (48-64 cm) | 40-47 in (102-119 cm) with screen | Folding or upright |
| Compact folding magnetic | 70-80 in (178-203 cm) | 18-22 in (46-56 cm) | 20-30 in (51-76 cm) | Folding rail |
| Hydraulic piston rower | 48-60 in (122-152 cm) | 20-30 in (51-76 cm) | 15-25 in (38-64 cm) | Folding arms or rail |
Manufacturer figures for widely sold models:
| Model | In use (L × W × H) | Weight |
|---|---|---|
| Concept2 RowErg (standard legs) | 96 × 24 in (244 × 61 cm) | 57 lb (26 kg) |
| Concept2 RowErg (tall legs) | 96 × 24 in, seat 6 in higher | 68 lb (31 kg) |
| WaterRower Original | 82.7 × 22 × 20.9 in (210 × 56 × 53 cm) | 66 lb (30 kg) without water |
| Hydrow (Origin) | 86 × 25 × 47 in (218 × 64 × 119 cm) | See spec sheet |
| Hydrow Wave | 80 × 19 × 43 in (203 × 48 × 109 cm) | See spec sheet |
Retailer listings sometimes give slightly different numbers (WaterRower's own page lists the Original at 210 × 57 × 51 cm), so use the manufacturer's current sheet when the fit is within an inch or two.
Space needed to use a rowing machine
Concept2 specifies a 9 × 4 ft (274 × 122 cm) area for its 8 × 2 ft machine: about 6 in (15 cm) at each end and 1 ft (30 cm) on each side. Use the same margins for any rower.
- Behind the seat: at the finish of a stroke your back leans past the end of the seat and your elbows go behind your torso. Keep at least 6 to 12 in clear behind the rail, more if a wall or furniture is there.
- At the sides: the handle stays on the center line, but your hands and elbows track outside the rail. A foot on each side keeps knuckles off the wall.
- In front: air and water flywheels need a few inches of free air and access to the monitor; a fan-cooled air rower pushes air out of its housing.
The result is a long, narrow strip. A 4 × 9 ft area fits along the side of a single garage bay or the foot of a bed in a 12 ft bedroom. That shape is the main advantage of a rower over a treadmill, which needs about 15 ft of length with its safety zone, or an elliptical, which needs more width and ceiling height.
Storage size: folding, upright and split rowers
Rowers store in three different ways, and each saves a different dimension.
| Machine | How it stores | Stored size |
|---|---|---|
| Concept2 RowErg | Separates into two pieces, no tools | About 25 × 33 in on the floor, 54 in tall (64 × 84 × 137 cm), standard legs |
| WaterRower Lite | Tips up onto its end | 17.25 × 22.25 × 82 in (44 × 57 × 208 cm) |
| Hydrow Wave | Upright with optional wall anchor | 26.5 × 30 × 82 in (67 × 76 × 208 cm) |
| Folding magnetic rower | Rail folds up over the flywheel | Typically 35-45 in long, 50-60 in tall |
An upright rower stands about 82 in (6 ft 10 in, 208 cm) tall. As it tips, the end of the rail sweeps through an arc, so you need the machine's full length of clear space in front of the wall and a ceiling above 7 ft. In a basement with beams, check the height where you will tip it, not just where it will stand. Secure it with a wall anchor if children or pets are around.
Rail length and rower height
A rail that is too short stops the seat before your legs are straight, which shortens every stroke. Most full-size machines are designed for adults up to about 6 ft 6 in; the limit is the inseam, not overall height.
- Check the inseam limit. Manufacturers list either a maximum inseam or a maximum user height. Concept2 publishes an inseam limit of 38 in (97 cm) for the RowErg. If your inseam is over about 36 in, check this figure before buying any other brand.
- Be wary of short machines. Compact folding rowers under 7 ft and piston rowers under 5 ft usually suit users up to roughly 5 ft 10 in to 6 ft. Their shorter stroke is a design choice, not a defect, but tall users feel it immediately.
- Consider seat height. Standard rowers put the seat 13 to 20 in above the floor. Concept2's tall legs raise it from 14 in to 20 in, which makes getting on and off easier for older users or anyone with stiff knees.
Weight, transport and floor protection
Most full-size rowers weigh 55 to 120 lb (25 to 54 kg). Water rowers hold roughly 4 to 4.5 gallons (15 to 17 L) in the tank, which adds about 33 to 37 lb (15 to 17 kg) when filled to the top. Almost all have wheels at the front: lift the rail end and roll. Split into its two halves, a Concept2 fits in the back of most hatchbacks and SUVs.
Put the rower on a mat about 7 × 3 ft (213 × 91 cm) or larger. It protects floors from the feet, keeps the machine from creeping during hard pieces, and reduces the rumble of the flywheel through a wooden floor. To fit a rower into a room with other equipment, see the home gym size guide; for a smaller footprint still, compare exercise bike sizes. For on-water boats, see kayak sizes.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average length of a rowing machine?
Most full-size rowers (air, water and magnetic) are 7 to 8 ft long, or 84 to 96 in (213 to 244 cm). Shorter models exist: compact magnetic rowers are about 6 to 7 ft, and hydraulic piston rowers about 4 to 5 ft, but they suit shorter users or a shorter stroke.
How big is a Concept2 rower?
The Concept2 RowErg is 8 × 2 ft (244 × 61 cm) assembled, and Concept2 asks for 9 × 4 ft (274 × 122 cm) of space to use it. It weighs 57 lb (26 kg) with standard legs or 68 lb (31 kg) with tall legs. The seat is 14 in (36 cm) off the floor on standard legs and 20 in (51 cm) on tall legs.
Can a rowing machine be stored upright?
Many can. WaterRower and Hydrow Wave models tip up onto their front end and stand about 82 in (208 cm) tall, so they need a ceiling of at least 7 ft (213 cm) plus room to tip them. The Concept2 does not stand upright; it separates into two pieces without tools.
How much space do I need around a rowing machine?
Add about 1 ft (30 cm) to the length and 1 ft on each side. That turns an 8 × 2 ft machine into a 9 × 4 ft area, Concept2's own figure. The space behind the seat matters most, because the seat travels to the end of the rail and your hands and the handle travel past your body.