Treadmill vs Rowing Machine for a Home Gym
Treadmill vs rowing machine for home cardio: calories, impact, muscles worked, space, price and which to buy, with the Horizon 7.4 AT and Concept2 RowErg.
The short answer
Buy a rowing machine if you want low-impact, full-body cardio in a small space for under $1,000; the Concept2 is the standard. Buy a treadmill if you walk or run and want to train for outdoor running, or prefer an easy, familiar workout you can do while watching TV.
Treadmill vs Rowing machine at a glance
| Full-body workout | Rowing machine Legs, back, core and arms on every stroke. |
|---|---|
| Joint impact | Rowing machine Seated and low-impact; treadmills load knees and hips. |
| Running and walking | Treadmill The only way to train running indoors; walking is easier to sustain for long sessions. |
| Space | Rowing machine A Concept2 splits in two for storage; treadmills weigh 250–330 lb. |
| Price | Rowing machine About $990 for a Concept2 vs about $1,100–$2,000 for a good treadmill. |
Specs side by side
| Horizon 7.4 AT Treadmill | Concept2 RowErg | |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Folding treadmill, 22″ deck | Air rower |
| Size | 76″ × 37″ | 8 × 2 ft (splits in two) |
| Warranty | Lifetime frame and motor | 5 years frame, 2 years parts |
| Price | About $1,800 | About $990 (tall legs $1,155) |
| Best for | Most people who want a treadmill for running and walking | Cardio that lasts decades |
Specs from manufacturer pages; prices checked October 2026.
The case for a rowing machine
Rowing works your legs, back, core and arms on every stroke with no impact, and a top-quality rower costs less than a good treadmill. In a popular r/Fitness thread, the top reply favours the rower because you can run outside much of the year, and a former US National Team rower says “ergs will get you fitter than anything in the world”. Rowers on r/Fitness are equally blunt that the only machine worth buying is the Concept2, which costs about $990 and splits in two for storage.
The case for a treadmill
A treadmill is the only way to train running indoors, and walking on one is the easiest cardio to keep up long term: you can incline-walk for an hour while watching TV. If you’re training for a race or live where outdoor running is impractical, a treadmill like the Horizon 7.4 AT (about $1,800) is the better buy.
Space and noise
A Concept2 needs about 8 × 2 ft while rowing and stands up or splits for storage. A folding treadmill still takes about 42 × 37″ folded and weighs over 300 lb. Rowers are louder per stroke (the fan); treadmills hum and thud.
Which should you buy?
Rowing machine for full-body, low-impact cardio in a small space. Treadmill for running, or for walking as your main exercise. See our best rowing machines and best treadmills.
FAQ
Which burns more calories, a treadmill or a rowing machine?
At the same effort, they're similar. Calories depend on how hard and how long you work, not the machine. Rowing uses more muscle at once, so many people find a hard 20 minutes on a rower more taxing; walking on a treadmill is easier to keep up for an hour.
Is rowing better than running for weight loss?
Neither is inherently better. The best machine is the one you'll use consistently, and diet matters more for weight loss than cardio choice. Rowing is easier on the joints; walking on a treadmill is the easiest to do daily.
Can a rowing machine replace a treadmill?
For fitness, yes: a former US national team rower on r/Fitness says ergs will get you fitter than anything. For running-specific training, no, because rowing doesn't build running economy or impact tolerance.