The rowing machine, also called an indoor rower, is an exercise machine which simulates the act of water-sport rowing for both simple exercise and also for basic rowing training. While the rowing machine is used mostly for exercise, indoor rowing has actually become a sport in and of itself. While machines similar to real rowing machines were around in the early part of the 20th century, they became common only in the 1950s when rowing coaches started using them for power training and measurement. Today, many rowing machines are based on the air resistance rowing machines of the 1980s, and some variations on this machine include sculling and kayak trainers.

The parts of the body that receive exercise during a workout on the rowing machine are primarily the cardiovascular system and groups of muscles throughout the body. Because of the different muscle groups that rowing targets in an anaerobic sense, it is referred to as a sport of strength endurance. Besides making you a better rower if you row professionally or as a hobby, the rowing machine also has another benefit that works towards weight loss and reduction. Rowing is a severe calorie-burning exercise, although rowers with higher levels of skill will be able to burn a higher degree of calories and thus lose more weight.

The rowing machine is a piece of exercise equipment that may result in severe injury to you if you don't learn how to use it properly. Your lower back is the part of your body that is in the most danger if you do not learn how to use a rowing machine properly. The solution to such possible injuries is simply correct rowing technique. Proper technique for rowing includes not only the actual mechanics of rowing, but also things like breathing correctly. Correct breathing (inhaling during the recovery while exhaling during the drive) is essential in maintaining a stable force in your upper body. Furthermore, good technique demands that you use your big thigh muscles to drive the rowing stroke and that your body angle is not too forward or back, as this can injure both your lower back as well as your knees.

You get different types of exercise on rowing machines based on the kind of rowing machine you use. There are quite a few models: the braked flywheel resistance, the air resistance, the magnetic resistance and the water resistance. For example, on the air resistance models, you exercise by rowing on a machine where resistance is created by a fan, whereas on a water resistance rowing machine, you have the benefit of using the most realistic type of rowing simulation, which occurs due to its water flywheel moving in a tank of water.