Rowing Machine vs Exercise Bike
Exercise bikes usually take less floor than a full-length rower, and Harvard Health calls a stationary bike low impact. Rowing machines work more of the body, according to Harvard and Cleveland Clinic. No bike page read states a noise figure. Maker prices below were read on 2026-11-02. Ask a clinician first if you have pain or an injury.
This page compares the two machine types on space, noise, impact, cost and the workout each gives, using maker pages read on a stated date and named outlets for outside views. The site did not test any machine. To weigh rowers against each other first, start with the guide to best rowing machines for home. MudderElla explains how its pages are made and dated.
Space
| Machine (maker's page, read 2026-11-02) | Assembled footprint | Weight and storage |
|---|---|---|
| Concept2 RowErg | 96 in long, 24 in wide | 57 lb with standard legs; separates into two parts |
| Hydrow Wave | 80 x 19 in | 102 lb; optional upright storage |
| Schwinn IC4 (upright bike) | 54.6 x 30.7 x 51.8 in | 113.6 lb assembled |
| Sunny SF-B1805SMART (upright bike) | 50.8 x 23.4 x 47.6 in | 125.7 lb |
| Sole R92 (recumbent bike) | 56 x 29 x 60 in (the page does not label the order) | unit weight 128, unit not printed |
| Schwinn 230 (recumbent bike) | 64 x 27.7 x 44 in | 81.6 lb assembled |
| XTERRA FB180 (folding bike) | 31.7 x 18.1 x 42.7 in | folded 18 x 18 x 51 in; machine weight not on the page |
An upright bike on these pages is 50 to 55 inches long, against 96 inches for the Concept2 and 80 for the Hydrow Wave. A recumbent bike is longer than an upright one, and the Schwinn 230 at 64 inches is the longest bike in the table. The folding XTERRA FB180 is the smallest machine listed. The Concept2 and the Hydrow Wave also have stated ways to store compactly, and the page for each says so. For small homes, see the rowing machine for small spaces guide. For compact bikes, see the folding exercise bikes guide.
Noise
No exercise bike page read for this site gives a decibel figure. The makers use adjectives. Schwinn's IC4 page says "incredibly smooth, quiet ride." Sunny's SF-B1805SMART page says its magnetic resistance makes a "nearly silent" ride, and the XTERRA FB180 page calls its belt drive silent. No noise statement was found on the Sole R92 or Schwinn 230 pages.
For rowers, Hydrow's Wave page describes its drag mechanism as "whisper-quiet" in Hydrow's own words. Ergatta's and Concept2's pages read for this site had no noise statement. BoxRox (2025-09-17) says the Concept2 is louder than magnetic machines, and Expert Reviews (2022-12-14) calls it noisy. Because no bike page gives a number, this page cannot rank the two types by decibels.
Impact on the body
Harvard Health's page on choosing a home exercise machine (dated 2021-03-01) describes a stationary bike as low impact and says it avoids the weight bearing that can hurt hip and knee arthritis. It also calls the bike a good choice for novice exercisers. The same page states no impact level for rowing machines. Cleveland Clinic's page on rowing machine benefits (dated 2024-06-27) describes rowing as low impact.
On back concerns the two machines differ in how the sources treat them. Harvard says rowing machines are not advisable for people prone to back pain, and Cleveland Clinic says poor form can cause back spasms. For bikes, the pages read make no similar statement. Ask a clinician which machine suits you if you have back, hip or knee trouble.
Cost
Prices are what each maker's page showed on 2026-11-02 and may change.
- Rowers. Concept2 lists the RowErg at $990 with standard legs, with no membership named on the page. Hydrow lists the Wave at $1,995 MSRP, and says membership is $50 a month for the whole household and should not be considered an optional part of purchasing. Ergatta shows the Luxe at $2,199, and the page also shows $2,499. Ergatta says a membership is not required.
- Bikes. Schwinn shows the IC4 at $899.00, and the page also shows $999.00. Its JRNY app lists $11.99 a month or $99 a year after a free trial, and the page says connected apps need a separate subscription. Sunny shows the SF-B1805SMART at $699.99, with a free app. Schwinn shows the 230 recumbent at $599.00 and Sole shows the R92 at $1,299.99. The XTERRA FB180 page shows both $249.99 and $179.99, and it does not make clear whether the lower figure needs a code.
On these pages, a bike can cost less than a rower, and it also can cost more: the Sole R92 at $1,299.99 is above the Concept2 at $990. The sources do not support a general claim that one type costs less. Check membership terms too, since Hydrow's page treats membership as part of the purchase and the Ergatta and bike pages read do not.
The workout each gives
Harvard says rowing machines work the arms, legs and core and may be a strong option for a total-body workout, and Cleveland Clinic lists the legs, upper back, core, glutes, hamstrings, arms and shoulders. The rowing machine benefits page covers those statements and their limits. The sources read here do not list the muscles a bike works, so this page makes no muscle comparison.
On calories, Harvard Health's 2021 table (page dated 2021-03-08) gives 30 minutes of stationary cycling at moderate effort the same figures as moderate rowing: 210, 252 and 294 calories at 125, 155 and 185 lb. Some of Harvard's vigorous-cycling cells look like typos, so this page does not reproduce them. Harvard defines only body weight and 30 minutes, and the CDC says most weight loss comes from cutting calories. The rowing machine for weight loss page explains the table's limits.
Which one fits which home
- A bike suits someone who wants a seated machine with less floor length. Upright, recumbent and folding bikes are covered in the guide to best exercise bike for home picks.
- A rower suits someone who wants a machine that works the upper and lower body together and has the floor length or a storage plan.
- Neither is a fit for everyone. See the rowing machine vs treadmill page for a third option and the cardio machines for home page for all four types. If weight is your goal, the cardio machines for weight loss page starts there.
FAQ
Is a rowing machine or an exercise bike better for small spaces?
A folding bike is the smallest in this comparison. XTERRA lists the FB180 folded at 18 x 18 x 51 in. Concept2 lists the RowErg at 96 x 24 in and separable into two parts.
Which is quieter?
The sources do not say. No bike page gives a decibel figure, and makers use adjectives. Hydrow calls its Wave whisper-quiet, and two outlets call the Concept2 loud.
Which is lower impact?
Harvard Health calls a stationary bike low impact, and Cleveland Clinic calls rowing low impact. Harvard gives no impact level for rowing machines. Ask a clinician about joint or back concerns.
Do they burn the same calories?
Harvard's 2021 table gives moderate stationary cycling and moderate stationary rowing the same figures for 30 minutes at three body weights. The table's intensity levels are not defined.
Which costs less?
On the pages read, a bike can cost less than a rower and can cost more. The Schwinn 230 shows $599.00 and the Sole R92 shows $1,299.99, against $990 for the Concept2.