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'Belly fat is disappearing': Shape up with this rowing machine, on sale for $80

Rowing machines are like the 'Swiss Army Knife' of cardio equipment in that they work your legs, arms and abs at the same time.

The holidays tend to knock people out of their routines. A survey from the American Heart Association shows we sleep less, eat less healthy and stress more — all of which can catch up to us by the end of the season. One way to help you stay on track of your fitness goals is to eliminate any hurdles to working out — like, for instance, that the gym is too far away. Nip those excuses in the bud and bring the gym home with this compact rowing machine that’s on sale for just $80 (down from $130) at Amazon.

This top-selling rowing machine has 12 levels of smooth resistance, and it’s super quiet, thanks to a hydraulic resistance system. That means if you like an early morning workout, you can hop on this rower without waking up the rest of your household.

$81 at Amazon
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$130 at Macy's$140 at HSN

Why is this a good deal? 💰

The Sunny Health & Fitness Rowing Machine goes on sale here and there, but it has yet to drop below $100 this year. That's why this $80 deal is a really big, er, deal. Not only that, but unlike the gym, you don’t have to pack up a bag or drive anywhere to get in a good sweat session either. You can use this little guy anywhere in your home.

Why do I need this? 🤔

Rowing is easy to learn — especially with a machine that mimics the movement you’d make if you were actually cruising downstream — and it works the entire body. You can use it for low or high-impact exercises, and you’ll be glad to know that it’s easier on the joints than, say, running. And, with a dozen resistance levels to choose from, this one ensures that your exertions don't do more harm than good.

“The rowing machine is like the Swiss Army knife of the gym,” professional rower and Hydrow athlete Michelle Sosa told Shape magazine. “Its multiple purposes include low-impact workouts, high-intensity sprint intervals, low-intensity endurance development, full-body strength training, core training, heart health and posture control.”

Because the top-selling Sunny Health & Fitness Rowing Machine is compact and lightweight, it’s not a huge burden to take it out. Place it in front of the TV and burn calories as you watch the morning news or rewatch episodes of Yellowstone at night. When you’re not using it, simply fold it up and store it away in a closet. It's comfy too, thanks to the cushy ergonomic seat and padded handlebar.

Keep in mind that the World Health Organization’s latest exercise guidelines recommend that the average adult gets 150–300 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity or 75–150 minutes of vigorous-intensity physical activity per week. While moderately intense workouts can include going for a walk or a virtual yoga class, you may want some at-home equipment (like a rowing machine) to help you kick it up to a more "vigorous" level.

Grab this compact rowing machine while it's on sale for less than $100.
Stroke ... stroke ... stroke... This rower allows you to moderate the intensity of your workout so you don't have one. (Amazon)

What reviewers say 💬

More than 12,000 Amazon shoppers have given it a perfect five-star rating.

Pros 👍

"Very easy install. Light to move around but doesn't wobble when you're on it. It gives you a good workout if you put in the effort," said one shopper who shared they like to put it in front of their TV. "I've had this for two weeks now. I track my workouts with the 'weights' exercise on my FitBit. I am addicted to this. I average 45 minutes per day which my FitBit says is about 400 calories lost. My mood has increased drastically. I can tell my body is getting a workout. I can 'feel the burn.'"

"This rower is so lightweight I can carry it anywhere to work out and then put it away," said one reviewer who said they normally use a treadmill but wanted to try something different. "I love the different resistance settings and it does give you a good workout. My first week of using it, my back and neck muscles were sore and it's because I don't normally work those muscles. I can already see a difference in my waistline and I have already lost a few pounds. I use this every day and will continue to use as part of my exercise regimen."

One five-star fan, who had been skeptical because of the low price, shared: “This is a terrific buy. I saw many rowing machines for several hundred dollars, and I was hesitant to order it because of the 'you get what you pay for' rule. I'm so glad that I took the chance. This is solid, easy to use, and I love it!”

"It looks like nothing but it makes you work hard," explained another impressed shopper. "I love it! At home, it's used by my husband, 11-year-old daughter and me, all three at different levels, and all three feel it's working on us. Don't get me wrong, I am sure there are many rowing machines that are much better, but this is the one I found with a better quality-price relationship."

One person even added: "My belly fat is disappearing with 10 minutes a day."

Cons 👎

Some shoppers warn that the hydraulic system that provides the resistance gets after using it hot. If you plan to move it or put it away after exercising, the manufacturer suggests waiting 20 minutes after working out to let it cool down.

"For the money, I'd say that this is a good bit of equipment," said one person, "However, I will say that the hydraulic cylinder that creates the resistance gets quite hot after use."

"I've only had this for one week, but I've used it every day averaging about 30 to 45 minutes on setting 4 and 5 resistance so far," explained another four-star reviewer. "The piston does get hot and loosens up, but it's not a big deterrent from the workout."

There you have it. You don’t need to spend a lot of money or carve out a lot of space to get in a good workout at home. With this rowing machine, the gym’s got nothing on your living room.

It's Always Sunny in ... your living room, den, garage or out on your porch when you make this wondrous machine part of your daily fitness regimen. 

$81 at Amazon
Explore More Buying Options
$130 at Macy's$140 at HSN

Need something more advanced? Have a gander here...

Those who'd like to "smarten up" their exercise regimen may want to check out this new upgrade. It lets you connect via Bluetooth to an app for tailored workouts and progress tracking, and offers training videos. Just pop your phone onto the stand and get rowing!

Save $61 with Prime
$99 at Amazon
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$120 at Walmart$150 at Macy's

If you have Amazon Prime, you’ll get free shipping, of course. Not yet a member? No problem. You can sign up for your free 30-day trial here. (And by the way, those without Prime still get free shipping on orders of $35 or more.)

The reviews quoted above reflect the most recent versions at the time of publication.