Air bike vs rowing machine is a closer call than most comparisons make it look. Both are self-paced, low-impact cardio machines that work arms and legs together, and both fit in a garage gym. The real differences are floor space, how much technique you need, how each feels on your body, and what kind of workouts you like. Below we compare them using the two machines we sell from Tru Grit, plus the published specs of Concept2’s RowErg as a reference point.
Air bike vs rowing machine at a glance
| Factor | Air bike | Rowing machine |
|---|---|---|
| Position | Seated upright, feet on pedals, hands on moving handles | Seated low, sliding along a long rail |
| Muscles | Legs drive the pedals; arms push and pull the handles | Legs drive, then hips and back, then arms pull; Concept2 says the movement works every major muscle group |
| Technique | Very little to learn | A stroke sequence to learn before you push hard |
| Impact | Low | Low |
| Floor space | Compact, roughly bike-sized | Long; Concept2 lists a 9 x 4 ft space for its RowErg in use |
| Best workouts | Short sprints, Tabata, intervals | Longer steady rows, meters-based workouts, intervals |
| Our price | $799.99 (Tru Grit Air Bike), $499.99 open box | $849.99 (Tru Grit Rower) |
The two machines we sell
Tru Grit Air Resistance Grit Bike (BIKE1000)
The Tru Grit Air Bike ($799.99) has a fan wheel at the front and moving handlebars, as shown in the product photos. The listing describes an industrial-grade steel frame with a MIG-welded chassis, sealed bearings, reinforced cranksets and a belt-driven drivetrain that Tru Grit calls very quiet. The battery-powered LCD tracks time, distance, calories, speed, watts, pace, RPM and heart rate, and has interval and Tabata timers built in. The seat adjusts up, down, forward and back.
On a tighter budget, the open box Grit Bike is $499.99. Read its terms carefully: it may have blemishes or scuffs, all sales are final with no returns, and it carries a 30-day warranty.
Tru Grit Rowing Machine (ROWW1000)
The Tru Grit Rower ($849.99) lists commercial grade steel, a 16 in flywheel, a chain drive, a padded contour seat, rubberized handles and front wheels for moving it. It weighs 57 lb. The listing does not say whether the flywheel is air, magnetic or both, so ask us if resistance type matters to you. The battery-powered LCD tracks calories, meters and time intervals, which suits 5k rows or calorie sprints.
One gap: our rower listing does not publish its assembled length, width or maximum user weight. For planning, Concept2’s RowErg product specifications (concept2help.zendesk.com, RowErg: Product Specifications) give a useful benchmark for a full-length air rower: 96 in long and 24 in wide, with a 9 x 4 ft space recommended in use. Call us for the Tru Grit’s exact footprint before you measure your room.
Rowing machine vs assault bike: which is harder?
People often call any fan bike an assault bike, after the Assault brand. On an air bike the fan resistance rises as you pedal and push harder, so there is no level to set: the machine is as hard as your effort. Air rowers such as the Concept2 work the same way, and on any rower your stroke rate and power decide the workload. That makes “which burns more” a question about you, not the equipment. Two practical differences:
- Air bikes are easier to push to a maximum. Arms and legs drive at the same time from a stable seat, and there is no stroke to get wrong, so a 20 second all-out sprint is simple to execute. That is why air bikes are popular for short, brutal intervals.
- Rowers reward technique. A good stroke uses the legs first, then the body, then the arms. Rowing with mostly arms tires you out without much power. Once the stroke is solid, rowing works well for longer steady pieces and for tracking progress in meters.
Concept2 describes rowing as a low-impact movement that works every major muscle group. That is a manufacturer’s description, but it matches why rowers are popular with people who want one machine for full-body conditioning.
Space, noise and setup
- Space: an air bike takes roughly the floor of a stationary bike. A full-length rower needs a long, clear strip, plus room to sit down and stand up beside it. If your garage gym is already full, the bike is easier to fit. Our guide to how much space you need for a garage gym helps you plan the layout.
- Noise: an air bike moves air with its fan, so you will hear a whoosh that grows with your effort. Tru Grit calls the bike’s belt drive very quiet and says the rower was designed to be as quiet as possible, but neither is silent.
- Moving it: the rower lists front wheels for moving it around the gym. Check whether the bike can be wheeled before you plan to store it in a corner.
- Flooring: a rubber mat under either machine protects the floor and keeps it from creeping during sprints.
Which is better for your body?
Both are low impact compared with running, which is a large part of their appeal. The difference is position. The air bike keeps you seated upright with your hips at a fixed angle. The rower moves you from a compressed position at the catch to a lean-back finish, which asks more of your hips and lower back. Some people with back concerns find one more comfortable than the other, but that is individual. If you have back, knee, heart or blood pressure concerns, or are new to hard interval training, talk to your doctor before starting either machine, and build up to all-out efforts gradually.
Which should you buy?
Choose the air bike if you want short, intense intervals, have limited floor space, share the machine with people who will not learn a rowing stroke, or want something you can jump on between sets of lifting.
Choose the rower if you prefer longer steady sessions, like tracking meters and pace, have the floor length, and are willing to spend a few sessions learning the stroke.
Consider both if you train with a partner or run circuit-style workouts, since they let two people work at once. Many garage gyms add one after a rack and bar are in place; our home gym buying guide explains where conditioning fits in the buying order, and garage gym on a budget shows how to stage the spending. If running is the goal, compare the Grit Runner curved manual treadmill in our Tru Grit Runner review.
Shipping matters on heavy equipment: orders of $999 or more ship free by freight, and smaller orders ship for a flat $200, so buying the bike and rower together (about $1,650) ships free. Browse all conditioning gear on our Tru Grit Fitness brand page.
Frequently asked questions
Rowing machine vs assault bike: which burns more calories?
Neither by default. Both are self-paced, so calories depend on how hard and how long you work. The air bike makes all-out sprints easier to hit; the rower suits longer sessions once your technique is good.
Is an air bike or rowing machine better for a small space?
The air bike. A full-length rower needs a long clear strip, and Concept2 recommends a 9 x 4 ft area for its RowErg in use.
Is a rowing machine hard to learn?
The basic stroke takes a few sessions: legs drive first, then the body swings back, then the arms pull. Practicing at an easy pace before going hard pays off.
Are air bikes and rowers low impact?
Yes, neither involves the pounding of running. Check with your doctor first if you have joint, back or heart concerns.
Questions about either machine? Call 866-777-2590, Monday to Friday, 9AM to 6PM PST. Returns follow our return and refund policy (open box items are final sale).
