The monitor isn’t designed for rowers – although it shows stroke rate, time and distance (or, if you prefer, number of strokes, speed and calories), there’s no split to pit yourself against (which made a nice change for me, but would be a problem if you needed to make comparisons with your regular club workout).

The size of this rowing machine is not the largest around and is limited to people with a max user weight of 110kg and an inside leg length of 96cmThe Hydrow Rower is the Peloton of the rowing machine world (although, in fact, Peloton have just brought out a rowing machine in the US). By that, we mean it comes with a 22-inch HD touch screen to coach you through live workouts where you can compete against others. Beware though, the Hydrow subscription does not come included with the machine. When in use, the rower glides easily and the action is smooth. It is great that it is foldable but not so large you can’t leave it set up.

Air rowers, which essentially use wind to create resistance, can be quite noisy, but the Concept 2 Model D is about as quiet as an air rower can get. If you've ever been to a gym, chances are you've come across this rower.One thing to mention is to fold it away, you need to remove a nut, washer and pull pin to collapse it which is a little fiddly, but is quite compact when folded. Also, put those parts somewhere safe! Design and performance You're using your big muscles – your quads, your chest, your shoulders and your biceps," fitness instructor Born Barikor says. "You can change the grip positions to work different things. You can even do your abs, using the rowing machine almost like a Pilates reformer to do crunches. You can get a really good all-body workout from a rowing machine." What are the four types of rowing machines? Actually, yes. Argos has a range of rowing machines that are unashamedly budget – and there’s nothing wrong with that. Given the fact that I can’t afford a brand new, gleaming Concept2 of my own, and that my indoor training at the club was regularly disrupted last winter by snow, ice, parents’ evenings, school concerts and the occasional night out, I was keen to find out if a more basic ergometer would do the job. There is a good range of resistance tensions to choose from so you can choose easier settings starting off and then work towards the more difficult resistance tension levels as times goes by.

If you're on a budget, there are also many cheap rowing machines available for sale. Some popular options include the Sunny Health & Fitness SF-RW5515 and the Stamina ATS Air Rower. While these machines may not have all the features of the more expensive models, they can still provide a good workout at a fraction of the cost.

The Concept 2 is a bit expensive, but for me it's the best rower out there," says fitness instructor Born Barikor. "I've done a lot of my training on it and I've really enjoyed it. It's easy to use, has ergonomic and comfy handles and foot straps and it's very adjustable. It also has a very easy-to-read display. If you've got a bit of money to spend and you're going to commit to it, you should go for the Concept 2." Distance is only calculated in kilometers – it cannot be converted to miles and there is no heart rate pulse monitor available and the calorie counting seems to be a little off. For those who have limited space in their home gym, a foldable rowing machine may be a good option. These machines can be easily folded up and stored when not in use, making them a great choice for those who live in apartments or small homes. Some popular foldable rowing machines include the Stamina Body Trac Glider and the Sunny Health & Fitness SF-RW1205. We take no responsibility for personal injury or damage sustained by, or through the use of your treadmill or maintenance operations