Start Rowing vs Rowing Machine Workouts
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Start Rowing
This app provides structured rowing machine training plans for all experience levels, from beginner to advanced. It guides users through workouts with audio cues and a metronome, helping them build strength, burn calories, and improve rowing technique. Track progress and integrate with Apple Health for a comprehensive fitness journey.
- Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced training plans
- Audio coach guidance
- Rowing metronome
- Workout logging and progress tracking
- Apple Health integration
- Session-based Challenger workouts
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Start Rowing without any previous experience needed. Get in shape, build strength and burn calories. Our rowing app's workout plans will train you for the next stage in your rowing journey. Never rowed before? Start with our beginner plan. In 8 weeks you’ll be comfortable rowing 2000 meters with correct technique. Experienced erger? Use our intermediate and advanced plans to improve your overall fitness while increasing your rowing capacity. Start Rowing will guide you step by step, letting you know when to change rowing intensity and when to rest. Each plan is designed to slowly become more challenging so your body can adapt and gain endurance while minimising any risk of injury. Spend just 10-30 minutes a day, 2-5 days a week. You’ll be fitter, stronger and a much better rower! Features - Choose from Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced training plans. - Session based Challenger workouts to exercise your whole body. - Audio coach to guide your through your rowing workout. - Rowing metronome to help you keep in time. - Log your workouts and keep track of your overall progress. - Share your progress. - APPLE HEALTH INTEGRATION: Connect your workouts to Health App to track your daily activity. Legal Disclaimer This app and any information given by it are for educational purposes only. They are not intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. You should always consult your healthcare provider before beginning any fitness program. If you upgrade to a premium Start Rowing subscription, payment will be charged to your iTunes account at confirmation of purchase. Your subscription renews automatically unless cancelled at least 24 hours prior to the end of the current period. There is no increase in cost when renewing. Subscriptions can be managed and auto-renewal turned off in Account Settings in iTunes after purchase. Once purchased, the current period cannot be cancelled. Any unused portion of a free trial period is forfeited if you choose to purchase a premium subscription. Find the full terms and conditions at https://www.vigour.fitness/terms, and our privacy policy at https://www.vigour.fitness/privacy.
Rowing Machine Workouts
Guided indoor rowing workouts for fat loss, cardio, and strength. Offers plans for all fitness levels, from beginner to weight loss, with features like audio coaching and activity tracking. Works with any rower.
- Guided rowing plans for various goals
- SPM metronome for pace control
- Audio coaching with music support
- Activity tracking and workout logging
- Customizable workout builder
- Free Row mode
- Apple Health integration
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Full-body indoor rowing workouts — fat loss, cardio, strength & technique. Works for any rower or home setup. Get stronger and fitter with guided rowing machine workouts. Build muscle, lose weight, or enhance your overall health! Follow along with rowing programs that help you smash your goals. Rowing is an excellent full-body workout that caters to all fitness levels, helping you live with energy and vitality. Why this app? Rowing workouts that help you achieve and exceed your personal targets. If you’re new to rowing, start with our Beginner Plan. Looking to shed some pounds? Our Weight Loss Plan is perfect for you! Rowing regularly will help you see progress and feel stronger over time. Train from just 2 days a week to improve your rowing ability and technique with simple approachable routines. Use the SPM metronome to keep your stroke rate in time. Each rowing plan is designed to help your body adapt and improve while minimizing the risk of injury or burnout. Why choose us? These rowing machine workouts are perfect as a supplement to your gym routine or for use with an at-home rowing machine, such as the Concept2. They're easy to follow and can be used regardless of your fitness level. No specific equipment needed! FEATURES GUIDED ROUTINES: Choose a rowing plan based on your fitness level and goals. Target your ideal SPM and follow rest guidance with HIIT-based rowing training, perfect for indoor rowing. ACTIVITY TRACKING: Monitor your rowing activity to ensure continuous growth. Use the countdown timer to enhance your rowing ability and endurance. AUDIO COACHING: Enjoy audio coaching with support to play your own music in the background. The metronome helps you maintain your target SPM, ensuring you row at the perfect pace. CUSTOM WORKOUTS: Build your own rowing workouts. Set your desired SPM and duration to row your way, while staying in sync with the metronome. FREE ROW: Row at your own pace with Free Row. Simply increment or decrement your SPM as you go to follow along with the metronome and phase guide. WORKOUT LOGGER: Log all your rowing workouts and repeat your favorites. Track metrics like average heart rate, distance, and split time to monitor your improvement over time. APPLE HEALTH INTEGRATION: Sync your rowing workouts with the Health App to get a comprehensive view of your daily activity. DAILY EXERCISES: Supplement your rowing workouts with recommended exercises. Warm-up, cool down, and build full-body strength with additional exercises. Legal Disclaimer This app and any information given by it are for educational purposes only. They are not intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. You should always consult your healthcare provider before beginning any fitness program. If you upgrade to a premium subscription, payment will be charged to your iTunes account at confirmation of purchase. Your subscription renews automatically unless cancelled at least 24 hours prior to the end of the current period. There is no increase in cost when renewing. Subscriptions can be managed and auto-renewal turned off in Account Settings in iTunes after purchase. Once purchased, the current period cannot be cancelled. Any unused portion of a free trial period is forfeited if you choose to purchase a premium subscription. Find the full terms and conditions at https://www.vigour.fitness/terms, and our privacy policy at https://www.vigour.fitness/privacy.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is ads: Start Rowing at none against Rowing Machine Workouts's shown. Rowing Machine Workouts's advantage is review sentiment (88% vs 73%) and update cadence (every 5 days vs every 2 weeks). On price, rating, ratings volume and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.
Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS
Both are free to download. Start Rowing sells 7 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per 7 days and Rowing Machine Workouts sells 9 in-app purchases, starting at $6.99 per 7 days. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.
On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.7 for Start Rowing against 4.7 for Rowing Machine Workouts. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 681 and 338 respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 73% of Start Rowing's written reviews are positive against 88% of Rowing Machine Workouts's.
Start Rowing ships an update every 2 weeks, Rowing Machine Workouts every 5 days. The most recent releases landed on September 11, 2026 and September 21, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Start Rowing | Rowing Machine Workouts |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.7 (681 ratings) | 4.7 (338 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 73.2% of reviews | 87.6% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 681 — better | 338 |
| Update frequency | Every 2 weeks | Every 5 days — better |
| Ads | No — better | Yes |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple Watch — better |
| Requires iOS | 15.6 | 15.6 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 49 MB | 74 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Vigour Group Ltd | Vigour Group Ltd |
Customer experience
Start Rowing
Rowing Machine Workouts
User reviews
Start Rowing
From 681 App Store ratingsWhat we love
- 🚀 Helpful for beginners
- 🚀 Structured workout plans
- 👍 Easy to follow
- 👍 Enjoyable and motivating
- 🚀 Useful metronome and pacing features
Room to improve
- 🐛 Connectivity issues (blank screen, spinning circle)
- 🔋 High battery drain
- 💰 Misleading about free access, requires subscription
- 👎 Limited customization and flexibility
- 👎 Inconsistent performance (stroke rate changes, screen shutoff)
Rowing Machine Workouts
From 338 App Store ratingsWhat we love
- 🚀 Effective graphics and workout
- 👍 Straight forward and easy to use
- 👍 Metronome helps with pacing
- 👍 Variety of workouts and programs
- 👍 Warm-up and cool-down exercises
Room to improve
- 🐛 Subscription issues and lost access
- ⚠️ Lacks ability to sync with rowing machines
- ⚠️ Interrupts stroke when changing pace
- ⚠️ Limited data tracking and analytics
Bugs and requests
Start Rowing
Reported bugs
3 issues- Blank screen during workouts
- Inconsistent stroke rate changes
- Automatic screen shutoff during workouts
Requested features
5 requests- Allow custom workout creation
- Improve volume control for metronome and audio
- Add more advanced workout options
- Enhance user interface and navigation
- Improve sync and data tracking across devices
Rowing Machine Workouts
Reported bugs
2 issues- Free trial not functioning properly
- Connectivity issues with some rowing machines
Requested features
3 requests- Ability to create custom workouts
- Integration with Apple Watch
- More detailed workout data and progress tracking
In-app purchases
Start Rowing
- Start Rowing Weekly$4.997 Days
- Premium Monthly$9.991 Month
- Premium Monthly2 variants$14.991 Month
Show 3 moreShow fewer
- Premium Yearly$79.991 Year
- Premium Yearly7 Days trial$79.991 Year
- Yearly Premium7 Days trial$99.991 Year
- Lifetime Access$179.99
Rowing Machine Workouts
- Rowing Workouts Weekly$6.997 Days
- Premium Monthly$9.991 Month
- Premium Monthly2 variants$14.991 Month
Show 5 moreShow fewer
- Premium Yearly1 Year trial$79.991 Year
- Premium$79.991 Year
- Rowing Workouts Yearly$79.991 Year
- Rowing Workouts Yearly7 Days trial$79.991 Year
- Rowing Workouts Yearly7 Days trial$99.991 Year
- Lifetime Access$249.99
Questions
Is Start Rowing free?
Is Rowing Machine Workouts free?
Which has better reviews, Start Rowing or Rowing Machine Workouts?
Do Start Rowing or Rowing Machine Workouts have ads?
Which is updated more often, Start Rowing or Rowing Machine Workouts?
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