Most people looking for a rowing machine fall into one of two categories: those who are already committed to the rowing lifestyle and those who just want a good workout. I fall into the latter category. I recently received one of Merach’s magnetic rowers to test out and have found it to be a great option for working out at home that is quiet, portable, and affordable while I work on my ACL rehab, but it may not be for everyone.

This rower comes in three variations: the QS1 Magnetic, the Q1SW Magnetic Silent, and the Q1S Pro Electromagnetic. I tested the mid-range Q1SW Magnetic Silent. It is advertised as making less than 20 decibels of noise, but if you look at the decibel scale, it is closer to 40 decibels. That being said, I can work out at full volume and still hear the TV and not disturb my fiancé who works from home. It was also very easy to set up, taking me about 30 minutes.

As I mentioned earlier, one of the main things I looked for in a home rower was portability. I wanted something that was practical to use, move around, and store. The Q1SW does that well. It has wheels on the front which makes it very easy to move around, it’s light enough to maneuver with one arm, and it fits neatly against a wall with minimal effort (you just flip the cover down).

The Q1SW rower feels very stable and I never worried about tipping to the sides, even when going all out. That said, it may not be a comfortable experience for tall rowers.