Rowing machine vs. exercise bike: running cost
An exercise bike is cheaper to run: about $1 a year versus $2 for a rowing machine at typical use and 17.99¢/kWh, a $1 difference.
| Rowing machine | Exercise bike | |
|---|---|---|
| Typical watts | 10 W | 20 W |
| Watt range | 0–120 W | 0–100 W |
| Typical use | 30 minutes a day, 4 days a week | 45 minutes a day, 4 days a week |
| Energy per year | 10 kWh | 3 kWh |
| Cost per hour | 0.2¢ | 0.4¢ |
| Cost per day | 0.5¢ | 0.2¢ |
| Cost per month | $0.15 | $0.05 |
| Cost per year | $2 | $1 |
| Per year in Hawaii (43.51¢) | $4 | $1 |
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What drives the difference
- Rowing machine: Air and water rowers are human-powered; screen rowers like Hydrow draw 50-100 W while in use.
- Exercise bike: Most magnetic-resistance bikes need only a few watts for the console (some are self-powered); bikes with large touchscreens draw 50-100 W.
Ways to cut either cost
Self-powered spin bike
Generates its own console power; no plug needed.
See options on Amazon Air rowing machine
Battery-powered console uses essentially no grid electricity.
See options on AmazonWe may earn a commission from qualifying purchases. It never changes the numbers we show. Disclosure.
Frequently asked questions
Which costs more to run, a rowing machine or an exercise bike?
At typical use and the U.S. average rate (17.99¢/kWh), a rowing machine costs about $2 a year versus $1 for an exercise bike. That's $1 more, or 3.1× as much.
How many watts do rowing machine and exercise bike use?
A rowing machine typically draws 10 W (range 0–120 W). An exercise bike draws 20 W (range 0–100 W). Watts alone don't decide cost. Hours of use, cycling and standby matter just as much.
Rates: EIA, 12 months ending 2026-07. Methodology.