Best Rowing Machine Seat Cushions For A Painless Exercise
Rowing is one of the best exercises you can do, especially when done with comfortable rowing seat pads. It works your entire body while still being low impact. For those who can’t get out to row on the water, there are a variety of indoor and outdoor machines with different types of resistance for different preferences. It’s amazing that you can get such a great workout all from a seated position. Whether you’re on a machine or out on a lake, there are three points of contact that you maintain throughout your strokes.
Firstly, your hands on the oars or handle of the machine. That’s probably the one you think of the most which is why you need the best rowing gloves to have a comfortable firm grip. Secondly, your feet. This contact is more important while using a machine. You need to make sure your feet are strapped correctly, you are wearing the right rowing shoes, and that your machine is set to the right size to avoid any slipping.
The last point of contact, and the one that should have the most consideration, is the rower seat. Rowing can accommodate various people of different sizes. Some may prefer a softer rowing seat cushion, while others may want a firmer, more solid feel. The contouring of the seat may play a role as well. While some want a more cradled sensation, others will want more cushion.
It really comes down to preference and since the rower’s seat is bearing your weight through the whole workout, it’s vital that you feel comfortable or your rowing experience won’t be as productive as it should be. Choosing the best rowing machine seat cushion may impact how long you can do your rowing exercises and alter how you feel after. With this out of the way, let’s see the most comfortable rowing machine seat pads for this year.
Best Rowing Machine Seat Cushion Comparison:
| Name | Image | Size | Thickness | Padding | Underside |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Domain Extra Large Gel Rower Seat Cushion |  | 15.5" W x 11.5" L | 1 Inche | Gel and Foam | Non-slip (with straps) |
| ComfiLife Gel Enhanced Rower Seat Cushion |  | 17.5" W x 13.7" L | 2.8 Inches | Gel and Memory Foam | Non-slip (without straps) |
| Hornet Watersports Rowing Memory Foam Cushion |  | 13.25" W x 10.25" L | 1.9 Inches | Memory Foam | Non-slip (without straps) |
| Hornet Watersports Rowing Machine Cushion |  | 11.5" W x 9" L | 0.5 Inches | SBR and Neoprene | Non-slip (without straps) |
| Kohree Memory Rowing Machine Seat Cushion |  | 13" W x 9" L | 3 Inches | Memory Foam | Non-slip (with straps) |
| 2K Fit Concept 2 Rowing Seat Cushion Model 2 |  | 13.3" W x 9.9" L | 3 Inches | Memory Foam | Non-slip (with straps) |
| 2K Fit Rowing Machine Seat Cushion Model 1 |  | 12.7" W x 9.8" L | 2.5 Inches | Memory Foam | Non-slip (without straps) |
| Rowing Machine King Memory Seat Cushion |  | 13" W x 10" L | 3 Inches | Memory Foam | Non-slip (with straps) |
| SKWOOSH Classic Kayak Paddling Gel Seat Pad |  | 16" W x 13" L | 0.8 Inches | Gel | Non-slip (without straps) |
| SKWOOSH Dragon Indoor Rower Gel Seat Pad |  | 12" W x 8" L | 0.5 Inches | Gel | Non-slip (without straps) |
Quick Overview of Top Indoor Rower Seat Pads:
Domain Extra Large Gel Rower Seat Cushion
Gel has been used to make things more comfortable for a while now, from shoe insoles to knee pads, and the same goes for exercise equipment seat covers. The Domain model is the best rowing seat pad you can find. It has a non-slip bottom to keep it in place while you exercise and a drawstring design to keep it snug on your equipment’s seat. It also has a lifetime money-back guarantee, proving how great it is for long term use. Some reviewers said they wanted it to be thicker. However, it’s designed to be stiffer and offer support. There were also complaints about it not fitting correctly on certain equipment, mostly exercise stationary bikes.
The Domain Seat Cushion Cover is a larger size at 15.5” by 11.5” to accommodate all machine seats as well as add cushion and support to office chairs and car seats. About 25 mm in thickness, the Domain seat isn’t going to just flatten out over time like some cheaper gel cushion products, though because it is gel it will still compress.
ComfiLife Gel Enhanced Rower Seat Cushion
This is another awesome rowing gel seat pad, but this one is combined with memory foam. While the Domain Cycling Extra Large Gel Exercise Bike Seat Cushion Cover had a groove for spine relief, this one takes it a step further for better tailbone relief making it great for those with sciatica issues. Some users didn’t like the elevated portion on the front half of the middle, and some thought it flattened too easily, no doubt because of the softer cushion. There was also one user who pointed out that the metal zipper will ruin any nicer surface you put it on, such as a leather desk chair.
This seat cushion will work on just as many seats as the Domain Seat Cushions, and at 17.6” by 13.8” it’s actually bigger. The thickness is at 63.5mm, which might make it too big to comfortably fit on smaller seats, but even better for uses outside of exercise equipment. The company offers a lifetime warranty, showing that the majority of users have been satisfied. It has a washable, light gray cover for a softer look.
Hornet Watersports Rowing Memory Foam Cushion
This sleek looking, solid black seat cushion can be used for practically any machine and will serve adequately as an office or other type of chair cushion, easily being one of the top indoor rower seat pads. It’s not as large as some of the cushions mentioned on this rowing seat pad reviews, which may work better for some uses. It has an anti-slip bottom to keep it in place. Some reviewers thought that the Hornet Watersports Seat Cushion was a bit too dense and too thick, making them sit higher than where they wanted to be and altering their workout. There were also some who mentioned it sliding a bit, but others who said it stayed put. This may be entirely dependent on what type of exercise they were doing.
Something like a stationary bike where you lift out of the seat may allow it to move, while rowing probably won’t have that issue. It’s made from dense memory foam and is 13.25” by 10.25”. There’s not a lot of shape to it, but the thickness at 47.75mm makes certain it will offer a more comfortable exercise or seating experience.
Hornet Watersports Rowing Machine Cushion
Another seat cushion from Hornet Watersports, who make some of the top home rower seat cushions available, this one is thinner than the previous entry on this list at 12.7mm and is made from SBR and neoprene, making it denser and less soft. Because this concept 2 seat pad is smaller, it won’t be the best for use on chairs and some felt that it was too small for the exercise equipment they wanted to use it with. While it’s designed primarily for the Concept 2 indoor rowing machine, it will adequately fit a variety of machines. Some reviewers were not happy with how thin and small this Hornet Watersports Seat Cushion is, but many felt it was perfect for their needs and liked how unlike thicker cushions, this one doesn’t make you sit so much higher than your equipment’s built-in seat.
It’s also smaller, and may not fit as well for uses other than exercise equipment at only 11.5” by 9”. There is a money-back guarantee with this one, and it also has a non-slip bottom to make sure it stays in place as you workout and move around. Even sleeker looking than the other Hornet Seat Cushion, this one is also solid black. The SBR and neoprene makes this one denser than the previous one, making the 12.7mm thickness fine for cushioning.
Kohree Memory Rowing Machine Seat Cushion
This one is another seat cushion catering to the Concept 2 rowing machine. The sides and the bottom are black, and the top is a calm and pleasant blue color. This memory foam rower seat cushion has adjustable straps to make sure it stays in place during those more rigorous workouts. You will be able to easily use it for a wide variety of seated needs, and although it’s designed with one rowing machine in mind, it can be used on almost any machine. It also has a dip on one side to give good tailbone relief, but not a large enough dip to be uncomfortable. However, this was another seat cushion that some reviewers felt was too soft and not dense enough, and a few mentioned they didn’t like how thick it was as it altered their seating for their workout.
Made by Kohree of a thick memory foam, it has a washable cover and a mesh top to allow more airflow. It’s a fairly standard size of 13” by 9”, but is very thick at 76.2mm. While not as wide and deep as some on this list, it’s still large enough to accommodate some seating needs other than exercise equipment.
2K Fit Concept 2 Rowing Seat Cushion Model 2
This seat cushion is a fairly basic design, with a solid black, washable cover and a dip on one side to give some spinal relief. The 2K Fit Seat Cushion is almost the exact same size as the Kohree Seat Cushion, but lacks the breathable mesh top. Just like the Kohree, the thickness may not work for some, especially those on the shorter side as it increases how much you need to stretch, but for those who plan on using it for long periods or for those who need that extra softness, it will be a great seat cushion to use.
This cushion is 13” wide by 9.25” deep, making it only slightly larger than the Kohree Seat Cushion. It’s also the same thickness, at 76.2mm, so this can easily be used for all the same purposes as the Kohree Seat Cushion. It has a non-slip material with straps so it stays where you want it, and is made with a dense memory foam.
2K Fit Rowing Machine Seat Cushion Model 1
This was the predecessor to the previous entry on this list, but it’s still a great option one. It’s a solid black color and has a non-slip surface and is designed for rowing machines. It will definitely fit on a variety of exercise equipment. While the cover is washable, it doesn’t remove from the cushion, and some complained that after several uses the memory foam cushion would compress too quickly and lose its comfort. Despite that, both 2K Fit seat pads for rowing machines are designed by Division 1 College Rowers, so you know they had real rowers in mind.
The description says this Concept 2 rower seat pad is between 50.8mm and 76mm, but doesn’t specify exactly how thick. It’s also smaller than the previous entry, at only 12” by 9”, making it less useful for purposes outside of workouts and only slightly bigger than the Hornet Watersports Anti Slip Rowing Machine Cushion. Once again, a dense memory foam is used for this cushion.
Rowing Machine King Memory Seat Cushion
This one will work with a variety of machines and equipment, but isn’t quite as large as some of the other options out there. There are straps to keep it in place, but one reviewer said it still slipped some while using. Most didn’t seem to have a problem with that. There is a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can try it out for yourself. It’s a solid black cushion with a shape to give spine relief, like many of the others on this list. Because this cushion is so thick, it may present the same issue as the other thicker options on this list. You might find yourself sitting too high on your machine or having to adjust your equipment’s built in seat to accommodate.
The Rowing Machine King Seat Cushion is 12.5” by 9.5” and 76.2mm thick, making it too small for some seating needs such as in an office chair. This one has a wide zipper to easily remove the pad for cleaning, which is made from a 65D high-density foam.
SKWOOSH Classic Kayak Paddling Gel Seat Pad
If you want to get outside and on real water instead of only using an indoor rowing machine, you may want to try the SKWOOSH Seat Cushion. This is a gel cushion that’s lightweight and breathable. It’s waterproof and can fit most kayak seats, but can be brought inside. Although it may be too wide for some exercise equipment seats, it can fit some and can also serve as an added layer of cushion for office and other chairs. One reviewer said they preferred an older model of this water rower seat pads, and there were some who felt that the thin gel didn’t do nearly enough for what they needed.
SKWOOSH uses their own patented gel and their products are made in the USA. The solid black mesh surface allows airflow and this seat can be folded to pack away or carry with you. It’s far thinner at 22.8mm than most of the entries on this list, but that makes it useful in different ways. It’s also larger, at 16” by 13”.
SKWOOSH Dragon Indoor Rower Gel Seat Pad
The final entry on this list is another SKWOOSH outdoor rowing seat cushion. This one comes in four colors, blue, pink, red, and black for the best variety of any seat cushion on this list, and has a useful loop for easy transport. Made for dragon boats, it’s far smaller than the other SKWOOSH cushion, and will not be much use for anything but what it’s designed for or perhaps for children. This erg seat pad had the highest percentage of negative ratings, but many of those seemed to be needing it for other uses than what it was intended for. This does seem to be a one purpose cushion, and it’s a poor cushion at that since it’s far too thin to offer much in the way of support or softness.
At only 12” by 8”, it also has less cushion that’s merely 12.7mm thickness. This is a very small seat cushion, but it does use the gel technology that the other SKWOOSH cushion has, and it’s also made in the USA.
The Final Verdict
In conclusion, the best rowing machine seat pad largely depends on what your priorities are. Some need a firmer, denser rowing seat pad and others need comfort to alleviate pressure. Taking the time to think about what you’re looking for will help to settle which one is the best rowing machine seat cushion for you, and you may want to try a few different styles before settling. Whether it’s indoor on a machine or outside on the water, your seat cushion must fit your needs. Some may have sciatica and need a cushion that will take the weight off their spine, and some may simply want a thin layer of extra padding to make it more comfortable. Many make the mistake of thinking that soft seats will be the answers to all their sitting problems, but that’s not always the case. Rowing is a great exercise for a wide variety of people, each at different levels. It only makes sense that their needs are different as well and they use the right rower accessories for their needs.
