For functional fitness
For functional fitness, the two are close. Rowing machine rates slightly higher: more injury protection, easier to learn and fit in.
Wall ball carries over more directly to functional fitness.
Both are good choices that work the same way, so they swap freely. Rotating between them every few weeks is an easy way to vary your training.
The research score comes from these, scored by hand from the studies. Lifter scores appear once an exercise has 10 ratings. How scores work
Rowing Machine. Common in workouts, and a good engine builder.
Wall Ball. A common workout movement: squat and throw while tired.
For hybrid & fitness racing, rowing machine and wall ball score the same on every criterion, so use whichever is free, or both.
For functional fitness, the two are close. Rowing machine rates slightly higher: more injury protection, easier to learn and fit in. Wall ball carries over more directly to functional fitness. Both are good choices that work the same way, so they swap freely. Rotating between them every few weeks is an easy way to vary your training.
About the same: both are easy to learn.
Rowing machine needs a rower or SkiErg, so for most people it’s a gym exercise. Wall ball needs a medicine ball and a wall, so for most people it’s a gym exercise.
Rowing machine: it rates Good for injury protection in our research rubric, against Fair for wall ball.