Hydrow Rower Review 2024 - Total Body Workout
Overall Score 9.8
Hydrow Rowing Machine Review 2024
OUR TAKE
From Start to finish everything about Hydrow is just easy — easy to assemble, easy to setup, easy and great to use. We found the Hydrow to be a brilliantly engineered indoor rower which offers state-of-the-art cutting-edge technology to create a compelling piece of exercise equipment to train with — combing strength and cardio into one low impact exercise for a total body workout. A 20-30-minute Hydrow rowing session can burn approximately 400 calories. Perfect if one of your goals is weight loss or maintenance.
REASON TO LIKE HYDROW
Hydrow indoor Rowers give you a boutique on the water rowing session experience at home, any time, day or night with engaging live and on-demand on-the-water rowing workouts. After a session ends you feel as though you've completely worked out your entire body. Hydrow rowing workouts are engaging and immersive, led by a group of top-notch rowing instructors who are inclusive, supportive and encouraging.
Hydrow rowing machines are an excellent add-on or a starting point to anyone’s home gym and CROSS-TRAINING exercise routine. Rowing by its nature is a terrific full-body motion that engages over 85% of all your body’s muscles and definitely, gets your heart going so it good for cardio as well.
You're effectively doing a squat, crunch, and push-up each time you stroke — double the percentage of muscles engaged when compared with cycling, spinning, or running — which is why we recommend rowing as a tremendous cross-training add-on, in-part, because it’s so effective for achieving fitness and weight loss goals as well as being low-impact on the body. For the battled-worn weekend warrior Hydrow rowing workouts offer an excellent tool for staying fit and keeping the pounds in check.
Hydrow rower offers a state of-the art designed rower with leading design and technology
REASONS TO BUY A HYDROW ROWER
4 REASONS TO BUY:
1. ENGAGING ON THE WATER ROWS
2. SUPER QUIET / SMOOTH
3. FEELS LIKE ROWING ON THE WATER
4. FANTASTIC DESIGN
Trust Our Reviews of Fitness Equipment
When testing and evaluating the Hydrow Rower, we compared it to comparable indoor rowing models like the Peloton Row, Concept2 RowErg, Nordictrack RW900, Proform R10, Ergatta, CityRow’s GO Max Rower, Aviron and others.
maybeyesno review team understands what makes good fitness equipment – including rowing machines, indoor bikes, strength equipment, and treadmills. If it’s good, it’s good — if it’s bad, then it’s bad — we will tell you. We have tested and published exercise equipment reviews over ten years.
We get hands-on with gear to discuss overall design, tech, and function, including the feel, price, drilling down components such as the resistance mechanism, handle, screen display (if applicable), ease of use, subscription content, adjustment features, noise levels, warranty, and durability.
Based on extensive use and testing, we discuss, summarize, and compare equipment to help you determine if this item is the one for you.
HYDROW REVIEW
The Original Hydrow Indoor Rower performs as good as it looks
The Hydrow rower is an electromagnetic indoor rowing machine that offers Live and On Demand Interactive workouts streamed to its wide HD 22-inch touchscreen. This rowing machine has a sleek and contemporary look with an authentic “on the water” feel and approach to its design and training content.
Beautifully engineered with commercial grade components, Hydrow is extremely quiet to use late at night or early in the a.m. and is exceptionally sturdy, accommodating user weights up to 375 lbs and heights up to 6’ 6”.
The monthly training subscription provides best-in-class coaches and elite trainers using sports science as the foundation for hitting your fitness goals. One unique aspect that is impressive about Hydrow is that trainer’s live stream on the water from a wide range of interesting locations — it’s very Cool! They share useful tips, tricks, technique and anecdotes throughout a workout — you will not be bored, and on-demand locations include waterways in Alaska, New Zealand, Norway and the UK, along with South Florida’s Miami intercoastal and in Massachusetts, Charles River in Boston.
PROS
The Hydrow resistance mechanism from inception was designed to allow you to feel as if are rowing on the water, it’s smooth and with a unique flow that can be meditative or challenging depending on the workout type and resistance level selected — best of all you do not need to worry about making adjustments as you row.
The Hydrow live rowing workouts from the water are exciting rowing stroke for stroke with impressive rowing experts who know their stuff — Olympians and former US National Team rowers. Yet trainers keep it casual as they interject conversation into the workout while providing helpful tips, instruction and encouragement.
The Hydrow design has minimalist a sleek, contemporary look with an extremely solid feel to it.
Use your Apple Watch as well as sync to apps like Apple Health and Strava.
CONS
The Hydrow Rower is on the more expensive side of rowers, but not as much as the Peloton Row and not only a unique look, but a superb design.
Hydrow rowing exercise sessions requires a $44 per month subscription for workouts. (The same as Peloton Row) Nordictrack iFit rowing classes are less at $39 per month for a family membership, (allows up to 5 accounts) or $12 per month for an individual iFit subscription, giving access to workouts across all equipment including treadmills and bikes.
The Hydrow does not fold but can be stood up-right out of the way, if you wish to save floor space when not in use, but it does require a safety anchor for an additional $80. (If purchased together with rower, otherwise it costs $190 purchased on its own.)
WHAT WE LOVE
Touchscreen • Rower Design • Training Content • Automatic Resistance
22" TOUCHSCREEN
Hydrow offers live classes all year round, even in the winter months. Row stroke by stroke live with Olympians and former US National Team rowers
Best described it’s like “Being There” with Hydrow sessions, virtually you are essentially there on the water. The Hydrow’s vivid wide HD touchscreen makes class selections and rower adjustments very easy with simple touch and swipes on the sweat and dust resistant screen. There are two front-facing 3-Watt speakers for an impressive clear full sound quality. Hydrow’s high-quality display enhances the rowing workout experience. The screen pivots and swivels to a limited degree to allow better viewing angle adjustments for off-the-rower classes where you may be using your mat.
Rower Design
Designed by rowing experts the Hydrow rower is brilliantly engineered and offers state-of-the-art cutting-edge technology to create a compelling exercise machine
Hydrow Design Insights Slideshow
Designed for indoor rowing to best simulate outdoor rowing the Hydrow has a cool modern black and silver look. Made with aluminum and polymer body on a steel frame the Hydrow was created to feel like you are exercising on the water.
With its slim one-piece body and a wide HD display you find yourself front and center with top trainers and athletes that lead you through your rowing sessions with engaging live and on-demand classes. This indoor rower feels much closer to actually being on the water than many other rowing machines we have tested.
Row with Hydrow Virtual Classes
The Hydrow rower’s 22-inch Full HD touchscreen display is crisp, clear, quick and easy to use
There are thousands of on-demand pre-recorded river, lake and estuary Hydrow rowing workouts, with new ones added frequently. Access to live and on demand classes requires a membership subscription cost of $44/month. This gives you 24/7 access to world-class athletes who push, motivate and encourage you to get the most out of your investment. Additionally, you get the option to add an unlimited number of users who can create their own profile to take Hydrow rower workouts on and off-the-rower.
There are four types of Hydrow Rower workout classes to take:
Live Rowing on the Water
Rows on Demand
Serene River Rowing (Meditative not Trainer-Led, row at your own pace)
Whole Body Fitness off-the-rower workouts ranging from yoga, Pilates to strength training.
Auto-Adjust Resistance (Drag)
The Hydrow rowing machine adjusts resistance based on how many strokes per minute you’re doing (referred to as rhythm or pace) and effort, how hard you are pushing with your legs. The harder you push with your legs on Hydrow the more Hydrow will pull against you and the more resistance you will feel on your handle.
This gives you that authentic smooth “on the water” feel. Hydrow becomes easier or harder based on your boat speed. Like rowing on water, the faster you go, the more resistance or drag you get from the water on the hull of the boat.
Hydrow generates enough resistance to challenge even the most experienced rowers. The computer-guided resistance, adjusts 240 times per second, utilizes a magnetic system, so it is quiet, provides a smooth feel and is very easy to use. You do not need to make adjustments. This is one of the features we really loved about this rower as it’s straightforward for new rowers starting out.
Unlike traditional magnetic rowers that keep a constant tension, regardless of how fast your row, the Hydrow has an electromagnetic drag mechanism that is computer-controlled and combines the benefits of air and magnetic rowers in one system. This approach to resistance makes it easy to get started and provides a smooth rowing experience that feels more like being on the water than other rowing machines.
No need to worry about making resistance changes with a Hydrow. The computer-guided resistance, adjusts 240 times per second
WHAT TO KNOW
DO I NEED A MEMBERSHIP TO USE HYDROW?
Hydrow has a “Just Row” mode (which still requires internet access to operate) and lets you row without using the monthly subscription. You still have access to On-screen Rowing Metrics, adjustable resistance settings, and Bluetooth for heart rate monitors, headphones, and speakers. That said, membership to the Hydrow workouts brings this rowing machine alive providing expert, professional coaching and training at cool locations. Also included are off the rower options like warm-ups, cool downs, yoga, Pilates and strength training. There is a wide range of classes to select, ranging from beginner to expert levels or scenic rows without a trainer for a more relaxed peaceful option at your own pace.
We highly recommend the Hydrow membership subscription, and it should be considered as part of your Hydrow purchase. Membership allows for unlimited user profiles which works well for a family or shared living situation —And you get access to all of the live and on-demand workout classes plus a history of all your past training to review and track your progress.
Hydrow offers weekly races for you to connect with a partner anywhere in the world. You can compete in challenges against other teams, so you can have more of a true team crew rowing experience.
LIVE STREAMED CLASSES FROM THE WATER
Rowing instructors broadcast live three times a month from the water, pushing you to your limits and really help to motivate you through workout sessions. Each rowing instructor’s style is unique and have their own flair. They choose their preferred music playlist, workout style, and location. There’s also a real-time leaderboard to see how you stack up against other rowers. You can decide to display the leaderboard or move it off your screen.
Hydrow rowing class with instructor, Dani Hansen, with Real time Stats plus leaderboard
STATISTICS
Hydrow collects, tracks, and displays all the key rowing statistics you need to view real time progress as you row — allowing you to get the most out of your workout. Stats include strokes per minute (SPM), which is often referred to as your pace or rhythm. Time per 500 meter (split) represents your power output or WATTS. ¹ If you want to train harder on Hydrow, then the most important number to watch on your screen will be your 500/m split. This statistic is the most direct assessment of how much work you are doing at any given time. The lower your split number, the harder your body is pushing. Also displayed are Total time, total distance, avg. split time. Calories burned. (Which you will burn!)
¹ To view this number expressed as "WATTS" output instead, simply tap on it during a workout to switch
When you complete 60 rows, a donation is made by Hydrow to Water.org in your name that will grant long-term access to safe water for one individual in the developing world. There are also earned badges awarded along the way as well as swag rewards for socks, wrist bands and water bottles which are popular items to earn.
Additionally, a Hydrow iPhone app comes free with your membership. This app allows you to record workouts and minutes you row on other machines to your Hydrow stats profile — then share your data to Strava via the app (iOS 12 and up). Only Completed workouts and minutes can be tracked with this app. Meters, WATTS, Splits or other metrics will only be recorded when working out on a Hydrow Rower.
Hydrow offers a 30-day risk-free home trial. If you don't love it, the entire order is refunded.
Free shipping is included in its price of $2,495. You may Choose to Finance your Hydrow purchase with Klarna from $63 per month plus the monthly training membership subscription.
GOOD TO KNOW
TYPE OF RESISTANCE
Unlike traditional magnetic rowers that keep a constant tension regardless of how fast your row. Hydrow has a dynamic computer controlled magnetic resistance system that combines all the benefits of air and magnetic rowers. Reader feedback has been extremely positive with comments on how quiet, smooth and enjoyable rowing on the Hydrow feels.
There are no “resistance levels” to adjust during your workouts. Instead, Hydrow uses drag mechanism and is controlled using the touchscreen. The Hydrow’s drag is set at 104 by default which best simulates the experience of rowing on water. There is no need to really change this drag number. Rowing at a lower drag and higher speed can be significantly more challenging.
A Hydrow trainer explains this in the beginner classes. By using this analogy – if you do 30 curls/minute you need less weight than if you do 12 curls per minute makes it easier to picture the drag and speed impact. The drag is basically how heavy each stroke feels, but rowing at faster speeds also makes the resistance go up. Rowing at slower speeds reduces the resistance, making it easier.
ERGONOMIC COMFORT
The seat is shaped for comfort and slides smoothly over the rail with its 10-roller system. The handles are also contoured and attached to the flywheel via a high-end, polyester strap. The Hydrow features easy pedal adjustment, that will fit any shoe size and has soft rubberized feet to protect floors when in use.
SWIVEL SCREEN
Hydrow’s touchscreen allows you to adjust screen a limited amount for better viewing angles which is useful for Whole Body fitness workouts off-the-rower classes like Yoga, Pilates, stretching and strengthening classes. The display console can only swivel 25 degrees left and right, and pivots only 15 degrees up and down which was a bit disappointing compared to the Nordictrack RW900 for example - Follow this link to Read Full Review.
DIMENSIONS & STORAGE
The rower is one solid piece but has a small footprint and will fit into a tight space. Its dimensions are 86″L x 25″W x 47″H. When stored upright, the Hydrow is 25″ wide by 33″ deep by 86″ high. The display easily folds-in allowing Hydrow to stand upright to save space — secured off the wall with an optional bracket ($69) ensuring it will not tip back over by itself.
Stand Hydrow upright to save floor space — secured off the wall with an optional bracket for safety
WEIGHT
Hydrow rower weighs 145 lbs. (195 lbs in the box)
USER LIMITS
Hydrow can accommodate users under 375 lbs and heights from 5’ up to or a 36” inseam which is an approximate range in height to 6’6” tall. These are approximates so if you are a little over or under you will be fine.
HEART MONITORS
Hydrow supports Bluetooth 5.0 for wireless heart-rate monitoring. Most Bluetooth heart-rate straps work with the Hydrow, including these you can check out on Amazon. Scosched Rhythm+, Wahoo TICKR, Polar H7 chest strap and Polar OH1 arm band.
LEADERBOARD
The real-time leaderboard appears on the right side of the screen during rowing sessions. It compares your distance to the distances rowed by other users at each point of the class. It can be an incredibly useful motivating tool but if you do not feel in the competitive mood, you can move it off the screen.
The leaderboard can also be used with for on-demand and scenic rows, and functions by comparing your progress to others who have previously done the same row.
WARRANTY
In the last 12 months we have not seen many complaints on hardware failures except possibly for the need to get a seat replaced from time to time.
Frame: 5 years
Screen and electronics: 2 years
Wear items: 2 years (includes the handle, seat, strap and hinge for the screen) Labor: 18 months
Rowing Stroke segment called the Finish on a Hydrow
HYDROW MEMBERSHIP DETAILS
Hydrow membership is billed monthly at $44 per month. We recommend this membership subscription as it is one of the central components that makes the Hydrow such a great rower and should be considered part of your Hydrow purchase. Premium content includes hundreds of workouts including live rows, challenges, and special events. New workouts are constantly being added as each day, as instructors head around the globe to row on various bodies of water.
Live broadcasts from the water (Outdoor Reality workouts)
A library of On-Demand rowing workouts with a range of intensity and duration that will support your personalized fitness goals.
Access to off the rower workouts like Yoga, Pilates, strengthening and stretching, warm up and cool down sessions.
A community of fellow rowers to connect with via access to the live leaderboard and weekly team racing challenges.
All your workout history and fitness progress taken.
Multiple user accounts (unlimited) to let everyone in your household row and keep track of their results, progress and keep personal settings separately.
Hydrow’s introductory tutorials with pro-rowers’ guidance during workouts to help you learn the proper form and technique as you get started towards your journey attaining your fitness and rowing goals.
FOUR TYPES OF ROWING WORKOUTS OFFERED
- Breathe is meditative workout on rower to breathe and loosen up your body.
- Sweat workout is livelier, and a little more exciting, but still low key.
- Push workout is a higher intensity. It’s for when you want to push yourself.
- Drive is the highest intensity workout, Its max effort, high energy, really fun.
There are varying duration & difficulty levels across the four workout rowing categories. Below show a few completed classes displayed on screen.
Completed classes screen shot with former Hydrow trainer Nick Karworski pictured on the right
POINTS OF DISTINCTION
Hydrow workouts include Live Outdoor on the Water Rowing with elite instructors and athletes (including a selection from the U.S. National Rowing Team) with access to a real time leaderboard during classes. Live-rows from home are a lot of fun to join.
On-demand rows are searchable by length, difficulty, location, instructor and more.
You can select from collections of rowing workouts, which form part of a progressive series, designed to help you improve or train for a specific goal and are automatically scheduled in sequence. The Hydrow keeps track of each user’s planned workouts and brings up the right class for each person’s schedule in the correct sequence.
Available on the touchscreen is a “Progress Tab” to visually see your daily achievement — an option we found to be as a big motivator to keep going. It tracks the number of days you’ve been active and details your performance including badges earned.
The Hydrow is super smooth quiet when rowing.
This Rower shuts off automatically. Better yet, it returns ready to row with just a tap on the touchscreen. A tiny but very convenient feature that should be on more widely adopted across other exercise equipment types.
SETUP & ASSEMBLY
The Hydrow Rower Ships in One Box which is heavy weighing in at 195 Ibs. All tools you need for assembly come in the shipping box
The Hydrow Rower is heavy (195 Ibs boxed) so plan for two people to carry it into the house and it helps to have someone assist with setup mainly when attaching the screen console.
Assembly was surprisingly simple but was a stretch solo, but doable. In total it took us about 10 minutes to assemble with 2 people. We estimate for most people it will take under 30 minutes from start to finish with set-up, once you have the box open in the room you plan to use the rowing machine in.
Overall assembly is impressively straight-forward. All the tools you need come in the box. First bolt on the front legs, attach the screen, then plug in the two screen connectors from the base to the screen and it's done. Just need to plug in the 12ft. power cord under the base front feet and power up.
Next follow the prompts on the screen to connect to Wi-Fi. Log-in to create an account and Hydrow will automatically begin to install the latest update.
Now you are ready. LET’S GO Rowing!
WHO SHOULD BUY A HYDROW ROWER
Individuals who are looking for a great full total body workout option and want a well made sturdy reliable rowing machine will really enjoy the Hydrow. Rowing in general offers a full body workout that is low impact which is easy on knees and joints and most definitely gets your heart working for cardio fitness.
Those who are looking to get fit and burn a lot of calories. Rowing is a great option to work out and hit your weight goals and strengthen your body. It works on your core, back, arms, and legs. And because so many muscles are worked hard while rowing, your bones get the benefits of running or weightlifting without the risks of high-impact exercise. You can burn 400 calories in just a 20-minute workout.
If you want to improve your rowing form and technique, the Hydrow streamed trainer content offers excellent instructors and classes. The decision point for purchasing the Hydrow is really based on what kind of workout do you want. Hydrow offers rowing workouts that are either trainer led or scenic rows. There are full body options for Yoga and Pilates etc. but the primary objective of the Hydrow is to offer a rowing workout for you on the water.
Rowing can be challenging or relaxing. The type of workouts in the Hydrow library offer a wide range of choice to match your mood and energy level.
The Hydrow is not really recommended for people who want music themed workouts.
When compared to the Nordictrack RW900 the Hydrow is more expensive for the rower and the monthly subscription. If you want to spend less on a rower and monthly cost for workouts, the RW900 is an excellent choice to consider. Read our review here on the RW900. We also compare the RW900 vs. Hydrow here.
PRICE OPTIONS
A Hydrow rowing machine cost is in two parts:
The physical rower itself costs $2,495 with free shipping included to your door, and for installation in the room of choice add $249.
Hydrow’s monthly membership subscription of $44 per month to access trainer-led live and on demand content.
It’s important that you consider the monthly membership as an essential part of your Hydrow purchase because it is one of the core reasons why you’re buying this awesome rowing machine. The training content is large part that makes Hydrow worth the price and so great to use. Membership comes with an unlimited number of user accounts per household and iPhone app to record training done on other machines so these stats can be also added to your Hydrow profile.
HYDROW ACCESSORY OPTIONS
— Upright storage kit for $190 ($80 if you purchase with rower)
— Long black mat for $90.00
We find Hydrow is priced fairly considering the design quality, reliability and quality of class content. We also found the customer service is prompt and attentive. Hydrow is easy to assemble but more importantly easy to get going on. The rows are addictive and there is an active community on Facebook to motivate and encourage you. Finally, you do get a 30-day risk-free home trial so If you don't love it, the entire order is refunded.
“ “ If you are considering this machine, pull the trigger! I am thoroughly impressed with the quality of instruction and the beauty of this machine. I get an excellent workout every time I use it. I had only rowed the typical rower at the gym before buying the Hydrow. Every workout I learn more about proper form and improve my rowing skills. It’s one of the best purchases I’ve made! I highly recommend Hydrow. ”
AT THE END ─ Final thoughts
Our Take
The Hydrow rowing machine was designed to deliver an on-the-water feel and capture the experience of a top boutique rowing class — and it does! Additionally get fit and reduce body fat with a total body workout on this bestselling popular rowing machine.
For the maybeyesno review team Hydrow is a recommended buy. The cool hi-tech look makes it a striking positive visual for your home gym. More importantly, the Hydrow rower performs as good as it looks especially for those looking to lose weight or get / stay fit. Rowing with a Hydrow uses over three quarters of your body’s muscles for a full body workout and will absolutely get your heart pumping —which is good for you. Live broadcasts from the water offer a different approach from other rowing machines currently available. It is exciting to row stroke by stroke with some of the best rowers in the world.
The Hydrow provides spectacular interactive views from its 22-inch HD touchscreen and operates super-quiet while the rowing. Instructors are positive, light, easy to listen to and technically professional. They speak to beginners and capable rowers alike, on how to improve form, technique, stamina and fitness.
From Start to finish everything about the Hydrow is just easy — easy to assemble, easy to setup, easy and impressive to use.
Besides being a calorie burning machine and keeping you in great physical condition, working out on this ultra-modern indoor rower can help relieve tension and stress — which is a great thing!
The Hydrow is not as strongly recommended for people who want predominantly music themed workouts and may prefer the Peloton Row.
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