Rowing Machine Review: Water Rower
Why a Rowing Machine and Why the Water Rower?
After using the rowing feature on my Bowflex Power Pro, I decided I liked rowing machines as a form of cardiovascular workout. One of the benefits of rowing machines is that they utilize virtually all the major muscle groups in the legs, arms, and back. This really allows you to get your heart rate up without banging your heels (and the attached knees) into the pavement as with jogging. However, the rowing feature on the Bowflex left a lot to be desired. Since I was committed to the home gym thing at this point, I began looking around for dedicated rowing machines. The Water Rower was the third or fourth machine I looked at. I just fell in love with it right away, before even trying it. The Water Rower looks more like a piece of furniture than a sterile piece of home gym equipment. Since I have wood paneling (how 70's, I know, but the house comes from that time) downstairs in the rec room/home gym area, it matched right up. The wood-look of the Water Rower would look good in any home setting though.
OK, I know what you're thinking. It's pretty, but how does it work, how does it feel, and is it of good quality? Let me see if I can address all those questions.
How the Water Rower Works
Contrary to all the rowers out throughout the relatively history of rowing machines, the Water Rower uses not just mechanics and pulleys but actual water. It has a 22 inch circular water tank, and resistance is created via a stainless steel paddle (the WaterFlyWheel) pushing through the water. The Water FlyWheel is designed to simulate how a boat feels cruising through water.
There aren't a lot of fancy doodads and controls to figure out; all you have to do to increase the intensity is row faster because as the water moves faster it creates more drag. Due to the use of water, the machine closely mimics the feel and sound of actually rowing out in open water. That's a neat feature and can help get you in the mood.
Not only is the Water Rower a handsome piece of equipment but it has a nice stand-on-end feature, so you can tuck it away if needed.
Working out on the Water Rower AKA How It Feels
As I mentioned earlier, rowing machines are great because they exercise your entire body. After just a few weeks of working out with the Water Rower, I can comfortably say that I would recommend it over a treadmill, bicycle, stair stepper, or elliptical trainer. Even though some of those other cardio machines engage your arms and legs, none of them get your back into the action like rowing does. Strength in the back is so important as it is such a target for injuries. This full body exercise helps strengthen and expand on your muscular endurance in all of your muscle groups.
Unlike rowing machines you may have used at your local gym, the Water Rower has no way to adjust resistance. Rather, you simply increase your stroke rate to exercise harder--much as you would when rowing an actual boat. You'll find that concept very intuitive, more so than pausing your workout to fiddle with buttons. You can adjust the amount of water in the drum, however, which effects how heavy your "boat" feels.
The WaterRower is very smooth. Unlike the Bowflex rowing feature (and even some of the other rowing machines I tried), the resistance starts as soon as you start pulling on the handle. There is no jerkiness at the start of a stroke and resistance remains constant.
The Water Rower is quiet as well. Though you can hear the sound of the water with each stroke, it is a soft noise and you can easily watch television without turning up the sound so loud it will annoy everyone in the house.
The Water Rower is quite comfortable for a piece of exercise equipment. Just the other night, I was watching a good show on TV and did a whole hour on the thing. My butt didn't get sore which is not a claim most people who have perched on an exercise bike for a similar period of time can make. The Water Rower is just classier all around--comfort, design, style, etc--than most home fitness equipment.
Water Rower Quality
I'm not sure if the Water Rowers are hand made, but I wouldn't be surprised. The quality alone makes this rowing machine worth the purchase price. As mentioned it's very smooth and a pleasure to use. The overall design is sharp, built for comfort while at the same time superb for working out. I was a little concerned that the wood frame might rot or warp especially since water is involved, but the company stands behind their product, offering a 5 year warranty for the frame. They only use hardwoods which are very resistant to moisture and thus the risk of rot.
Depending on the wood you choose, the price will fluctuate. You should know that all the machines are designed the same and work equally well, so price is purely aesthetic in this case. I bought the Water Rower "Natural" which is made out of a handsome Ash, but it is really just a matter of preference.
I would recommend paying a little extra for the computer and heart rate monitor attachments. Though it is certainly not necessary for rowing, you will find it helpful in planning your workout and monitoring your progress.
Water Rower: Conclusion
Is the Water Rower the best rowing machine out there? I don't know, but of the 4 I tried it was the best. I'm definitely satisfied because of performance, durability, and aesthetic reasons (it just looks nice in my house). If you're looking for a rowing machine and don't mind paying more than the low-end models, try the Water Rower. It's about the same price as the often touted Concept 2, but a more handsome machine. Both are designed to last a lifetime. Unlike so much home gym equipment out there, the Water Rower isn't something you'll rush to throw a blanket over when company comes.
Water Rower Natural in Ash with Workout Monitor
Water Rower Club with Workout Monitor
Review by Alexa Ehrenreich
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