Customer Reviews

WaterRower Natural Rowing Machine in Ash Wood

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I've had my rower for about four years now. It has held up very well. This truly is a quality product. Much smoother than other rowers I've tried and the swoosh of the water is very nice. I would definitely buy this rower again... I just wish I could have found mine for this price...I paid almost twice this!!!

Purchased the WaterRower Natural Rowing Machine in Ash Wood without monitor in late April through Amazon and I love it! I travel a lot and I miss it when I'm gone. Easy to set-up, easy to store, and easy to use. There are lots of instructional videos on YouTube. I like the one from the Thames Rowing Club (England). Once you get your form and rhythm right, it's fun and easy. I opted out of the S4 monitor based on several reviews from other users at various websites. I don't miss it. It's easy to calculate your strokes per minute. Eventually, you'll be able to "feel" your stroke rate. Looks great in the room and I look forward to using it every day. Put on some music or watch your favorite t.v. show -- it's quiet. The moving water makes a peaceful sound as you row. Great investment for your health and well-being.

We got this exact model (ash wood) without the S4 monitor (we have Polar heart rate monitors). This machine is well built, easy to assemble (minor assembling required), the wood is nice and for almost a month I have been enjoying a good workout every time I use it. I try to row daily (as time allows but usually for 30 to 45 minutes) and the sweat runs down my neck, but I don't feel the pains and aches I used to get from other sports like cycling for instance. It's an intense but low impact type of exercise. You self-regulate the intensity of your workout (by going slower/faster), no dials or any adjustments. The sound of the water is relaxing and the machine itself is very quiet. It has wheels at one of the ends (tank side), which allows to roll it and store it upright. Would be nice if the builder would include a handle to hold on to when moving it, but works fine as is. The bench is comfortable and slides smoothly. I subscribed Xeno Muller's videos to help me in achieving a better form. He is not only an excellent resource to properly use the WaterRower but he is also very creative with using the rower for strength type exercises (http://www.youtube.com/user/ironoarsman). If you get the WaterRower (or any type of rower) make sure to check his videos.
This has been the best decision I made regarding my well being and health. Highly recommended.

Efficient and sturdy design, excellent workmanship, and beautiful enough to consider it a piece of furniture. I expect this machine to be a heirloom. Perhaps if my wife and I use it as I hope, that will be a longer time from now. I would like an easier system to adjust the water level in the tank. I have no regrets and if you have read the description and are interested, you will not be disappointed.

Tracy Hofeditz

Hello
My name is Xeno Muller. I have twenty of these machines at my indoor rowing studio and they work great for me. I love the quiet sound of water swishing around when strokes are taken. The WaterRowers are easy to move around to clear the floor. If you are interested in seeing what I do with the machines you can find me on youtube and my ironoarsman website. If you plan to row alone you may be interested in my downloadable workouts or DVDs that you can use for your rows.
All the best,
Xeno

I bought a WaterRower (Ash with S4 monitor) and can't say enough good things about it. I use a Concept 2 in the gym (it doesn't sound noisy there but who can hear anything in a gym), but went for the WaterRower for less noise (and a smaller footprint) for my condominium. I use it when I watch TV and hardly know I'm exercising - except that I suddenly notice I'm breathing hard when I stop. It is attractive and well built.

I don't like the computer on mine, so I personally think this model - without the computer (and $200 less expensive) - is the way to go. The computer is virtually worthless. It's very hard to read (glare) and the timer doesn't start and stop automatically, so you have to keep stretching (out of reach) to push the buttons. If you're compulsive about how long you rowed, use a stopwatch. If you're using it while watching TV, use the show as your timer. Stop when the show is over or if you get too tired.

A negative about all WaterRower: they're too low. I started using a rower to protect my bad knees, but this rower puts a huge strain on the knees getting on it or off it. There is an extender overpriced at $100 and possibly too flimsy for heavy users (a lot of sideways stress will be placed on the screws that hold it in place when you row). So if you have knee issues, you might not like this rower. I have learned to tolerate this shortcoming by using a chair to help me in getting down into position or up when I'm done.

Mobility and space are important, too. If you use it in the living room, you will need to be able to move it. It's easy with the WaterRower (try doing it with a treadmill). Also, the fact that it's quiet will allow you to use it around other people, at night or in an apartment without fear of spouse or neighbor complaint.

At $900, it is expensive but a lot less than the cost of doctor's visits and medicine for high blood pressure or surgery for obesity. And having exercise equipment at home makes it more likely you'll use it.

For the record, if you don't care about how much noise it makes or space it takes up, the Concept2 is great, too.

The waterrower is a great machine with the smooth motion removing the jerking present in other machines. If you are using third party software to analyse your training you may find that it does not work with later models of the machine. I decided to give mine a spruce-up and ordered about $20 of parts online. I cancelled the order when Waterrower quoted $148 postage!

I haven't even gotten this home, yet, but that's my problem due to the delivery specifying that an in-person signature is required. Not knowing this, I had it delivered at home where I've had about 100 packages left, including items larger and more expensive than this, with no problems. Since I work for a living and can't hang around all day awaiting delivery, I switched the delivery to my workplace. The problem now is that the thing is so big that it'll never fit in my car. Be forewarned that Amazon will make accepting delivery of this item a problem for most people.
WaterRower Natural Rowing Machine in Ash Wood