WaterRower Oxbridge Rowing Machine in Cherry with S4 Monitor

by Water Rower

Product Features

• Handcrafted rowing machine with "water flywheel" that replicates actual rowing feel
• Flywheel sits in enclosed water tank to provide smooth, quiet, self-regulated resistance
• Series 4 performance monitor tracks workout intensity, stroke rate, heart rate, and more
• Solid cherry wood construction absorbs sound and vibration; hand finished in Danish oil
• Stores upright; measures 84 x 21 x 22 inches (W x H x D) and weighs 117 pounds

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description

Rowing has long been recognized as the perfect aerobic pursuit, with naturally smooth and flowing movements that don't tax the joints but do boost the heart rate. Now you can take your rowing experience to the next level with the WaterRower Oxbridge rowing machine. Using the same principles that govern the dynamics of a boat in water, the WaterRower Oxbridge is outfitted with a "water flywheel" that consists of two paddles in an enclosed tank of water that provide smooth, quiet resistance, just like the paddles in an actual body of water. As a result, the machine has no moving parts that can wear out over time (even the recoil belt and pulleys don't require lubricating or maintaining). More significantly, the water tank and flywheel create a self-regulating resistance system that eliminates the need for a motor. As with real rowing, when you paddle faster, the increased drag provides more resistance. When you paddle slower, the resistance is less intense. The only limit to how fast you can row is your strength and your ability to overcome drag. And unlike conventional rowing machines, which tend to be jerky and jarring, the WaterRower Oxbridge is remarkably smooth and fluid.

From a fitness perspective, the WaterRower Oxbridge works 84 percent of your muscle mass, helping tone and strengthen your muscles while burning far more calories than most other aerobic machines. The exercise is also low impact, as it removes all the body weight from the ankles, knees, and hips, but still moves the limbs and joints through a full range of motion--from completely extended to completely contracted.

The WaterRower Oxbridge is outfitted with a Series 4 performance monitor that's designed to balance technical sophistication with user-friendliness. The monitor--which includes six information and programming windows, six QuickSelection buttons, and three navigation buttons--displays your workout intensity, stroke rate, heart rate, zone bar, duration, and distance. Plus, the monitor is compatible with an optional heart rate chest strap and receiver, which helps you optimize your workout and achieve your exercise objectives.

The WaterRower Oxbridge is handcrafted in solid cherry wood, which may vary in color from red/brown to deep red and will darken with exposure to light. For this reason, all WaterRower cherry wood components are kept in light-free rooms to protect from shadowing before being sold to the public. Initially, a new WaterRower Oxbridge will appear quite light in color, but will darken over time until it reaches a rich reddish hue. The cherry wood was chosen due to its marvelous engineering properties, especially its ability to absorb sound and vibration, which enhances the WaterRower's quiet performance and smooth operation. In addition, the wood is harvested from replenishable forests and is hand finished with three coats of Danish oil to give it a deep luster and warmth.

Other details include dual rails with four corner wheels that increase seat stability and reduce the amount of sweat buildup; a frame that flips upright for handy storage; and a weight capacity of up to 1,000 pounds. The WaterRower Oxbridge measures 84 by 21 by 22 inches (W x H x D), weighs 117 pounds (with water), and carries a one-year warranty on the frame and components (WaterRower will upgrade the warranty to five years on the frame and three years on the components with the completion of a registration form).

Product Description

The WaterRower Oxbridge is handcrafted from solid Cherry wood, finished with danish oil. The WaterRower's patented WaterFlywheel has been specifically designed to emulate the dynamics of a boat moving though water and is unsurpassed in its simulation of the physical and physiological benefits of rowing.

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 83 x 24 x 21 inches ; 117 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 117 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: This item can only be shipped to the 48 contiguous states. We regret it cannot be shipped to APO/FPO, Hawaii, Alaska, or Puerto Rico.
• Shipping Advisory: This item must be shipped separately from other items in your order. Additional shipping charges will not apply.
• ASIN: B000A6V4RW
• Item model number: Cherry S4
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #24,407 in Sports & Outdoors (See Top 100 in Sports & Outdoors)
  • #14 in Sports & Outdoors > Exercise & Fitness > Cardio Training > Rowers

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

21 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Perfect Machine, March 28, 2008

By 

J. Grant "yesman" (MD) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: WaterRower Oxbridge Rowing Machine in Cherry with S4 Monitor (Sports)

I don't know where to begin. I researched many types of exercise equipment and this one takes the cake. Check the manufacturer's well-built site for all the details on the product. I picked the cherry model for looks, but I'm sure any model would have suited my fitness needs. This rower is rock-solid, whisper quiet, comfortable and beautifully designed. When standing against a wall it looks like a piece of art. But it doesn't stay there long. My wife and I use it everyday. The resistance and motion is so smooth! I can't recommend this machine enough. You can even buy software to race other WaterRowers online. If you are really serious about an aerobic workout, look no further. The WaterRower is worth every penny and built to last.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing Piece of Art, er, Exercise Equipment, May 20, 2011

By 

Stephon Devante (Nashville, TN) - See all my reviews

This review is from: WaterRower Oxbridge Rowing Machine in Cherry with S4 Monitor (Sports)

Anyone considering this rower should know first and foremost that it is absolutely gorgeous. Beyond that, what really sold me over the Concept 2 is that the layout of the machine is more conducive to rowing while watching tv, for example, nearly silent (great for apartment living), and what you noise you do hear is the gentle whoosh of water swirling.

I've never rowed in a scull, but I have to imagine the WaterRower sounds much more realistic than the sawing sound of the Concept 2.

Storage is a breeze with the low center of gravity and roller wheels - just lift it up and it takes up about the space of a dining chair.

The only potential downside is the computer. The Concept 2 has very accurate drag calculations, etc., that allow you to compare against anybody else's scores in the world. The S4 monitor on the WaterRower, by contrast, is not nearly as sophisticated. It doesn't even tell you total calories burned, which is a bummer. Despite some of the shortcomings of the monitor, however, I found that it was suitable for my intended purpose - exercise. I am not trying to become an Olympic rower, but merely lose some weight. For that purpose, I think the monitor is going to work out just fine.

(As an aside, the WaterRower company does offer a usb connector so you can hook up the rower to your computer and do some online things. It was complicated to figure out, at least on a Mac (looks more straightforward for Windows computers), but once I got it set up, it was kinda cool to race against a pace boat. Allegedly you can also race real people around the world, but the room was empty when I tried it out.)

In the end, this is a lot of money but it's a gorgeous piece of equipment that still manages to get your heart rate up. Is it better than the Concept 2? I guess that depends on your needs/wants. For me, near silent operation and beautiful presentation was more important. And if you do go the WaterRower route, may I suggest spending the extra coin for a fancier wood model. I've seen a demo unit in the Natural, and while beautiful, the Oxbridge model I bought in Cherry is amazing. Don't go by the stock Amazon picture, it looks nothing like the real thing. I'll try to post some pictures tonight.

Thanks for reading!

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Awesome product!, April 2, 2011

By 

D.Landon.Felix - See all my reviews

This review is from: WaterRower Oxbridge Rowing Machine in Cherry with S4 Monitor (Sports)

I have owned my WaterRower for nearly six years now. I love it. I had never rowed, but wanted to do something aerobic to make up for jogging less, which was bothering my ankles and knees. Starting out, take it slow and work on your form (the WaterRowever website has great videos), and after time you'll be able to increase your resistance and overall endurance.
I think the best thing I can say about it is that the customer service and warranty care is phenomenal. I initially bought the basic rower and added the computer two years later. The computer stopped working after a year, but WaterRower sent me a replacement without any questions, priority mail, and I haven't had any problems since.
This is just a great product that provides a great workout, and it impresses the neighbors when they come over because the wood design is very classic looking and it stores easily.