Most pieces of cardio equipment scream “gym” — but if you’re looking for something to use in your living room, it’s fair not to want a massive black piece of heavy machinery. Allow us, then, to introduce you to the Original WaterRower, a solid wood water rowing machine invented in 1988 by John Duke, an Yale engineer and a candidate for the US National Rowing Team. He wanted to replicate the experience of rowing on water with a piece of “fitness furniture” that could blend into living spaces like art — and to be honest, we think he did a pretty fantastic job. 

WaterRower has become the brand of record for aesthetically pleasing water rowing machines, and their Original WaterRower is just as beautiful as it is functional. It’s a mid-range model made of solid oak wood and gives you all the benefits of many of the best rowing machines without being an eyesore. What it lacks in techy bells and whistles, it makes up for with solid construction, a smooth stroke, and plenty of style. If this sounds like what you’re looking for, read on for our full WaterRower review; our expert team of certified personal trainers and CrossFit coaches personally tested this rower (along with about 20 others) and can tell you everything you need to know.

WaterRower Oak Rowing Machine With S4 Monitor

WaterRower Oak Rowing Machine With S4 Monitor

This water rowing machine uses water as resistance to make you feel more like you’re rowing on water. This machine also has a high quality oak wood frame.

Main Takeaways

• For a little over $1K, you get solid oak wood construction and soothing water-powered resistance, which make for a luxe rowing experience.
• You can store the rower vertically to take up just a doormat’s worth of floor space.
• You’ll need to buy a device arm for an extra $75 to stream workouts or make do with the basic, non-Bluetooth-compatible LCD display.

WaterRower Highlights

WaterRower is the company for wooden water rowing machines — think: like the Astroturf of fake grass flooring — and their original machine is as solid a pick as the wood they craft their rowers from. They make fancier models under different names, but the Original WaterRower comes in at a mid-range price point. You get a smooth rowing experience without paying extra for bells and whistles — plus, we think this machine looks stunning in almost any home. This is the rower you’ll want if you plan to exercise in your living room or bedroom and don’t want it ruining your decor. 

The Original WaterRower comes in a variety of wood types, but we tested the oak. It has a stable dual-rail design and comfy seat that can support athletes up to 700lbs — higher than any other rowing machine we’ve seen, making it easily one of the best rowing machines for heavy people. Though it doesn’t fold, the Original WaterRower can pivot upright for compact vertical storage, as long as your ceilings are at least seven feet tall.

Water rowing machines, in general, don’t have adjustable resistance the way that magnetic or air rowers do, but that doesn’t mean they can’t be challenging. The faster you row, the more resistance you’ll feel as the flywheel pushes against the water in the tank. This gives your strokes a distinct feel (most similar to rowing a boat on actual water) and also creates a meditative whooshing sound that many people, including our tester, absolutely love. 

The main area the Original WaterRower falls short is in tech capabilities. The basic LCD monitor doesn’t have Bluetooth compatibility, and there’s no device holder for a phone or tablet to stream workouts (though you can buy one for an additional $75). Really, if you’re looking for more tech, you may be better off heading into high-end rower territory, including a few of WaterRower’s parent company’s other models like the Performance WaterRower or Ergatta Rower.

[Related: Ergatta Rower Review]

In all, with an Original WaterRower, you’re getting access to low-impact, full-body cardio right in your home and in a pretty gorgeous package — you might as well consider this a piece of furniture. And for $1,099 plus a generous warranty? That’s really not a bad deal.

Training With the WaterRower

We rated the Original WaterRower on a scale of 1 (lowest) to 5 (highest) across 13 categories (more on that in our BarBend Equipment Testing Methodology), including durability, footprint, tech capabilities, and more — and our hands-on tester was a big fan. They gave the rower a 4 out of 5 for overall workout experience; nothing life-changing, but not disappointing to say the least. 

The Original WaterRower is a pretty mid-range machine with a mid-range price; it has a premium look and feel, but passes on fancy features to keep the price accessible. If you’re seeking out a specific look, a smooth ride, and minimal tech, it should fit the bill. “I’d change a couple small things, but for the price and the smoothness of the rower, I thought this was really great,” our tester said. Here are the standout features our tester loved.

Durability and Construction

This is where the WaterRower received the highest marks; our tester gave it a 5 out of 5 for both durability and construction. The rower’s frame is made entirely of solid oak wood and finished with Danish oil, which make it feel super sturdy under you as you row — especially compared to models made with plastic or that sit higher off the ground.

“There are zero parts that feel loose or like they might fall off. It feels like it was carved out of a solid block of wood,” our tester said. “There was no point during my workouts where I felt like it was shaking, rocking, or not completely stable on the ground. Even when I was rowing at higher intensities, there was enough tension and it felt quite smooth.”

Portability and Storage

The WaterRower weighs about 100 pounds with a filled water tank. Even though that sounds like a lot, it’s quite easy to move around, since you lift the rail end of the rower to pivot it up onto transport wheels. Our tester gave it a 4 out of 5 for portability even after scooting it around on carpet and turf. “I think the average person could easily move it,” they said. “All the weight is at the front of the rower where the water tank and flywheel are, so the end you pick up is really light weight.”

When you store the rower upright, it takes up an extremely small amount of floor space — about the size of an end table. You’ll just need to make sure your ceilings are at least 7 feet tall to accommodate the 82” height. The overall footprint is pretty standard for rowing machines; most non-folding water rowers made of wood are about the same size and weight.

Rowing Experience

This rower isn’t just pretty; it offers a premium rowing machine workout experience, too. Our tester was a big fan of the noise produced by the WaterRower, scoring it a 5 out of 5. “It isn’t loud per se, but it does produce noise — I found really relaxing and not distracting like air rowers can be,” they said. They also reported that the contoured seat was super comfortable and rolled smoothly along the dual rail. 

The handle and footboard may be hit or miss, depending on your personal preference. Our tester scored it a 3 out of 5 for ergonomics and 4 out of 5 for customizations. “The footstrap kept my feet in place the entire time I rowed, but it’s one single strap instead of two individual ones, which some people may not like,” they said. “And I would like the handlebar much more if it were slightly longer.” The dual rails accommodate a maximum 37” inseam and athletes up to 700lbs. 

Technology

No mid-range rower will have it all. In order to give you that beautiful, solid wood frame, the Original WaterRower compromises on tech. Understandably, our tester scored it a 2 out of 5 for programming and a 2.5 out of 5 on technology. “This machine has a basic monitor with some limited programming options to row according to time, distance, and intervals, but it honestly wasn’t the easiest to navigate,” they said. “There’s no Bluetooth or wifi connectivity.”

That said, you can level up the experience for some extra cash. If you buy the WaterRower ComModule separately for $79.95, you can make your rower Bluetooth compatible and use it to track your workout data in the free WaterRower Connect app. For another $75, you can get a phone arm that holds your device within view while you row, and an extra $10 will get you a tablet mount. (Even with these add-ons, you’ll still be paying less than the $1,499 Performance WaterRower, which comes with those two features plus longer rails, a longer handle, and a SmartRow ergometer.)  

What to Consider Before Buying a WaterRower

We’ve tested more than 20 different rowing machines, and though we have our personal favorites, the ideal rowing machine for every person will depend on their individual needs. Even the most similar rowers will have slight differences in features, ergonomics, or appearance. If the Original WaterRower is on your radar for potential purchase, you’ll want to carefully consider the following, in our professional opinion.

Do You Want a Water Rowing Machine?

Water rowers are just one type of rowing machine — and they aren’t the best fit for everyone. “The flywheel mechanism dictates the rower type,” explains BarBend expert reviewer Amanda Capritto. “Air rowers use fan flywheels; water rowers use fan flywheels against the resistance of water in a tank; magnetic rowers use electromagnetic resistance; and hydraulic rowers, which are less expensive but functionally limited compared to the other three types, use hydraulic cylinders in the handles to create resistance.” 

Compared to other types of rowers, the best water rowing machines can be a bit costlier, require more maintenance, and can be more difficult to move and store, since the water itself is heavy and can slosh around in the tank. However, they also make a soothing whooshing sound as you row and feel the most like rowing on actual water — something you just can’t get with other types of rowing machines. All this is worth keeping in mind as you decide which type of rower is best for you.

Dynamic Programming

Some rowing machines (like the Hydrow Rower or Peloton Row) come with built-in displays to stream scenic workouts or classes, but not this one. It has a basic LCD screen that shows your metrics, and comes with a few guided programs using intervals, time, or distance, but that’s all. If you plan to cue up workouts on your TV or do self-guided training, this will save you the cost of buying a built-in screen.

But if you’re looking to follow the best rowing apps or want connected, dynamic programming, this may not be the best rower for you. For an extra cost, you do have the option to turn your rower into a piece of connected equipment by buying a $75 phone arm, $10 tablet mount, and other smart rowing tools on the WaterRower website.

Available Space

Most rowing machines have similar dimensions when in use, running about 80 to 90” long, 20 to 25” wide, and 20 to 40” tall (the last of which depends largely on whether the rower has a built-in screen). Keep in mind, you’ll need about one or two feet of space behind and to the sides of the rower, so you have plenty of room for your stroke.

The biggest size differentiation you’ll find between rowers is in how much space they take up when stored. Many, including the Original WaterRower, can be tilted upright to take up about a doormat’s worth of floor space — you’ll just need to make sure your ceilings are high enough, and you are comfortable lifting it up and wheeling it close to the wall. The Original WaterRower fits squarely within the norm when in use (measuring 82” L x 22” W x 20” H) and can be stored vertically, taking up 20” x 22” worth of floor space, and standing 82” tall.

Maintenance

Water rowing machines, in general, require a bit of regular maintenance. It’s nothing too time consuming, but if you want your machine to last, you’ll need to give it a little TLC. Most importantly, WaterRower recommends adding a purification tablet to the tank every six months to keep the water clean and clear. 

You shouldn’t need to empty and refill the tank unless the water starts to change color and doesn’t return to normal after adding a purification tablet. (If that’s the case, you’ll need to empty the tank, flush it with clean water, refill, and add a purification tablet.) You’ll also need to keep the clutch and belt mechanism clear of dust by dusting or vacuuming, and occasionally wipe the rails clean with a damp cloth to prevent deterioration of the seat wheels.

WaterRower Vs. The Competition

There are a lot of great rowing machines out there, and it can absolutely become overwhelming to comb through the different models with competing features and specs. If you like the look and feel of the WaterRower but want to see how it stacks up against close competitors, we’ve got you. Out of the 20+ rowers our expert team has tested, we’ve singled out some models that offer a similar aesthetic as the WaterRower but with slightly varying prices, features, and footprints. 

The CityRow WaterRower A1 BLE has an aluminum monorail instead of a wood dual rail, an included phone arm, and a Bluetooth-enabled display. Trunk is a foldable budget pick coming in at near $500 but still offers a sleek wood look. Finally, Ergatta is the crème de la crème as far as wooden water rowers go — and the hardware is only enhanced by the built-in touchscreen display and top-notch streaming experience. (Worth noting: Both the CityRow Rower and Ergatta machines fall under the same WaterRower parent company — they really have the market covered when it comes to wooden water rowers.)

Places to Buy a WaterRower

You can buy the WaterRower Original through their website, on Amazon, via some third-party equipment retailers like FitnessDirect, and even from the MoMA Design Store.

Customer Experience

If you buy the machine directly from WaterRower, shipping costs $99 in the continental US. The product typically ships within one to three days of your order, and shows up on your door in two or three boxes. It requires some basic assembly, which Amazon reviewers say is pretty straightforward, but can take an hour or two.

If you’re not happy, you can return the WaterRower within 30 days from the delivery date. To qualify, items must be in their original packaging and undamaged. However, if you’re unsure whether you’ll like the rower, you may want to consider the company’s rental program, which starts at $39 per month and includes rent-to-buy options.

The company also offers a stellar WaterRower service website with all the support you might need, including assembly instructions and videos, troubleshooting resources, software help, and request forms for spare parts, service, or purification tablets (of which you get a complimentary three-year supply with purchase).

Warranties

The purchase of a WaterRower comes with a one-year warranty valid from the date the product is shipped. However, if you register the product with the company within the first year of purchase, your warranty will be upgraded to three years for components (not including touchscreen electronics, electronics accessories, and rechargeable batteries) and five years on the frame. If you buy any replacement parts, those will come with a warranty of 90 days after the date of shipment.

Company Information

WaterRower Inc. was founded by John Duke in Warren, Rhode Island in 1987. Now, it’s part of the German fitness company NoHRD, which makes other high-end fitness equipment including treadmills, free weights, and stationary bikes out of wood. In addition to the WaterRower, the company is behind many of the best water rowing machines in the US, including Ergatta and CityRow machines. US customers can contact the company by calling (800)-852-2210 or (401)-247-7742 or emailing info@waterrower.com or support@waterrower.com.

In Conclusion

If it isn’t obvious by now, we’re big fans of the WaterRower design — and that’s not the only thing it has going for it. If you’re on the hunt for a machine that’ll add to your home’s style instead of detract from it, this mid-range model will certainly do the job while offering a premium rowing experience — and without breaking the bank. The biggest downside is lack of techy features; if you’re looking to meticulously track workout data or stream workouts directly on your rower, you’ll need to buy several accessories or level up to another WaterRower model. But between the soothing whooshing sound of the water flywheel and the frankly zen wooden design, this rowing machine could actually implore you to unplug and enjoy some mindful movement. 

FAQs

References

1. Relationships among muscle characteristics and rowing performance in collegiate crew members. The Sport Journal. (2022, January 14). https://thesportjournal.org/article/relationships-among-muscle-characteristics-and-rowing-performance-in-collegiate-crew-members/