What is the best Waterrower for home? Finding the optimal variant for the price in 2020 is challenging, customers’ reviews differ.
But we offer the solution:
If you decided on buying the water-based rowing machines, this guide will help you to choose the most suitable variant. Here you will find the top-rated and budget equipment of high quality.
Experts’ opinion and customers’ feedback will highlight the main pros and cons. Let’s start!
1. Best Waterrowers for home
Best-selling water rowers deserved popularity among people with different level of training – from beginners to pro users.
Customers who bought a simulator admit natural feelings while rowing, reminding flowing in the boat. It is a great advantage, especially when compared to other kinds of rowing machines.
Here is the latest list available on Amazon for sale:
You will find the best models for sale on Amazon.
Famous brands such as WaterRower club, Suuny Health and Fitness, XTERRA Fitness produce unique models of water rowing machines. Users adore the variety of features available in mentioned simulators.
Let’s consider more detailed one of the best sellers.
WaterRower natural with S4 monitor
The best manufacturer of water rowers presents Natural Rowing Machine w/ S4 Monitor and Hi Rise Attachment for your most effective workouts. It is the perfect device for your home gym as imitates actually swimming in a boat with oars.
| Item Package Dimensions L x W x H | 15 x 15 x 15 inches |
|---|---|
| Package Weight | 105 Pounds |
| Item Dimensions L x W x H | 82.2 x 22.2 x 20 inches |
| Brand Name | WaterRower |
| Model Name | Natural |
| Manufacturer | WaterRower |
| Part Number | 100 S4-HR |
What are the main benefits of this water rower?
It has a patented water flywheel effective during its natural rowing process. Appreciate flexible resistance levels – getting it fit for people with some health problems. For example, people with joint concerns need replacing the chlorine tablet every 2-6 months.
These exercise equipment targets complicate muscles such as: arms, legs, back, and glutes. It’s an excellent exercise routine as if you’re actually driving a boat with oars.
Its composition highlights solid ash hardwood with the honey oak surface. So it improves the general color and suits to your living apartment.
Additional features include:
- maximum user weight of 1000 lbs
- height of 38-inch inseam.
The water rower is made for home and gym use and almost support-free. As was already mentioned, it works all-important muscle groups (84 percent of whole muscle mass). Except for this, the machine provides great flexible resistance levels.
A great advantage is that simulator comes with the S4 display monitor and the Hi-Rise adaptor. So make haste to order a WaterRower Natural Rowing Machine w/ S4 Monitor w/ Hi-Rise Attachment today on Amazon.
Fitness experts discuss on AFQ House of Cards rowier used by Kevin Spacey.
WaterRower M1 HiRise with S4 monitor
WaterRower is the only simulator using the effect of water resistance, that allows you to do a workout that is totally determined by the user. Both in terms the strokes place and the workout intensity.
It does not require resistance adjustment:
In case you need to increase the resistance, it’s quite simple to row faster and stronger, and the resistance will increase automatically.
| Materials | steel |
|---|---|
| Color | metallic |
| Monitor | S4 |
| Features | double rails, water flywheel, comfortable fit |
| Type of load | water |
| Tank | 20 l |
| Length | 224 cm |
| Width | 57 cm |
| Height | 51 cm |
| Weight | 89 kg |
WaterRower was created to simulate the movement of a boat down the river. So this is more than just a machine that resembles rowing:
- Rowing really is a whole body workout.
- Rowing transfers the work of dynamic muscle groups (arms and legs) through the body.
- To convey this work, the rower operates as a muscular torso of the body. In this case, the body becomes stronger.
Developing the torso muscles is the basis for well-being. It is required for the rehabilitation of back diseases – one of the most common in our society.
Weaker rowing simulators often cause an unhealthy spinal curving at the beginning of a workout. When rowing on the WaterRower simulator, usually 84% of muscle mass is used.
As for increasing muscle mass per time unit with the help of such exercises. Then with the help of the WaterRower simulator the best results are achieved.
In case of other devices, such as a treadmill or a bicycle, and even other rowing simulators. Much less muscle mass is working, fewer calories are burned, and thus, less results are achieved.
The Waterrower HiRise rowing machine is made of aluminum and powder covered in a variety of colors. Dual rail design, commercial warranty, high rails and S4 monitor.
- for children 12-14 liters
- for women 14-16 liters
- for athletes 16–20 liters
- opportunity to purchase dye for blue water
WaterRower is shorter than other similar equipment (almost foot length/300 mm).
The amount of water in the tank resembles the weight of the boat and crew during rowing. A shift in its size does not lead to a change in resistance. But only changes the mass that the rower must set in motion.
More water means more weight for the boat and its crew. The amount of water is regulated by the person doing the workout. To change the intensity of training with a given mass, it is enough to just change the pace of rowing.
The water meter is located outside the tank, under the computer.
- Burning up to 1000 calories per hour
- Work related to 84% of muscle mass
- Very smooth ride
- Minimal joint stress
- Minimal occupation of space (ability to set upright)
- Noise level: low, relaxing sound, water splash
- The simulator requires virtually no maintenance
- Equipment suitable for home use
- The ability to connect to a computer via USB and compete online
- Storage position (cm): 71 depth/57 width/224 height
- Weight without water: about 54.5 kg
- Weight with water: about 71.5 kg
- Maximum leg length 101 cm
- Maximum user weight: 317 kg
- Intensity
- Number of strokes
- Pulse (optional Polar strap available)
- Distance
- Time
- Window programs
- Training programs
2. 11 reasons to buy WaterRower
1. Excellent quality and perfect design
All WaterRower simulators are made in the USA, in the city of Warren, Rhode Island. Each stage of production is controlled manually. That ensures exceptional reliability and excellent quality. WaterRower simulators are famous for their perfect design and attention to detail.
High-quality materials and advanced ergonomics create an extraordinary combination of form, function, design and durability. Each element is designed to increase the effectiveness and incredible impression the simulator produces on the sensory organs (vision, hearing and touch).
Such an effort was highly appreciated:
WaterRower received many awards (including the Plus X Award) and exhibited at the London’s Design Museum and the New York Museum as an example of design perfection.
2. Water resistance
Rowing involves 80-95% of the body muscles, burns up to 800 kcal/h. Actually, it is more than any other aerobic training, does not harm the joints due to the absence of shock load. Water resistance, unlike other types of resistance, most accurately simulates real rowing.
The main pro of the WaterRower simulator is the unique technological solution patented over 25 years ago – the WaterFlywheel system.
3. Monitor S4
The simulator is equipped with one of the best consoles for such simulators. Compatible with POLAR heart rate sensor – optional. With QuickStart, you can start your workout immediately.
For those who are interested in accurate data during the training, the monitor will provide numerous functions and displayed indicators.
4. Quiet performance
Quiet work of the patented flywheel, the wooden structure that absorbs noise and vibration, the use of slings instead of chains. All this makes WaterRower one of the quietest trainers.
When training at WaterRower, you hear the sound of water, creating a pleasant and unforgettable experience.
5. Polycarbonate tank
Polycarbonate is one of the strongest materials available. It is used to create aircraft windshields, bulletproof glass and practically does not destroy. The tank is tight and can be filled with plain water through the hole closed by a stopper.
The water tank located below creates an offset center of gravity. That makes it easy to lift the end of the simulator, place vertically or move it with the wheels. When stored upright, WaterRower takes up the size of a regular chair.
6. Ergonomic handle design
The handle is covered with special foam material for comfort and to prevent rubbing. The contour of the handles corresponds to natural grip, which minimizes the torque in the wrists – a common cause of joint disease.
7. Lightweight and durable sling
The WaterRower sling is made of high-strength polyester. It is guided by nylon rollers, so it does not wear out and does not require maintenance – no dirty lubricant!
Such slings are used for military lifting gears because of their lightness and corrosion resistance.
8. Contour seat
The seat has an ergonomic design for maximum comfort. It is unusually stable: a support on two rails and support on all four corners. Smooth gliding is provided by eight urethane wheels.
The seat is softer than most analogues, which can provide the same level of comfort only through a special extra pillow.
9. The footrest
This part follows the most advanced boat design with heel support. When moving, the heel rises from the stand, and the strap repeats its movements, providing stability and comfort from the beginning to the end of the stroke.
The position of the strap is easily adjusted by pressing the center button that releases the locking pins.
10. Double rails
In addition to providing an attractive appearance, the rails are designed to absorb noise and vibration, which makes rowing smooth and silent. Rails are part of the frame and can support more than 2,200 pounds (998 kg).
However, taking into account other structural elements, the maximum user weight for WaterRower is 1,000 pounds or 454 kg (for all models except the A1 Home).
11. Plastic slides
Slides on rails are made of high-quality material, which is softer than most analogues. You will no longer experience discomfort when the rail is dirty, enjoying smooth rowing. This is much different from other simulators.
Rental program review
WaterRower rental program is the following:
Before unit is ready to ship, the manufacturer requires the credit card for the deposit and first month’s rent. It will be prorated according with the day of sending your unit. You are able to proceed renting as long as you like, return or buy the unit after 3 months minimum rental time.
- By the age of the equipment (at the beinning of rental period)
- How long you have been renting the unit for
After you are sure to buy, the purchase price is determined automatically. In case you choose to return the unit, the return fee will come out of the deposit for shipping. You will get more refund when the unit is delivered in good state.
What is the first step?
Filling out the rental contract at waterrower.com and send it in to the company’s e-mail or fax it. As soon as they receive your contract, you’ll be added into the rental list.
How to choose Water rower?
This kind of simulator provides fun and effective indoor training. It helps not only to lose weight but also a tool to develop endurance and strength, improve general flexibility.
To get the most out of your workouts, just buying a rower machine with water is not enough. You need to know how to correctly choose and use it. Here is the guide for choosing the perfect simulator for you.
1. Pay attention to the size and weight
Before buying a rowing machine water wheel, it is important to determine the area of free space in your apartment. There must be enough free space for the installation of the simulator.
Water rowers are available in a wide range of sizes. Knowing how much space is available allows you to guarantee that you will not buy a rowing machine too large for your home.
The same concerns the weight. Since heavier devices are more difficult to move, they will be the best option for houses. As its area allows not to take into account their transportability.
Buyers with limited space at home can pick up folding models. Thus, regardless of the price, you can always free up space after an effective workout.
2. Take into account the water-resistance type
Rowing machines can have four main types of resistance: air, magnetic, hydraulic and water. Each of these types has different features and benefits.
- Air simulators work with fan blades and a flywheel. Resistance comes from the movement of the blade against the wind. Air rowing machines, which you can also buy on Amazon, are the most typical for gyms and fitness centers. They provide a more natural and smooth ride than hydraulic rowing systems.
- Magnetic rowing machines attract attention using a system of magnets to create resistance while rowing. Magnetic rowing machines are easy to maintain, provide smooth movement and silent training.
- Hydraulic rowing machines have a compact design that does not create storage problems. Workouts with them will not be as realistic as using water or magnetic simulators for rowers, which you can buy on Amazon.
But such systems are beneficial in their own way. Hydraulic options make it easy to adjust the ridge tension, making them a good choice in terms of durability and long-term investment.
One of the key benefits of using water rowing machines is that they offer movement experience similar to real rowing. A great advantage is that rower intensity affects the amount of resistance generated.
The faster water rower works, the higher the resistance becomes.
3. Outline fitness goals
The buyer’s final choice for a conventional or folding rowing machine should depend on its purpose. For buyers who want to lose weight, any decent inexpensive model would be the right solution.
But those who want to buy a simulator to work out the body muscles will need models that offer different levels of resistance. In addition to it, there are also programmable models that are perfect for professional athletes to prepare for swims.
4. Consider the presence of sensors
Typically, most rowing machines are equipped with an LCD display that allows users to track how well and efficiently they operate. Some displays show the approximate distance passed by the user along with the estimated speed.
Other rowing machines, which you can also buy at a reasonable price on Amazon, are equipped with calorie counters and timers. The choice, in this case, should be directed by the needs for operation.
5. Understanding the functionality of the machine
Manufacturers use different terms to describe the characteristics of rowing machines. Customers familiar with these nuances are more likely to make a more informed decision.
Another important feature to consider when buying a rowing machine is its height. Tall athletes should give preference to machines with longer frames and high seats.
When choosing a rowing machine, you need to pay attention to the following 10 most important parameters:
1. Compactness
Usually, rowing machines are one of the most compact types of home sports equipment, but they have a long and narrow base. Some of them can be stored in an upright position, which is convenient if there is not enough space in the house.
However, not all rowing machines have a folding structure. “Solid” versions are cheaper, but they will require an average of two free meters of the room area. The most compact options have dimensions of 40 by 125 cm.
When choosing a device according to size, the length of the rowing machine frame should be taken into account. It should correspond to the parameters of the person (and his family members).
2. Adjustment
The convenience of training will directly depend on the ability to adjust the height of the seat, the position of the foot rests and rowing levers. It is desirable that the foot rests match the size of the foot.
In case that more than one person will be engaged in the simulator, it is worth taking a closer look at models with adjustable pedals.
3. Frame design
If the size of the room allows you, it is best to choose solid metal structures with an aluminum seat base. Be sure to sit on the simulator before buying. Not a single part of it should bend under your weight.
4. Transmission
It is worth giving preference to those chains and cables that create a comfortable feeling during rowing. Without excessive stretching or weak recoil during acceleration.
5. Quality of movement
The movements on the rowing machine should be soft, without jerking or a sudden decrease in resistance (especially at the beginning).
6. Load change
There are rowing simulators both with the stepwise change of load and with stepless. The former will help optimize heart rate and muscle tone.
7. Console
Almost every model of the rowing machine comes with a built-in console. Using the console, you can not only configure the course of training and get informed with current information but also save the results of classes for further analysis.
You can also find out about the time spent, the distance covered, the number of calories burned and the number of strokes.
8. Heart rate measurement
Heart rate measurement is a very important feature for successful workouts. Some simulators record heart rate with sensors built into the simulator handles. The most accurate heart rate results are obtained using a chest transmitter (wireless cardiopulmonary).
As for wire sensors-clips on the earlobe, they determine the pulse less accurately.
9. Comfortable seat
You should feel comfortable on the seat, even after a long workout. In addition, it is necessary to evaluate the practicality of the seat base and the guide frame. A good base and frame will allow the seat to move freely in any direction. Even if you lift one of the edges of the simulator manually.
10. Power Supply
Power is not required for mechanical versions and rowing machines with an integrated DC generator. In other cases, you need to evaluate how, to which outlet you will connect your simulator, and how long its cord is.
3. Reviews 2020
I would like to share my impressions of the WaterRower Natural Rowing Machine w/ S4 Monitor & Hi Rise Attachment that I bought a month ago. I want to share right away that I am familiar with rowing machines as having been training for more than 10 years.
I hope that my experience will help you make the right choice of a simulator for rowing. I started with simulators with magnetic resistance, tried Concept2 and “swam” on it for more than a thousand kilometers.
But it is not at all suitable for home because of the size, ascetic design, and most importantly, the noise that it makes with its iron chain.
My last simulator was some WaterRower model. It fundamentally changed my idea of rowing simulators and made me love water resistance simulators. I liked almost everything about it.
- a great feeling of rowing, almost identical to rowing on water
- excellent design
- the sound of water, instead of the screech emitted by Concept2.
I liked the fact that it could be stored vertically. This is important for me because of the dimensions of my home gym. In general, it seemed to me that I found myself a great simulator for my workouts. I strained only one moment – the impossibility of adjusting the resistance.
This was in my Concept2 and I used different loads for interval training when during one training I needed a different load. In addition, my wife, who is also interested, would like to have a smaller load than me.
For this, in WaterRower club, the manufacturer recommends increasing or decreasing the water level in the tank from 15 to 19 liters.
The more water, the greater the load. Now let’s imagine how I will drain and add water during the training. But I somehow adapted, poured 18 liters of water and increased the frequency of the strokes.
Actually, the advantages clearly outweighed and I received not only pleasure after the classes. But also an excellent result in the form of effective cardio training and regular power load.
So I decided to look for a new rowing machine. One condition – it had to be a simulator with a water load. The choice of such simulators on the market is small.
They are produced only by two companies – WaterRower (USA) and First Degree Fitness (Australia). I decided to look WaterRower Natural Rowing Machine w/ S4 Monitor & Hi Rise Attachment.
They offer a range of water-loaded rowing machines. And both for home and for sports clubs. There are models of wood, aluminum/steel, and combined models. Since I really liked the design of my water rower, I immediately excluded steel models from consideration.
Of the completely wooden were 2 models. I decided on buying the WaterRower Natural Rowing Machine w/ S4 Monitor & Hi Rise Attachment.
- The tank is collapsible with screws, which makes it more maintainable
- The handles have a physiological and more comfortable grip
- The blades are made of stainless steel, and the WaterRower has plastic
- Viking is coated with a protective varnish, and the WaterRower is saturated with oil
- The seat is more comfortable for me
- I really liked the informative display (really, I had to buy a heart rate monitor from a chest sensor
- I liked the location of the foot rests more.
- The most important is that all the simulators have resistance adjustment
This was a key factor to choose from. Now, having been training for a month with this rowing machine, I even forgot about the inconveniences that were with the last simulator.
This manufacturer did a very simple and logical system. They were able to take into account the shortcomings of my past simulator and eliminating them, created the most advanced rowing simulator.
I highly recommend the WaterRower Natural Rowing Machine w/ S4 Monitor & Hi Rise Attachment rowing machine. Nowadays the simulator is being sold on Amazon. Well, I didn’t see any fakes, and the customers say that the deliveries are all official.
I was choosing between Concept 2 and Water rower. As a result, I even got to a rowing master class and was very impressed. Actually, for the first time I saw an elite athlete, who communicates normally, and most importantly, intelligently explains the wisdom of rowing to “dummies”.
Great respect to the manufacturer who organizes all this. After the training just with water simulators, this helped me test them before buying.
Now, actually about my choice. Friends, of course, you need to take a rower with a water load for home. And let apologists of the Concept 2 not brand me a shame. And not because it is bad. No, rowers train on it and hold competitions.
But I also heard that the waterman unambiguously more accurately conveys rowing alone. Plus, due to the fact that the load on the water is more uniform and without failures, water simulators are more suitable, especially for an unprepared person.
Concept 2 is much more demanding on rowing technique. So it is necessary to take into account the features of its resistance. And this is the opinion of professionals who have been on the Concept 2 during all their lives.
- Of course, a water simulator cannot be silent. But the splash of water is really natural and I can calmly watch TV during training. The splash of water is very pleasant. For me, for sure.
- Has anyone already canceled the aesthetics for the home? I bought myself as a result, WaterRower Vintage Oak Rowing Machine with S4 and this is awesome!
- The quality of materials and assembly fully justifies their price. The guarantee that the manufacturer gives inspires confidence. At the same forum, I read how inexpensive models just crumbled.
- And of course, I completely agree with the opinion that if we are talking about a rowing machine, then the better it imitates rowing, the more it allows you to get benefits from this sport. The physical data of the rowers are the result of just the same water load.
