About Hydrow Rower
Looking to bring interactive workouts right to your living room? Hydrow Rower is a workout training company that specializes in rowing machines, where users can simulate real-time rowing by moving in sync with on-screen athletes during live workout sessions.
With a following of over 43k on Instagram, Hydrow Rower has been featured in numerous media outlets such as USA Today and Bloomberg. Recently, the company has taken aboard famed actor and comedian, Kevin Hart, as the Creative Director.
If you’re itching for a new full-body workout routine, look no further than this Hydrow Rower review, as we will explore the brand, products, customer ratings, promotions, and more, to help you make a final decision.
Overview of Hydrow Rower
Before Hydrow was established, founder Bruce Smith was already acquainted with the water, as he was a former USA rowing national team coach.
In 2017, he created Hydrow Rower in Cambridge, Massachusetts; a live outdoor reality rower in which users can feel like they are rowing in real-time with the added comfort of rowing at home.
“Hydrow is coming to life for a very simple reason: we wanted to create the best and most compelling pathway to whole health that the world has ever seen,” Smith said. “The Hydrow Live Outdoor Reality (LOR)™ experience brings everything together: the best workout possible for human beings.”
By using Hydrow Rower, users can exercise alongside professional rowing athletes through on-screen live workout sessions. Hydrow says that their special rowing machine is “a more relaxed and ‘poetic’ way of getting fit and healthy.”
Before we take a deep dive into this Hydrow Rower review, let’s go over some initial pros and cons:
Highlights
- Users can experience water rowing from the comfort of their own home
- Added workout sessions such as yoga, pilates, and strength training, to complement your rowing sessions
- Every single rowing session purchased counts towards a donation to Water.org
- Delivery & in-home setup for only $249
- Alternative pay through installment option with Klarna
- All Hydrow Rower package bundles come with a 30-day risk-free trial
- After users reach a 100k milestone, they receive a free water bottle or pair of socks
If you’re new to rowing at home, getting started may seem like a slightly complicated process—it’s important to choose the machine that suits you best, for one. Hydrow also sells accessories and workout equipment to go with their rowers, and you may be interested in one of their live rowing memberships.
There’s no way around it: a high-quality rowing machine is pricey. Hydrow lessens the blow of this investment by offering a $249 delivery & home assembly fee along the option to make monthly payments through Klarna, if the full price is outside of your budget. All Hydrow Rowers also come with:
- 30-day risk-free trial period
- 1-year warranty
- Unlimited profiles per membership
We’ll take an in-depth look at the Hydrow Rower, popular accessory kits, and what you can get out of the live memberships in this comprehensive review.
Hydrow Rower Kits Review
Hydrow has three options for rower kits: the stand-alone Hydrow Rower, the Starter Package, and the Pro Package. We’ll go through each one to help you get a sense of which kit is best for you.
Hydrow Rower Review
Rowing is considered one of the best forms of exercise. According to CEO Bruce Smith, it engages 86% of your body’s muscles, has zero impact, and builds bone density. With Hydrow Rower, you can row with virtual water and nature scenery for a calming workout.
This rowing machine features a 22″ touchscreen with an HD resolution of 1920 x 1080. The high-tech rower is Bluetooth- and Wifi-enabled for heart rate monitors and audio, so you can keep an eye on your pulse and zone out to your favorite tunes.
The Hydrow Rower contains a dynamic and responsive computer-controlled resistance mechanism to simulate real water drag. Its built-in speakers are front-facing for an immersive experience. Together, these features make rowing in your living room as engaging as it can be.
This at-home rower is built for comfort, with an ergonomically designed seat cushion and an ergonomic handle for a low-stress grip. The footbed is adjustable and its sturdy frame contains aluminum and steel, capable of accommodating users up to 375 pounds.
This rowing machine measures 86″L x 25″W x 47″H, and if you’re low on space, the Hydrow Upright Storage Kit is available for $70 (not included) to store the machine vertically when not in use.
Feel like you’re setting out for smooth sailing for $1995, discounted from the original $2,245. Alternatively, you can go with installments for as low as $56 per month.
Hydrow Rower Starter Package Review
At-home training can be quite expensive. Not only do you invest hundreds, if not thousands of dollars on workout equipment, but there’s also the added expense of training accessories like rubber mats. The Hydrow Rower Starter Package covers those extra accessories, so you don’t need to spend time looking for exercise add-ons.
Included with the Hydrow rower, this Hydrow Rower Starter Package has:
- Under Machine Mat
- Polar Heart Rate Monitor
- Jaybird Tarah Pro Wireless Headphones
Start working out with the Hydrow Rower Starter Package for $2270, marked down from $2,520. Customers also have the option of paying through monthly installments of $64.
Hydrow Rower Pro Package Review
For those who are serious about getting fit, the Hydro Rower Pro Package has gear for the ultimate rowing workout sessions. This package includes:
- Under Machine Mat
- Polar Heart Rate Monitor
- Jaybird Tarah Pro Wireless Headphones
- On the Mat Workout Kit
- 2 Yoga Blocks
- 7 Multi-Resistance Band Sets
- Performance Foam Roller
You see what we meant by ultimate. The Hydro Rower Pro Package costs $2455, marked down from $2705. You can also pay by installments of $69 monthly.
Hydrow Workout Accessories Review
Take it from Hydrow: “the beauty of a rowing stroke is that it activates the lower body (like your quadriceps and glutes), upper body (like deltoids and lats), and core muscles (the coveted abdominal muscles) all at once.” Regardless, no trainer or fitness guru will tell you to stick with the same routine.
Hydrow lets you switch it up with resistance bands, massaging foam rollers, floor workout accessories, and more. They also offer other tools, like a floor protector mat and heart rate monitor, to go with the Hydrow Rower. We’ll take a look at these other items that complement their main product:
Hydrow Rower Long Black Machine Mat Review
It’s a good idea to have something to protect your floors if you are going to invest in heavy exercise equipment. The Long Black Machine Mat can prevent scratches, smudges, and dents, to your floors.
This machine mat is slightly longer than the length of the Hydrow Rower, designed to dampen noise and vibration. This neutral mat in solid black mat will blend into your at-home workout studio. It’s available for $80 to complete your rowing setup.
Hydrow Rower Upright Storage Kit Review
The long profile of a rower can take up quite a bit of space, and if your home is lacking in that department, vertical wall storage could be the solution.
The Upright Storage Kit allows you to turn your workout space back into your home office, free up room in your living room, or make the house look tidier when guests arrive.
This compact device stores the Hydrow Rower at dimensions of 24” by 33”. This kit keeps the rowing machine in place with a durable cord and buckle, so you don’t have to worry about the machine crashing down from your wall. The Upright Storage Kit is priced at $70.
Hydrow Rower Polar OH1 Heart Rate Review
The Polar OH1 Heart Rate monitor helps you keep track of heartbeat to match your fitness goals. Strap it onto your wrist and watch as your heart rate jumps from 60 bpm to 175 bpm after a solid rowing session.
The heart rate monitor is comfortable and easy-to-use. Users can pair the monitor with their rower through Bluetooth and ANT+ connectivity. Get your heart pumping to your target rate for $80.
Hydrow Rower Performance Foam Roller Review
After an intense rowing session, stretching is important to relieve soreness and tightness around your muscles. The Performance Foam Roller can help you loosen up after a routine; this foam roller has rigid lines and dents to help massage deeper into your back and leg muscles.
The foam roller also increases joint range motion and can be used before or after your workouts, or anytime when you need a good massage. Available in a muted gray-blue, this workout accessory retails for $39.
Hydrow Rower Multi Resistance Band Kit Review
With the Multi Resistance Band Kit, you can build your strength and endurance for even better rowing performance. They’re designed to compliment Hydrow Rower workouts to ensure a better workout routine in the long run.
This Hydrow Rower box set includes:
- 2 short resistance bands
- 2 long resistance bands
- 3 resistance bands with handles
Resistance bands are all the rage these days, and you can get this kit for $80 to see what the hype is about.
Hydrow Rower On The Mat Workout Kit Review
The On The Mat Workout Kit is the perfect complementary exercise bundle for the Hydrow rowing machine. All of these items can be used for not only your rowing sessions, but for added exercise routines available with their online training service.
This kit includes:
- 1 multi-use workout mat
- 2 yoga blocks
- 2 short resistance bands
- 2 short long resistance bands
- 3 resistance bands with handles
Hydrow Rower recommends using the black bands for heavy resistance workouts, the blue bands for lighter days, and green for light resistance.
To make full use out of this kit, Hydow Rower encourages you to explore their library of On the Mat workouts on your Hydrow Rower or through their app. The On The Mat Workout Kit is priced at $170.
Hydrow Rower Membership Review
This Hydrow Rower review found two memberships that users can sign up for. For the basic Hydrow membership, the monthly membership fee is $38 monthly (plus applicable tax).
Customers have the option of pre-paying for a year of the Hydrow membership in advance or to give one to someone else through the online store.
It is worth noting that this membership is applied per machine. A single membership allows you to create multiple profiles for you, plus friends or family.
Their second membership is through the Hydrow IOS app. This is for users that don’t own a Hydrow but want access to workout content online. The Hydrow Rower Digital Basic subscription costs $20/month (plus applicable tax) on the App store.
There are currently three different subscription packages to choose from that also include the rowing machine:
- Hydrow Rower
- Hydrow Rower Starter Package
- Hydrow Rower Pro Package
Hydrow Rower Reviews: What Do Customers Think?
This Hydrow Rower review found an overwhelmingly positive response. On Trustpilot, the company is ranked 4.7/5 stars with over 3,400 Hydrow Rower reviews. Customers report that the machine is simple to use and workout sessions are easy to follow.
Trustpilot users say that working out with a Hydrow rower is fun and note that the on-screen sessions are of amazing quality, especially the simulated scenery.
“So easy to assemble I was ready to go in about 30 minutes. That screen is unbelievable, makes the sessions so fun to be able to see so much on the waterways,” one Trustpilot reviewer wrote. Another buyer noted about Hydrow video tutorials: “The quick short videos that give rowing technique and explain drag were so helpful.”
Hydrow Rower is also favorably liked by Google reviews, Bestbuy, and Pcmag. Most commented that the classes are excellent and the workouts are smooth and quiet:
“A friend recommended the Hydrow, and I can honestly say that I’m excited to exercise again, easily keeping up with my 4x weekly sessions. The classes are fun, informative, and engaging – in a beautiful setting,” one reviewer wrote on the Hydrow Best Buy page.
We did come across a small number of customer complaints. On a few Hydrow Rower review Reddit pages, some users question whether the machine is better than other rowing equipment for a lesser price.
One Hydrow Rower Reddit user commented that there’s no way to adjust the air resistance on the rower and that the magnetic resistance combined with the air resistance didn’t feel right.
This Hydrow Rower review also looked to the Better Business Bureau, where the company has an A- grade. We were amazed to discover that Hydrow has 0 customer complaints filed through the BBB.
Is Hydrow Rower Worth It?
This Hydrow Rower review encourages you to give their rower a try if you’re looking for something different than your average treadmill or elliptical machine.
While most retail exercise equipment offers virtual running sessions where you’re mostly ‘on the ground’, Hydrow Rower offers users something different by providing a more serene setting on the water.
The Hydrow Rower is great for rowing enthusiasts who wish to row year-round, or for those simply looking for a new way to workout.
We won’t dismiss the negative feedback that customers have commented about the brand. Some have reported that the rower was not as adjustable as they preferred and that this workout system is no better than others on the market.
But with the numerous glowing reviews that name the Hydrow Rower as the perfect workout, this Hydrow Rower review thinks that you’ll likely have a positive workout experience.
Is Hydrow Rower worth the money? We think that signing up for a membership and buying the machine can help you fall in love with exercise again, or encourage you to start working out. Can you put a price on that? We think not.
Hydrow Rower Promotions & Discounts
As of the New Year, most Hydrow Rower subscription packages are $250 less than the original price. Hydrow is also now offering a premium white glove service to it’s customers. For only $249 you will receive delivery and at home assembly.
Where to Buy Hydrow Rower
You can buy a Hydrow Rower and workout accessories, or sign up for a membership, at Hydrow.com. Partner retailers include:
- Hydrow Best Buy
- Hydrow Fitness Town
- Hydrow Amazon
FAQ
Is Hydrow Rower a water rower?
Hydrow Rower is a virtual water rowing machine. Users can simulate real-time rowing through a live workout Hydrow video in the comfort of their own home.
Can you use Hydrow Rower without a subscription?
Can you purchase a Hydrow without a membership? When purchasing a Hydrow rower, you must sign up for a membership. You can gain access to their online content without the machine by signing up for the Hydrow Rower Digital Basic subscription on the App store.
Can you watch Netflix on Hydrow Rower?
This Hydrow Rower review found out that you cannot watch Netflix on their rowing machine. Their monitor is a deactivated device used to stream only their workout content.
Can you lose weight using Hydrow Rower?
This Hydrow Rower review found that yes, you can lose weight using Hydrow. The company states that rowing is an excellent way to get in shape because it works to strengthen your muscles and cardiovascular system.
Where does Hydrow Rower ship from?
Hydrow Rower ships within the continental United States and has recently introduced shipping to the United Kingdom.
Does Hydrow ship to Canada? Not exactly, however Fitness Town and Kinetic Solutions have Hydrow Rowers for sale.
Customers in Hawaii and Alaska can purchase Hydrow Rower products through Best Buy.
What is Hydrow Rower’s Shipping Policy?
Hydrow offers a standard $149 shipping fee. However, customers can win the chance to get free shipping by signing up for their newsletter. Customers can check their Hydrow Rower order status through a tracking number, which will be emailed once the order has been placed. Hydrow Rower orders typically take 6 to 8 weeks to deliver.
When your Hydrow Rower arrives, their carrier (CEVA) will contact you beforehand to schedule your delivery time and date. It is your responsibility to assemble your Hydrow Rower using the instructions found on their website.
What is Hydrow Rower’s Return Policy?
Hydrow Rower offers a 30-day risk-free trial, where first-time customers can receive a full refund if they are not happy with their purchase. This offer is not available for:
- Households purchasing an additional Hydrow Rower
- Orders which contain multiple Hydrow Rowers
- Hydrow Rower’s purchased for Commercial use (gyms, fitness centers, offices, etc.)
- Hydrow Rower’s purchased through a retailer or dealer
For their standard return policy, customers that have ordered through the website may return their purchases within 14 days of delivery for a replacement or refund. You can find a full list of return policies by visiting their website.
How to Contact Hydrow Rower
If you have more questions after this Hydrow Rower review, you can contact the company through:
- Submitting a request form on Hydrow.com
- Customer service email: support@hydrow.com
- Hydrow for commercial use: commericalsales@hydrow.com
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