As for specific classes, I really enjoyed the Learn to Row classes since I’m a total newbie, and appreciated the approachable, non-intimidating attitude all the instructors projected. Sera Moon Busse’s 15-minute Using Your Core Row was super helpful in cementing the idea of engaging my lower body, core, and arms with each stroke, and Laine Maher’s 10-minute Beginner Camp helped me figure out how to alternate between different rhythms (and her playlist kept me motivated—is Blur’s Song 2 a top 10 workout anthem or what?!). I also wanted to get a taste of the mat classes, and while I probably wouldn’t rely on Hydrow for all my strength and stretching needs, I did enjoy the 10-minute hip opening stretch with Owen Henn.
Ease to maintain
One perk of the Hydrow: Despite its name, the machine doesn’t include a water tank, meaning there’s no need for cleaning and maintenance. Instead, the Hydrow uses a “patented electromagnetic drag mechanism,” so any adjustment to the drag setting (the resistance of each stroke) can be done directly on the touchscreen. That means there are no tanks, chains, or fans to fumble with.
Noise level
If you’re used to a water rower or an air rower that uses an internal flywheel to produce resistance, you might be seriously surprised by how quiet your workout is on the Hydrow. Because of the Hydrow’s use of magnetic resistance, there’s no loud fan or other mechanism producing tons of noise. While the machine isn’t exactly silent, the soft swooshing of each stroke shouldn’t be too bothersome to you or any housemates.
Size and ease to store
Yes, the original Hydrow rower is pretty sizable. But, luckily, the machine can be stored upright, meaning you can save space between workouts if you live in a smaller home or apartment. Unfortunately, the Hydrow Upright Storage Kit is sold separately for $80, so I didn’t get to test out its functionality, but the brand’s website says once it is stored upright, its dimensions are 33″ (length) x 25″ (width) x 86″ (height). That’s compared to its full footprint of 86″ x 25″ x 47.”
Without it, though, you’ll pretty much have to accept the Hydrow as a conversation starter in your home if you live in a smaller space. Luckily, our place has an upstairs alcove where I’ve been able to store my workout equipment, but if any guests wander up to the second floor, the Hydrow instantly becomes the most eye-catching home furnishing in their line of sight.
Specific features
Design and display
Anyone who’s only ever tried their local gym’s rowing machine will be pleasantly surprised by the cushy comfort of the Hydrow’s well-padded seat. Unlike the narrow saddle of a bike, the Hydrow seat is roomy and accommodating, with just enough grooving to fit the shape of your backside and keep you feeling as comfy as possible while pushing your other body parts to the limit. That said, the seat wobbled a little bit when I was rowing—but I never worried about falling off.
The Hydrow rower uses buckled adjustable foot straps to secure your feet into the footbeds. Tension is increased by pulling on the loose end of the strap, and tension is decreased by pulling up on the buckle. This system works fine to get the feet in position, but I found getting a nice, tight fit a little tricky and cumbersome.
Yes, the Hydrow has an impressive, large pivoting screen, but unlike some rowers that allow users to stream their content of choice, the Hydrow’s monitor is for Hydrow content only. That means you won’t be able to stream other media services like Netflix or YouTube, browse the internet, or watch TV on the Hydrow screen (and there’s no HDMI video inputs to connect other equipment).
However, my fiancé is definitely not the workout-class type and he really enjoyed Hydrow’s comprehensive selection of outdoor content that just includes gorgeous footage out on the water—no instruction, no callouts, and no music. As for me, I love the distraction of a great playlist and random chatter, so I always gravitated toward the instructor-led classes. And while some people might have gripes about the inability to stream Real Housewives on the piece of equipment they invested in, I’m okay with keeping my workout time and Bravo time separate.
Original photo by Michelle Konstantinovsky
Resistance options
While some rowers offer various resistance options, the Hydrow is designed to stay at a drag setting of 104—this, according to the maker, is the resistance that best simulates rowing on the water. While you can absolutely manipulate it and adjust based on your preferences, the creators recommend that you don’t mess with it unless you’re a pro and know exactly what kind of experience you’re trying to create. And they’re adamant that the drag setting isn’t equivalent to a difficulty level, and that adjusting the drag won’t necessarily up the intensity of a workout. Instead, Hydrow encourages users to use stroke intensity—by pushing harder with your legs on the drive, engaging your core, and pulling more forcefully with your arms—to make the workout more challenging.
Connectivity
The Hydrow’s hardware is great, but the real attractions are in the features, which of course include a library of over 5,000 classes and live workouts if you pay for the membership. You’ll need WiFi to access the content, and the machine comes with optional ethernet connectivity, Bluetooth, and ANT+ for heart rate monitors and headsets (more on that below!). The Hydrow Pro also syncs with Strava and Apple Health, allowing you to integrate your rowing metrics into other health-tracking interfaces.
Onscreen info
When you first log in to your account on the rower, you’ll see the next workout that Hydrow recommends for you based on your class history, how often you work out, and the last class you took. If you want to take a different class, you can keep scrolling to see a variety of other classes, upcoming live classes, and programs. The library tab has the full library of classes that you can filter by a number of features, like length, instructor, location, and more.
Once you’re in a class, you’ll see the leaderboard—which displays your performance compared to other users who have done the same workout—pop up on the right side of your screen, which you can filter by age and gender. There you can toggle between the total number of members who’ve taken the class or the ones who are currently taking the class at the same time you are (you can also hide it completely).
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