WaterRower Natural Rowing Machine in Ash Wood with S4 Monitor
- 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 ash and stained honey oak construction absorbs sound and vibration
- Stores upright; measures 84 x 21 x 22 inches (W x H x D) and weighs 117 pounds
Product Description
The WaterRower Natural is handcrafted from solid Ash wood, finished with a honey oak stain and 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.Amazon.com Product Description
Rowing has long been recognized as the perfect aerobic pursuit, with naturally smooth and flowing movements… More >>
WaterRower Natural Rowing Machine in Ash Wood with S4 Monitor
November 12th, 2009 at 9:51 pm
assembly is fairly easy. i’m rowing 3 miles a day…feels great! folds up to take barely any space.
Rating: 4 / 5
November 13th, 2009 at 12:07 am
I bought a Waterrower (Ash with S4 monitor) and can’t say enough good things about it. I use a Concept 2 in the gym (it doesn’t sound noisy there but who can hear anything in a gym), but went for the Waterrower for less noise (and a smaller footprint) for my condominium. I use it when I watch TV and hardly know I’m exercising – except that I suddenly notice I’m breathing hard when I stop. It is attractive and well built.
Two big negatives, though. The monitor/computer is a total waste of money. You can hardly read the monitor due to glare and it doesn’t start and pause automatically when you start to row or pause your rowing (for example, if you stop to fast forward over a commercial). **Update on my last review: it does start automatically from “PAUSE” but it won’t pause automatically. The only useful function is the stroke counter. I count my strokes and divide by 30 to get the number of minutes actually rowed. Or I just set 1000 strokes as my goal for a workout.
The second negative: it’s too low. I started using a rower to protect my bad knees, but this rower puts a huge strain on the knees getting on it or off it. There is an extender overpriced at $100, but no description of the maximum weight you can be and safely use it (I’m worried about sideways torque on the extender while I row). So if you have knee issues, either get the massively priced ($1800) metal HI RISE model or find some chair or braces to keep next to the rower seat to help you getting down and up.
One more quibble about the computer: it doesn’t come with a heart beat monitor (transmitter or receiver). A receiver should be built in for these prices. You can buy one, but the reviews suggest it doesn’t work well.
Bottom line: if you plan to use your exercise equipment around other people or in a room other than a dedicated exercise room (try to wheel out your treadmill from the living room when you’re not using it) this is hands down the choice. Especially if your joints can’t take the higher impact exercise equipment. But skip the monitor unless you figure out how to eliminate the glare and plan to use it with lots of light (not with the TV on at night, for example). Of course, get some rowing time in at the gym before you buy, just to be sure you will use it once you get it home.
Rating: 4 / 5
November 13th, 2009 at 1:19 am
First I tested the product in a local dealer, then I did a some research including the waterrower user group discussions in Yahoo and at the end I decided to buy one 3 months ago.
The assembly was reasonable easy. I have problems with the moving seat that can be noisy if the rubber in the inner wheels is not aligned.
Overall the product is great – the easthetics, the silent operation, the pleasant feeling and a grat workout.
Even though there are many discussions about the effectiveness of the electronic meter to measure calories burnout, I prefer to enjoy the workout and not to focus too much in the calories.
I prefer it to other rowers that are mechanical resistance based
Rating: 5 / 5
November 13th, 2009 at 2:01 am
After incurring a foot injury (plantar faciitis) and not being able to run for an extended period of time I sought a “good work-out” alternative. I have had a “WaterRower” for one month now and find it to be an excellent option to running. The product is excellent as is the work-out. I use my WaterRower 5-6 days a week.
Rating: 5 / 5
November 13th, 2009 at 4:11 am
I LOVE my Waterrower! I’ve had it for over two years, and can honestly say it is the ONLY piece of exercise equipment I have ever used/owned that I actually enjoy using … and continue to use after the first rush of activity resolve wears off. You can use it for a relaxing workout, almost meditatively (the swish-swish of the water is wonderful), or for vigorous exercise. My son, who rowed in an 8-boat in college, was skeptical, but when he comes home now he uses it regularly. The heartrate monitor is reliable. I’ve had no maintenance issues at all. And it’s really quite lovely. Well worth the money.
Rating: 5 / 5