Hydrow Rower Review – Should You Buy?


Published on August 22, 2023

As a keen rower, I’ve used dozens of indoor rowers over the years to keep my form and fitness levels up whenever I can’t make it out on the water.

Some rowers have been hits, and others, misses. But one of the most impressive rowers I’ve ever tested is the Hydrow Rower.

I first tested a Hydrow at my local gym last year and was so impressed that I decided to buy one.

After putting it through its paces and using it almost daily for the past 12 months, I put together this review to help others who may be curious about what it’s like.

Below, I’ll delve into what the Hydrow Rower is all about, how it works, and the kind of feedback it’s been getting from other customers.

And, of course, the most exciting part – I’ll be sharing my personal experience with the Hydrow and giving you the lowdown on what it’s like to own.

So, whether you’re a fitness enthusiast looking to diversify your home workout or you’re considering dipping your toes into the world of indoor rowing, stick around to the end to find out whether Hydrow could be right for you!

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Key Features

Touted as a premium, immersive, and user-friendly indoor rower, the Hydrow has a lot to offer. Here are some of its key features:

  • Simulated Rowing Experience: With its patented electromagnetic drag mechanism, 22″ HD touchscreen, and front-facing speakers, Hydrow claims to simulate the entire boating experience, from the visuals and sounds to the camaraderie and rhythm.
  • Easy Storage: Despite its large touchscreen, the Hydrow takes up minimal space and can be stored upright when not in use, making it ideal for any living room, garage, or home gym.
  • Customized rowing experience: Hydrow claims to offer an “immersive, outdoor rowing experience” and says its workouts are designed to target 86% of your body’s major muscle groups, offering both high-energy and low-impact options.
  • Hydrow Membership: You’ll need a $44/month Hydrow Membership to access live workouts and an on-demand library boasting over 3,000 pre-recorded workouts. The membership includes unlimited user profiles, meaning the entire household can take part in the Hydrow experience.
  • Expert Rowing Instruction: Hydrow features workouts guided by world-class athletes, including current and former Olympians, Paralympians, and members of the US National team. The brand suggests that this level of expertise enhances motivation while using Hydrow.
  • Scenic Workout Locations: The large touchscreen lets you virtually join rowing sessions set in stunning locations around the world, from Boston and Miami to London and beyond.

Hydrow aims to bring the community spirit of rowing into your home and not only challenge your body but also keep you mentally engaged with immersive workouts and scenery.

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But as good as the Hydrow looks on paper, I still was curious to read what other customers were saying about it online.

Hydrow Reviews

I dove into the sea of opinions about the Hydrow Rower on Amazon and was struck by how positive most of the feedback was from customers.

Based on 79 global ratings, the rower has achieved an impressive average rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars, with a solid 76% of reviewers giving it a perfect five-star score and a further 10% granting it four stars.

Although some users found room for improvement, reflected in the 7% three-star and 2% two-star ratings, most people seem to love Hydrow.

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But what does this look like in more detail?

Let’s look into some individual reviews to find out.

Take Dianne, for example, who says the Hydrow is the best at-home exercise equipment she’s ever bought.

She invested in it when her local gyms closed and has been thrilled with how well it works.

She loves the live and video rows, along with a team of excellent instructors, and says they have made her workout experience fulfilling and extremely enjoyable.

Hydrow Rower Review - Should You Buy?

Then there’s FrancoB, who says the Hydrow is one of the most outstanding pieces of fitness equipment he’s ever used.

He loves its smooth and quiet operation and how easy it was to assemble, but he wishes there were more options to adjust the foot and seat positions.

Although he says the seat could be more comfortable, he found that a thin pad on top easily fixed that issue.

However, he did take off one star due to the pricey $44/month membership fee, even though he admits that the content is fantastic.

He also mentions that without a membership, the machine doesn’t track your progress when using row mode.

Hydrow Rower Review - Should You Buy?

Lastly, there’s Susan, who thinks the Hydrow is an awesome machine that far surpasses the Concept 2, a rower she was initially biased toward due to her eight years as a crew parent.

She praises the comfortable seat, the training videos that provide variety, unique exercises, and a solution to the boredom she experienced with Concept 2.

Moreover, she enjoys the sense of community and healthy competition provided by Hydrow’s online features.

In her view, the Hydrow offers a more fun and superior workout compared to Concept 2, and she wouldn’t change a thing about it. She also adds that the setup process is a breeze!

Hydrow Rower Review - Should You Buy?

Of course, these are just a few of the reviews I found. I definitely recommend you check out more reviews to see what people are saying about things like the membership price and adjustability.

What really shines out from all the reviews is how impressed customers are with Hydrow’s mechanism.

Even if some folks have found the monthly subscription to be quite high, they are still happy with how well Hydrow performs.

After reading dozens of Hydrow reviews, I decided to take the plunge and order one myself, and here’s what happened.

My Experience With Hydrow

Hydrow Rower Review - Should You Buy?

After a full year of owning the Hydrow Rower, I have plenty of thoughts to share about this indoor rower.

It’s important to note that your mileage may vary, but here’s my personal experience.

  • After the easy setup, which took less than an hour, I could already sense that the Hydrow Rower was going to be a good investment; the online setup was a breeze, and I was eager to start my first rowing session.
  • As I’d used a Hydrow before at my gym, I knew how quietly and smoothly the rower operated. But it was still a joy to experience my very own Hydrow, away from the hustle and bustle of a busy gym. The patented electromagnetic drag mechanism is silky smooth and beautifully mimics the experience of rowing on the water.
  • It’s hard to describe, but when I use the Hydrow in my own home, the workouts are really immersive; the 22” HD touchscreen and front-facing speakers make it easy to get lost in the experience.
  • The Hydrow’s seat is incredibly comfortable, even for long rowing sessions, but after using it for a year, I do find myself wishing for more ways to adjust it, particularly for the foot positioning.
  • What truly sets the Hydrow apart from other rowers are the live and on-demand classes. Led by world-class athletes, these classes add so much variety to my workouts, making each session unique and engaging. These workouts took me on virtual journeys to stunning waterways around the world, from the Charles River to Miami and even London. I’ve been using my Hydrow for a year and still don’t feel bored!
  • Personally, I have mixed feelings about the $44/month Hydrow membership required to access these classes. Yes, the content is fantastic, and the interactive features make the workouts fun. But the price is notably higher compared to other fitness apps or platforms. My main gripe is that without the membership, the rower’s tracking features aren’t accessible, which feels a bit restrictive to me.
  • Despite the high membership price, I really love the sense of community I feel when using the Hydrow. It has kept me coming back day after day and really feels like being part of a real crew, which is something I’ve never experienced from a home workout machine before.
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So, would I recommend the Hydrow Rower?

Well, despite its minor shortcomings and the cost of the membership, my answer is yes. This machine delivers a unique, effective workout that I haven’t found with any other indoor rower.

If you’re in the market for a high-quality, immersive, at-home rower, the Hydrow is definitely worth considering.

Of course, this has been my experience. If you’re interested in learning more, I would encourage you to check out more customer reviews and do your own research to see if the Hydrow Rower might be the right fit for you.

Click here to visit the official Hydrow Rower website and learn more about it today.

Lifestyle Editor