Hydrow Origin

It’s been two weeks since my Hydrow Pro arrived. I was jealous / inspired by my wife’s Peloton routine, was looking for something to help me build a fitness habit the way she has. I tried Peloton, but cycling isn’t for me. I could also tell that the instructor’s and content just aren’t my vibe. I’ve never been a gym guy – Peloton content seems to be barking at you like a group-class instructor at the YMCA, it looks and feels like you are in a gym. That disappointment combined with the fact that cycling only works my legs, led me to rowing, which led me to find Hydrow. After reading dozens of reviews and checking out some competitors Hydrow’s beautiful design convinced me it was a top-of-the line piece of equipment that would be a pleasure to work out on. This is clearly the BMW of fitness equipment. It looks good, feels good. Rides smooth and silent. I like that I can stand it up, keeping enough space in the garage for the car. Assembly was pretty easy, and I was so glad I was able to set it up quickly so that I could just jump on and try it out. The on-the-water classes are exactly what I need to get off my butt and into my workout routine. I’m from Puerto Rico, I’m not necessarily a rower but the water has always had a special place for me – following someone down a river in Prague, or racing on a bay in Rio de Janeiro is just what I needed and the exact opposite of that back-to-the-gym feeling Peloton gave me. Beyond the beautiful rows, I was pleasantly surprised that Hydrow’s membership included tons of off-rower content. I’ve enjoyed mobility and core classes on the matt I’ve set up next to the rower – very cool bonus. I'm happy to pay the membership, if Hydrow continues to provide this much value and variety. Rowing on Hydrow has fit into my daily routine – I find it easy to jump on at around 5pm when I am brain dead from a day logged on at work. There’s always a row for me to do, even when I only have 10 minutes available. When I have more time, I find myself going the extra mile, adding a short row, pushing myself to do a little more. This has never happened to me – I always feel myself wanting to quite a lap before my jog on the track, or short of whatever routine I am trying to do. Hydrow’s instructors are friendly and encouraging, the footage beautiful making time on the rower fly by. There’s something therapeutic about just following their strokes, I had never rowed before and love the way following the coaches pace lulls me into doing more exercise than I set out to do. I’ve only been rowing for two weeks, but I can already feel stronger, back pain associated with the desk job is gone and after rowing all week I felt like I had a little more stamina in the Friday evening soccer league I play at. Best of all, it’s working my upper body and core, two areas I’ve struggled to invest in for years. I’m pumped to be a part of the “crew” and get a little jolt when Hydrow rewards me from badges. I am confident I can finally stick to an exercise routine vs. quitting the minute life gets a little busy. It’s too early to report on weight loss, but I feel better every day I get on the Hydrow which motivates me to avoid some of the calorie traps I fall in. So glad I invested in it. Highly recommended.

Best exercise equipment I've ever invested in. It's engaging and though the workouts can be hard, they are wll worth it. I usually burn around 450 calories a day doing a 30 minute workout and a 5 minute cooldown. I like the coaches giving you pointers and encouragement, but also feel that once your going, you can find yourself in a meditative state, and that's a big plus. Before you know it, you will be drenched in sweat, and coming to the end of your workout. I've lost over 20 pounds during a 50 day span and my legs, arms and abs are toning up. You need this!! ***Update: After abut 6 months of use, the electro-magnetic core in the Hydrow Pro (Origin) rower seized up mid-stroke and will not respond. I contacted Asurion and submitted a claim to them, but instead of fixing the issue, they are giving me a refund of the purchase price. I would rather they fix my rower, but a reimbursment seems to be the resolution they arrived at. My question now is .... If I buy the same rower (Amazon does not offer the best Hydrow Arc rower as an option; that would need to be purchased directly from Hydrow), will the replacement that I would buy, be covered under the Protection One warranty from Asurion, or would the replacement unit be excluded from any future claims on that rower. Trust me, I love the rower and the concept behind it, but I don't want to have to replace it again 6 months from now.

I heard this described as being the iPhone of rowing machines. That would be true if iPhones only told you the time and temperature. Unless you're going to pay $50 a month for Hydrow's subscription plan you're better off with a cheaper, basic rower. Without the subscription you don't get access to any of the videos and it doesn't even track your progress from day to day. So, that big beautiful screen is just a very big blue digital measuring tape. At $50 a month you're essentially buying the machine over and over again every 3 years. Ridiculous.

I researched all the rowers in the market. I even tried at first some of the $300 rowers on Amazon - bad stroke mechanics, swivel foot (bad! bad!). It was down to the Hydrow Pro, Concept 2, Ergatta, Nordic Track and Peloton Row. If you are a purist and a Olympic rower - go with the Concept 2! I'm definitely not. I'm a beginner and need classes and guidance. So it's down to all the others mentioned. But if you want to see classes on the water (that's the whole point of rowing, right?) then it's down to the Hydrow and Nordic Track (Peloton is indoor classes and Ergatta is gaming - cool but not the right ethos for me). By the way I tried the Peloton Row at their store and it's a bit quieter but the action is definitely not as smooth as the Hydrow Pro. As for Nordic Track I didn't try and I hear it's great. But, being vain, it came down to looks and fit in my home at this point. The Hydrow Pro is beautiful, a work of impeccable design. Let me repeat that - it's amazing to look at and feel like a super premium experience when getting on it. I've had this Hydrow Pro for a month now and like it even more. I alternate between the Peloton Bike and the Hydrow Pro rower and don't need to go to a gym anymore - I'm all set (with some free weights I also have). Yes, each costs $44/month but well worth it for fitness. I could have saved money by using the same subscription for the Peloton Row, but that machine is much more expensive - and I like what each does best. Some people may say that the screen quality of the Hydrow Pro is less contrasty than the Nordic Track or Peloton Row - definitely true. The Hydrow Pro is older and has an older screen. But for my workouts and still feeling like I'm on the water, that matters a tiny pinch.