by Gary Patterson |
Last Updated: May 21, 2021 Table of Contents
About WaterRower Rowing Machines
WaterRower is a brand dedicated to elite, finely-crafted rowing machines. They produce the highest-quality water rowers on the market. These machines are a statement piece and work of art to be admired and shown off, not hidden or stored away.
It must also be said that WaterRower, true to its name, is a brand that focuses only on making the best rowers–unlike other brands, which sell rowers within a plethora of workout equipment.
WaterRower describes their equipment as “fitness furniture” that blends into your living space–provided you have one as chic as their rowers. You might be wondering what makes these rowers so special.
To start, each one is made in the US from eco-friendly hardwood from the Appalachian forest. Their rower comes in different colors and pattern designs, so that you can choose the right one to blend into your living space.
The water resistance rowing mechanism is a huge draw. Not only does it look good, but it makes your rowing experience consistent and natural, without the uneven tensions, hiccups, or industrial background noises associated with more common magnetic and air resistance rowers.
Water resistance is also–and by far–the best way to mimic the feeling of rowing in the open water, whether casually or in competition.
WaterRower Club Rowing Machine Review
The WaterRower Club Rowing Machine fits into the brand’s catalog as the ideal rower for commercial use. The resilient ash wood material is stained black to hide scuff marks and protect against signs of long-term wear. It has the same quality as the other models, including a careful design that silences small reverberations and sounds produced while rowing, making for a row that feels like you’re gliding across a lake.
The WaterRower Club Rower is priced at $1,095 as an affordable option in their product lineup. Although, all the rowers are about the same price, so you don’t have to worry about one extra feature skyrocketing the price, as practiced by other brands. It is an incredibly popular rower, currently out of stock on Amazon but available on the official WaterRower website, and suitable for both public use in a high-end gym and as personal equipment.
This WaterRower Club Rowing Machine Rower review will take a deep dive into WaterRower’s policies, including their warranty, the technical details of the Club Rower, its key features, and provide all the information you need to make an informed purchase. WaterRower is the premier rowing machine brand with rave reviews, but there are some fine details to consider before jumping ahead with this purchase.
Pros
● Eco-friendly hardwood sourced from the Appalachian forest
● Made in the US
● Exceptional customer reviews
● Smooth rowing experience
● Classic and chic aesthetic that will always look good
● Reasonable pricing
● International purchasing options
Cons
● Shipping and delivery takes months
● Customers have to pay for warranty shipping
Technical Specifications
The Club Rower is made from ash wood sourced from the Appalachian forest and polished with Black and Rose Stain, as well as Danish Oil. The dimensions of the rower change depending on its position.
· Normal dimensions: 82.25 inches long, 22.25 inches wide, 20 inches high
· Folded dimensions: 20 inches deep, 22.25 inches wide, 82.25 inches high
Folded or not, the Club Rower weighs 66.5lb empty and 103.5lb when filled with water and ready to be used. It uses an S4 Performance Monitor as a digital display, which shows in a basic calculator-style visual your speed, stroke rate, heart rate (if you connect a sensor), and more of the basic metrics that you need to track your progress.
This WaterRower Club Rowing Machine review found it has a weight capacity of 700lb and a height capacity of 94cm inseam (leg room). The only maintenance you need to perform is assembly, adding water, and then purifying the water with tablets (provided for free) around three times per year.
Resistance Type
The Club Rower uses water resistance: universally regarded as the best type of resistance for rowers. Compared to magnetic and air resistance, which are much more common, water resistance is quiet and provides smooth resistance, simulating the aesthetic and consistent workout experience of rowing on the open water. It is a tactile sensation difficult to describe, yet customers from across the world report that it is immediately noticeable.
The only significant downside of water resistance is that you cannot adjust the level of resistance. Adjusting the amount of water in the rower does not have an effect, but rather changes the amount of mass to be pulled with each row. WaterRower recommends the following usage levels:
1. Children: 12-14 liters of water
2. Women: 14-16 liters of water
3. Athletes: 16-18 liters of water
This WaterRower Club Rowing Machine review must add, however, that some people, especially serious rowers, actually prefer this type of resistance, because it best simulates real outdoor rowing. In the outdoor environment, there are no resistance settings, and, like with the Club Rower, you control the workout by rowing faster or slower
Price
The Club Rower costs $1,095 and is compatible with a HiRise Adapter Kit and Footboard Upgrade, which is, in the opinion of this WaterRower Club Rowing Machine review, an excellent price that beats much of the competition while also delivering a premium water resistance product.
It is easy to order a Club Rower through the official WaterRower website. You can also buy it on Amazon (when it comes back in stock) through 3rd-party suppliers. But this WaterRower Club Rowing Machine review recommends buying it straight from the brand. There are no discounts at the moment, and WaterRower does not have a monthly installment payment plan option.
Shipping & Assembly
Covid-19 has delayed the Club Rower delivery time for both US and international customers. At the time of this WaterRower Club Rowing Machine review, the brand notifies that all orders placed through their website take around 6 to 8 weeks to be shipped. Another factor in this comparatively long wait time is that the rowers are hand-crafted and built to order.
Shipping costs a flat rate of $69.95 in states east of the Mississippi River and $79.95 in states west of the Mississippi River. The cost of delivery elsewhere is “subject to location/zip code.”
You also need to know that the Club Rower comes partly assembled and in multiple boxes. Some assembly is required, but it consists of 10 simple steps, with easy-to-follow visual and text instructions. An Allen key (provided) is the only required tool.
Setup
There is little setup or maintenance required after your Club Rower assembly. The primary point of maintenance is to, firstly, use municipal water to fill the rower, as the chemicals will help prevent bacteria and algae from forming. After that, clean the water every few months using a purification tablet provided in the user manual (of which you get a free lifetime supply).
You might also have to tighten the bungee cord in the first month or two of use, in order to provide the machine with the appropriate tension. The reason for this is your home environment. The Club Rower is made of wood and will change in accordance with your local humidity levels and temperature. So, it’s highly recommended that you adjust the bungee cord and also check the connecting bolts to see if they need additional tightening.
Design and Features
The WaterRower Club Rower is a lightweight machine that uses water resistance and a basic numbers-only display to provide a simple, high-quality workout that simulates rowing on open water. It succeeds at looking great wherever you put it in your home, but it can also be stored in an upright vertical shape that is perfect for closets and corners.
Build Quality
This WaterRower Club Rowing Machine review found it is one of the easiest rowers to assembly, fold, and move. It is made from hardwood, which is lighter and looks better than steel materials provided by competitors. But it’s also resilient, weighing in at an easily-portable 66.5lb empty and 103.5lb when filled with water.
Comfort
The premium ash wood used to build the Club Rower simply cannot be beat for looks and touch. It is a pleasure to view and hold, and it lasts a long time. The overall build is quiet and absorbent of small noises and reverberations generated by rowing machines.
The grips and foot pedals are made in keeping with the overall beautiful aesthetic and are appropriately robust for long-term, even commercial use by multiple people. It’s the kind of high-quality machine you would see in an expensive gym, but you can buy it for your personal use.
Capacity
This WaterRower Club Rowing Machine review is happy to say the customer of all shapes and sizes can enjoy this workout machine. It has a weight capacity of 700lb and a height capacity of 94cm, making it suitable for men and women, and even children, no matter what.
The Club Rower is also very suitable for older customers. This doesn’t have so much to do with the machine itself, but is inherent to rowing as an exercise, which allows you to set your own pace and has a low impact on joints.
Display/LCD
The S4 Performance Monitor that comes with the Club Rower has the green-colored background of a calculator and the same style of digital display. It has everything you need to track your progress and perform an efficient, professional row, including metrics on your rowing speed, stroke rate, distance rowed, and more. It does not have programmed workouts, video capability, speakers, or ability to connect with your personal device.
Membership
This WaterRower Club Rowing Machine review did not find any memberships associated with the Club Rower, optional or otherwise. However, you can pay for an Ergatta upgrade to your WaterRower and use their membership and software with your rowing machine.
WaterRower has a general membership that you can register for, which gives you easier control over warranty information and actionable items. They also promise to “keep you advised of product upgrades” and new products through the membership. But you must already have a WaterRower in order to sign up.
Storage
The Club Rower easily folds into a shape 20 inches deep, 22.25 inches wide, and 82.25 inches high. From there, it can be rolled against your wall to save space or be stored in the back of your closet. But there’s no need to hide it for visual reasons: the Club Rower is a finely-made machine that is easy on the eyes and adds character to any room.
This rower weighs 66.5lb empty and 103.5lb when filled with water and is easy for one person to move. Unlike most rowers with metal frames, the Club Rower is made of wood that makes it lightweight and engaging to look at.
Warranty
The Club Rower comes with a 3 year warranty on the parts and a 5 year warranty on the frame. The warranty will replace or repair any machine “found to be defective in material or craftsmanship.” It does not cover damage caused by customer negligence, misuse, or regular wear and tear. The cost of shipping to WaterRower and then back must be covered by the customer.
Here’s what you need to include in the return package:
1. Your name, address, and telephone number
2. Describe the problem with your rower
3. Provide proof of purchase
4. Prepaid delivery fee
The warranty cannot be transferred under any circumstances. Overall, this is a standard warranty in keeping with those offered by WaterRower’s competitors, but it is still annoying to see that the customer has to pay for shipping.
Final Thoughts
The WaterRower Club Rower is an excellent product for home or commercial use. Its water resistance technology and sleek wooden frame design are second to none, simulating an open-water rowing experience that other rowers simply cannot come close to replicating. On top of all that, the price is very reasonable when compared to other rowers.
This rower is lightweight, making it very easy to assemble and move compared to other rowers on the market. Yet it also has a high weight capacity, which enables more potential customers to enjoy the benefits of rowing. The only downsides are the display which is highly functional and provides all you need for a great row, but lacks the workout programs and video capabilities that have become trendy.
On Trust Pilot, which angry customers often use to bash brands, WaterRower has a stunning 4.7/5 stars from 1,800+ reviews. Common feedback is in praise of the visually beautiful design and the smooth and gentle-sounding quality of the rower’s water resistance.
One Trust Pilot customer writes, “Very happy with the purchase. Got it around 6 months ago, been using it every day since. It’s very sturdy and looks great. My only issue was during the assembly the feet rest part was very difficult to install, I had to put a lot of pressure to align the holes, other than that it’s a fantastic product, great workout.”
All in all, this WaterRower Club Rowing Machine review confidently recommends this rower, and the WaterRower brand in general, as an excellent purchase
FAQ
Where can I purchase the WaterRower Club Rower?
You can purchase the Club Rower from many different retailers, including Amazon and Walmart, but this WaterRower Club Rowing Machine review recommends using the official WaterRower website to play your order.
Is there a WaterRower Club Rower discount?
There is no WaterRower Club Rower discount at this time. It is a premium rower in high-demand, but you can check their social media for a chance at future deals.
Does the WaterRower Club Rower fold?
Yes, like all good rowers, this one can touch its toes and fold into an easily-portable size and shape ideal for storage or non-intrusive placement. The folded dimensions are 20 inches deep, 22.25 inches wide, and 82.25 inches high.
Can you lose belly fat on a rowing machine?
Rowing is one of the best workouts for losing belly fat. It is a full-body workout that targets your abs intensely, along with nearly 90% of the muscles in your body. At the pace of your choosing, you can tone your body and get slim by rowing regularly with this machine.
Is rowing better for you than running?
Yes, in the opinion of this WaterRower Club Rowing Machine review, rowing is much better for you than running. Rowing is easier on your joints (no pounding down on pavement or asphalt) and gives you a full-body workout that can tone or even build muscles across your entire body, which running simply does not provide, while also giving you a cardio workout at the same time.
How to contact WaterRower?
WaterRower has a wide range of numbers and contact emails to help with your query. For general information, use the contact form on their website which, when complete, will send them an email. You can also email them directly at [email protected] and [email protected], and call them at (800) 852-2210. International phone numbers and contact information are also provided on the WaterRower website.