This is the best-looking rowing machine you can buy. It’s on a par with the best home rowing machine, the Concept 2 Model D, in terms of performance too. Find out more in our WaterRower Natural Rowing Machine review.
RRP: £1,049
Price: [amazon_link asins=’B004NNVSVK’ template=’PriceLink’ store=’techt06-21′ marketplace=’UK’ link_id=’4a5fb0d5-cb40-11e7-8793-6333de411398′]
WaterRower Natural Rowing Machine review: Design
The WaterRower Natural Rowing Machine is as close as it comes to perfection. It’s available in a range of finishes – Solid ash wood, Solid cherry wood, Solid walnut wood, Aluminium, and Stainless steel – meaning you can pick a material that compliments your home’s existing furnishings.
It’s designed with practicality in mind too. Rowing machines can take up a lot of floor space, and this a problem if you don’t have a dedicated gym in your home. To combat this, the WaterRower Natural Rowing Machine has been designed so it can be safely stored vertically. WaterRower has equipped the Natural Rowing Machine with built-in wheels to add portability to its set of features too.
Read next: JTX Freedom Air Rower review: The BEST mid-range rowing machine.
WaterRower Natural Rowing Machine review: Rowing
Rowing on the WaterRower Natural Rowing Machine is different to traditional air-based rowing machines. It creates resistance by spinning to mini paddles inside a circular tank of water. This gives it unrivalled smoothness during strokes that real-life rowers will recognise. While it may not look it, the seat is comfortable and sturdy, capable of providing solid support during vigorous rowing workouts.
Just like the real thing, it uses the water to create drag. And the principle of ‘the harder you pull, the more resistance you’ll meet’ applies here. This makes it one of the louder rowing machines you can buy, as each stroke whips the water around the tank creating a noise similar to water turning over in a washing machine. For us, this isn’t an issue as we feel exercising should make noise. Plus, the sound is similar to the whooshing sound you’d get on a boat, which we found helped with rhythm. See also: Concept 2 vs WaterRower: We pitch the Model D against the Natural Rowing Machine.
WaterRower Natural Rowing Machine review: Monitor
[amazon_link asins=’B004NNVSVK’ template=’ProductAd’ store=’techt06-21′ marketplace=’UK’ link_id=’ef911e8c-cb40-11e7-91a7-b935236686af’]The monitor’s UI is pretty unremarkable. Like all rowing machines, the WaterRower features a small monochrome LCD display that displays stroke rate, total strokes, duration, distance (in metres, kilometres and miles), intensity (in m/s, mph, time/500m, time/2km, watts and calories per hour). Selecting the mode you require is intuitive, taking only a few seconds to set up. The machine is heart-rate compatible too but HR monitors need to be purchased separately.
WaterRower Natural Rowing Machine review: Verdict
This is a fantastic rowing machine that rowers of all levels will enjoy. Design-wise it’s the best looking in its class and the action is as smooth as they come (albeit a little noisy). If you want a beautiful rowing machine that mimics the real thing, you won’t regret buying the WaterRower Natural Rowing Machine.
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WaterRower Natural Rowing Machine review: Specs
- Handcrafted from solid Ash wood
- Water resistance flywheel
- S4 Performance Monitor
- Dual seat supporting rails allow for a smooth, stable stoke
- 5-year frame / 3-year parts warranty
- Monitor displays stroke rate, total strokes, duration, distance (in metres, kilometres and miles), intensity
- (in m/s, mph, time/500m, time/2km, watts and calories per hour). Heart rate monitor compatible
- Adjustable foot height settings
- Guide wheels for easy transportation
- Handmade in USA
Not looking to spend too much on a home rowing machine? Check out our JLL R200 review (£164).
