Ergatta Rower Review: Is the Gaming Experience Worth the Extra Cost?

Ergatta Rower Review: First Impressions

What first strikes you about the Ergatta Luxe is the build quality. This thing just oozes that premium feel. It’s heavy, really well made, solid, and yes, it looks fantastic. That cherrywood frame really sets it apart from other wooden water rowers.

And the build quality was always going to be second to none. I expected that after doing my research and discovering that the Ergatta is essentially a WaterRower designed and built in their factory in America. So the essentials have been done very well. WaterRower has decades of experience, and it really shows here.

It’s Not Just a WaterRower With a Fancy Screen

But don’t get me wrong, Ergatta has put a lot into this rower themselves. They supply the technology, including that awesome 21.5-inch HD touchscreen on the Luxe, which integrates perfectly with the rower.

Then there’s their rowing app, which they’ve spent years developing and polishing. It’s one of the most interesting rowing apps I’ve come across, offering a whole new rowing experience, and it’s even fun too!

The technology and build quality come together beautifully to give you what could be one of the best rowing experiences you can have at home.

As you can probably tell, I’m really impressed with this rower. It’s just that price tag holding me back a little. But for a machine that offers this much, I’m starting to think it might actually be worth the extra money.

Okay, let’s get on with the review. The Ergatta Luxe looks like one of the best water rowers out there, but does it really justify that $2,000-plus price tag? Let’s take a closer look at what it offers, including any drawbacks.

We’ll also compare it with the much cheaper WaterRower Original to see which one makes more sense for your home gym.

First, a quick look at the Ergatta Luxe pros, cons and specs!

Specs

Why Do We Like the Ergatta Luxe Water Rower?

I already mentioned in the intro that what really sells the Ergatta Luxe is the build quality. It’s right up there with the best. Expensive, yes, but if you want a quality piece of kit for your home gym, sadly, it usually comes with a hefty price tag.

What you have here is a really solid rower. It’s sturdy, well-made, and gets all the essentials right. And when you combine WaterRower’s excellent engineering with Ergatta’s impressive technology, including that large 21.5-inch HD screen and polished app, you’ve got something pretty special.

An App That Makes You Want to Keep Rowing

Ergatta’s app is different from your typical rowing app. The games pull you in, challenge you, and offer something completely different from what most of us are used to.

You can tell Ergatta has spent years developing this technology, and it really seems to work for rowing. Because, let’s face it, rowing can get pretty boring! But these games bring another dimension to your workouts. You get involved, you push yourself, and when you finish, you actually want to come back for more.

Many owners mention that the games have encouraged them to push much harder during their rowing sessions. So don’t think of it as just gaming. It’s an app designed to help you improve, but in a fun, enjoyable way.

Ergatta really has something here, and I can see why people are happy to pay for the subscription. For anyone who struggles with motivation, I think it could be money well spent.

And if you fancy a break from the games, there are scenic rows and a ton of other workouts to keep you busy.

Dynamic Water Resistance: That Rowing on Water Feel at Home

The resistance is another major selling point. The harder and faster you row, the stronger the resistance. Just like the real thing, a water rower is about as close as you’ll get to that feeling of rowing on water at home.

And the sound of the blades pushing through the water really adds to the experience. It’s something you don’t get from a magnetic rowing machine.

But what’s even better with the Ergatta Luxe is that impressive 21.5-inch screen. It adds another dimension to the whole experience.

If you want immersive rowing, this is the way to go. Choose a scenic route, start rowing, hear the sound of the water, feel that dynamic resistance through the handle, and you can almost imagine yourself rowing out on the water.

Click here to check price on the Ergatta Luxe Water Rower, on Ergatta,com

Impressive Dual Rails and a Smooth Gliding Seat

The seat and rail design on the Ergatta Luxe is one of my favorites among all the rowers I’ve reviewed over the years.

I just love how smoothly the seat glides along those dual rails. The seat uses eight rollers in total, allowing it to glide almost effortlessly, something many owners have mentioned too.

And you can tell Ergatta and WaterRower have put a lot of thought into the seat’s design. There’s just the right amount of support to keep you comfy but firmly in place, even during the push phase of the rowing stroke. That raised lip at the back of the seat really helps stop your butt from sliding too far backward.

And rail length? This is where it gets really impressive. The extended rails give you room for an inseam of up to 40 inches, so even users as tall as 6’8″ should have enough space to achieve a full rowing stroke. That’s great to see, especially on a home rowing machine.

That Impressive 21.5-Inch HD Touchscreen!

One of my favorite things about the Ergatta Luxe is that impressive 21.5-inch HD touchscreen. It’s a massive step up from the basic monitors you find on most water rowers, and I’m glad Ergatta didn’t cut corners here.

It’s a proper big screen, just what you want when you’re spending this sort of money on a rowing machine. Whether you’re racing other rowers, taking on one of Ergatta’s games or rowing through a scenic route, there’s plenty of screen to pull you into the action.

And it’s not all about the games, either. You’ve got your essential workout stats, including time, distance, stroke rate, split times, power and calories. Plus, there’s Bluetooth for compatible heart rate monitors and Wi-Fi to keep everything connected.

What I particularly like is how Ergatta’s workouts adjust as you improve. So rather than doing the same old session every week, you’ve got something pushing you to go that little bit harder. And let’s face it, we could all do with some extra motivation when it comes to cardio.

Of course, the big screen and all that technology bump up the price quite a bit. But I don’t think Ergatta has gone overboard here.

So yeah, if you’re someone who loves fitness apps, enjoys a challenge and wants something that really pulls you into your workouts, I think the Luxe’s screen is one of those extras that’s genuinely worth paying more for.

Anything We Didn’t Like About the Ergatta Luxe?

As much as I like the Ergatta Luxe, it’s not perfect. There are a few drawbacks, although I wouldn’t call any of them deal breakers. It really depends on what you’re looking for in a rowing machine.

• It’s expensive! Over $2,000 is a lot of money for a home rower, especially when you can get an excellent WaterRower Original for around $1,000 less.
• That $39 monthly subscription. You’ll need it to enjoy the games, races and full workout library. The rower still works without it, but you lose much of what makes Ergatta special.
• The seat is pretty low. At around 12 inches from the floor, getting on and off could be awkward if you have dodgy knees or mobility issues. Thankfully, there’s an optional High-Rise Kit.

Space-Saving Vertical Storage

Folding rowers used to be the only choice for people tight on space, but recently, a lot of companies have started designing their rowers to be stored vertically, which I prefer.

When a rower uses a folding system, its overall footprint is usually reduced by around 50%. However, when stored vertically, the footprint can be reduced by around 80%, which is a big difference.

So yeah, if you’re tight on space, a vertical storage rower like the Ergatta Luxe is a great choice. And it’s so easy to store. Just tilt it upright and store it against a wall.

The Ergatta Luxe also includes built in transport wheels, making it much easier to move around when needed.

Ergatta Luxe Assembly: How Easy Is It?

• Assembly time: Allow around 30–60 minutes, depending on how handy you are.
• Instructions: Ergatta provides an assembly guide to walk you through the process.
• Main jobs: Attach the rails, seat and other frame components, then set up the touchscreen.
• Water tank: You’ll need to fill the tank to the recommended level before rowing. Around 17 liters is recommended.
• My advice: Get someone to give you a hand if possible. It’s a fairly heavy rower, and you don’t want to damage that cherrywood frame!
• Professional assembly: Available for an extra charge if you’d rather leave the building to someone else.

Final Verdict

Well, let’s just say that until now, my favorite solid wood rowing machine I’ve reviewed was the WaterRower Original S4. And considering the Ergatta Luxe takes that excellent WaterRower engineering and combines it with some awesome technology from Ergatta, you can probably guess how I feel about this one.

What you really have here is the excellent build quality of the WaterRower Original, combined with Ergatta’s impressive technology, which works so well with the WaterRower design.

And in my opinion, that makes the Luxe pretty hard to beat. I honestly can’t think of a better solid wood water rower out there right now, especially if you’re someone who loves fitness apps and interactive workouts.

The only thing that holds me back a little is the price and that monthly subscription. It certainly adds up over a few years. But this is an app that really pushes you, and if it’s going to keep you coming back for another rowing session, week after week, then I think it’s money well spent.

Still, I understand the Luxe is a lot of money, especially if you want the full experience with the app. So just make sure you’re someone who’s really going to get the most out of it.

How Does The Ergatta Luxe Compare With The WarerRower Original?

Ergatta Luxe vs. WaterRower Original: Is the Extra Money Worth It?

This is an interesting comparison because underneath all that fancy technology, these two rowers have a lot in common. Both are built by WaterRower in America, both use that excellent dynamic water resistance system, and both are seriously well-made machines.

But here’s where the Ergatta Luxe takes things to another level. That awesome 21.5-inch HD touchscreen and Ergatta’s gaming app really do change the whole rowing experience.

You’ve got games, races, challenges and workouts that adapt as you improve. And it’s not just about making rowing more fun. It’s about pushing yourself harder, staying motivated and actually looking forward to your next session. That’s something a basic rowing monitor just can’t offer on its own.

Of course, all that technology comes at a price. The WaterRower Original starts at around $1,199, while the Ergatta Luxe costs over $2,000, plus the monthly subscription if you want the full experience.

So which would I buy?

Well, if you already love rowing and don’t need games or fancy technology to keep you motivated, I’d save myself a load of money and go with the WaterRower Original. You’re still getting an excellent rowing machine, and your workouts can be every bit as challenging.

But if you’ve got the budget, I think the Ergatta Luxe is the more exciting machine. You’re getting all that proven WaterRower engineering, plus an app that could genuinely change how often you row and how hard you push yourself.

And that’s the important bit. If Ergatta’s technology gets you rowing four times a week instead of twice, suddenly that extra money starts to make a lot more sense.

So yeah, both are excellent rowers, but for anyone who loves fitness tech and wants something that makes cardio a lot more interesting, I’d give the Ergatta Luxe the edge.

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Ergatta Water Rower FAQ’s