Merax Water Rowing Machine: Crushes rivals with Inclined water tank

If you’re worried about resistance strength, you needn’t be with the Merax Water Rowing Machine. These guys have designed their rowers slightly different from their competitors; instead of placing their water tank flat, their water tank is inclined at a steep 45 degree giving this rower more resistance strength than any of its competitors.

Smooth Belt Drive System & Dynamic Resistance

Other features of the Merax water rower include a good length rail accommodating users up to 6’3″, a smooth, quiet belt drive system, a contoured seat for extra stability, and a dynamic resistance system thats suitable for any fitness level. It’s an impressive water rower for under $500, and today I want to take a close look at everything it has to offer, including its drawbacks.

At the end of the review, I’ll also compare the Merax with another bestseller in this price bracket, the Snode Water Rower, one of my favorites and a worthy alternative to the Merax.

First, a quick look at the Merax Water Rower product specs!

Why Do We Like The Merax Water Rowing Machine?

Water rowers are selling so well because of the resistance systems. They mimic the feel of outdoor rowing more closely than any other rowing machine, including air rowers. How? Their resistance systems are dynamic! The resistance only gets stronger the faster you row, just like it would if you were rowing on actual water.

Suitable For Beginners & Seasoned Rowers

And because the resistance is dynamic, it’s suitable for any fitness level, from beginners right through to seasoned rowers.

But it’s not just the dynamic resistance that makes a rower like the Merax feel so realistic, the sound of the blades pushing through the water in the tank adds to that natural feel as you row, a soothing whooshing sound, and it’s not too loud either. You won’t disturb others with the sound of your workout around 60DB at a high stroke rate.

How Much Water For The Tank?

The pace of your workout is the primary way to determine resistance strength on your water rower, but you can also add extra resistance by filling your rower’s water tank with water.

The Merax Water Tank has six water level marks. If you fill it to level one, it will feel like you are rowing in a boat on your own, level 3 the same as a boat with three people, and so on. If you’re a beginner, it’s best to start at level one to get used to the machine while perfecting your rowing stroke.

Most people, including myself, find that filling the water tank 1/4 full or level 3 on the Merax gives a smooth medium resistance strength, but remember this tank is inclined, so level 3 maybe be too strong for some. Experiment, and you’ll soon find a water level to suit your workout needs.

Click here to check price of Merax Water Rower on Amazon

Stability & Build Quality

This is a steel frame water rower, so we dont quite get the heavy build of a wood water rower still, it’s pretty heavy for the price point at 72lb. That weight will help keep this rower planted to the floor, and it’s a telling sign this rower is made from quality materials.

It’s not going to feel like a cheaply built lightweight rowing machine. It’s a solid rower, and its 330lb max capacity is evidence of its sturdy build.

There are a few other stability features I like about the Merax. The first are the adjustable levelers built into the rear stabilizer bars. These are a handy feature for those who have uneven floors. They can be adjusted independently to keep the rower stable, something you wont find on wood water rowers.

Another stability feature many won’t think about when buying a rowing machine is the seat. We need it to be perfectly contoured to prevent slips in the push phase of the rowing stroke, which I can happily say the Merax seat is.

Easy To Use But Basic Monitor

We’re not going to find a ton of workout programs or many advanced features on monitors in this price bracket. Most water rowers under $500 share the same monitor or one very similar.

Still, basic monitors have their advantages; they’re easy to set up, easy to use, and dont need to be plugged into the mains supply.

Wireless Hear Rate Monitoring

Other than the essential tracking of workout data such as distance, time, stroke and calories, etc., this monitor includes a couple of advanced features. The first is wireless heart rate monitoring which is a valuable feature for those who love to workout in their chosen heart rate zone.

Also, there’s a recovery button, a cool feature that tells you how quickly your pulse returns to normal after your workouts.

Race Against The Computer

And an extra feature we dont usually see in this price bracket is the race mode, where you can race against your previous workout time or race against the machine. It’s an impressive feature for a monitor like this and something I know many users love using.

Lastly, the monitor is height adjustable, allowing you to adjust it to the perfect position to suit your size. 

The downside of the Merax monitor is that its doesnt include the HR chest strap. If you want to take advantage of the wireless heart rate monitoring features, you’ll have to purchase one separately, around $30 for a decent one.

Anything Else Worth a Mention?

Perhaps one of the best features of this rowing machine is how it stores. It doesnt include a folding system like moist rowers; instead, it is designed to be stored vertically, which takes up less room than a folding rowing machine, just 0.3 square meters of space when stored against a wall.

We also have transport wheels built into the base of the rowing machine, just tilt and roll to move.

Easy Assembly – 30 Minutes

Most of the Merax Water Rowing Machine comes pre-assembled such as the drive systems, water tank, and its frame. All you’ll need to do is connect the rail to the front part of the rower, attach the seat to the rail, attach the monitor, footrests, and stabilizer bars.

Detailed instructions and basic tools for the job are provided.

Alternative

Snode WR100 Water Rower

The Snode Water Rower is very similar to the Merax Rowing machine. Both are sturdy steel frame rowers. Both include the same dynamic resistance system, boast belt drive systems, and can be stored vertically.

However, there are a couple of notable differences. The most obvious is the Snode doesnt include an inclined tank. It has a flat design like most water rowers. However, the monitor of the Snode is slightly better as it comes with BlueTooth and access to a couple of free apps.

Also the Snode is slightly heavier. It’s a large machine and can accommodate users up to 6’5″ it has one of the longest rails you’ll find, and with 330lb max capacity, it’s a water rower thats designed well for larger users.

Because the Snode is a more heavy-duty option and includes a couple of extra monitor features, it costs a few more bucks; it’s around $500 right now, so only 50 more than the Merax, a great price considering it has a longer rail and BlueTooth.

To Sum Up

Merax has released some great gym gear lately, and their Water rower is no expcetion. It’s well built, includes a dynamic resistance system thats suitable for all fitness levels, and to add a little extra resistance, they inclined their water tank. Great news for the more serious rowers out there or anymore who’ll need extra resistance as their fitness levels improve.

The Merax Water Rowing Machine is an excellent alternative to the more expensive solid wood rowers. It may not have the same aesthetic appeal as a wood rower, but the quality is there, so too is the smooth rowing stroke and durable, heavy-duty steel frame, they got all the essentials right with the Merax rowing machine, it’s one of the best affordable options out there.