WaterRower Original Review – Is It Still Worth the Money?

A Water Rower That’s Stood the Test of Time

With WaterRower, you have a company with a history going back decades, and that’s the first thing that draws me to their rowers. People have been buying their solid wood rowers for many years and are still praising them years later.

It’s a rowing machine that’s stood the test of time, and there really aren’t that many rowers on the market anymore, apart from maybe the Concept 2, that have that kind of feedback.

And with all that history and all those years of positive feedback from their customers, it just tells you that these guys must be doing something right. And that’s what made me really want to take a close look at just what’s so good about the WaterRower Original.

But Is the WaterRower Original Still Worth the Money?

Okay, it looks great. That solid oak frame and sleek design certainly give it that high-end look, but a $1,000+ rower needs more than just looks to impress.

And with budget solid wood rowers becoming ever more popular at just a fraction of the price, the Original from WaterRower really needs to show us what makes it so good and just what you’re getting for all that extra money. And thats what we’regoing to find out in this review.

It’s certainly a rowing machine that I feel deserves a much closer look. It’s had a few updates over the years, and it’s about time we gave this impressive machine a well-deserved full review. So in today’s WaterRower Original Review, we’ll take a close look at everything the Original has to offer, including any drawbacks.

Also, at the end of the review, I really think it’s worth comparing it with something much cheaper. Lately, I’ve been really impressed by some of the budget solid wood rowers, so I’ll compare it with my favorite, the Merach R28.

But first, let’s take a quick look at the pros, cons, and specs of the Original WaterRower!

Specs

Why Do We Like the WaterRower Original?

I think what really sets the WaterRower Original apart from the other wooden water rowers on the market right now is the quality of the build. I love that this thing is pretty heavy. It weighs 67lb on its own without any water in the tank. That’s a heavy rower.

And the weight of a rower is a telling sign of the quality of the parts used in the build. Generally, the heavier, the better.

The solid oak frame is sturdy, and that weight keeps it planted to the floor when rowing hard. There’s no movement, which is exactly what you want from a home rower.

The problem with a lot of the budget rowers is that they’re made from lower-quality parts. The wooden frames can be thin and lack any real weight, which affects stability. You don’t get that with the WaterRower Original. It’s a solid, heavy machine, and once the tank is filled with water, you add even more weight and stability to the front end.

Mimics That Rowing on Water Feel

And it’s not just the build quality that sells this rower. What a lot of people are going to love is the rowing on water feel you get from its dynamic resistance system.

The harder and faster you row, the stronger the resistance you feel at the handle, just like rowing on water. And when you combine that with the sound of the paddles pushing through the water in the tank, you really do start to feel like you’re almost out there on the lake.

Well, it’s about as close as you’ll get to the feel of rowing on water at home. And it’s certainly much more immersive and realistic than a magnetic resistance system.

Click here to check price of the WaterRower Original on Amazon

Long Dual Slide Rails, Silky Smooth Rollers

Something else that makes this rower outshine most is just how smoothly the seat slides along those dual rails. It’s almost effortless, and that’s thanks to the eight ball bearing rollers WaterRower uses.

It’s little touches like these, the ergonomic design of the seat, and just how sturdy it feels on the dual rails that give this rower its premium feel.

The seat cushioning has been designed just right. It’s not too hard or uncomfortable, and as many owners have mentioned, it’s great for marathon rowing sessions where a little extra comfort is needed.

And the rails are pretty long, too. You’re looking at a maximum user height of around 6’5″, so it’s suitable even for taller users.

So yes, a big thumbs up for both the rail and seat design.

S4 Monitor: It’s Nothing Fancy, but It Does the Job Well

When you first look at this monitor, you think it’s a little dated. There are no HD screens like you get with NordicTrack, and there’s nothing really high-end about it. But for me, I like its simplicity. It’s easy to use and tracks everything you need, including watts and your 500m splits, which is something I want from a rowing machine.

And if you need more, the latest S4 has built-in Bluetooth, so you can connect with third-party apps such as Kinomap and EXR, or use WaterRower’s own app, WaterRower Connect.

It’s a pretty cool app, too. The free version covers your basic workout tracking, while the Premium version, which starts at just $4.99 a month, adds scenic rowing routes, instructor-led workouts and other extras.

That’s a fraction of the cost of some of the more expensive rowing subscriptions, like iFIT or Hydrow.

So yes, I like the S4. A little dated, maybe, but what’s nice is that you don’t have to pay a subscription to get the most from this rowing machine, unlike some other high end rowers. You don’t even need an app. You can just stick with the S4 monitor, as it really does track all you need.

Rock Solid

I just have to mention one of the reasons why I really like the Original WaterRower: it’s just so stable for a rowing machine. The low centre of gravity, the weight of that solid wood frame, and the dual rails giving the seat extra stability. Everything about this rower feels solid.

Stability is so important when buying fitness gear. You don’t want something that’s badly made and unstable. It’s off-putting and can even be dangerous.

If you’re after a well-made, stable machine for home workouts, they don’t come much better than the WaterRower Original.

It really is a solid bit of kit, and that’s what you’re paying the extra money for. There’s no advanced HD monitor adding hundreds to the price. You’re paying for build quality, and that’s what’s most important when buying home fitness gear.

Drawbacks of the WaterRower Original

There’s a lot to like about the WaterRower Original, and it’s not easy finding fault with a rowing machine that’s been around for so long and has so much positive owner feedback. Still, at over $1,000, there are a few things worth thinking about before spending your money.-

• It’s expensive. There’s no getting around it. You can pick up some very good solid wood water rowers for under $300 these days, so you’re paying a lot extra for the WaterRower name, engineering and proven build quality.
• The S4 monitor looks dated. It tracks all the important rowing data, but don’t expect a fancy colour touchscreen. You’ll need your own phone or tablet for scenic rowing workouts.
• The seat is fairly low. Getting on and off might be awkward for anyone with bad knees or mobility issues. It’s something worth considering.
• Water resistance isn’t for everyone. You can’t simply turn a dial to increase resistance like you can on a magnetic rower. If you prefer fixed resistance levels, a magnetic machine might suit you better.

Is Vertical Storage Better Than Folding?

The WaterRower Original is a vertical storage rowing machine, and for me, vertical is the way to go. The reason I prefer it is that there’s no fiddly folding system to deal with. I’ve reviewed well over 40 rowers now, and I can tell you some of the folding systems are really frustrating.

With vertical storage, it’s nice and easy. You simply tilt the rower upright and store it against a wall. And when stored vertically, you can reduce the rower’s footprint by around 80%, compared with roughly 50% for some folding rowers.

So yes, if you’re tight on space and need to store your rower after every session, vertical storage is an excellent option.

WaterRower Original Assembly: What to Expect

• Assembly time: WaterRower estimates 30–45 minutes.

• Partially assembled: It arrives in two boxes, with the main components already put together.

• Tools: Just a 5mm Allen key, which is included.

• Main jobs: Attach the dual rails and rear spacer, position the seat, secure the tank assembly and footboard, and connect the recoil mechanism.

• Final step: Fill the tank using the supplied hand pump and add the water purification tablet.

Final Verdict

Simply put, it’s one of the best made solid wood water rowing machines on the market. There isn’t much out there right now that can match the WaterRower Original when it comes to build quality.

Yes, the looks of the machine are awesome. It’s going to suit most houses and apartments, but looks aside, it’s a well built rower that’s stood the test of time. The build quality sells this water rower, and the nice little touches that come with it give it that premium rower feel.

I don’t think you’ll be disappointed when this rower arrives on your doorstep. It’s a rowing machine that has impressed owners for years. It’s easy to use, the rowing stroke is smooth, the seat glides effortlessly, and that solid build is everything you want from a rowing machine.

Also, the fact that you don’t need to subscribe to a costly monthly app to get the most from it is another major selling point for the Original.

How Does The WaterRower Original S4 Compare With The Merach R28 (best budget)

WaterRower Original vs Merach R28: Is Spending Over $1,000 More Really Necessary?

Now, here’s where things get interesting. I’ve spent most of this review praising the WaterRower Original for its build quality, engineering and just how well this thing has stood the test of time. But do you really need to spend this much on a water rower when you can buy something like the Merach R28 for just $279.99?

The WaterRower Original starts at $1,199 on the manufacturer’s website, with prices climbing to around $1,599 depending on the wood you choose. And on Amazon, we’ve seen the Original listed at $1,699 over the past year.

That’s a huge difference in price. So what exactly are you getting for all that extra money?

The funny thing is, when you compare the two machines on paper, the Merach doesn’t look too bad at all. In fact, for a rowing machine costing less than $300, it’s surprisingly impressive.

You get a solid wood frame, dual slide rails, dynamic water resistance, Bluetooth, a free rowing app and a folding design.

And I’ve said this before in our Merach R28 review, but I genuinely think it’s one of the best budget water rowers we’ve come across. It gets so many of the important things right.

So Where Does All That Extra Money Go?

Well, it’s certainly not going on a fancy HD screen or hundreds of workout programs.
With the WaterRower Original, you’re paying for the engineering, the quality of the parts, the beautifully finished solid wood frame and all those smaller details that aren’t always obvious from a specs table.

The eight ball-bearing-mounted seat rollers are a good example. It’s those sorts of details that have helped give the Original its reputation for such a smooth rowing stroke.

But perhaps the biggest difference is something you can’t put in a comparison table: the WaterRower Original has been around for decades, and owners are still praising these machines years after buying them.

That’s impressive, and it’s something the Merach simply hasn’t had enough time to prove.

I’m not saying the Merach won’t last. It might give you years of trouble-free rowing. But when you’re spending over $1,000, knowing a machine has already stood the test of time is a pretty big deal.

And What About Those Expensive Rowing Subscriptions?

Another thing I really like about the WaterRower Original is how little you need to spend on apps.

Look at some of the other high-end rowing machines. NordicTrack’s touchscreen rowers use iFIT Pro, which costs around $39 a month, while Hydrow’s full membership is around $50 a month.

Of course, those subscriptions offer extensive workout libraries and coaching, so it’s not quite a like-for-like comparison.

But WaterRower Connect Premium starts at just $4.99 a month, with scenic rowing videos and instructor-led workouts. That’s a refreshingly sensible price.

And the best bit? You don’t need to subscribe to anything. The S4 monitor already gives you the important rowing data, and the basic WaterRower Connect app is free.

Personally, I like that approach. You’ve already spent a fair bit on the rowing machine, so it’s nice not to have another expensive bill landing every month just to enjoy using it.

So Which One Would I Choose?

This really comes down to what you want from your rowing machine.

If your main goal is to lose weight, burn calories, improve your fitness and enjoy some rowing at home, I’d save the money and go for the Merach R28.

It’s a very capable budget water rower, and for most people looking to get fit at home, I think it’s more than enough.

But if you’ve got the budget and want something special, a rowing machine that’s beautifully made, uses quality parts and has already proved it can last, then I’d choose the WaterRower Original.

You’re not paying four or five times as much to burn four or five times as many calories. You’re paying for a better-built machine, the attention to detail and the confidence that comes from decades of positive owner feedback.

Still comparing rowing machines? Read Next: Best Water Rowing Machines

WaterRower Original FAQ’s