The Hydrow Is the High-Tech, High-Sweat Workout Your Home Gym Needs
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When I heard that the Hydrow was being considered for our Live Better Awards, I was instantly intrigued. As someone who weighs lifts and strength trains five to six times a week, I thought, what’s so great about a rowing machine? Could it replace some of my workouts and still help me meet my goals? The reviews on this machine claimed it was “amazing” and that it will “change my life," so naturally, I had to try it!
Hydrow Setup and Design
The Hydrow was much easier to set up than I imagined I was guided every step of the way through clear instructions in the packaging. But the best part for a New York City resident? Its sleek design means it can fit right in my living room. One of my favorite details is that I can tip the back of the machine up and leave it in an upright position if I need more room. When I’m ready to workout, I can simply tip the machine down and begin. The Hydrow is made of aluminum and steel making it super durable but also easy enough to switch positions and store. Its integrated screen is slim but big enough to easily follow a workout.
Hydrow Cost
Now for the most important detail: Can you afford it? Let's face it, the Hydrow isn't cheap. The "essentials package," which includes the machine and all the tools you need to get started, goes for $2,585 (though it's currently on sale). That said, the brand does partner with Klarna, providing interest-free payments over time starting at $54—which is cheaper than most gym memberships! The Hydrow comes with free delivery and a one year warranty.
How It Works
The Hydrow is essentially a high-tech riff on a rowing machine—a Peloton-meets-erg-machine, if you will. It moves like a rowing machine (you use upper body strength to propel yourself while your feet are strapped in) and is affixed with a thin display screen which streams workouts. The best part? They're often set in scenic waterways around the world. The Hydrow claims to work a whopping 86% of the body’s major muscle groups.
Exercising With Hydrow
Now let’s talk workouts!
The Hydrow offers live workouts and classes, in addition to other programs including yoga, strength training, and stretching. The membership is $38 monthly which I was a bit skeptical of at first (I pay $50 monthly for my gym membership). I live a very active lifestyle so health and fitness are nonnegotiables for me. While you can access some basic rowing workouts without the membership, the machine didn’t seem as useful without it, so I bit the bullet and bought the membership. I was pleasantly surprised to see just how many class options were offered and how interactive the Hydrow really is.
The instructors have great energy and are actually in the water rowing for both live and on-demand classes. This really added to the experience for me and made the workout much more enjoyable. I love the team aspect created throughout the live classes, too—it provides a competitive aspect which upped my own performance. As a new rower, the intro classes provided by Hydrow were very helpful. I was able to gain my footing amd get comfortable with the machine before jumping into any workouts. I was also able to sign on a few minutes prior to the live class to get comfortable and warmed up before the class began.
Overall Takeaway: Is It Worth It?
With a price significantly over a Peloton, the Hydrow is certainly an investment. But, given the amount and quality of the workouts, if you're serious about getting in shape, it's a valid one. As a workout fiend, the machine helps me maintain my active lifestyle when my schedule gets hectic and I can’t make it to the gym. Plus, unlike some other at home workout equipment, I can flip this one up and out of the way whenever it's not in use. Who doesn't love that kind of transformation?
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