We may earn a commission for purchases using our links. Learn more.

Electromagnetic Resistance

Hydrow Rower

Hydrow Rower

Water Resistance

Classic Legacy WaterRower

Legacy Waterrower

Hydrow Rower offers an on-the-water experience that can't be beat. It features patented electromagnetic resistance that truly mimics the water. Real outdoor rowing experiences allow you to row through scenic waterways around the world. The Hydrow All-Access Membership grants users access to thousands of classes in various modalities including rowing, strength, and circuit training. It features an ultra-sleek design, 22-inch touchscreen, smooth seat gliding, and virtually silent operation.

$2495 at Hydrow

Pros

  • Real outdoor experiences
  • Water mimicking resistance
  • Smooth seat glide system
  • 22-inch HD swiveling touchscreen
  • Virtually silent

Cons

  • Pricey
  • Heavy
  • 375 lb user weight max

The classic Legacy WaterRowers come in multiple wood frames ranging from light-oak to deep, chocolate-walnut. Each is outfitted with an LCD Performance monitor where you can track workout intensity, stroke rate, and heart rate. The Legacy WaterRowers are lighter than the Hydrow Rower and they offer a higher user weight maximum. However, they're noisier, don't offer as smooth of a ride, there's no HD touchscreen, and you'll get less of an authentic rowing experience.

From $1099 at WaterRower

Pros

  • Less expensive
  • Gorgeous wood frame
  • LCD Performance monitor
  • Rower weighs less
  • 700 lb user weight max

Cons

  • Noisier
  • No connected HD touchscreen
  • Not as smooth
  • Less sleek design

When it comes to rowing, Hydrow and WaterRower certainly know what's up. Both companies are top tier in this modality. However, Hydrow Rower outperforms the classic WaterRower, and here's why…

Hydrow
Source: Hydrow

High-tech beats the classic

The reason being, lies in the advanced technology the Hydrow Rower is equipped with. Hydrow Rower was conceptualized by rowing champion and U.S. National Team coach, Bruce Smith. If anyone knows about the subtle nuances of rowing, it's him. Hydrow Rower is where advanced engineering meets smart functionality. It's going to provide a quieter, smoother, and more authentic rowing experience, outperforming the classic WaterRower every time.

Let's break down the specs to see exactly how these two differ.

Category Hydrow Rower Classic Legacy WaterRower
Frame Aluminum + Steel Wood
Dimensions 86"L x 25"W x 47" H 82"L x 20"H x 22"W
Weight 145 lbs 103.5 lbs (with water)
Weight Capacity 375 lbs 700 lbs
Max Inseam 36" 37"
Seat and Slide System 10-roller 4-roller
Resistance Patented Electromagnetic Water
Display 22-inch HD touchscreen Small S4 Performance Monitor
Connected Fitness Yes No
Connectivity ANT+, Bluetooth 5.0 None
Internet WiFi No
Speakers Yes No
Adjustable Foot Beds Yes No
Hydrow
Source: Hydrow

Hydrow Rower outperforms the classic Legacy WaterRower every time

You can see from the specs that the Hydrow Rower is going to provide a much more luxurious, connected fitness experience than the classic Legacy WaterRower; it just offers more.

The Hydrow Rower is powered by the Hydrow All-Access Membership where users can join thousands of live and on-demand classes taught in rowing, strength, and circuit training. The Legacy WaterRower does not offer a connected fitness experience, just a small S4 Performance Monitor to keep tabs on key stats.

Live Outdoor Reality takes you on scenic waterways around the world.

If you want the ultimate in luxury fitness, Hydrow Rower is the best. It uses a patented electromagnetic drag mechanism to mimic the exact feeling you get on the water. Hydrow's Live Outdoor Reality experience takes that real-life, on-the-water feeling further, putting you in a hundred breathtaking destinations around the globe. You can row through locations like:

  • The center of London on the River Thames.
  • Alongside the Alps on Lake Lucerne in Switzerland.
  • Through the wilds of Alaska where you're joined by whales, seals, and glaciers.
Hydrow
Source: Hydrow

If you want to take your training off the water, the Hydrow Rower is outfitted with a 22-inch swiveling touchscreen, so you can transfer seamlessly from the rower to the floor for yoga, strength, Pilates, and Hydrow's new hybrid circuit training workouts.

Listen to your instructors on Hydrow Rower's high-quality, 3W, 8-ohm, front-facing speakers.

OR

Don't want to bother the rest of your family with amplified sound? No problem! Connect to Hydrow Rower via the best wireless earbuds with ANT+ and Bluetooth 5.0 connectivity for a fully immersive experience all your own.

You'll get super smooth, almost silent operation from Hydrow Rower.

Hydrow Rower features super (almost silent) quiet operation with its electromagnetic resistance and smooth 10-roller seat sliding system; much quieter than the experience you'll get with the water resistance and 4-roller system on the classic Legacy WaterRower. Hydrow also offers more adjustments with adjustable foot beds for the perfect, customized feel.

Hydrow
Source: Hydrow

Bottom Line

If you want the ultimate luxurious, authentic, rowing experience; Hydrow Rower is your only option. It offers so much more than the classic WaterRower with it's Live Outdoor Reality experiences, ultra-smooth rolling system, electromagnetic resistance, connectivity options, and adjustable foot beds. If you love rowing, and have the budget for it, you will not regret investing in Hydrow Rower; the rower that turned me into a lean, mean, rowing machine.

Electromagnetic Resistance

Hydrow Rower

Hydrow Rower

4.5 / 5

Real-life rowing

Row through exotic waterways around the world in comfort and style with Hydrow Rower.

Water Resistance

Legacy Waterrower

Classic Legacy WaterRower

A solid budget alternative

Save some cash and track your stats on a small display with the classic Legacy WaterRower.

Read more