Home > Reviews > WaterRower Natural Rowing Machine in Ash Wood with S4 Monitor

WaterRower Natural Rowing Machine in Ash Wood with S4 Monitor

List price: $1,095.00
Amazon price: $1,095.00
Prices subject to change.

Buy Now at Amazon

Product Details

Binding: Sports
Brand: Water Rower
Label: WaterRower
Dimension: 0.17 x 83 x 0.3 inches
Manufacturer: WaterRower
Model: Ash S4
Publisher: WaterRower
Release Date: September 01, 2007
Studio: WaterRower

Features and Descriptions

Handcrafted rowing machine with "water flywheel" that replicates actual rowing feel
Flywheel sits in enclosed water tank to provide smooth, quiet, self-regulated resistance
Series 4 performance monitor tracks workout intensity, stroke rate, heart rate, and more
Solid ash and stained honey oak construction absorbs sound and vibration
Stores upright; measures 84 x 21 x 22 inches (W x H x D) and weighs 117 pounds

Ratings & Comments(Average: 4.5

)

- Great Home Exercise choice.
I bought a Waterrower (Ash with S4 monitor) and can't say enough good things about it. I use a Concept 2 in the gym (it doesn't sound noisy there but who can hear anything in a gym), but went for the Waterrower for less noise (and a smaller footprint) for my condominium. I use it when I watch TV and hardly know I'm exercising - except that I suddenly notice I'm breathing hard when I stop. It is attractive and well built.

Two big negatives, though. The monitor/computer is a total waste of money. You can hardly read the monitor due to glare and it doesn't start and pause automatically when you start to row or pause your rowing (for example, if you stop to fast forward over a commercial). **Update on my last review: it does start automatically from "PAUSE" but it won't pause automatically. The only useful function is the stroke counter. I count my strokes and divide by 30 to get the number of minutes actually rowed. Or I just set 1000 strokes as my goal for a workout.

The second negative: it's too low. I started using a rower to protect my bad knees, but this rower puts a huge strain on the knees getting on it or off it. There is an extender overpriced at $100, but no description of the maximum weight you can be and safely use it (I'm worried about sideways torque on the extender while I row). So if you have knee issues, either get the massively priced ($1800) metal HI RISE model or find some chair or braces to keep next to the rower seat to help you getting down and up.

One more quibble about the computer: it doesn't come with a heart beat monitor (transmitter or receiver). A receiver should be built in for these prices. You can buy one, but the reviews suggest it doesn't work well.

Bottom line: if you plan to use your exercise equipment around other people or in a room other than a dedicated exercise room (try to wheel out your treadmill from the living room when you're not using it) this is hands down the choice. Especially if your joints can't take the higher impact exercise equipment. But skip the monitor unless you figure out how to eliminate the glare and plan to use it with lots of light (not with the TV on at night, for example). Of course, get some rowing time in at the gym before you buy, just to be sure you will use it once you get it home.

- Ok but with some reservations, limited comparison w Concept 2
Update - Water rower sent me a new sensor and disk which fixed the computer. It was relatively easy to install. I would like to upgrade my rating to 4. Everyone likes it and uses it. Why not a five? My remaining nits, which really shouldn't discourage people from buying it are:

1) The footrests. Yup still catches the shoes, even though I changed to ones with narrower heels. I think they could fix this by angling the edges outwards. A bit more substantive design would also be nice.

2) The computer - Its kinda basic. It will count calories per hour as you row, but won't give you a total calorie count. Additionally, I use the rower when watching movies in the dark. It would be great if there were a backlight just to check how you are doing. I use my cellphone light to check.

3) I've figured out why the feel of the pull is not perfectly smooth. Basically, there is a wheel where the strap goes around (imagine a ribbon wound around a wheel). The strap slips slightly as you pull.

These are all minor nits. I think they got the frame design right otherwise. I would buy it again.

Good points - 4.5 star frame.

The frame is solid, well made and attractive. My wife and kids all like it. The feel and sound of the water sloshing as you row is nice. The wheels make it easy to maneuver, though I rarely store it upright. It's also easy to assemble and all the parts fit well together. There is almost no creaking, although my son can make it creak slightly when he goes at it really hard.

Some design and delivery issues - Minus 2 star

There are two main cheesy design issues with this rower. The foot rest feels really cheap. It may not come apart over time because your feet are held by a belt that goes around a wood plank. But, its thin floppy molded black plastic. The shape makes its hard to get your shoes in and out. You need to hold it to get your shoe out sometimes. It also has sharp edges so you can't use it wearing just socks. This does not belong on a $1000+ machine.

The other issue is the sensor and computer design. It feels like an afterthought addition to the rower. The computer is attached to the rower by a plastic tube. The sensor wheel itself is cheap plastic and slides up and down the shaft (not held by a screw or washer) and can interfere with the rowing motion if too high.

My sensor/computer of my rower was DOA. I followed the instruction on how to adjust the sensor wheel. If you raise it too much the ridges bump the sensor and if you lower it, it doesn't register. In the end, I am not sure what was not working. Amazon gave me a $200 credit for the difference between the rower with the computer and with out. After a couple of months I am still waiting for a new sensor from water rower.

Vs. the Concept 2 rower:

I was deciding between the water rower and the Concept 2 machine, which is in the same price range. I used the Concept 2 rower just briefly a couple of times. I decided to order the water rower instead sight unseen due to the reviews. I do prefer feel of the water wheel effect vs wind resistance.

Computer - I did not use the computer much on the C2 and the one on my water rower still does not work, but based on reviews out there the C2 computer is supposedly far superior. Apparently it is the main selling point on the C2. It does appear to be better made.

Pull mechanism - Water rower uses a nylon strap for pulling vs. the C2 using a chain. C2 looks more heavy duty and has a slightly smoother pull. Small advantage to C2.

Wind vs Water - I do prefer the feel and sound of the water wheel more than the wind resistance of C2's fan. Both give more resistance the harder you pull. While I could be happy with the C2, I still prefer the water rowing motion.

Looks - Both are well made. Water rower has an aluminum model also but a higher price point. I like the wood frame. My wife does not object to it as much. However, C2 has a small edge as I had mentioned, including the foot rest.

Overall - I am happy enough with the water rower to keep it. My whole family uses and likes it. I would not say its 5 star though. If I had no problems with the machine, I would still rate it slightly under 4 star for the reasons stated above. The thing that bugs me the most is the foot rest.

- just what i asked for
assembly is fairly easy. i'm rowing 3 miles a day...feels great! folds up to take barely any space.

- Great alternative to running
After incurring a foot injury (plantar faciitis) and not being able to run for an extended period of time I sought a "good work-out" alternative. I have had a "WaterRower" for one month now and find it to be an excellent option to running. The product is excellent as is the work-out. I use my WaterRower 5-6 days a week.

- The best rower
Absolutely great! The only thing that beats this is the shell on the river, except when its really cold.

Shipped as promised in good packing and the unit was mostly assembled. The rest was easy.

If you can, get the S4 monitor with heart rate

Product Highlights

BigPicture Personal Fitness

A virtual companion that helps you build a personal diet and exercise plan you can live and succeed with.

First Degree Fitness WR-N Neptune Rower

BigPicture Personal Fitness
A virtual companion that helps you build a personal diet and exercise plan you can live and succeed with. learn more

Rowing Machine Resources

Delta Magnetic Rowing Machine Gives Fast Result

The rowing machine uses magnetic force to build a resistance similar to a normal rowing machine. As the exercise, it mimics the act of a boat rowing. If you've seen someone who row boats regularly, you'll notice they have good shape. That is exactly what you want to and will achieve when you use the magnetic rowing machine to exercise properly. Simply workout four or five times every week for thirty minutes each and you'll see the difference in your shape in the first month. read more...

How to Use a Rowing Machine

The process of using a rowing machine is surely not too difficult, but to the beginners it can often be a little tricky. Of course it may seem to look simple and easy to do in the concept, but it is actually difficult when you really trying it out for the first time. It is crucial to know that as with all other types of exercises, getting used to a rowing machine is also going to take some time and a little bit of practice, so there is no need to become frustrated if you ever find yourself having some troubles with it to begin with. read more...

The Benefits of Back Exercise Rowing Machine

You have to operate your rowing machine constantly everyday in order to gain the great posture that you always dream of, and which also will benefit you by ensuring your waist to look slim and trim. Hence, to achieve the best from your back exercise rowing machine you may have to sit on a rowing machine which has low pulley, you have to stay your feet in flat position too while they rest against footrests, keep in mind that your knees must stay bent, if you lock your knees you will injure yourself. read more...

How to Find Cheap Rowing Machines

If you're planning to get in shape, burn some calories and build up muscles, you probably have been eyeing some rowing machines in your local exercise and sporting equipments shop. And surely you have also surveyed the price tags of some of these exercise machines and the prices are too much for you and left you head scratching. How can I afford to buy a rowing machine? Is there any cheaper ones somewhere out there? The answer is: Yes there is! read more...