From Pain to Power: My Journey With the Hydrow Wave Rower
Low-Impact, High Reward
I don’t have much experience on a row machine. But, when my doctor suggested I look for a low-impact, heart-healthy way to stay in shape that wouldn’t cause muscle-fatigue and joint aches, I landed on the Hydrow Wave Rower. But does it live up to the hype?
I’ve researched and tested this machine to its breaking point and I’m ready to share my findings.
A Little Background On Me
I workout a lot. Sometimes too much, and my body – specifically my joints, muscles, and metabolism – bears the brunt of my high-impact weekend warrior lifestyle. I’m at that age now where the stress from these intense workout sprints are creating arthritis in my legs and ankles, muscle tightness and strains in my lower back and hips, and overall body inflammation. I love reaching my fitness goals and getting that “runners high,” but I now need to chase that low-impact euphoria. So, I set out looking for a machine to get me trained and keep me fitness satisfied.
The Hydrow Wave Rower caught my interest early on in the process and honestly, nothing else on the market could compete with the allure of this machine. Hydrow makes two rower machines, and that’s where my research started: figuring out which Hyrdow Rower was right for me.
How Does The Hydrow Wave Measure Up To The Ground-Breaking Pro?
I will admit, when shopping for a new rowing machine, it was the Hyrdow Pro that first brought me to Hydrow’s site. Its sleek art-like design drew me in like a moth to a flame. However, when I compared the Pro to the Hydrow Wave, I quickly veered towards Pro’s younger sibling, the Wave.
Here’s what changed my mind about the Pro:
For starters, when it comes to performance, there aren’t many differences between the Hydrow Wave and Pro. Both are high-intensity machines that have a lot of the same features and give the same intense workout that I was looking for in a rower. Both have the Patented electromagnetic drag mechanism. And they also both have front-facing speakers and Bluetooth compatibility.
But when you look at the two machines side-by-side, there are some notable differences.
The Wave vs the Pro
Hydrow Wave:
-Smaller
-Lighter
-16” touch screen compared to Pro’s 22” screen
-Fixed position screen (whereas the Pro allows you to pivot 25 degree in both directions)
-Simple wall anchor accessory for storage when not in use (Pro has a slightly more intensive kit because of its weight)
-45 minute setup
Hydrow Pro:
-Larger body – More clearance needed in your workout area
-Heavier – Aluminum and steel frame, flat anthracite polymer body adds to the weight
-Quieter – Closed design keeps sounds to a minimum
-30 minute setup
Both machines come with a 1-year warranty and a free 30-day trial to make sure you love it. I never considered sending my Hydrow Wave back, though. I knew this was going to be my new favorite workout from day 1, but it’s nice that the company has such a customer-friendly return policy.
For me, the Wave was the rower I’d been looking for. I wanted something that was small and easy to store when I’m not on the machine, which made the Hydrow Wave more attractive to me than its sibling. Yes, the Pro is sexier and has the bigger rotating screen, but honestly, the 16” screen is more than enough for me. And I’ve never had the need to move the screen during my workouts, so the fixed screen position is not a big deal at all.
There is a vertical anchor you can buy – it’s not included, but I highly recommend you get it – to keep the machine upright and fastened when you’re not using it. This space-saving secret keeps me from tripping over my machine throughout the day. The anchor is around $80 but it’s so worth it for my space-saving sanity alone.
I haven’t tried the Pro, but the Wave is said to be a little louder because of its open base, but my boyfriend doesn’t even hear me on the machine when he’s working in the other room, even when I’m power-rowing. So, overall it’s quiet compared to other rowers on the market.
Compete With Other Rowers, Earn Badges (And Bragging Rights)
A little healthy competition never hurt anyone. In fact, some research shows that competing with others actually helps boost motivation and productivity, increasing short and long-term physical effort. I’m competitive by nature, so I really love seeing my name on the leaderboard. This feature also collects several key metrics to track my rowing performance and workout progress, tracking everything from the time and distance of my row to strokes per minute, calories burned, and heart rate.
Tracking My Progress To My Smart Watch
Apple Watch users, rejoice! Hydrow Wave Rower metrics transfer seamlessly to the Apple Watch (sorry Fitbit, this one’s not for you). It also pairs with all my favorite Bluetooth devices like my tried-and-true Bose Earbuds and Bluetooth speaker. For those with ANT+ hearing aids and heart monitors, it pairs with those as well for comfort and convenience.
I was very bummed though to see that the Hydrow Wave doesn’t support HRM devices, only ANT+. So, my Samsung devices won’t pair at all. This is also why the machine isn’t compatible with FitBit. I’ll admit, this was a drawback for me, as I now have to enter my stats MANUALLY (ugh!) into my Fitbit app.
Overal Usability:
Pros:
-Syncs with ANT+ devices
-Keeps you motivated with metrics + community
-Quieter than most rowers
-Sleek and stylish (I love to show this thing off)
-Stores upright (needs anchor)
Cons:
-Anchor is not included and will run you about $80 (still worth it)
-Need the paid subscription to the workout videos and coaching
-Not compatible with Fitbit, Samsung, or any HRM device
Overall Rating: 4.6/5 Stars
Going back to my initial question, does the Hydrow Wave Rower live up to the hype? In short, yes. This machine has style and functionality, promising a low-impact calorie-burning, full-body workout from home. It’s sleek, has outstanding tech features that keeps me motivated and entertained. It has a quiet-sound footprint, and is one effective workout that had me reaching my first milestone in under 2 weeks.
I also really appreciate how Hydrow took their time with the design and leveled-up on a storage solution that’s as artful as the machine’s style itself. This machine is definitely a conversation starter at dinner parties and a best buy in my book. Would I recommend to a friend? I already have! (Spoiler: they love it, too.)
