Water Rower?

[[old] The Dude Abides]

I have a friend who might take up rowing/erging. He tried out a water rower www.waterrower.com and asked me my thoughts. I've never used one, but I told him that it seemed like it was more of a novelty thing (hey, my rowing machine has water in it!) and is designed to appeal to the preppy set. I told him the model D is awesome because of all the features on the computer, etc, the adjustable drag factor as well. <br /><br />But I told him I'd ask around about the water rower. None of my friends have used one, so I was wondering if anyone on here has any thoughts or comments they'd like to share.<br /><br />Thanks! <br />

[[old] Neb154]

A mother of a fellow crew team member owns one and she is a recreational masters rower. For any compeititve training, or even effective training, in my opinion its pretty much useless. The times aren't comparable to a c2, the resistence is kind of whacky, and if I remember correctly, there is no split displayed on the screen.

[[old] gorow9]

The water rower is designed to feel more like you're on the water but the only thing comparable is to row on the water. I think that it's great for a ten minute peice on the paddle but other than that I haven't had any luck with it<br /><br />I went to the website adn they say this about the differences of it and teh C2:<br /><br /><span style='color:blue'><i>"The WaterRower features unique Self-Regulating Resistance . There is no need for users to know what setting they need the WaterRower automatically adjusts resistance to equal the amount of work being done. Zero risk of overload "</i></span> <br /><br />I think that's one of the problems that I had with the machine. It actually gave me too much resistance when I wanted to go faster and I was unable to get the right suspention.<br /><br /><span style='color:blue'><i>"The WaterRower is silky smooth and can by enjoyed by ALL users (Young or Old, Male or Female, Fit or Unfit)"</i></span><br /><br />I'd say that c2's can be used by fit/ unfit and different ages and as for "silky and smoothe" it sounds like they're selling a sweater not a peice of exercise equipment... not what I'm looking for.<br /><br /><span style='color:blue'><i>"The WaterRower is silent, can be used in any environment and does not intrude on those sharing the environment with you "</i></span><br /><br />I have to give them credit for that one although it does make a nice water wooshing sound... quite soothing something worthy of recording for one of those clocks that plays soothing lullabys like "bubbling brook" or "cricket's cries"<br /><br /><span style='color:blue'><i>The WaterRower's stroke is even throughout the stoke, spreading the work more evenly over the muscle groups and removing the pronounced check, common with lesser machines </i></span><br /><br />Making it hard to "finish strong" or work on certain exercises and developing the stroke. Also less like a boat.<br /><br /><span style='color:blue'><i>The WaterRower stores conveniently up on end, no need for complicated disassembly, just tip it up on end"</i></span><br /><br />c2 does also<br /><br /><span style='color:blue'><i>"The WaterRower is styled to compliment any environment and look more like furniture that a piece of farm equipment "</i></span><br /><br />"that a peice of farm equipment"? Assuming they mean "than a peice of farm equipment... well c2's taken care of the "farm equipment" look with the new bright and pretty model D colors... problem solved<br /><br /><span style='color:blue'><i>"The WaterRower requires near zero maintenance, no need for messy lubrication "</i></span><br /><br />Although the water in the tank has to be changed or it gets smelly... my boat club had a problem with that at one point. Now what seems easier...<br /><br /><span style='color:blue'><i>"The WaterRower comes with an industry leading 5 year frame, three year component warranty"</i></span><br /><br />Well that's wonderful but c2's got them covered again. coppied directly from the website (c2) "Every part on your new The Concept2 Indoor Rower is covered by a two year limited warranty. The metal frame parts are covered by a five year limited warranty" Ok c2 they got a year on ya for parts... but they probably use the warenty more often too.<br /><br /><span style='color:blue'><i>"The WaterRower is shorter (by nearly a foot/300mm)"</i></span><br /><br />Hope you aren't too tall.<br /><br /><br /><br />Well that's my c2 sales pitch... good luck!

[[old] akit110]

<!--QuoteBegin-gorow9+Aug 10 2005, 01:16 PM--><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><div class='genmed'><b>QUOTE(gorow9 @ Aug 10 2005, 01:16 PM)</b></div></td></tr><tr><td class='quote'><!--QuoteEBegin-->The water rower is designed to feel more like you're on the water but the only thing comparable is to row on the water.  I think that it's great for a ten minute peice on the paddle but other than that I haven't had any luck with it<br /><br />I went to the website adn they say this about the differences of it and teh C2:<br /><br /><span style='color:blue'><i>"The WaterRower features unique Self-Regulating Resistance . There is no need for users to know what setting they need the WaterRower automatically adjusts resistance to equal the amount of work being done. Zero risk of overload "</i></span> <br /><br />I think that's one of the problems that I had with the machine.  It actually gave me too much resistance when I wanted to go faster and I was unable to get the right suspention.<br /><br /><span style='color:blue'><i>"The WaterRower is silky smooth and can by enjoyed by ALL users (Young or Old, Male or Female, Fit or Unfit)"</i></span><br /><br />I'd say that c2's can be used by fit/ unfit and different ages and as for "silky and smoothe" it sounds like they're selling a sweater not a peice of exercise equipment... not what I'm looking for.<br /><br /><span style='color:blue'><i>"The WaterRower is silent, can be used in any environment and does not intrude on those sharing the environment with you "</i></span><br /><br />I have to give them credit for that one although it does make a nice water wooshing sound... quite soothing something worthy of recording for one of those clocks that plays soothing lullabys like "bubbling brook" or "cricket's cries"<br /><br /><span style='color:blue'><i>The WaterRower's stroke is even throughout the stoke, spreading the work more evenly over the muscle groups and removing the pronounced check, common with lesser machines </i></span><br /><br />Making it hard to "finish strong" or work on certain exercises and developing the stroke.  Also less like a boat.<br /><br /><span style='color:blue'><i>The WaterRower stores conveniently up on end, no need for complicated disassembly, just tip it up on end"</i></span><br /><br />c2 does also<br /><br /><span style='color:blue'><i>"The WaterRower is styled to compliment any environment and look more like furniture that a piece of farm equipment "</i></span><br /><br />"that a peice of farm equipment"?  Assuming they mean "than a peice of farm equipment... well c2's taken care of the "farm equipment" look with the new bright and pretty model D colors... problem solved<br /><br /><span style='color:blue'><i>"The WaterRower requires near zero maintenance, no need for messy lubrication "</i></span><br /><br />Although the water in the tank has to be changed or it gets smelly... my boat club had a problem with that at one point.  Now what seems easier...<br /><br /><span style='color:blue'><i>"The WaterRower comes with an industry leading 5 year frame, three year component warranty"</i></span><br /><br />Well that's wonderful but c2's got them covered again.  coppied directly from the website (c2)  "Every part on your new The Concept2 Indoor Rower is covered by a two year limited warranty. The metal frame parts are covered by a five year limited warranty"  Ok c2 they got a year on ya for parts... but they probably use the warenty more often too.<br /><br /><span style='color:blue'><i>"The WaterRower is shorter (by nearly a foot/300mm)"</i></span><br /><br />Hope you aren't too tall.<br /><br /><br /><br />Well that's my c2 sales pitch... good luck! <br /> </td></tr></table><br /><br />It does sound like their ad copy is targeted directly against the Concept 2 (rower). I have used the WaterRower a couple of times while at a fancy gym on a business trip. I found the 'drag' or resistance too heavy on the model I was using (i.e. too much water in the tank) so it 'rowed' like a heavy dinghy. Unfortunately, there was no way to quickly change the resistance. The sound was much nicer than that of the C2.<br /><br />I like the idea of using water as a resistance. But I never seriously considered buying it over the C2 as the WR reminded me too much of my old Nordictrack. The Nordictrack, like the WR, was made of attractive wood and looked more suitable for the home environment. But over time, I found the NT construction wasn't rock solid like a commercial piece and the monitor did not give me the type of precise and accurate feedback I wanted. <br /><br />Gimme a piece of 'farm equipment' any day if it gives me the better workout over the years!<br />

[[old] gorow9]

I had the same problem with the resistance. Also you leave the water in there too long and it stinks... can you imagine having to explain the stench isn't actually you'r sweat from rowing but the machine itself... Don't know what would be worse

[[old] akit110]

<!--QuoteBegin-gorow9+Aug 19 2005, 08:17 PM--><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><div class='genmed'><b>QUOTE(gorow9 @ Aug 19 2005, 08:17 PM)</b></div></td></tr><tr><td class='quote'><!--QuoteEBegin-->I had the same problem with the resistance.  Also you leave the water in there too long and it stinks... can you imagine having to explain the stench isn't actually you'r sweat from rowing but the machine itself...  Don't know what would be worse <br /> </td></tr></table><br /><br />In all fairness, I think one can put a tablet in the water to keep the water from becoming a Petri dish

[[old] Sleepy_Floyd]

I've never been on one, but it just looks funny to me. looks like a commode.. and it seems a bit pricey.. some models are greater than 2x the cost of the Concept 2.. you know it cant be a piece of serious industrial machinery if they've got different priced models based on the type of wood used, so you can match it to your room decor...<br /><br />I'd be concerned just because the website doesnt even discuss the relative differences in the different materials they are using for the various models.. some woods are stiffer than others, and stainless would be stiffer than all of the woods. so thats gonna affect the performance and feel of the machine.. <br /><br />

[[old] Xeno]

If a rowing machine fits on "C2 slides" any "could" do for general exercise. <br /><br />B U T <br /><br />the only two rowing machines "really" worth while getting are the C2&slide, and the ROWPERFECT.<br /><br />Concept2 is a "factory direct" business thus not so broadly and easily known to the public. Other rowing machine manufacturers sell through stores and sales agents, this is why those brands are selling.<br /><br />And my comment about the water rower: Expensive and freezes in winter (if no antifreeze is added), then the water tank cracks. After that you must chop it up for fire wood.<br /><br />XENO

[[old] brianric]

<!--QuoteBegin-Xeno+Aug 20 2005, 01:25 AM--><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><div class='genmed'><b>QUOTE(Xeno @ Aug 20 2005, 01:25 AM)</b></div></td></tr><tr><td class='quote'><!--QuoteEBegin-->After that you must  chop it up for fire wood.<br /><br /> </td></tr></table><br />Might be cheaper than heating your house with gas.

[[old] gorow9]

I don't know if it would be worth it with the smell thoughl Anyways it's aparent that it's now a great hit here.

[[old] zim32805]

<!--QuoteBegin-The Dude Abides+Aug 8 2005, 12:23 PM--><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><div class='genmed'><b>QUOTE(The Dude Abides @ Aug 8 2005, 12:23 PM)</b></div></td></tr><tr><td class='quote'><!--QuoteEBegin-->I have a friend who might take up rowing/erging.  He tried out a water rower www.waterrower.com and asked me my thoughts.  I've never used one, but I told him that it seemed like it was more of a novelty thing (hey, my rowing machine has water in it!) and is designed to appeal to the preppy set.    I told him the model D is awesome because of all the features on the computer, etc, the adjustable drag factor as well.  <br /><br />But I told him I'd ask around about the water rower.  None of my friends have used one, so I was wondering if anyone on here has any thoughts or comments they'd like to share.<br /><br />Thanks! <br /> </td></tr></table><br /><br />I've used both Concept and Waterrower for about 15 years now. Both are part of my home gym. I get an identical workout on either one. The waterrower is very quiet if you want to watch some tube while rowing. It doesn't stink at all. (Might be the water in some areas) Seems like customer service/response is better with Concept 2 and I like the air on my face but other than that, they both are killer machines. The physics of rowing doesn't change unless you get on either machine that hasn't been maintained.