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Interactive and Connected home workout experience has been gaining more popularity and traction for the past few years. People began to realize the great benefits of having an excellent workout from the comfort of your living room or bedroom. In this article, we will display the specs of both Ergatta vs Hydrow and highlight the differences so you can make a clear decision on which one is perfect for you to get.
While Bikes and Treadmills are selling like hotcakes, Rowing machines are stepping into the marketplace as the new hot commodity.
Fun Fact: While Bikes and Treadmills neglect the upper body and focus on the lower body, Rowing delivers a full-body workout experience and engages 86% of your overall muscles.
Consumers started perceiving and identifying the Rowing exercise as a true asset that pays in the long run. As a result, the demand for capable high-quality Rowing machines increased.
A variety of brands stepped forward and took it upon themselves to cater to the consumers’ needs. Hydrow and Ergatta are on the top of the food chain when it comes to Rowing machines.
Contents
The Main Differences between Ergatta vs Hydrow
The main differences between Ergatta vs Hydrow are:
- Ergatta comes with a 17.3” HD touchscreen display whereas Hydrow comes with a 22” HD touchscreen display
- Ergatta has a 3 years parts warranty whereas Hydrow has 1-year parts warranty
- Ergatta’s monthly subscription fee cost $29 whereas Hydrow’s monthly subscription fee cost $38
- Ergatta’s uses water a resistance-system whereas Hydrow use an electro-magnetic resistance system
Every aspect of Hydrow is engineered by rowing experts to elevate your experience. From computer-controlled resistance to revolutionary Live Outdoor Reality technology, Hydrow delivers an effective and enjoyable workout that brings the river home to you.
What to Look for in a Rowing Machine
When it comes to cardiovascular workouts and body conditioning exercises, Rowing machines are a great option to opt for. Many brands are taking over the market with different specs and features.
And it can be a daunting task to pick the best one for you.
Here is a list of the components you should look for in a Rowing machine:
Type of resistance
Rowers differ according to the type of resistance they provide and there are four to choose from.
- Magnetic Rowers
This type of rower provides constant resistance using a metal dis and magnets. By moving the magnets closer or further away from the disc the resistance increase or decreases. It is quiet during use, which makes it a great choice for households that requires silence. However, it lacks the realistic feeling that water and air rowers provide.
- Water Rowers
The resistance in this type of rower is generated through a flywheel spinning inside a water tank. They are quiet and a great option for competitive folks. In addition, the movement of the flywheel inside the water tank produces a soothing sound and realistic rowing vibes.
- Air Rowers
These machines create resistance the same way fan bikes do. The air rower’s flywheel has a fan attached to it. Whenever you pull, the fans spin generating resistance. The downside of these machines is making a loud noise during use, however the harder you pull the more resistance you get. And voila! Unlimited resistance at your disposal.
- Hydraulic Rowers
This particular type of rower uses pistons full of air or fluid to provide resistance that can be adjusted. A great choice for people with a budget.
Weight capacity
Regardless of what machine you opt for, weight capacity is a very important component you must check. How much weight a machine can handle gives hints on how durable it is and how long it can last.
A machine that focuses on the heavy-duty side is built to last. Plus, they sway and move less when being used.
Most high-quality rowing machines have a high weight capacity in the range of 300 lbs to 500lbs, which accommodates almost anyone’s weight.
Features
Rowing machines are usually more simplistic and don’t offer much. Most rowing machines come with a basic monitor that displays the speed of rowing, time, and distance.
Other models come with more advanced features such as calculating how many calories you burnt, the power you put out and even program your workouts for you in advance.
The high-end rowing machines come with a massive HD touchscreen loaded with all the bells and whistles. That may sound nice to you, but it’s not nice to your wallet. Still, you do get a nice bang for your buck.
The machine can save your stats and enable you to race yourself, the computer, or other users in a community.
These advanced rowers can display nice scenes and sounds for a more outdoorsy experience, they can also monitor your heart rate, and allow you to download and save your data through a USB connection.
Size
It is very important to check if the rowing you are looking for can fit your workout space. Some full-size machines can take up to 9 x 4 ft. some full-size rowers cannot be folded, so you must make sure that you have enough space to store them. However, they can be store vertically.
Price
Finally, comes the price.
Ironically, the price tag is what many people check first.
It depends on which rower you choose.
Many people will refrain from buying a rower to a high price tag. Most popular rowers fall in the $200 and $1500 range, but the high-end Rowing machines like Hydrow and Ergatta can reach up to $2200.
The Hydrow
The Hydrow rowing machine has a special electromagnetic resistance system. Unlike the traditional magnetic rowers, the Hydrow uses a computer-guided system to generate resistance according to how hard you row.
The machine uses a magnet-driven mechanism that acts like air and water rowers. In simpler words, instead of setting resistance levels by yourself, you select a drag level anywhere between 0 and 300 and start rowing.
The harder you row, the more resistance you feel.
Another benefit to the magnetic system is the silence and the smooth operation that eliminates the worries of having to maintain the water levels and cleanness in the tank, unlike the water rowing system.
The Hydrow sits on a single rail steel/ aluminum frame that gives it is a modern and sleek look. The design was the outcome of form mated to functionality.
Also, the steel frame acts like a solid and sturdy base that can take up to 375 lbs. as maximum weight capacity. It weighs about 145lbs when fully assembled.
Plus, the Hydrow comes with a five years warranty on the frame as well as 1 year on both labor and parts.
The rower features a massive 22” inch HD dust/sweat resistant touchscreen with 1920 x 1080 resolution, which you can pivot 25 degrees in each direction.
The latter gives you access to over 1000 pre-recorded and live workout programs led by professional instructors. To access the live streaming service you must pay for a $38 monthly subscription.
The monitor also comes with:
- Forward-facing Hi-Fi speakers
- A two-megapixel camera
- Built-in microphone
- 0 USB connection
- Bluetooth and Wi-Fi
The Hydrow is 86-inch long and 25-inch wide with soft feet covered with rubber to protect floors. It takes quite a large space with no option to fold it, but it comes along with a separate vertical storage kit.
The Hydrow comes with a $2,295 basic price tag and can go up to $2,695 with packages.
Every aspect of Hydrow is engineered by rowing experts to elevate your experience. From computer-controlled resistance to revolutionary Live Outdoor Reality technology, Hydrow delivers an effective and enjoyable workout that brings the river home to you.
Continue reading our full Hydrow review.
The Hydrow’s Pros and Cons:
Pros:
- Instructor guided interactive home workouts
- Heavy-duty steel frame
- Computer-controlled magnetic resistance system
- 22-inch HD touchscreen
- Access to 1000+ on-demand workouts
- Smooth rail system
- Good warranty
- Easy assembly
- Adjustable foot pedals
Cons:
- Vertical storage kit sold separately
- High price tag
The Ergatta
The Ergatta rower uses a water-resistance system. Whenever you pull, a flywheel with paddles attached to it spins inside a water tank. The harder you pull the more resistance you get just like a real boat.
In addition, the water levels in the tank can be adjusted according to your needs without affecting resistance levels. In other words, adding water is equivalent to rowing a bigger boat.
Tablets to help the water look clear and clean are included, and it is recommended that the tank be filled with municipal water to reduce algae growth.
One of the benefits of the water-resistance system is the soothing swooshing sound it makes during use.
The Ergatta has a very distinctive look that separates it from the rest of the modern rowers. Many nowadays like to use steel or aluminum frames whereas the Ergatta uses a cherry-wood frame with dual rails made by WaterRower.
The design is classy, sleek, modern, and fits in the comfort of your living room or any room for that matter.
The wood frame is very solid and can handle up to 500 lbs. it can also manage to accommodate tall people up to 6’8”, and a 40” inseam.
With an empty water tank, the Ergatta weighs 76.5 lbs. and up to 103 lbs. with water. That makes it relatively easy to move around from one room to another.
Unlike the Hydrow, the Ergatta comes with 3 years warranty on parts and a similar 5 years warranty on frame, plus 1 year on labor.
What makes the Ergatta stand out from the rest of the water rowers is the 17-inch HD touchscreen display that comes along.
It is Wi-Fi compatible and available with a Bluetooth connection for heart monitors. The rower also saves your stats and data to put you in competitive race against other people from the online community.
The Ergatta update their software on regular basis and releases new workouts each week. The workouts are available through a live streaming service that costs $29 per month. It’s a bargain considering the workouts it provides.
The Ergatta comes with game-based workouts to create a spirit of competition and make the workouts more fun. And it does that with four types of workouts:
- Push programs with workouts designed to help you achieve certain goals
- Interval workouts, which are based on HIIT workouts and can be selected according to time, difficulty, or distance
- Race workouts against other users
- The Open row, where you simply row freely according to your own pace.
Like the Hydrow, the Ergatta cannot be folded; however, it can be stored vertically. The machine is 86” x 23” so it can take quite a lot of space during use.
The Ergatta has a price tag of $2,100 with a $199 fee for shipping. It included delivery and installation by professionals.
Elegant and built to fit in, Ergatta belongs in the home, not the gym. Supports up to 500 pounds and a 40” inseam, which typically translates to up to 6’8” in height.
Ergatta’s Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Natural water-resistance system
- Adjustable water level
- Tough cherry wood frame
- 500 lb weight capacity
- Vertically stored
- 3-inch HD touchscreen display
- Competitive workouts
- Bluetooth compatible
- Professional assembly included with delivery
- Good warranty
Cons:
- High price tag
- No instructor-led workouts
FAQ
Question: Can you row every day?
Answer: Yes, you can. However, just like every workout routine, doing too much may overwhelm your body and end up causing a serious injury.
Question: Are there any alternatives to the Hydrow and the Ergatta?
Answer: Yes, there are other alternative rowing machines. The Sunny Health & Fitness Magnetic Rowing Machine is a more affordable option and great for beginners. But if you are looking for an alternative that can give Hydrow and Ergatta a run for their money check out NordicTrack’s RW900.
Question: Is rowing better than running?
Answer: According to a study done by Dr. Cameron Nichols, rowing activates 86% of your total body muscles and helps to improve your back strength and tone your arms.
Question: Can I lose weight by rowing?
Answer: Rowing is a great workout for the body and helps in burning some calories. However, for any workout routine to be effective it must be paired with a suitable diet.
Question: Does Ergatta come with a membership?
Answer: Yes, in order to access the Ergatta platform you need an active membership that cost $29 a month.
Question: Do you need rowing experience to use these machines?
Answer: No, rowing machines are fairly easy to use and takes no time to get used to. However, it is recommended to get some tips on how to row with proper form to avoid injuries, or in case you have back issues.
Question: Are these machines great for strength training?
Answer: Rowing activates 86% of your muscles and can improve stamina, and overall fitness and strength.
Final Verdict
Although the Hydrow and the Ergatta are different on many levels, they both provide excellent performance and full-body workouts. They are very comparable in performance, warranties, durability, and price. With these two rowing giants, there is no wrong answer.
Which one to pick depends on your personal preferences. You can choose one according to the type of resistance system you prefer, whether magnetic or water.
Another aspect to consider when choosing is the design, would you like the classic wood look or the modern sleek steel?
If you are a competitive gamer, a person who likes outdoorsy adventures then the Ergatta is the perfect choice for you.
But, if you like to be instructed by professional mentors, then the Hydrow is what you need.
Every aspect of Hydrow is engineered by rowing experts to elevate your experience. From computer-controlled resistance to revolutionary Live Outdoor Reality technology, Hydrow delivers an effective and enjoyable workout that brings the river home to you.
