If you‘re searching for an immersive at-home rowing workout, odds are you‘ve heard about the Ergatta Rower. Part fitness machine, part video game, this connected rower took the industry by storm since its 2019 launch.
As a long-time rowing enthusiast with years of experience testing home gym equipment, I was eager to take Ergatta for a spin. I‘m now 3 months and over 100,000 meters into my Ergatta ownership journey – enough to provide the definitive inside look at what this ambitious newcomer is all about.
Ergatta By the Numbers
Before digging into the hands-on review, let‘s run through the key specs and pricing:
Dimensions: 86” x 23” x 40” high
Weight: 103 lbs (with water)
Frame: Cherrywood
Display: 17.3” HD touchscreen
Monthly Membership: $29/month
Total Cost: $2,199 + membership fees
Overview: Connected Rowing Reimagined
So what exactly sets Ergatta apart? In a sentence, it fuses a high-end rower crafted by WaterRower with ambitious gaming software and social features. The result is a uniquely addictive and competitive at-home workout.
Here‘s a quick snapshot of the main elements:
The Hardware – A handmade, malletted cherrywood frame with WaterRower‘s patented flywheel resistance system provides silky smooth rowing.
The Software – Advanced performance tracking tools, games that adjust intensity in real-time based on your output, competitions against other members, and more reimagine solo workouts.
The Experience – Ergatta isn‘t just another exercise machine. It‘s a platform for challenging yourself, competing with the community, and having fun along the way.
The founders set out to create a fitness product that people want to use versus feel they have to. Based on my time with it so far, I‘d say they succeeded.
But enough high-level talk – let‘s get hands-on! Here‘s what it‘s really like to unbox, setup, and row with Ergatta in your own home:
Unboxing & Setup Process
Ordering, shipping, and setup were smooth, simple, and fast – about what you‘d expect for a $2,000+ purchase.
After a 5 week build time, delivery arrived in a sizable box (86” x 23” x 22”) containing neatly packed machine parts and tools required for assembly.
Per Ergatta‘s white glove delivery, a technician assembled the full machine in under 30 minutes right in my living room.
With assembly complete, all that remained was filling the rear water tank, connecting to WiFi, and creating my account.
Account Setup/Registration:
Registering is quick – simply enter your email/password, payment info (required for membership), and user details like height. You can add other members of your household after getting started.
Connected rower calibration:
A built-in tutorial walks you through dialing in the machine‘s resistance, learning proper form, and trying a few test drives. The touch display provides real-time feedback and pace guidance.
Bottom line:
From unboxing to ready row in about an hour. The process was painless start to finish.
Hardware: Premium Materials & Refined Design
As mentioned, the Ergatta rower itself is manufactured by WaterRower using quality hardwood, aluminum, and steel components.
WaterRower is essentially the gold standard when it comes to home rowing machines, known for superior build quality and an especially smooth drive. Their patented flywheel design mimics the feel of water rowing better than any other consumer brand.
Here’s an up close and personal look at what makes the Ergatta hardware so solid:
Cherrywood Frame & Rails
Gorgeous cherrywood sourced from Appalachian suppliers gives the machine warmth and a hand-crafted allure. High density construction makes it sturdy and robust.
I especially like the arched beam along the front – a small detail adding style while also improving structure.
Aluminum Monorail & Rollers
The machine glides atop a brushed aluminum rail capped by rubber coated stainless steel rollers. It‘s buttery smooth and quiet thanks to urethane suspension.
Spiral Damper Settings
A manual control knob lets you fine tune the electromagnetic resistance from 1 to 10. Higher settings simulate heavier water conditions for more intense workouts.
Ergonomic Design
Rubberized handles remain comfy and grippy. The seat supports proper rowing posture. Adjustments accommodate most users.
Overall, the build quality leaves little to be desired. It strikes an ideal balance of form and function.
Specs like weight capacity (500 lbs), inseam lengths (up to 40”), and footprint make it accommodating for most home use cases.
Folded vertically, it tucks away reasonably well too – slimmer than the typical bulky rower but still substantial at about floor lamp size.
Software: Game-Based Motivation
Ergatta clearly invested heavily into its gaming infused software. The experience centers around activities called “Drive”, which encompass various gameplay modes, environments, workout types, and entertainment options.
Here’s an overview of what you’ll find across 100+ Drives available as an Ergatta member:
Racing Modes
- Target Race: Chase a computer controlled pace boat
- Match Race: Compete 1v1 against another member
- Group Challenge: Race against up to 9 other members
- Time Trial: Best your own past performance
Rowing Environments
- Rivers: Control pace like whitewater rafting
- Open Water: Steady seas for endurance training
- Sprints: All out intervals in a kayak
- Explorer: Journey down photorealistic waterways
Entertainment
- Concerts: Row to the rhythm of popular artists
- Gaming: Fun missions and worlds
- Movies: Hit intensity targets as the plot unfolds
- Scenery: Take in beautiful landscapes
Fitness Goals
- Training plans: Progress from beginner to pro
- Target metrics: Focus on distance, calories, pace, technique
Output Personalization
- Recommended: Auto-scaling options
- Manual: Self direct pace and intensity
This extensive variety keeps workouts feeling fresh. It lets you tailor both entertainment preference and physical challenge.
Connecting online opens access to even more content and community driven competition.
But more important than then sheer volume is how Ergatta translates these digital environments into tangible physical intensity. And that‘s through some seriously cool tech:
Immersive, Adaptive Gameplay
Ergatta employs advanced algorithms to sync what you see on-screen to the actual speed and power you generate in real-time.
This makes for unusually visceral, reactive experiences compared to offline rowing apps and videos.
For example, picking up your pace automatically makes you faster in relation to computer opponents. Similarly easing off slows your boat.
Games take on an almost controller-free feel – you drive entirely by exertion and movement.
Metrics like 500 meter split times determine speed. Power output modifies environments (think particle effects). Stroke rate controls simulation factors like currents and winds.
It’s easier to show than explain – check out this clip:
By harmonizing visuals, audio, and haptics so seamlessly, Ergatta taps into the human psyche‘s competitiveness and need for achievement.
You‘re not just staring at numbers on a display – you‘re exploring rich worlds directly impacted by your efforts.
Connected Community & Social Competition
Thus far I’ve focused on the solo experience Ergatta provides. But rowing by yourself day after day may eventually lose its appeal.
Here’s where Ergatta’s connectivity bridges the gap. With on-demand access to thousands of members, you can inject friendly competition into every workout.
Competitive Gameplay Motivates
Matching up against real humans instead of simply chasing AI boats ramps up intensity fast. Knowing someone else is out there grinding seems to drive harder efforts.
Getting Social Enhances Accountability
Accessing live leaderboards and member profiles fosters a sense of community. You feel part of something bigger than just your own workout.
Asynchronous Racing Removes Excuses
Not wanting to commit to a set time every day? No problem. Ergatta’s asynchronous competition allows racing others Without needing to coordinate availability.
Charity Link Ups Incentivize Achievements
Leveling up and hitting new personal bests trigger donations by Ergatta to select non-profits. What better motivation to push your limits?
Through its multimedia software and engaged online member network, Ergatta largely succeeds in bringing a spin studio level social experience into your home.
Usage Data From My First 3 Months
Now, let’s get into the nitty gritty – how I‘ve specifically used Ergatta over 12+ weeks of ownership:
Sessions: 45
Average Duration: 28 minutes
Total Distance: 121,000 meters
Avg Distance Per Session: 2,700 meters
Calorie Burn: ~4,000
I‘ll spare my complete workout logs, but in a nutshell – it‘s become my daily go-to for cardio. Between the convenience and engaging experience, I find myself using it 5+ days a week.
Here‘s a breakdown of how I typically train:
| Session Type | Description | Frequency |
| Competition | Match race or group challenge | 2x weekly |
| HIIT | 30-40 min sweat builder | 2-3x weekly |
| Active Recovery | 30 min easy workout | 1-2x weekly |
I‘ll also mix in specialty workouts like tempo rows, intervals, sprints etc. But the above three make up my core routine.
How Does Ergatta Compare to Other Rowers?
The main alternative to Ergatta is Hydrow, another connected rower with on-demand content. Both represent a massive step up over traditional row machines relying on basic metrics and bland video.
But there are some significant differences:
|| Ergatta | Hydrow
—|—|—
Rowing Feel | Excellent, water emulation| Very good, electromagnetic
Price | $2,199 + $29/month | $2,495 + $38/month
Entertainment | Games, movies, music | Streaming classes
Competition | Integrated leaderboards | Optional leaderboards
Metrics | Full app & display | Display only
Games | Yes | No
Instructors | Computer only | Professional trainers
Based purely on specs, Ergatta offers greater interactive entertainment capabilities thanks to its gaming DNA. Performance tracking is more comprehensive as well courtesy of app connectivity. And it manages this at a meaningfully lower price.
Hydrow certainly has its own advantages – namely the human touch provided by world-class instructors leading sessions. But for those less interested tutorials and more competition, Ergatta rules.
Over months and years of ownership, Ergatta ends up costing quite a bit less too.
For the ultimate in immersive, visual entertainment during cardio Ergatta is extremely tough to top. The gamification keeps users engaged mentally and physically in a way traditional row machines simply can‘t match.
FAQs: Ergatta Ownership Fully Explained
Q: Can I use Ergatta without the paid membership?
You can certainly leverage the well-built rower itself sans membership. But you‘ll lose access to the vast majority of software features making the experience special in the first place – things like game environments, performance tracking tools, competitions etc.
The machine displays basic stroke and power metrics without the membership. But expect a pretty boring experience simply watching numbers tick higher.
Q: What happens if I cancel my membership?
Pausing or cancelling means losing access to gamification, metrics, leaderboard status etc. as mentioned. Your account and data remain intact for easy reactivation later minus a few minor specifics:
- Saved workout results erase after 3 months
- Leaderboard rankings reset
- Unclaimed charity donations expire
In short – canceling pauses everything as-is. But long lapses require some minor reconfiguration upon resuming.
Q: Can I finance the high upfront cost over time?
Yes! Ergatta now partners with lending provider Affirm to split payments over several months with rates as low as 0% APR depending on credit. This makes the rower more affordable especially at nearly $2,200.
Q: What‘s the best way to get started as a beginner?
I suggest following the built-in “New Rower” training plan, which eases you in gradually versus jumping to high intensity workouts. This focuses on proper technique, pacing, and building foundations first before advancing to more serious sessions.
I’d also recommend exploring gaming Drives over performance tests initially. Getting immersed in fun environments helps distract from discomfort as your body adjusts.
Q: Should I be concerned about quality or longevity?
Not at all. Between the commercial-grade WaterRower components and Ergatta’s track record for continual software innovation, there are no red flags.
I do suggest periodic maintenance like checking connections, topping off tank water, tightening bolts etc. But the machine seems built to last years even under regular use.
Q: Can I use my own bluetooth heart rate monitor?
Absolutely! The tablet Pairs seamlessly with popular wearables like Apple Watch, Garmin, Polar – you name it. This allows adding live heart rate tracking as an additional performance metric.
Q: Is delivery, setup, and installation truly hassle-free?
That was my experience, yes. Courtesy of white glove delivery, an Ergatta team member handled assembly from unboxing to complete setup. Having a rowing machine expert handle the process ensured perfect calibration too.
Just make sure you have adequate space cleared beforehand so the tech can efficiently unpack and get to work.
Final Verdict: An Outstanding Connected Rower Overall
If the idea of combining elegant hardware with boundary pushing software appeals, Ergatta delivers and then some. Its multimedia workouts prove more engaging than traditional rowing machines. And more affordable than rivals with similar connectivity.
Assuming the ongoing membership costs fit within budget, it’s easy to recommend Ergatta for fitness enthusiasts valuing quantified metrics, gamified experiences, and social competition.
After three months of near daily use clocking 100,000+ meters rowed, I remain enamored by the variety, motivation, and overall polish Ergatta provides. This connected rower manages to bridge the enjoyment gap between home and boutique gym workouts.
That’s not an easy feat considering the rowing category typically represents anything but excitement for most exercisers. If transforming a notoriously boring activity into something borderline addictive intrigues you, Ergatta puts in the work.
