As someone lucky enough to own a premium WaterRower for the past 5 years, I often get asked whether these beautifully crafted wooden rowing machines are worth the steep price. Short answer – if budget isn‘t too big a constraint, absolutely YES! But read on as I share my first-hand experiences of using the WaterRower Natural model over an extended period.
Why I Chose the WaterRower Natural
I‘ve always admired the slim, elegant silhouette of WaterRower machines compared to the utilitarian looks of mainstream fitness gear. The rich honey oak finish and smooth water resistance attracted me from the start. After comparing the Classic, Natural and Club models, I finally purchased the mid-range WaterRower Natural:
The Positives That Stood Out
- Handcrafted solid ash wood frame with honey oak finish
- Patented water flywheel for fluid, quiet resistance
- Compact footprint perfect for my small home gym
- Excellent reviews from actual owners praising smoothness
Reasonable Compromises
- Expensive but lower cost than the Club or Classic
- No pre-programmed workouts but I use online training apps
I‘ve now used my WaterRower almost daily for over 5 years and couldn‘t be happier with my purchase! Here are some of my experiences from using this exceptional machine so extensively over the years.
Using the WaterRower Natural Daily
The WaterRower Natural fits perfectly in my modestly sized home gym. Here are the My usage stats:
Usage Frequency: 5-6 times a week
Average Duration: 45 mins including warm-up and cool down
Type of Workouts: Intervals, pyramids, time trials and steady endurance rows
Accessories Used: Polar H10 Heart Rate Monitor, TrainHiit App, mat under rower
Usage Environment: Home gym with rubber flooring
Here‘s a typical week‘s usage routine I follow:
| Day | Workout | Approx. Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | Interval sprints | 45 mins |
| Tuesday | Steady state rows | 30-40 mins |
| Wednesday | Long rows | 60 mins |
| Thursday | Cross-training rest day | 0 mins |
| Friday | Pyramid intervals | 45 mins |
| Saturday | Time trials | 20-30 mins |
| Sunday | Active recovery rows | 20-30 mins |
I occasionally switch up the days but aim for consistent usage 4-5 days a week mixing intense intervals with longer steady state endurance workouts.
These are the aspects of daily usage experience that stand out for me:
Fluid Rowing Motion: The water resistance dynamics make every stroke smooth as butter. Consistently maintaining good form is easy compared to air and magnetic rowers I‘ve tried in gyms.
Quiet Operation: Apart from the gentle swishing sounds of water, the Natural is near silent allowing me to fully immerse in my workouts.
Consistency Across Efforts: The self-regulated resistance ramps up perfectly in tune with my rowing intensity. From easy long rows to grueling HIIT sprints, resistance response stays predictably excellent.
Accuracy of Sensors and Monitors: Both distance and stroke count metrics closely match what my old Concept 2 displayed. Heart rate measured via my Polar H10 band displays within 1-2 bpm on console.
I consistently log over 100K meters a month on my WaterRower without any issues or need for service. The smoothness and consistency across workouts makes it a delight to train on daily. Next sections share more on my usage experiences over 5+ years.
WaterRower Natural Review – Detailed Aspects
Here I‘ll share some specifics around the WaterRower Natural‘s build quality, usability and serviceability from half a decade of personal usage:
Construction and Design
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Frames and Rails: Solid ash wood stained honey oak shows barely any scratches despite no covers/protectors used
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No warping or dents observed indicating excellent curing of the wood
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Rails are perfectly straight allowing super smooth gliding of seat and wheels
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Water Tank: Remained leak-free, rust-free without any cleaning needed
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Monitor Arm and Console: Cherry wood arm remains steady and damage free. Console housing seems very sturdy.
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Footrests and Strap: Adjustment buckles work perfectly. Webbing strap shows no visible wear and tear
Comfort and Ergonomics
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Handles: Smooth wooden handles very comfortable. Grips intact despite years of sweaty usage
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Handle height perfect for my 5‘ 10" frame
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Seat: Long sessions remain comfortable. Wheels roll super smooth
Operation and Resistance
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Filling: Self-filling tank remains easy with included syphon. Takes me 10 mins
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Noise: Near silent operation. Gentle swooshing water sounds actually meditative
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Drag Factor: Stays consistent between 120-130. Smooth transitions between intensities
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Durability: All components function smoothly despite years of hard usage
Electronics and Sensors
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Console Accuracy: Distance, SPM, heart rate display correctly during use
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Measured values match external devices like Apple Watch, Polar H10 and apps
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Battery: Uses 2 D cell batteries. Last at least a year before needing replacement
Maintenance Required
- Cleaning: Wipe down frame every 2 months with lint-free cloth
- Add Water Treatment Supplement during annual water tank drain and refill
- Check bungee tension yearly. So far no adjustments needed.
- Re-tighten bolts once a year. No loosening observed.
Despite logging over 15K kms on my WaterRower, I haven‘t faced any repairs or malfunctions in 5 years since I perform periodic maintenance. It glides smooth as day one! Besides the above, I use an anti-slip rowing machine mat underneath to protect my floor.
Hopefully the usage experiences shared above provides helpful insights for prospective buyers researching WaterRower durability. Next I compare my Natural model to other popular home rowers.
How WaterRower Compares to Other Rowing Machines Brands
I evaluated a number of rower brands like Peloton, Hydrow, NordicTrack, Echelon before purchasing my WaterRower. Here is how I feel the Natural model compares to other home rowers I demoed:
vs Concept 2 – Water has more natural fluid rowing dynamic but Concept 2 has more workout content and community. I feel WaterRower builds better for home use while Concept 2 shines in gyms. Different target user segment.
vs NordicTrack – WaterRower looks far more premium in my opinion. Operation also much smoother, quieter despite costing quite a bit more. NordicTrack touch screens impressive but industrial looks place it firmly in a different category.
vs Peloton / Echelon / Hydrow – These compete in a totally separate connected fitness segment with digital content focus. Not really comparable to a premium wooden rower like WaterRower built specially for natural-feel training. I use TrainHiit app on my phone while rowing achieving similar workout functionality that built-in screens offer.
vs Sunny / Xterra / Stamina – Many budget magnetic and air rowers under $500 feel too flimsy in build quality compared to WaterRower‘s hand-finished solid wood designs. You get what you pay for holds true. While great bang for buck, budget options don‘t match up in materials or construction.
Among the competition, I only find Concept2 comparable to WaterRower in terms of delivering realistic rowing dynamics and premium build. While extremely well-built, Concept 2 has an industrial aesthetic not fitting most living spaces. WaterRower‘s elegant design and smooth operation better suits home gyms I feel.
Hopefully the above comparisons against competing rower brands I personally evaluated proves useful as a second opinion. Next I share some maintenance and troubleshooting I picked up over 5 years.
Maintenance Tips for WaterRower Owners
While WaterRower quality and durability minimizes long term servicing needs, as owner you should perform periodic maintenance for optimal functioning over years of usage. Here are some best practices I follow:
Every 6 months:
- Wipe down entire machine using warm water and lint-free cloth
- Fully tighten all screws and bolts using included Allen key
- Apply silicone spray lubricant on seat wheels and rails
- Use leveler feet to re-balance rower if needed
Yearly:
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Drain and refill water tank
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Add Water Treatment Supplement during refill to inhibit bacteria
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Test and refill chlorine purification tablets if needed
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Visually inspect bungee chord for fraying
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Check batteries in performance monitor
I also use an anti-vibration and floor protection mat under the rower. Check seat wheels every 6 months and replace if worn out. That‘s about it apart from refilling water tank when needed! I keep an extra set of D batteries, chlorine tabs, bungee chord handy for emergencies.
Hope you find the 5+ years owner maintenance tips useful! Let me know in comments if any other aspects needed. Finally I share some troubleshooting advice.
Troubleshooting Tips
While I haven‘t faced any repairs needed over 5 years, here are some troubleshooting tips for common WaterRower issues:
Water leaks
If you observe water dripping out, check whether overfilled. Also inspect the overflow drain fittings and front stopper for cracks.
Squeaking noises
Use the included lubrication oil to grease wheels, rails, bungee pulleys if squeaking. Check for loose bolts too.
Bungee cord issues
Fraying, loose bungee will alter resistance smoothness. Order replacements and check condition yearly.
Monitor malfunction
If console displays erratically, check wiring connections, try new batteries. Contact support if persists.
Hopefully the usage experiences and tips shared above provides a helpful first-person perspective for prospective WaterRower buyers!
Final Verdict After 5 Years of Ownership
Having used my WaterRower Natural for almost a decade now, I can wholeheartedly recommend these exceptional machines for home gyms despite the scary price tag!
What I LOVE
- Beautiful design – still looks brand new
- Whisper quiet smooth operation
- Tank fluid dynamics feels truly realistic
- Premium quality and durability
- World-class workout experience
What Could Be Improved
- More built-in training content would be nice
- Optional upgrade to touchscreen would enhance onboard experience
I strongly feel the WaterRower Natural has delivered me a whole new level of rowing enjoyment while transforming my strength and cardio fitness over years of ownership. The sheer quality of construction ensures I don‘t see myself replacing this rower for decades to come. Yes the price makes it a considerable investment but all said and done, I feel my WaterRower was worth every single penny!
I hope this detailed long term review from an actual user proves useful as a second opinion if you are considering purchasing these exceptional water resistance rowers. Do post any questions you may have in comments section below. Happy rowing and stay fit!
