Black Friday might not be here yet but that hasn't stopped the deals from kicking off. It means that now is an amazing time to shop for pretty much anything you could want, including a couple of our favorite rowing machines, the Hydrow Origin Rower and the Hydrow Wave.
Reasons to love the Hydrow Origin Rower and Hydrow Wave include:
- A large 22-inch HD touchscreen and 16-inch screen, respectively
- Electromagnetic drag technology, so it feels like you’re rowing outdoors.
- Luxurious look, so it blends in with any room in your home
- Over 5,000 classes through Hydrow’s All-Access Membership
- Hydrow Wave is small and fits in just about any home
- Hydrow Wave offers the same benefits as its larger version
As it stands, the Hydrow Origin Rower is down from $2,195 to $1,645, and the Wave is down from $1,995 to $1,795. These are both very solid discounts, making these excellent rowers a lot more affordable and even better value as a result.
If you're looking for a newer option, you can also get yourself the Hydrow Arc Rower, which is one of the newer models, from Hydrow directly for $2,095, which is $200 off.
If you purchase a Hydrow, remember that to fully enjoy the machine and its classes, you’ll also want to subscribe to its All-Access Membership ($44/month). Family members at home will also be able to take full advantage of Hydrow because the All-Access Membership allows you to add unlimited profiles to your account.
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Truthfully, this machine is on the larger side, so if you’re looking to save space in your home, you’ll want to purchase the anchor (sold separately), which helps you store the machine vertically. If space really is sparse, you can always opt for the Hydrow Wave, the smaller version of the Hydrow Origin Rower that offers the same benefits, minus the large footprint.
Here’s how the Hydrow rowing machines work
Having tested the Hydrow Origin Rower in CNET’s Louisville testing lab and the Hydrow Wave in my home, I am familiar with the machines. Both deliveries included white glove delivery, so setup was a breeze. I was able to jump into testing without missing a beat.
You first have to set up your profile through the All-Access membership. Once you sign on, you’ll be able to adjust the settings on your rowing machine to make it harder or easier. Hydrow advises keeping it on the recommended setting, at least while you get acquainted with it. You’ll have access to lots of on-demand workouts that include rowing, strength training, Pilates, yoga and mobility, to name a few. There are also classes based on your fitness level, ranging from beginner to advanced.
You can also row without committing to a class if you prefer. Additionally, if you’re a beginner who has never rowed before, Hydrow offers classes that teach you the proper rowing technique and what the terminology on your screen means, so you can easily follow along in class.
Why I love the Hydrow rowing machines
As someone who has experience rowing and enjoys doing it as a form of cardio, Hydrow does a great job of making it easy to view and follow a workout. The instructors in the classes are usually in a picturesque part of the country, which also makes it soothing to watch and feels immersive. The seat and footplates on the Hydrow Origin Rower and Hydro Wave are easy to strap in and get adjusted to, so it makes for a pleasant rowing experience. The screen is adjustable, so I’m able to adjust it for better viewing.
The electromagnetic drag technology makes every row feel smooth and overall quiet. The seat rolls back and forward without any snags and still keeps you secure while riding.
For $44 a month, Hydrow’s All-Access classes outdo even Peloton, which recently raised the price of its subscription to $50 a month, along with its machines, which werecompletely overhauled. You can also get the Hydrow Origin Rower for a fraction of Peloton’s Cross-Training rowing machine, which is a steep $3,495. The Hydro Wave is an even more affordable option at $1,800 less.
They'd make a great gift for any fitness enthusiast
With so much to offer, the Hydrow rowers would make a great holiday gift for the fitness enthusiast in your life. You can get a good workout in while rowing in as little as 20 minutes, which is doable and easier to remain consistent if you’re short on time. As long as you’re confident your gift recipient has been eying a rowing machine, you can’t go wrong with the Hydrow Origin Rower or Hydrow Wave.
Or perhaps, you’re looking to treat yourself ahead of the holiday season and want to commit to a form of cardio you can do indoors before it gets too cold to work out outside.
Why this deal matters
Hydrow offers luxury rowing machines, and right now, the Hydrow Origin Rower is at its lowest price on Amazon since last January, when it was marked down to $1,695. The Hydrow Wave's last reported current price was $1,773, so there's an $80 difference compared to today's deal of $1,694.
There’s a chance prices might drop again around the holidays, but if you’d like to get ahead of your holiday shopping, now is the time to do it during Prime Day. Plus, tariffs officially kicked in and are affecting many of our goods, so further discounts aren’t guaranteed when suppliers will either expect customers to cover the cost or raise their prices instead.
My final thoughts on Hydrow rowing machines
If you’re looking for an efficient way to get a quick workout daily, rowing is one of the best ways to go about it. With Hydrow's current Black Friday deal, you're saving up to $550 and gaining a machine that will allow you to row in your home–no matter the weather–as well as other workout classes you can take advantage of. You can set up your home gym ahead of the winter and the new year, so you’re starting off the year right and without any excuses to miss your workouts.
