The Hydrow Rowing Machine Review

Hydrow makes screen-led rowing machines that show real on-water footage and coached sessions. This page covers what you get with the current UK models, what it costs, what the stroke is like, and whether it makes sense next to a simpler erg.

The machine formerly sold as the Hydrow Pro is now the Hydrow Origin, and Hydrow also sells a smaller, cheaper model called the Wave.

The two UK models

There are two models to choose from. The prices below are from Fitshop, checked 30 Oct 2026.

	Hydrow Origin	Hydrow Wave
Price	Around £1,515	Around £1,435
Screen	22” pivoting	16”
Length	about 218 cm	about 203 cm
Weight	66 kg	46 kg
Max user weight	170 kg	170 kg

The Origin is the larger, more premium option. The Wave is lighter and cheaper but has a smaller, fixed screen. Both use electromagnetic resistance, so the stroke is smooth and quiet. Both can be stored upright with an optional accessory, which costs extra.

First impressions

The Origin is a large, finished-looking machine. It is similar in width to a Concept2 but with a tall screen on the front, so it dominates a room more than a plain erg does. Whether that is a plus depends on your home: some people want a rower that looks like furniture, others would prefer something they can tuck away. The screen is a touchscreen and needs a WiFi connection to load sessions. Check the exact footprint and the ceiling height needed for upright storage with Fitshop before you buy, as the optional storage kit is sized for the Origin and the Wave differently.

Membership

The machine is only half of the cost. Hydrow’s membership is sold separately and needed for full access. Older pages and third-party articles quote different fees, so confirm the current one before you buy.

An Origin at around £1,515 is already £525 more than a Concept2 RowErg at around £990, before any membership. The RowErg has no fee, so its cost stops at the purchase price. The Hydrow may be worth the difference if the sessions keep you rowing. If it does not, the cost is hard to justify.

What you get for the fee is the content: live and on-demand sessions, scenic rows filmed on real water, and coaching. The machine is built around that content, so confirm what you can do without a membership before buying. If you would rather skip the fee, see rowing machines without a subscription.

What it is like to row

An electromagnetic rower has no airflow or splashing water, so it is quieter than most air rowers and smoother than most. The resistance is controlled through the machine and the sessions, instead of a damper lever, so you do not have to think about drag settings. The stroke feels even from catch to finish because there is no fan spinning up and slowing down in the same way as an air flywheel. It is good for rowing at home when you share the space with other people.

The trade-off is that you are tied to the screen and to the membership. A rower with a plain monitor lets you sit down and row without logging in. If you prefer to follow your own plans, a Concept2 is more flexible.

Who it suits

• People who struggle with motivation and want a coach on screen.
• Households where noise matters.
• Anyone who enjoys variety, such as scenery from different rivers, and does not want to plan their own sessions.

It suits less well if you want to train for a 2k test, work to a precise plan, or do not want ongoing costs. For that, our how to do a 2k erg test page and training plans are designed for a standard monitor.

Hydrow or Concept2?

• Choose a Hydrow if you want coached sessions, variety and scenery, and you are happy to pay monthly for them.
• Choose a Concept2 RowErg if you want a durable machine with no fees, and you are happy to follow a plan or work with a monitor.

The RowErg costs around £990 with standard legs (checked 30 Oct 2026). For a three-way comparison, see Concept2 vs WaterRower vs Hydrow. For more picks, see the best rowing machine guide.

Verdict

The Hydrow is a premium, well-finished machine for people who want to be guided. It costs a lot over time, so add the membership to the purchase price before you buy. If motivation is your problem, it may be money well spent. If you mainly want fitness and a tool for measured training, a simpler rower will do the job for less. If budget is the deciding factor, our JTX Ignite Air page shows how to judge a cheaper air rower.