Rowing machines have long been one of the least accessible home gym machines. For years, they seemed destined to remain utilitarian, clunky, and, sorry, boring, even as comparable equipment like the treadmill and stationary stationary bicycle they received futuristic upgrades that propelled them from the gym into people’s living rooms.
However, in the last two years, thanks to technological advances and an unprecedented increase in home exercise equipment, rowers have joined the 21st century, incorporating competitive games (Ergata$2,199), automatic resistance adjustments to approximate wind and water conditions (NordicTrack RW900 Rower$1,699) and immersive workouts filmed on scenic waterways around the world (Water$2,495).
The $2,199 Aviron Impact Series Paddle offers all of the above, plus a strong, collapsible frame made of steel and aluminum and a dual air and magnetic resistance system that combines the real-world feel of rowing on water (like the Hydrow does) with a magnetic resistance smooth (as you would get with NordicTrack). But Aviron leans heavily on the gamification of fitness, using game psychology to keep users entertained. And you know what? It really works. Like most other home gym platforms, of course. access to all the additional content will cost you, and that includes the games, the competitions and the guided programs. Aviron’s monthly fee is $25 per month (cheaper than Hidrow’s $38 and Ergatta’s $29 subscriptions), but without a membership you can still row and track your metrics (including watts, distance, calories, pace, performance, strokes, stroke rate, and elapsed time) and progress with time.
At $2199, the Aviron Rower is a competitively priced home rowing machine that uses fitness games and entertainment to enhance your exercise experience. Although you can use it without the $25 monthly content fee, we think that’s what really makes it worth it as an attractive home gym staple.
Aviron’s approach to fitness is driven by entertainment. Instead of live, on-demand classes led by professional rowers or coaches, Aviron’s content library has 14 video games and hundreds of other gamified training programs and arcade-inspired games.
Aviron’s competition mode allows you to compete against yourself, the machine’s artificial intelligence software, and other members; you can choose the resistance setting (there are 16 levels, with a maximum of 100lbs) and the machine will automatically push you towards the end of the stroke to increase the challenge. There are several times you can take part in competitions: Lightning Lap (which pits you against yourself to beat your best lap time), Lightning Lap Knockout (which involves other humans or AI players), Head to Head (a one against one). match against another human or an AI player) and Grand Prix (a 10 person race against other humans or AI players).
I thought I’d prefer this mode (I was a Flywheel devotee in the heyday of boutique fitness thanks to the company’s focus on leaderboards and power totals), but I actually found myself more committed to gaming. For example, I can’t remember a time in the gym where I lasted more than 10 minutes on the rower, but while playing Brick Breaker, Aviron’s version of the classic video game, I rowed for more than 20 minutes without even noticing the clock because I was so focused on keeping the “ball” in play (there is no option to pause during games, because that would give you an unfair advantage). Other games include Bug Blaster (the further you row, the farther and bigger your shot), Zombie Apocalypse (where you row to escape the undead), and Explore (where you row to explore fantasy worlds).
Aviron’s philosophy is one where you “choose your own adventure”, and that goes beyond video game-style competitions. There’s also a section called Power Play, where you can find more fitness-focused games that challenge you to stay within a certain watt range, maintain a certain split time, or maintain your stroke rate. You can even compete against progressive athletes in pre-recorded workouts. I appreciated the fact that this wasn’t just competing with other rowers: as a runner, I enjoyed comparing my performance to that of Olympic sprinter Isatu Fofanah (spoiler alert: she’s fitter).
Finally, there are guided strength training programs that allow you to use the machine for movements like bicep curls and tricep extensions. For example, during the biceps curl, you stay seated on the rower and pull the cable toward your body to create resistance, but don’t use your legs to push back like you would if you were rowing; it feels more similar to using a resistance band than a dumbbell. Rowing is already an excellent exercise for the whole body (research shows that rowing uses 86% of the body’s musculature), and this feature ensures that you get the most bang for your buck when investing in an expensive machine.
Unlike most other home gear, Aviron also integrates streaming platforms including Netflix, Disney+, Hulu and Prime Video for those who prefer to unplug while rowing to their favorite show. When you’re streaming, you’ll see your stats overlaid on the 22-inch HD touchscreen in a subtle way that doesn’t distract from the show. The company has also just launched an integration with Spotify, so you can listen to your favorite songs while you play games, compete or just row.
The Aviron Impact Series Rower is 97 x 21 inches in size. That is comparable to Concept2 RowErg (one of the most common rows you’ll find in gyms), but nearly a foot longer than NordicTrack and Ergatta, and nearly two feet longer than the recently released water wave. It folds down to 54 x 21 x 62 inches, compared to 23 x 22.5 x 86 inches for the Ergatta, which has a footprint no wider than a stool. (The more expensive Aviron Tough Series Rower is slightly larger, heavier, and doesn’t fold.)
I know, that’s a lot of numbers, but the point is: it’s big. That’s not necessarily a bad thing if you have the space for it, but it’s not a great option for those who exercise in small spaces or have limited storage. If you have room to store it out of sight, it weighs just 97 pounds (compared to the 103-pound Ergatta and 108-pound Nordic Track) and is equipped with wheels, making it easy to maneuver. (For what it’s worth, that extra bulk is put to good use, with a higher seat height than most competitors for easier access, an ergonomic seat that allows you to adjust the width of your feet and hips, pads adjustable footrests and a dual seat air and magnetic resistance system).
The Aviron Rower also leans more towards the utilitarian look (a la Concept2), which means you won’t want everyone to see it. Compare this to the sleek and futuristic Hydrow or the beautiful wooden Ergatta, neither of which you’d mind having in your living room.
Staying motivated while exercising is hard, especially when you’re in one place. You’ll find all the basic features of most modern rowers – wraparound workouts, automatic adjustments, smooth and quiet resistance – in the Aviron Rower, at a price comparable to other high-end models.
For those who need an extra push to make home training a habit, Aviron’s gamified features, streaming capabilities, and guided programming may be more appealing. Plus, you get strength equipment built into the hardware. It’s a smart way to hit the home workout trifecta: cardio, strength training, and multitasking.
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