WaterRower is definitely a great brand name to go with, which is why we have yet another model by them in our list of high end rowing machine options. It is not all that different than the Club version by WaterRower, but it does have a slightly different construction, mainly in terms of the materials used.
Overview
Words cannot always do a product justice, which is why we have a little video here which can give you a comprehensive overview of the WaterRower Natural Rowing Machine.
Main Features
For a quick overview of the main features of the the WaterRower Natural Rowing Machine in Ash Wood with S4 Monitor, here they are.
- Water flywheel for natural resistance.
- Very smooth and quiet.
- Solid wood construction – 1,000-pound weight limit.
- Anti-scuff design.
- Series 4 performance monitor.
- Easy to assemble.
- Good for absorbing sound and vibration.
- Very nice look.
- Can be stored upright.
Dimensions & Weight
The dimensions of the WaterRower Natural Rowing Machine in Ash Wood with S4 Monitor are the same as with the WaterRower Club Rowing Machine. It is a pretty big rowing machine no doubt and will require a fair amount of room. That being said, it still is not the largest of all high end rowing machines.
- Length: 84 inches (213 cm)
- Width: 22 inches (56 cm)
- Height: 21 inches (53 cm)
- Weight: 117 pounds.
Warranty
Just like with the other WaterRower Rowing Machine options, the WaterRower Natural Rowing Machine in Ash Wood with S4 Monitor comes with a 1-year warranty for the frame and parts. This warranty can be upgraded to be a 5-year warranty on the frame and a 3-year warranty on moving parts with the completion of a registration form.
Assembly
The WaterRower Natural Rowing Machine in Ash Wood with S4 Monitor is no harder or easier to put together than the WaterRower Club. It is going to take you around an hour to assemble, even less if there are 2 people assembling it. All you will need is a screwdriver and a wrench to tighten the bolts. Assembly is easy and straightforward.
What We Like About The WaterRower Natural Rowing Machine in Ash Wood with S4 Monitor
This is a truly a phenomenal rowing machine option to go with. Let’s talk about the best features which the WaterRower Natural Rowing Machine in Ash Wood with S4 Monitor comes with.
Perhaps the best aspect of the WaterRower Natural Rowing Machine in Ash Wood with S4 Monitor is that it is made out of solid ash wood and stained honey oak. This model has a more natural and unfinished look than the WaterRower Club, which is something that many people like about it. The fact that it has a solid wood construction makes it a very durable and rugged option to go with, one that can absorb a lot of noise and vibration for a quiet operation. The WaterRower Natural Rowing Machine in Ash Wood with S4 Monitor is so durable that it can hold up users of up to 1,000 pounds in weight, which is more than anybody in the world weighs.
Another valuable aspect of the WaterRower Natural Rowing Machine in Ash Wood with S4 Monitor is that it can be stored upright for a space saving design. While it is quite heavy when the flywheel is full of water, the fact that it can stand up on one end so you can easily store it in a closet or small space is definitely a bonus.
Many people like the fact that the WaterRower Natural Rowing Machine in Ash Wood with S4 Monitor uses a water tank with a flywheel in order to provide resistance. Professionals and newbies alike seem to really like the feel which the water provides. It makes for a really smooth and quiet rowing experience, much more so than with air flywheels. The fact that it uses water for resistance is good for anybody looking to mimic the natural feel of rowing in water. Also, resistance with this model depends on how fast and hard you stroke. The faster and harder you stroke, the more intense the resistance becomes, which some people see as an easy way to adjust resistance.
The fact that the WaterRower Natural Rowing Machine in Ash Wood with S4 Monitor comes with a fairly comprehensive Series 4 performance monitor is also something you should keep in mind. This Series 4 performance monitor can keep track of things like total time, stroke rate, workout intensity, zone bar, heart rate, and more. It comes with easy navigation buttons, six info programming windows, and quick selection buttons as well. Everything that you would expect a performance monitor to do comes with the WaterRower Natural Rowing Machine in Ash Wood with S4 Monitor.
What We Don’t Like About The WaterRower Natural Rowing Machine in Ash Wood with S4 Monitor
As is the case with anything that can be bought, there are always going to be certain aspects which we don’t like. Since the WaterRower Natural Rowing Machine in Ash Wood with S4 Monitor is so similar to the WaterRower Club, our dislikes of this model are more or less the same as with the other model.
It is heavy. There is just no getting around the fact that the water case and the water flywheel make this item very heavy. The WaterRower Natural Rowing Machine in Ash Wood with S4 Monitor weighs close to 120 pounds when filled with water, which is of course very heavy if you expect to move this item around or store it upright. The WaterRower Natural Rowing Machine in Ash Wood with S4 Monitor can be stored upright with the water in it, but the heaviness is definitely an issue.
The fact that the water flywheel is not manually adjustable in terms of resistance is another problem that many people can’t seem to get over. Sure, the resistance changes as you stroke faster or slower, but some people want to be able to manually adjust resistance. There are other types of rowing machines, such as ones that use an air flywheel with a damper, which can be manually adjusted for resistance. Some people don’t want to have to stroke like their lives depend on it just in order to up the challenge.
Alternatives To The WaterRower Natural Rowing Machine in Ash Wood with S4 Monitor
In case you wanted to see how the WaterRower Natural Rowing Machine in Ash Wood with S4 Monitor stacks up against some other high end rowing machine options, let’s do a quick comparison.
Concept2 Model D Indoor Rowing Machine with PM5
Unlike the WaterRower Natural, this model uses an air flywheel and damper combo to provide you with resistance. While the air flywheel is louder than a water flywheel, it does have manually adjustable resistance, unlike the WaterRower Natural Rowing Machine. The Concept2 Model D Rowing Machine is a fair bit lighter than the WaterRower, which is because it does not have gallons of water contained in it. However, many people love the wood built of the WaterRower, as opposed to the metal build of this one. Maybe it is because the wood looks better, or maybe it is because the weight capacity is more than double than that of this rower. That being said, this model is going to cost you a few hundred bucks less than the WaterRower Natural Rowing Machine.
WaterRower Classic Rowing Machine in Black Walnut with S4 Monitor
The WaterRower Classic Rowing Machine in Black Walnut with S4 Monitor is fairly similar to the WaterRower Natural Rowing Machine. Everything including the weight, dimensions, build quality, the performance monitor, the way it works, the water flywheel, and more, is all more or less the same for the WaterRower Natural as the WaterRower Classic. The only real difference here is that the WaterRower Classic Rowing Machine is made out of stronger and nicer looking wood, plus it costs a few hundred bucks more. The WaterRower Classic Rowing Machine is the kind of equipment you would find at a high end sports and fitness club.
Final Thoughts On The WaterRower Natural Rowing Machine in Ash Wood with S4 Monitor
All in all, the WaterRower Natural Rowing Machine in Ash Wood with S4 Monitor is definitely an awesome option to go with. While some people may not like that there is no manual adjustment for resistance, more people seem to like the fact that it is smooth, quiet, and mimics the feel of real water rowing. It is a very strong and good looking rowing machine with a high weight capacity, a good performance monitor, and a very solid build.