The WaterRower Club Rowing Machine is a beautiful and expertly crafted piece of exercise equipment made in the USA. The Club model is made from solid Ash wood and stained with black and rose stains with a Danish oil finish. The premium Ash hardwood does double duty as it absorbs vibration and sound while you’re working out.
Add the resistance created by the flywheel paddles moving through the water in the enclosed tank, and you get a very ergonomic, natural-feeling workout. You regulate the resistance by how hard and fast you row.
It can handle a user weight of up to 1000 lbs (wow) and features an S4 Performance monitor that helps track your progress; the WaterRower Club Rowing Machine is one of the best rowing machines you can buy. And Finally, the machine’s frame flips upright and is easy to relocate or store when not used.
Learn more in my complete review below!
Product: WaterRower Club Rowing Machine w/ S4 Monitor (wood is available in different colors)
Price: For incredible deals on this rower, merely go here on Amazon
Warranty: Frame 5 years / 3 years parts
My rating: 9.5/10
Affiliate Disclosure: As an Amazon Affiliate Program participant, I earn commissions on purchases made through links in this post. Full disclosure
Details and Specifications
- Height: 20 in (50.8 cm)
- Width: 22.25 in (56.52 cm)
- Length: 82.25 in (208.9 cm)
- Item weight: 82 lbs (37.2 kg)
- Rower with full water tank: 103.5 lbs (47 kg)
- Resistance: Water-Resistance;
- Drive: Belt;
- Powered: Batteries;
- Footrests: Adjustable;
- Maximum user weight: 1000 lbs;
- Max-Inseam: 38-Inch;
- Warranty: Frame 5 years / Parts 3 years
Club Frame
The S4 water rowing machine is not a fold-up rowing machine. It also can’t be separated into half like Concept2 Model D. The WaterRower Club S4 rowing machine storage shouldn’t be an issue for those with small floor space. Because after your cardio rowing machine workout, you can lift the rower from the back and store it upright. This way, it takes very little space and stays out of the way when unused.
The frame of this handcrafted rower is Ashwood, which is incredibly durable. Featuring hand-finished Danish oil and urethane add to the durability in all environments, including humidity. In addition, the WaterRower Club has a recommended maximum weight capacity of 1000 pounds, which is exceptionally unique.
Designed for gym use, everyone can enjoy the WaterRower S4 cardio rowing machine benefits regardless of weight and fitness level.
Handlebar and Seat
The WaterRower Club has an ergonomically shaped handle that is different and bigger than the C2. It’s not a round shape handlebar like most conventional rowers but has more of an oval shape. It fits behind the fingers comfortably and can prevent painful blisters.
So, it makes your daily rowing machine workout more enjoyable. The seat on this rowing machine unit has four well-made corner wheels that increase seat stability. But what is nice about the seat is its height; it’s not leveled with the footrests.
When seated, your feet are in a decline position, similar to boat rowing, which adds more intensity, so you would also get a rowing machine toning workout. The top of the seat stands about 12″ above the ground, which is perfect for most users.
The seat is molded and comfortable, so you probably wouldn’t need the seat cover to buy this rowing machine. However, if you use a rowing machine seat cushion for extra comfort, we recommend the Skwoosh Row Pad Seat Cushion. They fit on the water rower machine seat, and some users believe the gel pad can make a huge difference.
Club Footrests
Doing the Club S4 rowing machine workouts has little to no impact on your lower body joints. The footrests come with the correct angle and perfect distance between the foot, so there is no pressure on your ankles.
There is about a 5″ distance between the footrests of the WaterRower Club S4, which is convenient for most users. Footrests are up and down adjustable to accommodate users with small and large feet. The two top strap covers are flexible and extensive to cover your shoes and secure them during a rowing workout.
The Water Rower Club S4 footrest is comfortable if you wear shoes and don’t row bare feet.
Resistance and Drive
While many might think the Water Rower Club rowing machine doesn’t have adjustable resistance, they are wrong. The fitness Club rowing machine allows you to adjust your resistance in two ways. First, it stimulates the actual rowing, where the resistance varies by the boat’s speed and the force applied.
So the harder you row, the more resistance you get. It’s called self-regulating resistance provided by the water tank and flywheel. Your other option is to add more water inside the container, which is not ideal during the workout, making it more sense to pull harder.
There are multiple lines on the tank with explanations to understand better the resistance and water level you need.
The two paddles, “water flywheel” in the tank of water, provide a smooth and relatively quiet resistance, so the rest of the family can rest when you feel like rowing. It has a straightforward mechanism without the motor/fan or wearing parts, which leads to years of maintenance-free workouts.
Their chlorine tablets are included with the purchase to use every six months to keep algae from forming in the water. But you can also change the water if you want; there is also a manual water pump to help you add and remove the water.
Again, read the manual to see how much water in the WaterRower you need to add. But what is nice about this system is the non-jerky feel and the infinite resistance.
Club S4 Monitor
The WaterRower S4 monitor allows you to track your distance in meters, miles, km, time, calories burnt, stroke rate, and the number of strokes. In addition, the S4 monitor provides you with a real-time Watts reading. Rowing machine watts/intensity is valuable feedback during a workout, especially for Peak workouts.
The S4 is capable of showing your intensity in six ways. Mile per second, Mph, 500 meter split time, 2-kilometer split time, calory per hour, and watts.
Using the Unit button on the monitor, you can choose which intensity types to display during the workout. Unfortunately, the water Rower Club rowing machine doesn’t have a Bluetooth connection, and it’s not an interactive rowing machine. But it receives your heart rate from the Polar chest straps.
Programs
The Club rowing machine S4 monitor has the workout program button to set a program using distance or time. So if you are ready in the correct rowing machine form and want to do 1000-meter rowing or 30 minutes rowing exercise, the monitor allows you to do so. But that’s not all.
The WaterRower series four monitor allows you to set up to 9 intervals. You can also store your desired workouts, but you can’t track your progress, and you need to manually write them down at the end of each exercise.
Wireless Connectivity
You can track your heart rate through the WaterRower S4 heart rate monitor wirelessly, but that’s it as far as the wireless connection goes. Unfortunately, WaterRower Club does not have an HR chest strap, so you need to buy a Polar belt separately if you don’t have one.
S4 Performance Monitor Features
- Displays intensity in several measurements, including:
- Stroke rate
- Heart rate
- Distance
- Duration
- QuickStart and QuickSelect options allow single button use to start workouts quickly.
- AutoStore and AutoPreview options store the last nine (9) workout settings easily scrollable for easy recall and viewing.
- Zone and ZoneBar features allow you to set your intensity, stroke rate, and heart rate zones. The feature tracks and tells you when you are inside or outside your zones.
- The distance and duration workout feature allows you to be preset and count down your workout. Average statistics are displayed upon completion.
- The interval workout option allows you to set nine (9) work intervals separated by rest durations. Alarms and statistics prompt you at the end of intervals.
- The advanced monitor settings allow you to:
- Store an additional nine (9) workout settings independent of the AutoStore.
- Projected settings allow you to view anticipated duration and distance during workouts.
- Advanced heart rate analysis lets you view maximum rates and time spent above, below, and in your heart rate zone.
Club Assembly and Maintenance
As far as the assembly goes, following the WaterRower Club rowing machine instructions, you should be able to put this rower together in less than 50 minutes.
An Allen wrench comes with the rower, so you don’t need extra tools or technicians to help you assemble the WaterRower indoor rowing machine. In addition, there is a WaterRower assembly instruction in 3D on YouTube that will show you how to build your Water Rower Club rowing machine step by step.
The WaterRower Club rowing machine parts are robust and maintenance-free. However, you’ll need to treat the rowing machine water with the included chlorine tablets once every six months. (Don’t use bleach to clean the water!) You should also periodically check the bolts to make sure they are tight.
You might also need to tighten the WaterRower Club bungee cord sometimes, and I suggest you check the Club S4 rowing machine manual for it. However, that should be all you’ll need to do.
Pros
- The natural feel of water rowing
- Polar chest strap connectivity
- Made in the US.
- Easy to store after use
- Adjustable water-resistance system
- Durable commercial quality frame and parts
- Ergonomic handlebars and footrests
- Comfortable and ergonomic seat
- Low profile for those with less balance
- Good warranty
- 38″ Max user inseam and 1000-pound weight capacity
- Allows you to create up to 9 intervals
- Stores your customized programs
Cons
- The S4 Monitor is not Backlit.
- It doesn’t have Bluetooth and ANT+ connectivity.
WaterRower Club Rowing Machine Summary
From a fitness perspective, the WaterRower Club works 84 percent of your muscle mass, helping tone and strengthen your muscles while burning far more calories than most other aerobic machines. The exercise is also low impact, as it removes all the body weight from the ankles, knees, and hips but still moves the limbs and joints through a full range of motion–from completely extended to contracted.
The WaterRower Club is outfitted with a Series 4 performance monitor designed to balance technical sophistication with user-friendliness. The monitor–which includes six information and programming windows, six QuickSelection buttons, and three navigation buttons–displays your workout intensity, stroke rate, heart rate, zone bar, duration, and distance. Plus, the monitor is compatible with an optional heart rate chest strap and receiver, which helps you optimize your workout and achieve your exercise objectives.
Another helpful feature is the part’s availability. Reputable brands such as the WaterRower will always provide you with the parts and support. I would recommend the WaterRower Club rowing machine to anyone who wants to do a home rowing machine workout and invest in their health.
I hope you found this article helpful and informative. Would you please speak up if you have anything you’d like to share on the topic or any opinions about my website? I look forward to your comments, questions, and the sharing of ideas.
Please remember that you should consult your physician to determine if you have any medical or physical conditions that could risk your health and safety or prevent you from using the equipment properly. In addition, your physician’s advice is essential if you are taking medication that affects your heart rate, blood pressure, or cholesterol level.
This looks like a cracking piece of exercise equipment. You can tell just by looking at the machine with all the fine details that have gone into it, so I am not surprised to see you have rated it so high.
I am looking to improve my cardio fitness and build strength in my arms since I recently suffered an injury. So, I might invest in this WaterRower machine. The thought of its ease to use appeals to me. I am not looking for anything too strenuous, so this looks to be right up my street.
Thanks,
Josh
Sorry to hear about your recent injury. I hope you have a speedy recovery.
All the best, Robert
Exercise keeps the body in top shape, and rowing is one of the best activities that is low impact and easy on the joints. Also, this form of exercise does not require a lot of time working out (such as running). Having a machine like this would be a great treasure, as you identified with a rating of 9.5 out of 10. I have saved the link from your page. Will revisit it, thanks a lot for this info.
Hi Robert
Thanks for sharing your thoughts on WaterRower Club Rowing Machine. Having very little time for the most crucial task – i.e., health, I was looking for some easy machines and landed on your page. You have given a simple and easy-to-understand review of this rowing machine. The thing I like most is that it provides a real water rowing experience. Based on your rating, I will bookmark this page to make a purchase very soon.
Warm Regards,
Gaurav Gaur
Hello Gaurav,
Thanks for sharing with us. If I can assist with the WaterRower Club Rowing Machine or any other rowing machine, let me know. I’m always happy to help.
Warmest regards,
Robert