WaterRower A1 Rose Rowing Machine | An Overall Impressive Rower

Like all WaterRowers, the WaterRower A1 Rose Rowing Machine with an S4 monitor simulates the feel of rowing on actual water! Row to the relaxing quiet, whooshing sound and fluid motion of the WaterRower A1’s water flywheel. The soothing sound of water, combined with each rowing stroke’s smoothness, makes the A1 an impressive rower overall.

The A1’s flywheel sits in an enclosed water tank and effectively offers similar resistance to actual water rowing. However, the amount of water you put in the tank will affect the resistance, and you can self-regulate the resistance by rowing faster/harder to increase the drag for a more intensive workout.

WaterRower A1 is designed with an aluminum monorail with no impact and non-load bearing, making it suitable for all people of all fitness levels. In general, swallowing machines utilize all the major muscle groups to tone and strengthen the entire body and give a good cardio workout.

Exercise all major muscle groups like the arms, legs, back, shoulders, core, etc., and see how great you’re doing with the help of the S4 monitor that comes with the package. To keep you motivated, the WaterRower A1 comes with the S4 monitor that displays motivating workout stats, including time per 2 or 500 km, watts, distance, total time, and calories burned.

Learn more in my complete review below!

Product: WaterRower A1 Rose Rowing Machine with an S4 monitor

Price: For a great deal on this rower, merely go here on Amazon

Warranty: Frame 5 years / Parts 3 years

My rating: 8.5/10

Affiliate Disclosure: As an Amazon Affiliate Program participant, I earn commissions on purchases made through links in this post. Full disclosure

Details and Specifications

• Assembled dimensions: 83L x 22.5W x 22.5H inches (211L x 57W x 57H cm)
• Assembled weight: 73 lbs (33 kg) w/o water; 110 lb (49.8 kg) w/ water
•  Weight capacity: 375 lbs (170 kg)
• Frame: Rosewood & aluminum
• Footrests: Adjustable, with straps
• Resistance type: Water
• Fitness computer: S4
• Warranty: Frame 5 years / Parts 3 years

A1 Frame construction

The WaterRower A1 combines wood and aluminum in its frame construction. The front part of the frame, which sustains the water tank and the small rear stabilizer, is made of Rosewood. All the Rosewood parts come with Danish oil for a beautiful, warm finish, great for residential and commercial use.

The unit’s monorail is aluminum. It’s durable enough to support users up to 375 lbs (170 kg). Its exact length is not specified, but the machine can accommodate users up to 6’5″ (196 cm) with no problem, promoting a complete leg extension.

The rower’s total (fully assembled) length is 83″ (211 cm) while its width is 22.5″ (57 cm). Therefore, it requires a workout area of at least 8′ x 4′ for safe and unhindered operation. However, you can store it vertically, and when stored in a vertical position, its footprint becomes 22.5″ x 22.5″ (57 x 57 cm). Also, when you keep it vertically, the water can remain in the tank.

The WaterRower A1 Rose is a reasonably heavy fitness machine. Water in the tank weighs approximately 110 lbs (49.8 kg). All this weight enhances its stability, though. Plus, all its bases feature rubber pads, improving its grip on the floor.

Moving the fully assembled unit isn’t too hard. Its front base comes with two large wheels, which facilitated its relocation. Also, by lifting the rower from its rear part, you will be handling less than half of its total weight.

Seat, Footrests, and Pulling Handle

The rower’s seat features a contoured surface and integrates a thin foam padding layer to provide optimal comfort. The seat on A1 is constructed on a steel frame, not on a wooden frame. It comes with three heavy-duty wheels that integrate industrial quality ball bearings. They are all concealed to provide maximum safety.

The top of the seat is approx. 11″ (28 cm) above floor level. Therefore, entry and exit shouldn’t be a problem even for users with disabilities.

The A1 rower features a set of adjustable footrests. They offer several length adjustment positions and can accommodate athletic shoes of all sizes. In addition, they’re equipped with heel guards and adjustable straps so you can correctly stabilize your feed during your workout.

The distance between the footrests is approx. 4″ (10.1 cm), which means your feet’ position on them feels natural, without resulting in any extra lateral stress on the ankles and knees. The footrests are stationary. However, their supportive board is at an optimal angle of ~45°.

Finally, this WaterRower model’s pulling handle is a simple straight bar coated with rubber foam material to provide a comfortable grip.

The handle is attached to a heavy-duty nylon strap, which is highly resistant to wear and tear. Also, since it’s a strap, not a chain, it does not require lubrication and generates considerably less vibration.

A1 Water tank & resistance system

The WaterRower A1 Rose has a heavy-duty polycarbonate water tank. Its capacity is five gals (19 liters). However, the maximum amount of water to put in the tank is 4.5 gal (17 liters) of water.

The tank integrates a 2-blade impeller connected to a system of heavy-duty bungee cords and pulleys. The impeller will rotate in the tank when you pull the handle, generating resistance.

The unit’s water tank does not have a resistance system as the tanks are available with most of the First Degree Fitness rowers. However, since it’s a fluid rower, it generates a dynamic response during rowing. In other words, the resistance created varies with how hard or fast you pull the handle; the faster your stroke rate, the more resistance you will get. Therefore, the machine generates a rowing feel similar to rowing a real boat.

Although the water tank does not have an adjustable resistance system, you can still adjust the overall water resistance by adding or removing water from it. Therefore, it requires the usage of the included siphon.

Like most water resistance rowers, the A1 Rose isn’t extremely loud. However, the noise generated by its usage is lower than the noise generated by most air resistance rowers. In addition, most users have described the sound made by the machine as soothing.

One last aspect to mention here regards the color of the water tank. All A1 models feature a clear and transparent shell, so if you’ve seen pictures online depicting a colored tank, it’s because the water has a dye added to it.

Console

The S4 console comes with a multi-panel LCD, showing multiple workout metrics simultaneously. In addition, it features six QuickSelect buttons and three Navigation Buttons. It can track intensity (or speed), watts, KCalories per hour, stroke rate, heart rate, and distance traveled.

It also features Interval Workout Settings for length and intensity and 9 Advanced Workout Programs.

The unit can be programmed to show the distance in meters, miles, km, or number of strokes. The same goes for speed, m/s, mph, /500m, or /2 km). It’s also telemetric and can work with an ANT+ or Polar HR chest strap transmitter.

It’s also a PC interface capable. In other words, you can connect it to your PC via cable. In addition, various online fitness apps such as WaterRower’s Online Rowing Community, WebRacing, and WaterCoach FIT are available to connect to the internet.

The unit is battery-powered. It requires 4 AA batteries. It has an On/Off/Reset button and has a sleep function that initiates after 2 minutes of inactivity on the rower.

A1 Assembly & Maintenance

The unit’s water tank comes pre-assembled, but most other parts require user assembly. The construction requires you to connect the seat to the monorail and connect the monorail to the front base frame. Additionally, attach the water tank and the footrest board, connect the bungee cord under the unit to the front strap and fill the tank.

Therefore, it may take more than an hour of your time, but it’s not a highly complex process. The manual also provides precise assembly instructions and schematics and all the required tools (included).

It is necessary to treat the water in the tank with a chlorine pill every six months for maintenance. The box includes several chlorine pills. It’s also advisable to inspect and clean the monorail to eliminate any small objects or textile fibers to damage it or the seat’s wheels.

One last aspect to mention here regards the unit’s warranty. All WaterRower machines come with a 1-year limited warranty by default. However, if you register your rower on the WaterRower website within the first year of usage, WaterRower will upgrade your warranty to 5 years for the frame and three years for the parts.

Pros

• Sturdy frame – can support users up to 375 lbs (170 kg);
• Combining Rosewood with aluminum creates a beautiful design;
• I can store vertically, and the water doesn’t require drainage;
• The rail is long enough to accommodate users up to 6’5″ (196 cm);
• Easy to handle and transport;
• Rubber stabilizers on all bases;
• Water-resistance system, providing the most natural rowing feel that you can get;
• Contoured, ergonomically designed seat;
• Advanced fitness computer that tracks time, 500m/time, 2km/time, pulse, distance, strokes per minute, calories per hour, and watts;
• The S4 monitor has nine advanced workout programs;
• PC interfacing for the S4 unit;
• Its operation is smooth and quiet;
• Little maintenance required;
• Reasonably easy to assemble;
• Excellent warranty.

Cons

• The HR chest strap does not come with the rower;
• The S4 monitor isn’t backlit.

WaterRower A1 Rose Rowing Machine Summary

The WaterRower A1 Rose is a fluid resistance rower featuring a Rosewood and aluminum frame with an ergonomically advanced seat and the S4 monitor. It’s sturdy enough to support users up to 375 lbs, and you can also store it vertically to save space.

Additionally, it’s an excellent fitness machine for light to intense cardio training, muscle toning, stamina development, and weight loss. It’s not one of the most affordable rowers but does offer superior value and quality for the price.

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.