The Live Outdoor Reality RowerHydrow’s innovative Live Outdoor Reality™ (LOR) technology not only delivers world-class rowing instruction in real time, but does so while leveraging state-of-the-art features that bring the sights, sounds and physical experience of rowing on the water — making Hydrow the closest you can get to an on-river experience without actually leaving your home.Shop Now
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Is Hydrow legit?
Hydrow (hydrow.com) has a 4.1 out of 5 rating on OK.one, based on 200 user reviews collected here. It is listed under Sports and its reputation is good. 77% of reviews are 4 stars or higher and 13% are 1 star; The business has replied to 97% of negative reviews; 26 of them were added in the last 12 months. Last updated 2026-08-12.
Purchased a new Wave rower and the cable came loose after using it 4 times. Now I have to figure out the steps to restore the machine to factory settings. I wish I'd saved the box I'd return it.
Reply from Hydrow2025-06-26
Hello - Thanks for taking the time to share your experience with the Wave rower. A cable issue after just a few uses is definitely not typical, and we’d love the chance to make this right for you. Our Member Services Team can walk you through the steps to restore your Hydrow and ensure everything is working as it should—no guesswork required on your end.
Please reach out to us directly at [email protected] if you need any additional assistance. We’re here to help and committed to getting you back on the water as soon as possible.
Amazing kit with fabulous tutors/athletes. Love the programs, gives a schedule for beginners to guided fitness programs. I love switching off the music and going ‘natural’!!
Reply from Hydrow2025-06-17
Hi Martin -- Thank you for taking the time to leave your review! It’s great to hear that whether you’re diving into the beginner programs or taking on your own journey rows, you’re really making the experience your own. We aim to offer variety so there’s something for everyone, and it’s wonderful to know that’s coming through.
$2,000 wasted. Bought a hydrow pro rower for the wife and I to aid with getting in shape. Put everything together and went to take it for a test run and I kept getting the same error message saying that there was a potential loose wire. There’s all of 3 wires on this thing. So I unplugged then plugged in those wires and still getting the same message. Save yourself some time and possibly a small fortune and get yourself a concept 2. They are bulletproof rowers with no additional wires or subscriptions.
Update: we have been in contact with Hydrow since June 14th with no solution nor options as of June 17th. They did say that they would be in contact with us on scheduling a site visit which wasn’t on my bingo card but I guess it’s better than nothing. I’ll continue to update until we reach a conclusion.
Final update: today a 3rd party repair tech came out and surprisingly was able to fix the machine and got it working in about an hours time. So I guess all’s well but I will forever have a tarnished experience and opinion of Hydrow. There is no reason whatsoever for a $2k product to be defective right out the box. Buyers beware and I hope your experience is better than mine.
Reply from Hydrow2025-06-16
Hi Joe -- Thank you for sharing your experience with us. I’m really sorry to hear about the trouble you’ve had with your Hydrow. We don’t typically see the loose cable issue, especially on a brand-new rower, but our Support Team is well-equipped to get this sorted and would be happy to help.
If you haven’t already reached out, please feel free to contact us at [email protected] or visit support.hydrow.com so we can get you rowing as soon as possible.
As a new rower, the whole experience has been seamless. It feels like something I can stay with!
Reply from Hydrow2025-06-20
Hi Lawrence - Thank you so much for sharing your experience! We’re thrilled to hear that things have felt seamless for you as a new rower. Our goal is to make getting started easy and enjoyable, and it’s wonderful to know that it’s something you feel you can stick with.
Welcome to the Hydrow community — we’re so glad to have you on board.
It’s way too long and awkward, so it’s hard to have a good spot for it. takes up a lot of room. The subscription is expensive and they do not offer different subscription packages. Just the $46 one and that’s it. It states you can use it without a subscription but it’s not as effective because you can’t change the settings or resistance on the machine if you don’t have a subscription. You can row without one but cannot adjust anything. It’s supposed to be good for people with back and knee issues. They stated it’s easier on your back, but it’s actually worse. I have had this machine for 2yrs and i have only used it about 8x because it makes my back and knees worse. Is not a good machine if you have as sort of back problems. It would make my back hurt and I would walk away with my back hurting even more. I have a bowflex, treadmill and bike and these are the at better than the hydrow. They all individually give me a better workout that the hydrow. It’s not something i would recommend buying. As a matter of fact, i am going to sell mine because it will never get us d again in my house. Even though i will lose a lot of money by selling it. It’s better than its collecting dust like it has been for 2yrs.
Reply from Hydrow2025-06-10
Hi Jennifer - Thank you for taking the time to share your review. We understand your concerns about the rower’s size, subscription cost, and limited functionality without a membership and appreciate you raising them. While we believe the full Hydrow experience offers the most value, Just Row mode does provide basic features such as resistance adjustment and music control, all without needing a paid membership.
We’re also very sorry to hear that the rower caused you discomfort. While rowing is generally considered a low-impact exercise suitable for many, we recognize it may not be the right fit for everyone. Your experience is important to us and has been shared with our team for further review.
Exactly as I expected! Superbly crafted rower with the best possible performance!
Reply from Hydrow2025-06-02
Hi Jonathan - Thank you so much for the review! We’re thrilled to hear that your Hydrow is living up to expectations. Knowing you’re enjoying both the craftsmanship and performance means a lot to us—it’s exactly what we strive to deliver.
The set up was easy. The workout videos are encouraging and done by folks who bring an easy positivity to the workout, without being "coach-y"
Reply from Hydrow2025-05-29
Thank you for your review, we’re so glad to hear setup was easy and that the athletes’ encouraging and positive approach is making your workouts enjoyable!
The machine arrived mostly assembled, making setup a breeze! Installing the monitor and connecting it to the internet for membership access was a snap. Plus, getting in was super simple with the provided code. Everything felt so intuitive! During the first few sessions, we focused on the mechanics of the stroke and the sport's terminology, which were incredibly helpful. The instructors consistently offer insightful guidance on mechanics with every stroke, enhancing the workout at every stage—catch, drive, finish, and recovery. I absolutely love this workout, especially with the uplifting music playing. It's a wonderful moment in my day to focus on myself while immersing in a new environment.
Reply from Hydrow2025-06-02
Hi Tricia - Thanks for taking the time to leave your review. We’re thrilled to hear that setup was a breeze and that getting started with your Hydrow felt intuitive and seamless. It’s also great to hear that the early sessions helped you get comfortable with both the stroke mechanics and rowing terminology. Our instructors put a lot of care into making every moment on the water meaningful, so we’re glad that guidance is resonating with you.
First time rowing and Hydrow made it easy to learn technique and fun to workout!
Reply from Hydrow2025-05-27
Hi Celeste - Thanks so much for the kind words! We’re thrilled to hear that your first rowing experience with Hydrow was both fun and easy to learn. Our goal is to make fitness approachable and engaging, so it’s great to know we’re hitting the mark. Welcome to the crew and see you on the water!
Hydrow Pro is a serious rower that you would see at a commercial gym. Have enjoyed the videos to row along with several trainers over the last 3 weeks in starting slow and building up each day in pace and increased duration. Monitor is fantastic! My only gripe was installing the front support leg, gotta be a better way! Bolts were a challenge even after tightening evenly was still a chore tightening all the way, Allen wrench provided needs to be improved upon. Looking for a great workout for 30 minutes a day that works a lot of body parts with results pull the trigger.
Reply from Hydrow2025-05-21
Hi MG - Thank you so much for your detailed review! We’re thrilled to hear that you’re enjoying your Hydrow and the trainer-led workouts—it sounds like you’re off to a strong start with your rowing journey. We really appreciate your feedback about the assembly process, especially around the front support leg and the provided Allen wrench. We know setup should be as smooth as the row itself, so we’ll be sure to pass your comments along to our product team for future improvements.
I purchased a Hydrow in 2021, my subscription has gone up every year. I have not lost a single pound. The videos are a joke, the employees treat you like you are not able to do a work out, constantly trying to provide encouragement, instead of working with you to improve your workout. The subscription is a waste of money, as for their so called milestone rewards, you’ll be lucky to receive them and if you do get them you have to pay for the shipping. I don’t think I care to pay $10 shipping for a $4 pair of socks. I reached the million meters without a single milestone reward, when I called the company for the 5th time, I finally received the reward email. I was required to pay shipping for each milestone award individually, that was 5 of mine and 3 of my husbands! That added up to over $80 for their so called free rewards! This company is not worth the money they charge!
Reply from Hydrow2025-05-21
Hi Tracy - Thanks for taking the time to leave your review. At Hydrow, our goal is to create an inclusive and encouraging workout experience, but we understand that our approach may not resonate with everyone. We truly appreciate your candid feedback regarding the content, milestone rewards, and subscription pricing. Please know that we take your concerns seriously and are actively working on improvements, including clearer communication around our milestone program and greater transparency around any associated costs. That said, we’re always happy to be flexible here at Hydrow. Given your experience, please don’t hesitate to reach back out to our Support team directly—we’d be more than happy to explore how we can make things right for you.
Outstanding , more I use the rower the more I learn the more it is satisfying.
Reply from Hydrow2025-05-21
Hi Carl - Thank you for taking the time to reply. We’re thrilled to hear that your experience with the Hydrow keeps getting better the more you use it. Our goal is to create a dynamic, rewarding and informative workout experience, and it’s wonderful to know it’s hitting the mark for you. See you on the water.
At first I ordered a reconditioned Concept2 to use with my Peloton app, but to cut a long story short it was too old to be compatible so sent it back. I wasn't going to buy a Peloton rower, it's too expensive for me. I did some research and ended up on the Hydrow UK homepage page which just by coincidence had a sale on which made the purchase of Hydrow affordable for me (I had budgeted a particular amount). I took the plunge, and paid extra for the delivery into the house. It weighs a lot and the box is massive, so I'm glad I did that. Building it was very easy and the setup was easy too. In a nutshell, the Hydrow is awesome. It is quiet and easily connects to my heartrate monitor. There are lots of of interesting classes out on the water. They pass in no time, even when you're working hard! The instructors are knowledgeable and very motivating. If you're in the market for a rowing machine and have the space, I would highly recommend Hydrow.
Reply from Hydrow2025-05-15
Hi Dominic - Thank you so much for taking the time to share your experience! We’re really glad that everything aligned perfectly for you—especially catching the UK sale—and that Hydrow was the right fit for your setup and budget. We’re thrilled that you’re enjoying the quiet ride, easy heart rate monitor connection, and the immersive workouts and inspiring instructors. Thanks again for your kind words and recommendation—it means a lot to our crew.
I paid £1700 for my hydrow and on top of that you need to pay monthly fees of £44 per monthly fees for full screen access otherwise you have a useless
Screen
you cannot not watch any streaming contents
I should have paid cheaper brand of rowing machine
Total rip off
Reply from Hydrow2025-05-08
Hello -- Thank you for taking the time to share your review. We’re truly sorry to hear that your experience with Hydrow hasn’t met your expectations. Our goal is to provide more than just a rower—we aim to deliver an immersive, full-body fitness experience led by world-class Athletes, filmed on waterways around the world. The monthly membership supports this ever-growing library of live and on-demand workouts, as well as features like progress tracking, community challenges, and scenic rows. We understand this model may not be the right fit for everyone, and we genuinely appreciate your perspective. That said, even without a membership, the Hydrow still offers a Just Row mode that allows for manual workouts—though we agree the full experience is where Hydrow truly shines. We’d love the opportunity to better understand your concerns and help however we can. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to our Member Services Team directly.
I never should have waited as long as I did to get my Hydrow. There is not a better way to get back into exercising regularly again. It’s very motivating and allows you to build activity and intensity at a pace that suits the individual. I would recommend to anybody no matter what their current fitness level is now
Reply from Hydrow2025-05-01
Hi Jon -- Thank you for taking the time to leave your review. We’re thrilled to hear that Hydrow has helped you get back into a regular fitness routine in a way that feels motivating and adaptable to your needs. That’s exactly what we strive for—making fitness accessible, inspiring, and enjoyable for everyone, no matter where they’re starting from.
I’ve had a Hydrow for over a year now - but it’s become a white elephant in my house. The core subscription is too expensive and not good value for many alongside my other digital commitments. Sadly Hydrow refuse to offer different tiers of subscription, eg a simple row mode with video on the Thames without the instructors. It’s a myth that the machine works without a subscription - you get a blue screen with no data! I bought it on the expectation it would at least have basic functionality without a subscription - or the hope that Hydrow would be smart enough to realise that different pricing tiers would be attractive. I’m very ready to pay £10 a month for a regular row down the Thames! Right now I own an expensive white elephant - as I suspect many other ex-subscription Hydrow owners do too. If, Hydrow, you are trying to build a sustainable long term subscription-based business model, suggest you think hard about losing people - and encouraging detractors - like me!
Reply from Hydrow2025-04-22
Thank you for taking the time to leave your review - we genuinely appreciate your honesty and feedback.
We’re sorry to hear that your Hydrow hasn’t met your expectations. We understand that ongoing subscriptions aren’t a one-size-fits-all solution, and we truly appreciate your thoughts on ways we can improve the product for everyone.
Our teams are always looking for opportunities to evolve and grow based on member feedback, and reviews like yours are incredibly helpful in guiding that process.
Thank you again for being a part of the Hydrow community and for challenging us to do better—we’re listening.
I don't think I've ever been more pleased with a big purchase, worth every cent. I was hesitant to buy a rower, as I've never rowed before, but this is the "easiest", hard workout I've ever done. The machine is very well made, compact, & sleek looking. I can easily move it as a 5'1 women. The content is limitless. I love this rower! Thank you Hydrow!
Reply from Hydrow2025-04-15
Hi Christina --Thank you so much for taking the time to share your review! We’re thrilled to hear that your Hydrow has exceeded expectations and that you’re loving the workouts, even as a first-time rower. It’s wonderful to know you’re finding it easy to move and that the sleek design fits your space and style. We’re especially glad you’re finding the content to be limitless—that’s exactly what we strive for! We'll see you on the water.
I placed an order for the Hydrow Wave (and accessories) for delivery in the UK. One and a half hours later I emailed to cancel the order as I decided that this product wasn't suitable for my requirements. Support responded to this request in a timely manner, admittedly, however with the caveat that cancellation may not be possible. Curious, considering the confirmation email states it will take between 3-5 business days to dispatch and then an additional 1-2 weeks to receive once dispatched. Surely after one and a half hours has elapsed between placing an online order and requesting cancellation it should be an automatic and easily achieved thing to action.
I have since emailed Hydrow for updates regarding the cancellation of my order and I am no longer receiving any form of communication in return. If you call their phone number your only option is to leave a voicemail and hope that someone contacts you back (I am still waiting having left one). I suspect that Hydrow will attempt to push this delivery and make me wait close to 3 weeks before a delivery attempt will be made, in which I will refuse the delivery regardless, and then make me wait days or weeks to issue a refund upon refused delivery. How callous.
Why would customer service behave this way? What business strategy would involve intentionally causing this level of stress and nuisance? Why would any customer reading this review in their right mind part with £1500 or more and trust this business to behave in a moral and decent manner? Because to the person reading this - you should not have that expectation given my experience with this company.
FYI Hydrow, the one and only response I have received from customer service was from Noemi. In case you decide to do the right thing and reprimand your rogue customer service team and offer some training on how to provide a basic level of acceptable customer service.
Shame on Hydrow. Avoid. Avoid. Avoid.
Reply from Hydrow2025-04-03
Hello -- thank you for taking the time to leave your review. At Hydrow, we strive to ship orders quickly while also processing cancellation requests as efficiently as possible. With international shipping, our partners receive order details almost immediately, which means that even prompt cancellation requests require confirmation that the shipment has been successfully intercepted before we can proceed.
While we’re often able to confirm cancellations the same day, there are instances—like in your case—where it may take a bit longer. We regret to hear that your secondary outreach did not receive a prompt response, but we’re glad to see that your cancellation was confirmed the very next day, and that your refund was issued immediately thereafter.
We understand how frustrating it can be not to receive real-time updates during that confirmation period, and we never want to cause our members any unnecessary stress. 3 to 5 days is only an estimate, and we always aim to beat that number. We appreciate your feedback, as it helps us continue to improve the Hydrow experience for everyone.
Customer service has been incredible every time I call. I’ve had my rower for a week and absolutely love it. The subscription is a little pricy but it’s a MUST have! Disappointed they wouldn’t offer the 30 days free since I didn’t buy the subscription when I bought the rower. Overall, highly recommend.
Reply from Hydrow2025-04-02
Hello -- Thank you for taking the time to leave your review! We’re thrilled to hear that you’ve been loving your Hydrow so far and that our Member Services Team has made a great impression.
We also appreciate your honest feedback about the subscription. While we do offer a 30-day free trial when the membership is activated at the time of rower purchase, we understand how it can be disappointing to miss that window. That said, we’re so glad to hear you still find the membership to be a “must-have”—our team puts a lot of heart into making every row meaningful.
From placing the order, to delivery, to usage I've been very happy with my Hydrow Wave. The classes are engaging with their coaches and scenery. I've been on my rower every day from the moment I assembled it. I think that this is a piece of equipment that I will be using religiously.
Reply from Hydrow2025-03-28
Thank you for your review, we’re thrilled to hear you’ve been enjoying your Hydrow Wave daily and that the engaging athletes and scenic classes are keeping you motivated!