Ergatta vs Hydrow Review: We Put Them to the Test
THE TWO NEW BOYS GO HEAD-TO-HEAD
'Ergatta or Hydrow?' This is a subject line I see at least once a day when I open my emails. These rowers are trailblazers in the application of hi-tech and innovative platforms for the humble rowing machine. While function-packed software and hi-definiation screens have been a feature on treadmills and exercise bikes for at least five years, it's take a while longer for it to appear on the good old, reliable (but dull) rower.
But thankfully, this is no longer the case, and boy, do the bods at Ergatta and Hydrow make up for the lost time.
But thankfully, this is no longer the case, and boy, do the bods at Ergatta and Hydrow make up for the lost time.
LISTEN ON THE GO - ERGATTA vs HYDROW
So, back to the question in the emails. And... I have to say, I find it very difficult to go one way or the other. I imagine if I was to be exiled to a desert island for a year, and I could take only one rowing machine, which one would it be? Okay, assuming I have a good wi-fi connection and reliable power supply, then it would come down to one of the aforementioned dynamic duo.
But... if I chose the Ergatta, would I begin to regret I'd not gone for the Hydrow? Yet, if I had opted for the Hydrow, perhaps I'd be thinking of the wooden wonder, the Ergatta.
For me, it's a difficult decision because there are some fantastic features on both models. So, I thought I'd look at them here and see if a direct comparison might help you. I assume you've not got a spare $4,500 in your back pocket, because if I did I'd buy them both :0)
As with all my reviews, let's start with the hardware. I won't repeat all the boilerplate stuff and finer details on this page. You can read my full reviews of both machines by clicking on the photos below.
But... if I chose the Ergatta, would I begin to regret I'd not gone for the Hydrow? Yet, if I had opted for the Hydrow, perhaps I'd be thinking of the wooden wonder, the Ergatta.
For me, it's a difficult decision because there are some fantastic features on both models. So, I thought I'd look at them here and see if a direct comparison might help you. I assume you've not got a spare $4,500 in your back pocket, because if I did I'd buy them both :0)
As with all my reviews, let's start with the hardware. I won't repeat all the boilerplate stuff and finer details on this page. You can read my full reviews of both machines by clicking on the photos below.
THE HARDWARE COMPARED
The Ergatta is a water-resistant rower and is designed in partnership with the well-established brand, WaterRower. If you're familiar with this brand, you'll know quality is a given. The build is superb, and it rows as good as it looks. The material is cherry wood forested from a sustainable source, and note, they are made in the USA! The all-important workouts are displayed on a 17.3" HD color screen supported by two long, adjustable arms. We'll come onto the workouts in a moment.
Moving onto the Hydrow. This is a very different offering altogether. Firstly, its sleek lines and steel and aluminum frame make it look positively futuristic compared to the 'homely' Ergatta. It's a magnetic-resistance machine (see types of rowing machine for more information.) Being magnetic makes it almost silent in operation. There are 300 levels of resistance means there's a setting for every occasion :0) The screen is larger on the Hydrow measuring in at 22" - the open river rows look great on the high-definition, color screen.
Both machines are top quality and should provide years of trouble-free use. But for me, I prefer the smooth, silent action of the Hydrow over the Ergatta.
Moving onto the Hydrow. This is a very different offering altogether. Firstly, its sleek lines and steel and aluminum frame make it look positively futuristic compared to the 'homely' Ergatta. It's a magnetic-resistance machine (see types of rowing machine for more information.) Being magnetic makes it almost silent in operation. There are 300 levels of resistance means there's a setting for every occasion :0) The screen is larger on the Hydrow measuring in at 22" - the open river rows look great on the high-definition, color screen.
Both machines are top quality and should provide years of trouble-free use. But for me, I prefer the smooth, silent action of the Hydrow over the Ergatta.
HARDWARE WINNER ==> HYDROW
THE SOFTWARE COMPARED
So this is where it really gets interesting. Both machines are built around online platforms with hundreds of workouts to choose from. And just as the rowers are different, so is their approach to the workouts. Both have similarities, such as trainer-led sessions and off-rower workouts for strength and flexibility.
Examples of Ergatta Game Styled Workouts
The differences appear with the actual rowing sessions. Ergatta have gone for workouts based mainly around game-style challenges. There's a variety of games where you progress through a series of obstacles or tracks based up your ability to maintain pre-set targets such as stroke rate. This is a great way to keep you going when you may be tiring - you certainly don't get bored while doing these workouts!
The software also tracks your progress with every session and bases future training on this data. All of this can be viewed in your profile so you can see all that effort paying off.
You can read more about the Ergatta platform in my full review - see link below.
The software also tracks your progress with every session and bases future training on this data. All of this can be viewed in your profile so you can see all that effort paying off.
You can read more about the Ergatta platform in my full review - see link below.
Real River Workouts - click to find out more
Hydrow use more real, open-river rows. You can choose either to row a relaxing, easy-going workout, or set targets and race your personal best, or even row competitively against other real-life users online. All your data is displayed so you can track your progress, and this is done without distracting from the scenery :0) Like Ergatta, more workouts and river rows are added on a monthly basis to keep you interested.
You can read more about Hydrow's workouts in my full review - see link below.
And, also note, both platforms require a monthly subscription of around $38, but with this, all your family members can have their own profile.
So, if I had to choose between the two, while I love the Hydrow's open rows, the variation with Ergatta's game-style workouts and the underlying progress tracking shades it for them.
You can read more about Hydrow's workouts in my full review - see link below.
And, also note, both platforms require a monthly subscription of around $38, but with this, all your family members can have their own profile.
So, if I had to choose between the two, while I love the Hydrow's open rows, the variation with Ergatta's game-style workouts and the underlying progress tracking shades it for them.
SOFTWARE WINNER ==> ERGATTA
ERGATTA VS HYDROW: THE VERDICT
If you've not already figured it out, I find it difficult to rate one above the other. If you put the Ergatta's software on the Hydrow rower you'd have a world beater in my view. But to keep this short, if you're not fussed about whether you have a magnetic or water-resistant rower, the decision comes down to the workout platforms. If you like gaming, or love the statistics behind the workouts, then maybe the Ergatta will suit you just fine. Whereas, if you don't feel the need to read all the data and are happy to enjoy the scenery while you work out, then perhaps the Hydrow is for you.
So if you held my arm behind my back and forced me to make a decision, then I'd go for the...
So if you held my arm behind my back and forced me to make a decision, then I'd go for the...
OVERALL WINNER ==> HYDROW
Be believe me, whatever decision you make, you'll be thrilled with your choice.
HYDROW9.5
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ERGATTA9.5
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