Peloton Row Review: The bikes are great, so what about their rower?
PELOTON BACKGROUND
Everyone is familiar with the Peloton bike - it was a real game-changer for the (let's be honest) pretty dull exercise machine, so what can the Peloton Row do for the humble rowing machine? A great deal as it turns out :0) It's a sleek, high-end machine that combines premium hardware with immersive on-demand workouts.
But how does it stack up against the competition, and is it worth the price tag In this review, we’ll look at the build quality, rowing experience, software and classes, and who this machine is best suited for.
But how does it stack up against the competition, and is it worth the price tag In this review, we’ll look at the build quality, rowing experience, software and classes, and who this machine is best suited for.
TL;DR – Should You Buy the Peloton Row?
The Peloton Row delivers a polished, studio-style rowing experience with excellent form coaching and a seamless touchscreen interface. It’s ideal for users already invested in Peloton or those who want clear, motivating guidance. However, the price and space requirements may not suit everyone — and there’s no free row mode unless you stay subscribed.
The Peloton Row delivers a polished, studio-style rowing experience with excellent form coaching and a seamless touchscreen interface. It’s ideal for users already invested in Peloton or those who want clear, motivating guidance. However, the price and space requirements may not suit everyone — and there’s no free row mode unless you stay subscribed.
PELOTON ROW
9.5 / 10
ASSEMBLY
Delivery and professional assembly are included in the purchase price (in most regions), and setup is straightforward. The vertical storage mode is a big plus, though it requires a bit of space to tilt the machine upright safely. Peloton recommends 8' ceilings and a footprint of at least 8' x 2' during use.
Note: The machine weighs in at around 156 lbs once assembled, so it's not the easiest to move around once set up unless you're ripped like Arnie!
Note: The machine weighs in at around 156 lbs once assembled, so it's not the easiest to move around once set up unless you're ripped like Arnie!
HARDWARE
As you’d expect from Peloton, the Row is a well-constructed and stylish piece of equipment. The frame is solid and stable, with a whisper-quiet belt drive that gives a very smooth and satisfying rowing action. It has a beautiful matte black finish with subtle branding — very much in line with Peloton’s design philosophy.
The 22" HD swiveling touchscreen is sharp and responsive, and can be tilted and pivoted for off-row workouts. The seat is ergonomically designed and glides smoothly on the track. Footrests are adjustable, and the handle feels durable and comfortable to grip, even during longer sessions - and believe me, some of the workouts can be quite challenging!
One standout is the vertical storage option — the rower folds upright and locks securely, which helps save space when not in use. However, it’s still quite a large and heavy machine (156 lbs - see other dimensions below in the Specification table), so not ideal if you plan to move it around frequently.
NOISE LEVEL
The Peloton Row is exceptionally quiet — ideal if you live in an apartment or want to row early in the morning without waking the house. There’s no flywheel noise or water sloshing; the magnetic resistance makes for a near-silent ride.
THE ROWING EXPERIENCE:
The Peloton Row uses electronically controlled magnetic resistance, offering an ultra-quiet and fluid rowing motion. The resistance doesn’t have physical levels you adjust manually — instead, it adapts based on your stroke power and workout programming.
What really sets the Row apart is its Form Assist Technology - not sure FAT is a great acronym though :0) Built-in sensors monitor your stroke mechanics and offer real-time feedback on posture and technique. This is incredibly useful for beginners and even experienced rowers who want to refine their form (see my quick quide on rowing technique)
The rowing motion feels natural and consistent, and while it's not water-based like some competitors (e.g., WaterRower or Ergatta), the smoothness and responsiveness are impressive. There’s a good balance between catch, drive, finish, and recovery - no slack in this one!
The 22" HD swiveling touchscreen is sharp and responsive, and can be tilted and pivoted for off-row workouts. The seat is ergonomically designed and glides smoothly on the track. Footrests are adjustable, and the handle feels durable and comfortable to grip, even during longer sessions - and believe me, some of the workouts can be quite challenging!
One standout is the vertical storage option — the rower folds upright and locks securely, which helps save space when not in use. However, it’s still quite a large and heavy machine (156 lbs - see other dimensions below in the Specification table), so not ideal if you plan to move it around frequently.
NOISE LEVEL
The Peloton Row is exceptionally quiet — ideal if you live in an apartment or want to row early in the morning without waking the house. There’s no flywheel noise or water sloshing; the magnetic resistance makes for a near-silent ride.
THE ROWING EXPERIENCE:
The Peloton Row uses electronically controlled magnetic resistance, offering an ultra-quiet and fluid rowing motion. The resistance doesn’t have physical levels you adjust manually — instead, it adapts based on your stroke power and workout programming.
What really sets the Row apart is its Form Assist Technology - not sure FAT is a great acronym though :0) Built-in sensors monitor your stroke mechanics and offer real-time feedback on posture and technique. This is incredibly useful for beginners and even experienced rowers who want to refine their form (see my quick quide on rowing technique)
The rowing motion feels natural and consistent, and while it's not water-based like some competitors (e.g., WaterRower or Ergatta), the smoothness and responsiveness are impressive. There’s a good balance between catch, drive, finish, and recovery - no slack in this one!
SOFTWARE / WORKOUTS
The Peloton platform is known for its energetic (to say the least!) and charismatic instructors — and the rowing content is no exception. Classes range from beginner tutorials to high-intensity intervals, endurance rows, and even hybrid workouts that combine rowing with floor exercises like strength training and mobility.
The Peloton Row Interface is polished and intuitive, with beautiful scenic rows, custom metrics, and the familiar leaderboard and achievement system that Peloton fans love. You can filter by class type, duration, instructor, or music genre.
One limitation, at least at launch, is the lack of live rowing classes — most content is on-demand only. That said, Peloton has steadily added more rowing workouts and is likely to expand the library as the user base grows. And to be honest, it will have to. It's main competitors in Ergatta and Hydrow continually add new workouts, games, and real river rowing experiences on a regular basis.
Subscription at time of writing is $44/month for the full All-Access Membership, which includes rowing plus all bike, tread, strength, yoga, and meditation classes.
The Peloton Row Interface is polished and intuitive, with beautiful scenic rows, custom metrics, and the familiar leaderboard and achievement system that Peloton fans love. You can filter by class type, duration, instructor, or music genre.
One limitation, at least at launch, is the lack of live rowing classes — most content is on-demand only. That said, Peloton has steadily added more rowing workouts and is likely to expand the library as the user base grows. And to be honest, it will have to. It's main competitors in Ergatta and Hydrow continually add new workouts, games, and real river rowing experiences on a regular basis.
Subscription at time of writing is $44/month for the full All-Access Membership, which includes rowing plus all bike, tread, strength, yoga, and meditation classes.
REVIEW SUMMARY
The Peloton Row is one of the most polished and premium rowing machines on the market. It’s not cheap, but if you’re looking for a connected fitness experience with top-tier instruction, clever form tracking, and quiet operation, it’s a compelling choice. Especially suited to those already in the Peloton ecosystem or anyone looking to replace boring cardio with something genuinely motivating.
| Peloton Row – Who It’s Best For | |
|---|---|
| Ideal For |
Beginners who want help with form and technique
Peloton fans who already use the bike or tread
Anyone who enjoys structured, instructor-led workouts
Users looking for low-impact, full-body cardio
|
| Not Ideal For |
Those who prefer water or air-based resistance
People who want to row without a subscription
Budget-conscious buyers (this is a premium machine)
|
MY OVERALL SCORE:
So taking all of the above into account, plus coming back to the Hydrow after a six month break to assess the updates to their interface, I give this sleek machine... a very commendable 95%
CATEGORY |
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|---|---|
PROS |
|---|
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Sleek, modern design with high-end materials |
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Real-time Form Assist provides stroke correction and technique feedback |
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Ultra-quiet magnetic resistance – ideal for shared spaces |
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22” HD touchscreen swivels for floor workouts |
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Vertical storage option saves space |
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Access to full Peloton workout library – rowing, strength, yoga, more |
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Instructors are engaging and well-produced |
|
Scenic rows and gamified progress tracking features |
CONS |
|---|
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Premium price point – not budget-friendly |
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Subscription required to access full functionality |
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Currently lacks live rowing classes |
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Heavy and not easy to move once assembled |
| Peloton Row – Specification Summary | |
|---|---|
| Resistance Type | Electronically Controlled Magnetic |
| Max User Weight | 300 lbs |
| Machine Weight | 156 lbs |
| Length | 94 in |
| Height | 48 in |
| Width | 24 in |
ALTERNATIVES
No surprises here really - also see my head-to-head comparison table below.
Hydrow Pro
|
HYDROW PRO
9.5/10
The Hydrow Pro was the first next generation rowing machine I tried, so... bias alert, it holds a special place in my heart. Its workouts are mainly scenic based and they have an excellent selection of beautiful rivers around the world to row. It's electomagnetic resistance mechanism is whisper-quiet and smooth. It's sleek looks literally invite you to get on and row :0)
HYDROW REVIEW >>> |
LF Heat Row
|
LIFE FITNESS HEAT ROW
9.6/10
The Life Fitness Heat Row does not come with the interface of the Hydrow and others listed below - but it's an excellent machine with a build quality second to none. If you're not into the reality style workouts (and have deep pockets), then this is the one for you.
HEAT ROW REVIEW >>> |
Ergatta
|
ERGATTA ROWER
9.0/10
The Ergatta is based on the Waterrower Natural and has a platform to rival the Peloton - although they're not instructor-led. The main difference between the workouts on the Ergatta and Peloton's are Ergatta's are mainly game-based bringing a novel (and fun) approach to training.
ERGATTA REVIEW >>> |
I've also written a head-to-head review - see my Ergatta vs Hydrow review.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is the Peloton Row worth the price?
Yes, if you're looking for instructor-led classes, high-end design, and form correction technology. It's best for users who value Peloton's ecosystem over traditional rowing metrics.
Do you need a Peloton membership to use the Row?
Yes. A Peloton All-Access Membership ($44/month) is required to access the full range of rowing and floor-based classes.
Does the Peloton Row fold for storage?
No, the Peloton Row does not fold. It requires a decent amount of space and should be set up where it will remain in use.
How does Peloton Row compare to Hydrow or Ergatta?
Peloton Row focuses on studio-style, instructor-led classes and real-time form feedback. Hydrow emphasizes scenic water workouts, while Ergatta uses game-based training. Your choice depends on which style of motivation you prefer. (See my table below for a more detailed comparison.)
Yes, if you're looking for instructor-led classes, high-end design, and form correction technology. It's best for users who value Peloton's ecosystem over traditional rowing metrics.
Do you need a Peloton membership to use the Row?
Yes. A Peloton All-Access Membership ($44/month) is required to access the full range of rowing and floor-based classes.
Does the Peloton Row fold for storage?
No, the Peloton Row does not fold. It requires a decent amount of space and should be set up where it will remain in use.
How does Peloton Row compare to Hydrow or Ergatta?
Peloton Row focuses on studio-style, instructor-led classes and real-time form feedback. Hydrow emphasizes scenic water workouts, while Ergatta uses game-based training. Your choice depends on which style of motivation you prefer. (See my table below for a more detailed comparison.)
COMPARISON: Peloton Row vs Ergatta vs Hydrow — Which One Should You Buy?
| Feature | Hydrow | Ergatta | Peloton Row |
|---|---|---|---|
| Resistance Type | Electromagnetic | Water | Electromagnetic |
| Screen Size | 22” HD Touchscreen | 17.3” HD Touchscreen | 24” HD Touchscreen |
| Swivel Screen | Yes | No | Yes |
| Workout Style | Instructor-led scenic rowing classes | Game-based goal-oriented workouts | Studio-style instructor classes with form feedback |
| Form Feedback | No | No | Yes – Real-time form assist |
| Build Material | Steel + Aluminum | Cherry or Oak Wood | Aluminum + Polymer Frame |
| Footprint | 86" L × 25" W × 47" H | 86" L × 23" W × 40" H | 94" L × 24" W × 48" H |
| Storage Option | Vertical kit (sold separately) | Vertical storage standard | Upright storage (included) |
| Subscription Required? | Yes ($44/month) | Yes ($29/month) | Yes ($44/month) |
| Ideal For | Scenic workout fans & guided instruction | Gamers, metrics-driven users, elegant design lovers | Studio workout fans, Peloton loyalists, beginners wanting form help |
| Price (approx.) | $2,195 | $2,495 | $3,295 |
Verdict: Each rower excels in a different style of training. Hydrow is best for immersive scenic workouts. Ergatta suits users who prefer game-like progress tracking. Peloton Row is ideal if you want form correction and studio-style instruction. Choose based on how you stay motivated.
OWNER'S COMMENTS
I'll also post Peloton Row users' comments here as and when I receive them :0)
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