WaterRower Blanc Rowing Machine with S4 Monitor

Due to COVID, Arizona is going through the second closure of gyms and shops. We're also going through our usual heat waves. You have to wake up extremely early to go walking or else be ready to tolerate the heat outside, even during the evening. The summer is when I rely on gyms to get some good cardio workouts and I've been really missing these workouts.I was lamenting to my cousin on how miserable I was without being able to go to the gym and he suggested I get a rowing machine. A lightbulb came on and I started researching. I am a little bit on the heavier side, so I needed my solution to be able to have over a 300lb capacity. I wanted either a WaterRower or a Concept 2. I decided on a WaterRower because of the space limitations of my apartment. WaterRower met all the criteria, especially because it stores upright and out of the way.Shipper/SellerI was also hesitant to buy something this expensive, but desperate times call for desperate measures. I would say that the price is a little bit more expensive than if you go directly to the site. However, due to COVID, I would have also had to wait a longer period to get it. For me, it was worth it. I asked a question to the seller and they responded quickly and promptly. The product shipped super fast and I had it within a week. As far as confidence in the seller, it must be noted they are trustworthy in my book.AssemblyIf you've put together a Lego set or something from IKEA, you can put this together rather easily. I was dreading putting this together, but it was super easy. Filling the tank was the hardest part. The hand pump it comes with makes it take time. You don't have to do it often so we're good.Build QualityEverything seems top notch. The wood used seems very durable. The rail system and chair are fine. The only thing I notice is the tank squeaks ever so slightly when you give it a good yank. I would also say is a knock is that sometimes the foot fasteners untighten a bit during the workout.The WorkoutsAs stated previously, I never rowed before. I've seen rowers at the gym, but I stayed clear as not to make a fool of myself. I've always been an elliptical person. Since I had no clue what I was doing, I started watching rowing videos explaining the basics of rowing and the proper form/theory. The are various videos on this subject that can help you start.My first workouts were 5 minutes. Rowing, like any exercise not done before, has a group of muscles all working together that must get used to working out. Even if you got to the gym, realize that rowing is different. Part of good rowing form is to hold your knees closer together as you squat. It puts a tremendous amount of pressure on your inner thighs, especially if you've got bigger thighs like me. This is further exacerbated by the position of your feet, which are pretty close together. In the beginning, it's the muscle fatigue of having to hold your thighs together that really gets to you. This will get better in time, stay patient. I started with 5 m minutes and am now going 20 minutes in under a week. It takes time to build your muscle endurance needed for rowing.One more very important thing to note. Get a pair of rowing gloves or any gloves. My hands quickly started feeling the rowing and I started getting some slightly painful calluses. I suggest you get some gloves.Overall SatisfactionI'm happy with the purchase and I think that this is worth it for me and my health. I have my son rowing too for 5 minutes to burn energy. I feel better when I row, and even after COVID, this Rower will get used. Just like any other piece of workout equipment, you get out what you put into it. My overall experience was great and I recommend the seller if you need equipment. I'm still verifying my warranty status as I registered it online. From what I understand, this thing is backed by a good warranty by WaterRower.Stay safe folks, and be well!

Full disclosure— morbidly obese mom in her upper 50s but very accustomed to assembling stuff.I have also wanted a WaterRower for years because I really liked the idea of relaxing water sloshing reminding me of canoeing on the lake.I think it is a bad sign of how out of shape and lacking flexibility and mobility I am that assembling this was harder than the workout itself... it is tricky to reach a lot of the bolt locations as they are very low to the ground and at an awkward angle.The assembly instructions are decent though buried in the middle of the booklet after they tell you how to use the rower. I found it easiest to get everything loosely tightened so it will hold together... then when you are able to stand it up on its end, you can reach everything easier and tighten sufficiently.Once assembled, the build quality is terrific and solid. The main reason I wanted a WaterRower is because of the high weight limit and it is obvious that it does support A Lot of weight. There are a lot of cheaper versions out there now but their weight limit is between 250-300 pounds vs the 1000 pounds for the WaterRower.However, if you are obese, you will have a hard time getting your feet in the footplate because it is so narrow. Right now, I’m find it necessary to put my feet on the floor on either side of the rails. I can hear the gasps of horror from rowing purists but in the beginning, you have to do what you have to do... But in a regular rowboat (not a scull but the kind of row boat you used as a kid at camp), you don’t have any fancy foot plate ... your feet just go flat on the bottom of the boat so really, it is not such a wild concept and my heart rate and legs still get a great workout. FWIW, the footplate problem would exist regardless of the rower you choose.If you are into virtual group classes (the rowing equivalent of Peloton) several options are out there including one the specifically uses WaterRower’s ... something that was critical for me as we are heading into winter in the middle of a pandemic.If you are larger and/or older, you can purchase a “riser” kit directly from WaterRower (though it won’t match the “Blanc” version.) It will raise the height of the seat 8 inches.This is a very solid (quite literally) rower with lots of options for home fitness and accessibility. It is expensive but equivalent to 2 years of a wellness center membership. If you are limited in your ability to stretch, reach down to the floor, and climb around on the floor, you’ll probably want to bribe your kid or mechanically inclined friend to assemble it for the first time.[LCAR]

I've had this rower for over a year now and use it as part of my workout schedule, especially during colder weather. This provides me with an engaging, almost hypnotic, workout in front of a low window with a headset on. Helps keep me flexible and strong through the arms/shoulders/back/core/legs and it's a great cardio workout. It can be rolled anywhere and easily tipped up so it only takes 21"x23" of floorspace--not like space-hogging bikes & treadmills.I bought mine on Amazon for two reasons: 1) the long wait time when I tried to purchase directly from WaterRower in late 2020, and 2) the beautiful white-washed finish available here is a special finish that isn't available through the WaterRower.com site.I highly recommend this rower to anyone of any age. Even my arthritis-ridden hands & neck can handle this. You sit upright with shoulders relaxed and don't need to grip the handle tightly. Once you get the hang of the proper stroke and breathing technique everything becomes automatic. Watch the 3 minute free Josh Crosby rowing tutorial--Indo-Row 3x3--if you're considering buying this rower. It's the best one out there to get you off on the right foot.