Ergatta Rower Review – Rowing Is Fun On This One

Dimensions/Storability

The Ergatta can be stored horizontally or vertically. For safety, we recommend securing it if it is stored vertically. While the tank holds quite a bit of water, it is surprisingly simple to move. Just lift the back of the rail, and the weight at the front makes it engage with the wheels so you can roll it out of the way when needed. However, it can be easily tipped when lifted vertically, so be aware of whether you plan to store it this way.

When considering where to place your Ergatta, make sure you have enough space to the sides and rear of the rower since you lean back through the drive and finish. Do not place the rear of the rower directly in front of a wall, as you will need at least two feet of clearance behind the Ergatta.

Onboard Workouts & Apps

If you see a piece of fitness equipment, like a rower, with a touchscreen, it’s safe to assume it comes with some sort of training content. The Ergatta features a touchscreen with Ergatta’s subscription training content. Here is what you can expect.

Ergatta Membership

The user interface on the Ergatta is probably my favorite of any rowing system. Rather than video content with instructor-led rowing sessions, Ergatta has incorporated digital games, challenges, and competitions. This is brilliant for several reasons.

First, it is effective. Admittedly, I get bored on a rower. Even with the most immersive rowing video, I tend to zone out and lose motivation as time goes on. The Ergatta programs don’t allow you to zone out – you have to pay attention and stay engaged in order to complete the game.

The second aspect I love about this system is the varied time options. If you want to row for 5 minutes (which is roughly my attention span), that is great! You can find several short games that will kick that heart rate up and have you sweating in 5 minutes. Most other rowing apps have a 20-30 minute minimum video length.

Third, the production of these games has to be significantly easier and less expensive than filming a professional rowing instructor outdoors – which means the content is constantly changing, updating, and adapting to user feedback. If there’s a game or aspect of a game that could be improved, Ergatta can tweak it without having to re-film a whole video. This is brilliant on their end.

Fourth, Ergatta has incorporated the time-tested method of progressive overload into its content. This means that when used correctly, the Push Programs will actually help you get stronger and better at rowing. Progressive overload is a proven method of gradually increasing time and load to reduce plateaus and stagnant training.

In short, it works. And I love that Ergatta has incorporated it in such a simple but effective way. My only complaint about the screen and content is the speakers are pretty lousy and are placed on the back of the tablet. I recommend finding your own playlist and using headphones while rowing since none of the games have sounds or feedback you need to hear.

Each game is structured like a workout.

Onboard Workouts

You don’t have to subscribe to Ergatta’s membership to use the Ergatta. Without it, you can use the Just Row feature, connect to Strava, connect Bluetooth headphones, connect a heart rate monitor, and listen to Ergatta’s music feature.

Console

The Ergatta Max has a 17.3” touchscreen attached to the front end, which is about 2” smaller than the Hydrow or CityRow Go screen. However, since the interface is game-based rather than video-based, the screen size is more than adequate. I never felt I had to lean closer to see or use the touchscreen. It’s easy to navigate and has great visual clarity.

The touchscreen is bright and clear.

I also appreciate the placement of the screen just above the catch. You don’t have to look down at any point during the drive, which allows for good rowing form while you watch the screen.

You cannot access external apps or use the web on the Ergatta touchscreen. It is designed to showcase the Ergatta app content only. Also, the screen doesn’t have much functionality at all if you don’t subscribe to the Ergatta content, so this rower is best for those who plan to use the integrated subscription.

The screen is Bluetooth compatible, so you can easily sync with headphones or a chest strap.

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Build Quality

The Ergatta is a WaterRower that’s partnered with Ergatta to provide Ergatta’s training membership on a WaterRower design. With its wooden design, the Ergatta is a little different from other types of rowers.

Frame

The Ergatta is a traditional water rower with an attached touchscreen. The frame sits directly on the floor and the rail is not suspended, which allows it to support a 500 lb maximum weight. It does not fold and has a rather long footprint, but you can store the Ergatta vertically.

One thing to be aware of is the rail itself is only 6” high and the top of the seat is 12” high. Users must be able to bend low and sit down on the seat and then stand up from the low height. This could be a limiting factor for some users since it requires a bit of knee and hip flexion.

Geometry

• Footprint: L 86” x W 23” x H 40”
• Pedals: 12” high adjustable pedal
• Saddle: 12” wide, 8” deep, contoured and cushioned
• Belt Drive: 20” high where it emerges from the machine
• Track: 40” inseam length

Pedals

While I love most things about the Ergatta, the pedals are one area I would like to see a slight improvement. The pedals are supportive and large enough for pretty much any size shoe, but they feel rather close together. Also, the strap is one piece that wraps around the footboard of both pedals, so it can shift from side to side – which isn’t my favorite design.

The pedals are adjustable, yet the foot placement makes you feel a little cramped.

Also, the foot pedals are 12” high but only 4” wide, so they may feel narrow for larger users. However, I love the wood footboard that supports the pedals. It is wide and firm and feels like you are pushing against the end of the boat. In general, the pedals function fine, and smaller users won’t have issues with the width or placement.

Handle

The Ergatta handle is ergonomic, meaning it is molded to support a specific hand position. You’ll either love or hate this. I prefer a round handle so I can shift my hands around a bit as they begin to fatigue.

The handle has a grippy texture, so it doesn’t slip out of your hands.

The Ergatta handle prevents this. The positive aspect is you’ll always maintain a proper hand placement; the drawback is a lack of adaptability to where you can hold the handle. Since my hands are smaller, I found the handle to be a little uncomfortable, and I would prefer a simple, rounded handle.

The strap is sturdy, but we’ve noticed it’s fraying a bit on the edges already, so that may be an issue over time. Also, the strap wraps around a roller that feeds it into the rower. As you pull the handle, the strap can rub against the sides of the roller.

Dual Rail System

Rather than a monorail, the Ergatta features a dual rail that supports the seat. This is sturdier and enables the Ergatta to boast a 500lb max weight capacity. I appreciate the structural integrity of the rail system, and its 40” inseam length will suffice for most users.

The seat slides right up to the junction between the pedals and the handle for a comfortable catch position. The point where the belt emerges from the neck of the rower is 20” (50cm) high from the floor, which is lower than other machines on our list of best rowing machines, but it has a low rail height, so this is proportional to the machine.

The screen sits just above the catch and is easy to see. You don’t have to lean down to grab the handle or tilt your neck up to look at the screen.

The seat glides along the dual rail system as you’re rowing.

Seat

The Ergatta seat has contoured areas for your legs and tailbone. I found it to be more cushioned than the Concept2 seat. However, it is a bit shallow at just 8” deep. Since users lean back through the drive and finish, the scooped-out back section on the seat reduces the likelihood of your tailbone rubbing on the saddle.

The seat slides on four wheels rather than just two, which creates a smooth, controlled feeling through the drive and recovery. As mentioned, the seat is only 12” off the floor, which is a bit lower than comparable rowers.

Resistance

Water resistance is preferred by rowing purists who appreciate the actual feel of water. However, there are no preset “resistance” levels because the resistance is modified based on the strength of each pull and how much water is in the tank. As you pull harder, water is churned through the tank to match your strength.

We love the feel of the water in the tank and enjoy the water-sloshing sounds while rowing.

This makes the resistance perfect for each user. Stronger users can pull with more force, creating more movement in the water, while novice users may pull more gently, only generating minimal water movement. The nature of the water moving and the noise it creates are the main reasons rowing enthusiasts prefer water rowers. The sound is actually quite soothing and is not overly loud or disruptive to those around you.

Warranty

Ergatta includes a 5-year frame warranty, a 3-year parts warranty, and a 1-year warranty for the tablet.

Should You Buy The Ergatta Rower?

Rowing engages more than 80% of the muscles in your body. This low-impact sport works the legs, glutes, core, and arms for a full-body workout that facilitates both cardiovascular conditioning and enhances muscular strength. The goal of the Ergatta is to make the sport of rowing more fun so regular people can enjoy this exercise in their own homes.

A subscription for the Ergatta app runs you $28/month, and the rower itself is priced at just over $2000, so this is a bit of an investment. However, the chic design, quiet rowing noise, and comfortable experience combine to make this an excellent option for an in-home rowing session. The subscription content is impressive and engaging.

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Ergatta Rower Q&A / FAQ

Can multiple people use the Ergatta Rower?

The Ergatta is a great rower for houses with multiple users. Not only is the rower well-built, but the membership allows for unlimited profiles.

Can you adjust the resistance on the Ergatta Rower?

The resistance isn’t quantifiable or adjustable like magnetic rowers. The harder you row, the more tension you’ll feel against the water. You can also add more water to make it harder to row.

Is our Ergatta Rower review paid?

This is not a paid review of the Ergatta Rower. Ergatta sent us their rower to test, but this review reflects our own thoughts and experience. We work with several rower brands to bring you reviews like this one, and working with different brands allows us to test more rowers.

We have affiliate links where we make commissions. This is how we’re paid, and this allows us to create these reviews for consumers.

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