Aviron Strong Go Rower Review: Don’t Forget Your iPad

Dimensions/Storability

The Aviron Strong Go Rower is well-built. It has all of the same construction features as the Strong Rower. This means it’s the same size. The Go is 84” L x 27” W x 48” H.

Rowing machines are long pieces of equipment that take up much floor space.

The Strong Go Rower isn’t compact but a little shorter than other rowers like the Concept2 RowErg and AssaultRowers.

For floor space, you’ll need to factor in the overall dimensions and give yourself enough room to get on and off the rower and to row. If you’re taller, you might need extra room behind the rail to ensure you have enough space in the finish.

The Aviron Strong Go doesn’t fold up but can be stored upright.

To do this, you’ll need at least a 7.5-foot high ceiling. To store it upright, you lift the back of the rail. The Go rests on the front part of the console. It doesn’t require a wall mount.

Once upright, it’s stable, so you shouldn’t have to worry about it falling over. The stabilizer is thick to offer a good base for the rower to rest.

You also lift the back of the rail to move it.

Under the front stabilizer, there are two transport wheels. This Aviron rower isn’t too hard to move because it only weighs about 105 lbs.

Onboard Workouts & Apps

Aviron’s rowing content is really fun and engaging. Its membership is one reason why the brand’s rowers stand out.

Although you can use the Aviron Strong Go Rower without a membership subscription, I would consider checking out the content. You’ll also need to use the Strong Go with the Aviron app (more on this soon).

Aviron Membership

Aviron’s subscription content is versatile. Although the Aviron app, which you must use with the Aviron Strong Go, doesn’t include streaming apps like Netflix, all other content is available.

Aviron’s membership costs $29 per month, or you can pay $288 upfront for a year, which is $24 per month. It’s less expensive than Hydrow, Peloton, and iFIT memberships.

The app connects to the Strong Go in the Metrics Monitor workout under “Quick Start.”

The Metrics Monitor can be accessed with or without a membership. It tracks your time, distance, pace, total strokes, strokes per minute, and resistance level.

With a membership, you can access the games, coached workouts, virtual workouts, and competitions against pro athletes and other Aviron members.

Games

The video games are like playing on a Playstation or Xbox but on a rower. They include 2D and 3D games where you have to hit targets.

The 2D games are more old-school, while the 3D games are newer-aged with nice graphics.

In one of the games, you are Santa, who has to throw snowballs. With the different games offered, there is something for everyone.

Competition

The competition setting is where you can play more games against other members. These involve races and workouts where you can focus on beating your best times. In this setting, you can compete against ten other members or do head-to-head competitions.

This is where you can showcase your rowing skills and speed.

Power Play

Power Play is another gaming category. I like Power Play games because each is structured as a workout. Some focus on speed, while others focus on keeping specific paces.

These games involve your avatar moving down five different lanes.

Your goal is to change lanes to hit targets by focusing on your strokes per minute. By following the targets and prompts on the screen, you’ll get a warm-up, cool-down, and a good workout – all while not feeling like you’re even working out because you’re having fun.

Pros vs. Joes

Pros vs Joes is what you’d expect. You’re the “Joe,” meaning the average player who competes against the “Pro.” The pros to choose from are pro athletes such as rowers, sprinters, boxers, and football players. The pro’s stats are on the screen for you to try to beat.

Sometimes, a video of the pro as they row is on the screen. At the bottom of the screen are two pace boats representing you and the pro athlete you’re competing against.

Coached Classes

The coached classes offer trainer-led, on-demand workout videos. These are best for beginners since the games don’t offer formal rowing instruction. Rowing is a very technical exercise. Without proper form, you can hurt yourself or, at the very least, increase your risk of injury.

The coached workouts feature an instructor using an Aviron rower to guide you through a complete workout. Each workout has a specific training goal. There aren’t many of these, but they’re nice to have when you need guidance.

Guided Workouts

Guided workouts are another setting where you can find structured workouts. These offer guidance without an instructor. A graphic on the screen helps to demonstrate each part of the workout.

You’re then scored on your performance during the exercises and the rest portions.

Virtual Rowing

The virtual rowing setting offers free rowing workouts where you can track your metrics while pretending you’re rowing outside on the water. These workouts are filmed in areas like the Philippines, Austria, and the Czech Republic.

A camera moves across the water, speeding up and slowing down depending on your pace.

The video quality of these workouts isn’t as clear as the games, but it’s nice to have a lot of different content to choose from in the Aviron app to use with the Aviron Strong Go Rower.

Console

So, the Aviron Strong Go is the same rower as the Strong, but without a touchscreen. It doesn’t even have a simple display to track your metrics or show your resistance level. The “console” is an adjustable device rack with adjustment buttons for the resistance and a button for the Bluetooth setting.

When you use the Aviron app, your iPad serves as the console.

Currently, the app is only available for iOS devices, but Aviron plans to make it available to Android devices.

I wish there were a simple LCD screen to track your metrics and resistance level. This would give users more of a choice to use the rower with or without the Aviron App. Right now, you have to use the app, even without a membership, to track your metrics and see your resistance level.

There is a place to hold your phone on the rower, assuming you’re using a larger iPad on the device rack. It sits between the footboards and below the handle to keep your phone within reach.

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Build Quality

The overall construction of the Aviron Strong Go Rower is impressive. It’s one of the most comfortable and thoughtfully designed rowers on the market.

As I said, the Aviron Strong is one of my favorite rowers.

It’s also incredibly stable and can handle up to 507 lbs of user weight, which is typically the highest weight limit we see on rowing machines. Rowing machines sit closer to the ground, so they can handle more weight than exercise bikes and treadmills.

Frame

The frame is made out of reinforced aluminum. It features two steel stabilizers that keep the rower planted to the floor. The monorail is also smooth and slightly sloped to help encourage you more naturally into the catch from the finish.

The seat also has industrial-grade wheel bearings to glide smoothly over the rail while providing an excellent base of support to the seat.

What’s unique about Aviron Rowers is the lower monorail and taller seat. The rail is only 10” tall, making it easier to step over, and the seat is 20” high. (I’ll get into the seat more below.)

The Aviron Strong Go is rated to handle users up to 6’8”.

Matt, who is 6’5”, has plenty of room to row on the Go. Folks a few inches taller than him should also be able to use it. I am 5’1” and comfortable on the rower, too.

Geometry/Dimensions

• Dimensions: 84“ L x 27” W x 48” H
• Stored Upright: 35” L x 27” W x 83” H
• Pedal Footboards: 11” L
• Pedal Width Adjustment: 17” (Widest) 13” (Narrowest)
• Monorail: 47” L x 10” H
• Seat: 15” W x 10” D x 20” H
• Belt Drive: 30” from where the belt appears from the flywheel

Footboards & Foot Stretchers

The foot stretchers are also unique because they adjust vertically and horizontally. So, not only will they work with athletic shoes and adjust to most foot sizes, but they adjust based on your body, too. We don’t just vary by height, but we vary by body type. Some people have smaller frames, while others have larger frames.

The space between the foot stretchers is typically narrow on most rowers.

This can make them uncomfortable for larger people. It can also make it harder to row for beginners. By adjusting the width of your feet on the Strong Go, you can get a better fit and be more comfortable while rowing.

The footboards under the foot stretchers aren’t as long as some rowers. Our tallest team member, Matt, who is 6’5”, notices his heels hanging slightly off the bottom of the footboards. Longer footboards would be nice, but these don’t inhibit your ability to push off in the drive.

It looks like the Strong Go Rower comes with nylon foot straps that adjust around a metal ring. I think you have to purchase the Velcro straps in the package options, which are extra. I prefer Velcro straps since they make strapping your feet in a lot easier and faster.

We have Velcro straps, which fit securely over the tops of our feet. The regular straps should also work just fine.

Handle

I like the handle. It’s rounded, which I prefer, and it has nice padding to be comfortable. It’s also wide, at 19” long, so it’s comfortable for those with broader shoulders. The handle rotates, which helps to keep your hands and wrists in proper alignment and maintain a neutral grip on the handle with both hands.

We have the upgraded handle, which includes adjustment buttons for the resistance.

This is convenient, as you don’t have to lean forward and hit the adjustment buttons on the console below your device.

Seat

We also have the upgraded cloud seat on the Strong Go Rower. The original seat is large and wide, but the padding is firm. It’s not a favorite of ours. The cloud seat is, however. It looks exactly like the original seat – there are cutouts for the contouring, but the cushion is a lot softer. It even feels a little swishy when we push on it.

It’s surprisingly comfortable, so I recommend upgrading.

You can also purchase the seat back separately. It provides lumbar support if you need it.

Because it sits so high, the seat is pretty easy to get on and off. The base that connects to the rail makes the seat feel very stable, too. It doesn’t rock from side to side like some seats.

Flywheel

The flywheel is a fan with vents that blow on you slightly to help cool you off. It also has adjustable magnetic resistance.

The Aviron Strong Go is a hybrid rower.

It works like an air rower; the harder you row, the more resistance you get, but you can also adjust the resistance to vary the tension.

The magnetic resistance helps to reduce overall noise. Most air rowers are too loud in some homes and better suited for garage gyms. The Aviron isn’t silent, but it’s quieter than regular air rowers.

Another aspect that helps to reduce sound is the nylon belt that connects the handle to the flywheel. Instead of a chain that the Concept2 and AssaultRowers have, the nylon belt creates a smooth stroke when you pull the handle. It doesn’t feel gritty like chain drive systems, and unlike chains, it requires little to no maintenance.

Resistance

Being a hybrid rower, the Strong Go uses air and magnetic resistance. The air helps make the rower feel a little more realistic, while the magnetic resistance is nice for those who like to measure their effort based on quantifiable factors.

The magnetic resistance features 16 levels or up to 100 lbs of tension.

Aviron recommends the first ten levels for cardio and 11-16 for strength training. The resistance is strong but isn’t the equivalent of lifting weights. I still recommend incorporating strength/resistance training with rowing on the Aviron.

Warranty

The Strong Go Rower has a 10-year frame and a 1-year parts warranty, which is Aviron’s standard. If you want more coverage, you can also purchase a lifetime warranty.

The Strong Go is easier to assemble than the Strong Rower because it doesn’t have a touchscreen. One person can assemble it, but two people can help make the process smoother.

Should You Buy The Aviron Strong Go Rower?

Aviron makes rowing fun, and their machines are really well-constructed and thoughtfully made. The Aviron Strong Go is the affordable version of the Strong Rower. Regarding construction, you can expect this rower to be the same as the premium model; it just doesn’t have a touchscreen.

Instead of a touchscreen, the Strong Go Rower has a holder for your tablet or phone. Although the Aviron app only currently works with IOS devices, it connects easily with iPhones and iPads to display your metrics.

If you have an iPad, this rower is an appealing option if you want to save a little money but still get a high-quality and comfortable rowing machine. It can also be used with or without the Aviron membership. Aviron’s games are fun and engaging to really change up your rowing workouts, so I recommend checking out the Aviron app.

The Aviron Strong Go is comfortable, with nice features like adjustable footboards that can be made wider or narrower, depending on your body type. The hybrid resistance that uses air and magnetic resistance helps cut down on noise while still providing a lot of tension.

Check out this rower if you want a rowing machine to use with your device.

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Aviron Strong Go Rower Review FAQs / Q&As

Can I use an Aviron rower without a subscription?

Yes. You can use both the Aviron Strong and Aviron Strong Go rowers without a subscription to Aviron’s membership. Without a subscription, you have access to the manual mode, which is the Metrics Monitor, to track your workout metrics.

Can I watch Netflix on an Aviron rower?

The Aviron Strong Rower features a large touchscreen for streaming apps like Netflix. A subscription to Aviron’s training membership is required. Netflix streaming isn’t available on the Strong Go Rower unless you use your own device or put the rower in front of your TV.

Is our Aviron Strong Go Rower review a paid review?

We were not paid to create this review of the Aviron Strong Go Rower. We have affiliate links, so we’ll receive a commission if you purchase through them. Our affiliate links are how we get paid. However, each review we create reflects our unbiased thoughts.

We work with various brands to test equipment, including many types of rowing machines, so that we can recommend the best ones based on our testing.

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