WaterRower Rowing Machines

Rowing machines that perfectly combine fitness and style

Feel the water resistance and listen to the soothing sound of rushing water—a workout that feels like gliding across the water in a boat.

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WaterRower since 1988

The WaterRower was developed in 1988 by American rower John Duke – with the aim of authentically bringing the natural feeling of rowing on the water indoors. From the beginning, the combination of function, design, and sustainability has been at the heart of it. To this day, every WaterRower is carefully handcrafted in the USA, made from sustainably sourced hardwood and built to the highest quality standards. Over the years, the WaterRower has become a design classic – acclaimed for its aesthetics, durability, and unique workout experience.

Highest quality – crafted for generations

Every WaterRower is a masterpiece of precision and craftsmanship. Crafted from solid, sustainably sourced hardwood or high-quality stainless steel, it combines stability, durability, and timeless design. The materials are carefully selected and worked by experienced craftsmen – each machine is unique. Water as the resistance element not only ensures a realistic rowing experience, but also a quiet, smooth motion that is gentle on the joints. A WaterRower is no ordinary fitness machine – it is an investment in quality, aesthetics, and enjoyment of training for many years to come.

What makes the WaterRower so special?

The WaterRower is far more than a rowing machine – it is a training system that brings performance, design, and naturalness into harmony. Developed by passionate rowers, it combines authentic water resistance training with timeless aesthetics and uncompromising quality. The result: a workout that challenges both body and mind – quiet, fluid, and incredibly effective.

The principle of water resistance

Unlike conventional air or magnetic resistance, the WaterRower uses real water as the resistance element – the most natural medium in rowing.

  • The resistance automatically adjusts to your stroke power – the harder you row, the higher the resistance
  • The water provides a smooth, joint-friendly, and realistic training experience
  • The quiet rushing sound in the tank gives you the feeling of really rowing on the water

WaterRower benefits at a glance

  • Natural workout experience: Water resistance ensures smooth, ergonomic movements
  • Full-body workout: Strengthens over 80% of the muscles – ideal for endurance, strength, and coordination
  • Space-saving: The WaterRower can be easily stored upright after a workout and requires very little floor space
  • High-quality materials: Handcrafted from solid wood or stainless steel – durable, stable, and stylish
  • Design classic: Timelessly beautiful – blends harmoniously into living spaces, studios, or offices
  • Low maintenance and quiet: Minimal maintenance required and virtually silent during operation
 

In short:

The WaterRower combines an authentic rowing experience, exceptional build quality, and iconic design into a unique workout experience. Ideal for anyone who wants to exercise effectively, stylishly, and in harmony with nature at home or in the gym.

Sustainability you can see and feel

Sustainability is an integral part of the WaterRower philosophy. Every WaterRower is crafted from carefully selected, renewable hardwoods – predominantly from sustainable forestry in the USA. Production is energy-efficient and done by hand to conserve resources and ensure the highest quality. Durability is at the heart of this approach: instead of short-lived plastic constructions, WaterRower uses natural materials that will last for generations. The result is a piece of exercise equipment that stands not only for fitness, but also for responsibility towards the environment and the future.

The water tank – the heart of the WaterRower

The transparent water tank is the heart of the WaterRower, providing an incomparably natural rowing feel. Filled with clear water, it creates a smooth, consistent resistance that automatically adapts to your individual pulling power – just like rowing on real water. The patented WaterFlywheel system simulates the dynamics of an oar blade in the water: fluid, rhythmic, and completely gentle on the joints. The tank is made of robust, shatterproof polycarbonate and is virtually maintenance-free – a quick glance at the crystal-clear water is enough to feel the tranquility and power of this extraordinary exercise machine.

One technology, numerous variants.

Here you can see all WaterRower models at a glance.

Pure
Hybrid
Original
Performance
Metallic
Ergatta

Perfect in detail.

This is what makes the WaterRower unique.

Pure

Real wood. Truly handcrafted.

Every WaterRower is a unique piece made from solid hardwood.

The solid wood used comes exclusively from sustainable, renewable forests in the USA and Germany. Only straight-grained, kiln-dried heartwood of the highest quality is used. The wooden elements are treated with protective oil to minimize dirt and stains. This largely prevents cracks and drying damage.

Oak

Oak wood – robust, durable, and timelessly beautiful

The ring-porous oak from North America or Europe stands out for its exceptional strength and durability. Its warm colour palette ranges from reddish to deep brown tones and is marked by distinctive medullary rays that give the material its natural texture. Thanks to its even grain, oak has a particularly elegant and understated appearance—a classic, high-quality wood that has proved its worth in furniture making for centuries and also gives the WaterRower stability and stylish appeal.

Vintage

Vintage character with oak wood

For an authentic vintage look, high-quality oak from North America or Europe is used. The brown stain accentuates the natural texture and distinctive medullary rays. Oak is one of the most durable types of wood used in furniture making and stands out for its even, elegant grain—perfect for a timeless, robust vintage style.

Club

Club look – bright, modern and versatile

High-quality beechwood is used for the Club finish. Beech is a plain, light-colored wood with a dense, hard surface, and its fine texture makes it particularly well suited to staining. For the Club finish, the wood is stained rose or black, which enhances the natural surface without obscuring the grain.

This elegant finish is especially popular in studios and bright interiors, as it creates a modern yet warm atmosphere.

Shadow

Shadow-Optic – dark, elegant and striking

High-quality beech wood is used for the Shadow finish. Beech is characterized by its light, simple appearance and a hard, dense surface that is ideal for staining. For the Shadow finish, the wood is stained deep black, which brings out the natural surface intensely without obscuring the characteristic grain.

The result is an elegant, powerful look that stylishly complements modern spaces.

Cherry

Cherry wood – elegant and warm in character

Cherry wood captivates with its uniform, fine-pored structure and its refined, decorative charm. The color palette ranges from light yellowish tones to warm reddish-browns, which develop an attractive, natural patina over time. With its smooth surface and fine edges, cherry wood is excellent to work with.

Thanks to its understated elegance and warm, reddish-brown coloring, cherry wood sets stylish accents in bright rooms and creates a harmonious, decorative contrast.

Walnut

Walnut – exclusive, robust and vibrant

Walnut wood is characterized by its dark brown coloring and vivid, distinctive grain. After processing, it results in smooth, elegantly lustrous surfaces that give the wood a particularly high-quality appearance. The wood is dimensionally stable, durable, and excellent to work with.

As a premium fine wood, walnut is primarily used in sophisticated interiors, where it impresses with its exclusivity and decorative effect.

WaterRower Connectivity

Interactive rowing at a new level

With the right accessories, you can easily transform your WaterRower into a smart exercise machine. Thanks to compatible apps such as WaterRower Connect, SmartRow, and Ergatta, your workout becomes an interactive experience—motivating, varied, and digitally connected.

WATERROWER Connect

Track your workout data in real time while rowing. This includes distance rowed, 500 m split, power output, and stroke rate, among other metrics.

All data is automatically saved in your WATERROWER Connect history, allowing you to analyze and compare your progress at any time.

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SmartRow – precise workout data directly to your device

SmartRow provides absolutely comparable and reliable rowing data – without a monitor, wirelessly and conveniently on your smartphone or tablet.

The SmartRow roller replaces the first flywheel in the WaterRower and transmits all relevant rowing data directly to the SmartRow app via Bluetooth.

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Ergatta Software

Ergatta combines gamification, personalized training plans, and real-time feedback to create a motivating training experience that closely resembles competitive sports.

Instead of passively following videos or trainers, users receive structured workouts in the form of an interactive game—making training varied and especially motivating.

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❌Unavailable ✅Standard ✔Retrofittable

Rowing MachinesA1 monitorS4 monitorS4 Monitor + ComModuleSmartRowErgatta & Upgrade Set
VR3❌✅✔❌❌
WaterRower A1✅❌❌✔❌
Waterrower Original❌✅✔✔✔
WaterRower Metallic❌✅✔✔❌
WaterRower Performance❌❌❌✅❌
Ergatta Rowing Machine❌❌❌❌✅
Functions
Bluetooth❌✔✅✅✅
Heart Rate❌✔✅✅✅
Apps
WaterRower Connect❌❌✅❌❌
SmartRow App❌❌❌✅❌
Ergatta Software❌❌❌❌✅

WaterRower Accessories

Smart additions for better fitness

WaterRower rowing machines for the gym and home

The original since 1988 - the WaterRower was invented in 1988 by John Duke. The American rower developed the practical function and timeless design of the rowing machine based on the basic idea that training on land should reflect the conditions on the water as realistically as possible.

The WaterRower was designed to be comfortable and fit into a hectic everyday life. Simply lay it down and it is ready to use. Feel the unique sensation of water resistance and listen to the pleasant sound of the water.

The heart of the WaterRower is the patented water tank with the ergonomically shaped water paddle. This allows for maximum water displacement and creates a smooth, jerk-free resistance. Training with water resistance is absolutely gentle on the joints, relaxing, and at the same time extremely effective.

The WaterRower automatically adapts to the user. The resistance adjusts according to the force applied. The harder you pull, the greater the resistance. The WaterRower is self-regulating. You can show off the WaterRower. You do not need to hide it, like many other fitness machines made of steel. The WaterRower is an eye-catcher for guests. It is almost silent and therefore does not disturb neighbors, so it can be used at any time after 10 p.m.

The unique aesthetics of the WaterRower, unmatched by other ergometers, combined with the high quality of the machine, make the WaterRower one of the most successful rowing ergometers of all. Thanks to the self-regulating effect of the WaterRower, anyone can use it at any time without having to make tedious changes to the preset settings. The beautiful design of the WaterRower prevents visual aversion and motivates regular use for training. Timeless, appealing, and outstanding - the WaterRower rowing machine was awarded the renowned Plus X Award for its unique design and was the only piece of sports equipment displayed in the Design Museum in London.

The WaterRower, available in various woods as well as in a steel version, holds a worldwide patent on the water paddle wheel, which simulates the dynamics of the rowing motion. As the wheel is pulled through the water tank, water resistance is created, which feels natural, smooth, and even, and establishes a connection to rowing on the water.

The quiet splashing of the water enhances the impression of gliding through the water in a boat. The WaterRower uses the advantages of the rowing motion in a unique way: You train and determine your own intensity and speed. Because the rowing stroke and the speed of a boat are interdependent, every rowing crew sets its training intensity by simply changing the speed at which it rows. The faster the boat glides over the water, the faster the crew pulls the oars through the water and the harder they have to work. You have the same effect when swimming. The WaterRower simulates exactly this effect on land. Therefore, no device is needed to adjust the training resistance. If you want to train more intensely, simply row faster. The WaterRower will react accordingly.

Shark Fitness – Official WaterRower Partner in Switzerland

As an authorized specialist retailer, Shark Fitness offers high-quality WaterRower rowing machines in Switzerland. Whether you’re a dedicated home athlete, a personal trainer or a professional fitness studio, you’ll find original WaterRower models in a variety of designs and wood types.

Enjoy personalized advice, fast delivery, professional service and a unique showroom experience. We’ll help you find the ideal rowing machine for your training goals—durable, sustainable and ergonomically designed.

Visit us in Wil or Wettingen and experience WaterRower in person at our showroom. Our fitness experts will be happy to offer you personalized advice—or you can conveniently order online from your Swiss specialist for premium fitness solutions.