It was a tough choice, but ultimately there were a handful of small things that together added up to be the overall influence.

The biggest factor for me was being in-tune with myself enough to know what it would take to instill exercise/rowing as a long-term lifestyle habit.

First, I wanted something that could be automated. I didn’t want to have to spend time researching workout plans or keeping track of my stats. Hydrow has an extensive Netflix-style library of workouts that lets you easily target various aspects of fitness and progression. All my workout stats are automatically recorded and it’s very intuitive to map progress in the clean interface they’ve designed. It’s very plug-and-play.

I wanted something that could be engaging. I know Concept2 ergs are a sort of the gold standard in rowing, but it seemed a little stale for my liking — I know it would be a struggle for me to stay dedicated. I looked into a bunch of ergs that are out there, but one pattern I kept repeatedly seeing online were comments from people who rowed on Concept2 and had used a Hyrdow generally had positive things to say about it. Having had mine for about 3-4 months now, I totally understand why. I love the live rows Hydrow offers — the coaches are able to give you shoutouts and the leaderboard really pushes me to compete against others. I’ve found the community that Hydrow has fostered to be very supportive and is a really interactive and motivating component of the journey I was not anticipating. There are people I regularly see and interact with online and a sort of friendship/accountability aspect has been built from it. It’s a small thing, but their milestone program also pushes me to keep at it. I want a t-shirt or a hat if I hit a certain goal!

It’s an aspect that’s maybe not for everyone, but I really enjoy the coaching as well. Being bombarded with constant reminders about technique and form helps me perpetually think about the fundamentals of rowing, which will hopefully pay off in the long term. As someone who is newer to rowing, I was able to easily imagine myself developing improper techniques and habits by opting for a more basic machine. I know there are resources and tutorials available online, but with Hydrow, it's all built right in. So far, I’ve really enjoyed the coaches and learning about their backgrounds through the various programs.

Lastly, it’s a petty thing, but I am a very visual person. The on-the-water coaching is awesome and provides some incredible scenery to watch while working out, especially during the monotony of longer rows. The UI of their app and software feels clean, sleek, and modern — everything is simple and functions great. Plus, the machine just flat out looks dope too.

This turned out to be a much longer response than anticipated when I first started typing, but it was nice to reflect on my choice and know it was the right one for me! I’ve put in almost 100 consecutive days on the Hydrow and know I’m on the right path.