Hydrow Pro

Overview

The Hydrow Pro is built around the idea that a screen full of real rowing footage will keep you coming back, and for a lot of people it works. Instead of air or water, it uses a computer-controlled electromagnetic brake that the instructor's drag setting adjusts on the fly, producing a quiet, even pull that the company calls its Live Outdoor Reality experience. The 22-inch HD touchscreen swivels so you can follow strength, yoga and mobility sessions off the machine as well, and the speakers and front-facing design are tuned for living-room use. Because the resistance is magnetic, the loudest thing in the room is usually the instructor, which makes it a realistic choice for apartments and shared spaces. Membership is where the value proposition lives and dies: the hardware is polished, but the on-water classes that justify the price require an ongoing subscription, and a lapsed membership leaves you with limited offline functionality. The frame is sleek and stores upright with an accessory anchor, though it is heavy and the footprint is long in use. As a guided, low-noise rower for people who want to be coached every session, the Pro is among the most engaging options available.