Pricey Peloton Row Promises a Major Step Forward for Indoor Rowing

Peloton on Tuesday opened pre-orders for its new rowing machine, which does not come cheap, but looks to be a major step forward for the sport.

Priced at $3,195, the Peloton Row costs more than smart indoor rowing machines like the Hydrow ($2,495), but it offers one feature we have not yet seen on other models: real-time form feedback. Using sensors built into the hub of the machine, the Peloton Row can track the position of the seat and handle to determine whether you’re rowing correctly. 

During a Zoom call this week, the team behind the Peloton Row gave me a first look at the new machine and its unique Form Assist feature, which should be especially helpful for those who are new to rowing. Following an initial calibration, a Form Assist visualization on the left side of the Peloton Row class screen will highlight areas for improvement in real time. If you do something wrong or out of order—like bend your knees too early, lean back too far, or slump forward—the corresponding body part will light up in red, so you can adjust your technique accordingly. 

“I call it democratized rowing,” Peloton Row instructor Matt Wilpers tells PCMag. He adds that Peloton’s goal is to make rowing “accessible to everyone, and make it fun.”

(Credit: Peloton)

Experienced rowers know it’s one of the most efficient and effective forms of exercise, offering a full-body, low-impact cardio workout that puts minimal stress on your knees and other joints. But, here’s the thing about rowing: It’s a technical sport that requires coaching and practice to learn. It might look like it mostly involves your arms, but if you’re doing it right, most of your power comes from your legs. If you do it incorrectly, you can hurt your back or shoulders, which would obviously be a major setback toward any fitness goals.

On smart rowing machines like the Hydrow, instructors break down the rowing stroke, and constantly stress proper form. Peloton’s new rowing machine goes a step further with its sensor-powered Form Assist features, which can help you monitor your technique in real-time and track your progress. After each Peloton Row workout, you’ll get a Form Rating score out of 100%, along with a detailed breakdown of your errors and tips to improve. 

The Peloton Row team said they trialed this technology with hundreds of early testers, who typically received Form Ratings around 50% to 60% when first starting out. Six weeks later, those same users were averaging Form Ratings higher than 90%, showing incredible progress in their technique. 

As one might expect from a Peloton machine, competition will be a central part of the experience. A leaderboard on the right side of the Peloton Row class interface ranks participants based on their output, or stroke power. To increase your output and climb the leaderboard, you’ll need to push harder with your legs, row faster, or both. 

Peloton Row workouts are structured around two key metrics you’ll see on screen: your pace (typically referred to as split time, or the amount of time it would take you to go 500 meters at your current speed) and your stroke rate (your current pace, in strokes per minute). 

At launch, Peloton will offer on-demand, studio-based, instructor-led rowing classes, as well as unguided scenic rows. The company will also offer rowing bootcamp classes alternating intervals on the machine with floor-based strength training moves. Next year, Peloton plans to launch live rowing classes as well as guided scenic rows, workout experiences that are already available on Hydrow models. 

In terms of hardware, the Peloton Row features the same gorgeous, 23-inch HD touch screen as the Bike+ and Tread. The display is affixed to a swiveling mount, so you can move it 45 degrees horizontally (and tilt it 25 degrees vertically) for a good viewing angle when performing floor-based moves.

Like the Hydrow, the Peloton Row features a silent electromagnetic resistance system with adjustable drag. Peloton’s model has an accessory tray conveniently located between the foot rests, so you can easily grab a drink of water, check your phone, or towel off between intervals. 

The Peloton Row can be stored vertically and secured to your wall with an included wall anchor.
(Credit: Peloton)

The Peloton Row measures 94 by 24 inches (LW), weighs 156 pounds, and can be stored vertically and secured to your wall with an included wall anchor. The machine is meant for riders at least 16 years old, between 4’11 and 6’5” tall, weighing less than 300 pounds. 

Peloton has not yet announced a release date, but said it expects to start shipping the Row in December 2022. Like the company’s smart exercise bikes and treadmills, the Row requires a $44 monthly All-Access Membership, which gives you access to the company’s entire class library.  

Stay tuned for PCMag’s full review of the Peloton Row. In the meantime, check out our reviews of its competitors in the smart rowing machine category, including the Aviron Impact Series ($2,199), the Cityrow Max ($2,195), the Ergatta ($2,499), and NordicTrack RW90 ($1,799).