Gift guide · New Year fitness · Modern Studio, Laguna Beach
Rowing machines and NOHRD home gym gifts for the holidays and the new year.
A rowing machine works the legs, core, back and arms in one quiet motion. These ones are made of wood and stand upright in a corner when you’re done. This guide compares the WaterRower models we carry, the PENT rowers at the top of the range, and the NOHRD equipment and smaller gifts that complete a home gym.
Two sister brands
WaterRower and NOHRD: one design language, two workshops.
The WaterRower began in Rhode Island in 1988, when engineer and competitive rower John Duke built a rowing machine around a tank of water. The machines are still handcrafted in Warren, Rhode Island, and every model we carry is listed as made in the USA.
NOHRD grew out of WaterRower’s German business in Nordhorn. WaterRower customers wanted bikes, treadmills and strength equipment made the same way, so the team started building them. The name says where it comes from: NOH is Nordhorn’s vehicle registration code, the small “r” in the original NOHrD logo was a water tap for WaterRower, and the D stands for Deutschland. Since 2023 the two brands have appeared together as WATERROWER | NOHRD.
If you’re shopping for one person, our 2026 holiday gift guide covers design gifts beyond the gym. For a full training room, start with the fitness equipment collection.
Why water
What a water rower feels like, and why it lives in the living room.
1. Resistance that follows you
Paddles turn inside a sealed tank, the WaterFlywheel. Pull harder and the water pushes back harder, so one machine suits an easy warm-up and a hard interval without changing settings.
2. Quiet
There is no fan noise, only the sound of moving water. That makes early-morning sessions easier on the rest of the house.
3. It stands up when you’re done
Every WaterRower here stores upright. The Original stands on a 20″ × 22.25″ footprint and is 82.25″ tall stored, so it fits under a standard 8-foot ceiling.
4. Made like furniture
Solid hardwood on the Original, Performance and Lite, wood with aluminum on the A1 Hybrid, and powder-coated aluminum on the M1, for a gym or a bright modern room.
Compare
The five WaterRowers we carry, side by side.
All five use the same water resistance. They differ in frame, monitor, length and how much weight they’re rated for. Dimensions are from each product’s specification. Prices are current and include required contiguous-U.S. shipping.
| Model | Frame | Monitor | In use (L × W × H) | Storage | Max user | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| WaterRower Original | Solid hardwood, dual rail | S4 Bluetooth | 82.25″ × 22.25″ × 20″ | Upright, 20″ × 22.25″ | 700 lb | From $1,324 |
| WaterRower Lite | Solid oak, dual rail | S4 (Bluetooth with ComModule) | 82″ × 22.25″ × 17.25″ | Upright, 17.25″ × 22.25″ | 325 lb | $1,124 |
| WaterRower A1 BLE Hybrid | Wood front, aluminum monorail | A1 Bluetooth | 85″ × 22.25″ × 20″ | Upright | 375 lb | From $1,424 |
| WaterRower Performance Ergometer | Hardwood, XL rails, PowerPulley | WaterRower Connect app | 86″ × 22.25″ × 33″ | Upright, 21″ × 22.25″ | 700 lb | From $1,624 |
| WaterRower M1 Metallic | Powder-coated aluminum | S4 Bluetooth | 87.5″ × 22.25″ × 20″ (LoRise) or 27.75″ (HiRise) | Upright | 700 lb | From $2,074 |
- Best all-roundWaterRower Original: the classic in six woods, with no assembly required.
- LightestWaterRower Lite: 40 lb without water, easy to move and store.
- For data and taller rowersPerformance Ergometer: PowerPulley output and XL rails.
- Easier on and offM1 HiRise: a 19.7″ seat. On compatible models, the HiRise adapter kit raises the seat by about 8″.
WaterRower · Made in the USA
WaterRower rowing machines.
WaterRower machines are made to order, so we confirm current availability and estimated shipping before you order. The wooden models come in a choice of finishes, with price set by the wood.
WaterRower · solid hardwood
WaterRower Original Rowing Machine
From $1,324
In use 82.25″ L × 22.25″ W × 20″ H · stores upright on a 20″ × 22.25″ footprint · S4 Bluetooth monitor · 700 lb max user
The classic: a dual-rail wooden frame, the WaterFlywheel tank and no assembly required. Six wood finishes from Oak to Walnut.
Made to order; we confirm current availability and estimated shipping time before you order.
View details
WaterRower · solid oak
WaterRower Lite Rowing Machine
$1,124
In use 82″ L × 22.25″ W × 17.25″ H · 40 lb without water · S4 monitor · 325 lb max user
Thinner solid-oak frame sections make it the lightest WaterRower here. Bluetooth needs the optional ComModule, and assembly is required.
Made to order; we confirm current availability and estimated shipping time before you order.
View details
WaterRower · hardwood, PowerPulley
WaterRower Performance Ergometer
From $1,624
In use 86″ L × 22.25″ W × 33″ H · XL rails · folding device arm · 700 lb max user
Built for data: the PowerPulley measures rowing output, the XL rails add range for taller rowers, and it works with the WaterRower Connect app.
Made to order; we confirm current availability and estimated shipping time before you order.
View details
WaterRower · wood + aluminum
WaterRower A1 BLE Hybrid Rowing Machine
From $1,424
In use 85″ L × 22.25″ W × 20″ H · A1 Bluetooth monitor · 375 lb max user
A solid wood front with an aluminum monorail and a wide seat. Developed for group exercise, so it suits busy family use.
Made to order; we confirm current availability and estimated shipping time before you order.
View details
WaterRower · powder-coated aluminum
WaterRower M1 Metallic Rowing Machine
From $2,074
87.5″ L · LoRise seat 11.8″ or HiRise seat 19.7″ · Black or Silver · 700 lb max user
WaterRower’s commercial frame. The HiRise version raises the seat, which makes getting on and off easier.
Made to order; we confirm current availability and estimated shipping time before you order.
View details
WaterRower · accessory
WaterRower HiRise Adapter Kit
From $175
Raises the seat by about 8″ · finish-matched rails
For any of the wooden models: a higher seat makes it easier to sit down and stand up, without changing the stroke.
View detailsPENT · the statement rowers
When the rower is the centerpiece of the room.
PENT builds fitness equipment as interior pieces, in natural wood, stainless steel, solid bronze and genuine leather. Its two rowers are for a private gym, a wellness suite or a great room where the machine stays out on display.
The VISLA uses natural water resistance, like a WaterRower. The VARTA uses silent magnetic resistance, for homes where even moving water is too much. Read more in PENT Fitness: design a luxury home gym you love to use.
PENT · water resistance
VISLA™ Premium Rowing Ergometer
$8,990
91.3″ L × 24.8″ W × 35.4″ H
Natural wood, stainless steel, solid bronze and genuine leather, with a connected touch interface. Engineered and handcrafted in Europe.
Made to order; we confirm lead time before you order.
View details
PENT · silent magnetic resistance
VARTA™ Magnetic Rowing Ergometer
$9,940
91.3″ L × 24.8″ W × 36.2″ H
The quiet option: magnetic resistance, a dedicated tablet holder and the PENT Fitness app, designed and manufactured in Poland.
Made to order; we confirm lead time before you order.
View detailsNOHRD · Made in Germany
Complete the room with NOHRD.
A rower covers cardio and full-body conditioning. NOHRD fills in the rest in the same woods: a bike, a curved manual treadmill, a slim cable machine, wall bars and strength pieces. Most come in Shadow, Oak, Club, Vintage, Cherry and Walnut, so they can match a WaterRower already in the room.
Several NOHRD pieces list an estimated fulfillment of 7–14 business days on their product pages, which matters if the gift needs to arrive soon. Others are made to order, and we confirm timing before you buy.
NOHRD · indoor cycle
NOHRD Bike V2 Indoor Cycle
From $5,049
Floor space 35.4″ × 25.6″ · 5.5 kg flywheel · touchscreen in the handlebar
A solid-wood frame with a planetary gear drive and stepless eddy-current resistance. Made in Germany.
Stock and delivery timelines vary; we confirm before you order.
View details
NOHRD · curved manual treadmill
Sprintbok V2 Curved Manual Treadmill by NOHRD
From $8,999
33.86″ W × 70.87″ D · six wood finishes
Self-powered: a curved wooden slat belt moves at your pace, from walking to sprinting, with no motor to service. Handcrafted in Germany.
View details
NOHRD · cable machine
SlimBeam Cable Machine
From $3,149
7.9″ × 15.7″ footprint · 3.9″ from the wall · 75 kg weight stack
A commercial-grade weight stack in a slim curved casing, with a height-adjustable swiveling pulley.
View details
NOHRD · wall bars
NOHRD WallBars Foldout Fitness Station
From $729
31.10″ W × 90.55″ H · 2.36″ from the wall · 10 or 14 rungs
Solid-wood wall bars with a fold-out top bar for pull-ups, hanging and stretching.
Estimated fulfillment: 7–14 business days.
View details
NOHRD · free weights
NOHRD SwingBells Storage Set
From $974
Eight SwingBells, pairs of 2, 4, 6 and 8 kg · Tower or Wall Board
Hand-stitched leather weights filled with shifting iron granules, stored on a wooden tower or wall board.
Estimated fulfillment: 7–14 business days.
View details
NOHRD · strength bench
NOHRD WeightBench Adjustable Strength Bench
From $1,199
53.15″ L · eight backrest positions · two seat positions
A wood-framed adjustable bench in artificial or genuine leather, to pair with SwingBells or dumbbells.
Estimated fulfillment: 7–14 business days.
View detailsSmaller gifts and add-ons
Smaller gifts from $99, for the person who already rows.
For someone who already has a rower, or as a small gift to go with a big one: grip and balance tools from NOHRD, practical WaterRower accessories, and two made-to-order leather pieces from FYSIK.
NOHRD · grip and mobility
NOHRD HaptikBall Hand-Stitched Leather Training Ball
From $99
300 g to 2100 g · vegetable-tanned leather
A hand-stitched leather ball filled with iron granules, for grip, coordination and mobility work.
View details
NOHRD · balance
NOHRD Eau-Me Board Water Balance Trainer
From $449
25.20″ platform · 6.5-liter water base
The water shifts with every move, so squats, lunges and planks become balance work.
View details
NOHRD · suspension trainer
NOHRD Sling Suspension Trainer
From $419
Wood rings · quick-adjust rope
Bodyweight training for core, strength and balance. Mount only to a suitable overhead anchor.
Estimated fulfillment: 7–14 business days.
View details
WaterRower · accessory
WaterRower Tablet Arm & Holder
From $120
Finish-matched arm · adjustable holder
Puts a tablet in view for guided workouts and streaming. Choose the arm to match the rower’s wood.
View details
WaterRower · accessory
WaterRower Floor Mat
$100
Black · made for WaterRower machines
Protects the floor under the rower. A practical add-on to any rower gift.
View details
WaterRower · accessory
WaterRower Protective Cover
$175
Black · sized for compatible WaterRower models
Keeps dust off a rower that lives in a guest room or garage.
View details
FYSIK · made to order in Bangkok
DOD™ Jump Rope
$290
Leather rope · turned wood handles · sized by height
A cardio essential worth hanging on display.
Made to order, typical lead time 10–12 weeks.
View details
FYSIK · made to order in Bangkok
LEK™ Mobility Ball
$110
Full-grain leather · Ø 6.5 cm · wood stand
The smallest object in the FYSIK range, for release work on feet, hips and shoulders.
Made to order, typical lead time 10–12 weeks.
View detailsFYSIK pieces are made to order in Bangkok, about 10–12 weeks, so they’re a new-year gift rather than a holiday delivery.
Space planning
How much room does it need?
Rowers: plan for about 7½ feet
In use, our WaterRowers run 82″ to 87.5″ long and 22.25″ wide. Add room to step on and off, and space behind the seat at full extension.
Store it standing
Stood upright, the Original takes a 20″ × 22.25″ footprint, about the size of an armchair seat. Check your ceiling height: it’s 82.25″ tall upright.
Wall pieces barely protrude
The SlimBeam sits 3.9″ from the wall on a 7.9″ × 15.7″ footprint, and the WallBars sit 2.36″ out. Both need secure wall mounting.
Protect the floor
Put a floor mat under a water rower on wood or stone floors.
For a dedicated room, see how to design a luxury home gym.
Holiday and New Year timing
When will it arrive?
WaterRower: made to order, with timelines that change through the season. We confirm availability and an estimated ship date before you order. Displayed prices include required contiguous-U.S. shipping.
NOHRD: the WallBars, SwingBells, WeightBench, Sling, StepBox, SquatRack and Wall Compact list an estimated fulfillment of 7–14 business days. The Bike, Sprintbok and other made-to-order pieces vary, so ask us.
PENT and FYSIK: made to order. Plan these as new-year deliveries.
Giving it as a surprise?
Order the accessories now and wrap those, then schedule the rower’s delivery for after the holidays. Or visit the showroom and pick the wood finish together. Planning around the sales? See Black Friday at Modern Studio.
Rowing machine questions
Frequently asked
Which WaterRower should I buy?
For most homes, the Original: solid hardwood, an S4 Bluetooth monitor, no assembly required and a 700 lb maximum user weight. Choose the Lite for the lowest price and lightest frame, or the Performance Ergometer for PowerPulley data and XL rails.
Are water rowers quiet?
Yes, compared with fan-based machines. You hear the water moving, not a fan. For near-silence, PENT’s VARTA uses magnetic resistance.
Do the rowers need maintenance?
Very little. Keep the rails clean and dry, wipe the frame with a soft damp cloth, and maintain the tank water following WaterRower’s guidance. WaterRower also offers cleaning kits.
Will it fit under my ceiling when stored upright?
The Original is 82.25″ tall upright and the Lite 82″, so both clear a standard 8-foot (96″) ceiling. The Performance Ergometer stands 86″.
Is shipping included?
Displayed WaterRower prices include required contiguous-U.S. shipping. Additional regional or special-service charges may apply.
Can it arrive before the holidays?
It depends on the model and current production. WaterRower machines are made to order, so we confirm timing before you order. Several NOHRD strength pieces list 7–14 business days.
Can I try one first?
Visit our Laguna Beach showroom, and call ahead so we can tell you what’s on the floor. We can also share wood samples and specification sheets.
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