Echelon Smart Rower Review – A Connected and Interactive Rowing Experience

The Echelon Smart Rower combines cutting-edge fitness technology with a compact, user-friendly design, providing an interactive and connected workout experience for rowing enthusiasts of all fitness levels. As part of Echelon’s growing lineup of smart fitness equipment, this rowing machine is designed to integrate with the Echelon Fit app, offering users access to live and on-demand workouts. With 32 levels of magnetic resistance, Bluetooth connectivity, and a foldable design, the Echelon Smart Rower seeks to make at-home rowing more engaging, dynamic, and convenient.

For users who enjoy interactive training sessions and structured workout programs, the Echelon Smart Rower offers a robust selection of fitness content. In this review, we’ll explore the key features, what makes it stand out, user feedback, and whether it’s the right rowing machine for your home gym.

Features

The Echelon Smart Rower comes equipped with several advanced features that aim to enhance the rowing experience. Let’s break down some of the main components:

    32 Levels of Magnetic Resistance: The rower features 32 levels of silent magnetic resistance, giving users complete control over the intensity of their workouts. This wide range of resistance levels ensures that users of all fitness levels can enjoy an effective workout, from beginners to more advanced rowers. Adjusting the resistance is smooth and simple, making it easy to customize each session.

    Bluetooth and App Connectivity: The Echelon Smart Rower is designed to work seamlessly with the Echelon Fit app, which offers access to live and on-demand rowing classes, scenic routes, and off-rower fitness content like yoga and strength training. The rower connects to your smartphone or tablet via Bluetooth, allowing you to track your workout metrics, participate in leaderboards, and follow structured training programs.

    Foldable, Space-Saving Design: One of the key benefits of the Echelon Smart Rower is its compact design. The rower can be folded and stored vertically when not in use, making it ideal for users with limited space in their home gym. Built-in wheels make it easy to move around, allowing for convenient storage.

    Ergonomic Design: The rower features an ergonomic seat and adjustable footrests for maximum comfort during workouts. The non-slip handlebar ensures a secure grip during intense rowing sessions, while the adjustable footrests can accommodate a range of foot sizes, ensuring proper form and stability.

    Quiet Magnetic Resistance: Thanks to its magnetic resistance system, the Echelon Smart Rower operates quietly, making it suitable for use in shared living spaces or apartments. The smooth, silent operation allows users to work out at any time without disturbing others in the household.

    Large LCD Console: The rower comes equipped with a large console that displays essential workout metrics such as time, distance, calories burned, and stroke rate. While it’s a basic display, users can track their progress and stay informed about their performance during each session.

    Echelon Fit Membership: The Echelon Smart Rower is designed to be used with the Echelon Fit app, which requires a subscription for access to live and on-demand classes. New users receive a free 30-day trial, allowing them to experience the full suite of interactive content before committing to a membership.

Standout Features

    32 Resistance Levels for Versatile Workouts: The 32 levels of magnetic resistance give users a broad range of workout intensity options. Whether you’re a beginner looking for a light, low-impact cardio session or an experienced rower seeking a more challenging workout, the Echelon Smart Rower can easily accommodate your needs.

    Interactive Echelon Fit App: One of the primary benefits of the Echelon Smart Rower is its integration with the Echelon Fit app. With a subscription, users can access live and on-demand rowing classes, scenic routes, and off-rower workouts. The app also tracks your workout metrics, offers personalized training plans, and allows you to compete on global leaderboards.

    Foldable and Compact: The Echelon Smart Rower’s foldable design makes it easy to store when not in use. This is a major advantage for users who don’t have dedicated space for a full-time gym setup. The built-in wheels make it easy to transport and store in a closet or corner of a room.

    Quiet Magnetic Resistance: The magnetic resistance system ensures that the rower operates quietly, making it suitable for home use in shared spaces. This feature allows users to enjoy their workouts at any time of day without worrying about noise disturbing others.

    Affordable Price Point: Compared to many other connected rowing machines, the Echelon Smart Rower is relatively affordable. While it doesn’t have the larger screens or high-end aesthetics of some premium models, it offers a strong balance of features and price, making it an accessible option for those seeking a connected fitness experience without breaking the bank.

What People Are Saying

The Echelon Smart Rower has garnered positive feedback from users, with many praising its interactive features, smooth operation, and space-saving design. Here’s a summary of the key points users highlight:

Positives:

    Interactive Classes and Scenic Routes: Many users enjoy the wide range of workout content available through the Echelon Fit app. The live and on-demand classes provide a sense of community, while the scenic routes allow users to virtually row through beautiful locations, adding variety to their workouts.

    Smooth, Quiet Operation: Reviewers frequently mention how quiet and smooth the rowing experience is, thanks to the magnetic resistance system. Users appreciate being able to row in shared spaces without disturbing others, making it a great option for home gyms in apartments or smaller homes.

    Compact and Foldable: Users with limited space appreciate the rower’s compact, foldable design. The ability to store the rower vertically when not in use is a major selling point for those who need to optimize space in their home gym.

    Comfortable Design: Several users highlight the comfort of the ergonomic seat and adjustable footrests, noting that they can row for extended periods without experiencing discomfort. The handlebar is also praised for its comfortable, non-slip grip.

    Affordable Alternative to Higher-End Models: Many users consider the Echelon Smart Rower to be a cost-effective alternative to more expensive connected rowers like the Hydrow. While it doesn’t offer the same level of luxury or large-screen displays, it provides an affordable entry point into the world of connected rowing.

Negatives:

    Subscription Requirement: While the Echelon Fit app is a highlight for many users, some find the ongoing subscription cost to be a downside. Without the app, the rower’s functionality is more limited, which might be frustrating for users who don’t want to commit to a monthly or yearly subscription.

    Basic Console Display: Some users note that the rower’s built-in LCD display is quite basic. While it tracks essential metrics like time and distance, it lacks the advanced data features and interactivity that are available through the app. For those who don’t use the app, this might feel limiting.

    Limited for Advanced Rowers: A few advanced athletes have mentioned that even with 32 resistance levels, the intensity might not be enough for those seeking high-performance, strength-building workouts. While the rower is ideal for general fitness, advanced rowers might need more challenging resistance options.

Conclusion

The Echelon Smart Rower offers an excellent balance of affordability, interactivity, and convenience, making it a great option for home gym users looking for an engaging rowing experience. Its integration with the Echelon Fit app allows users to access a wide range of live and on-demand classes, scenic routes, and personalized workout plans, keeping workouts dynamic and motivating. The 32 levels of magnetic resistance provide enough variety to accommodate different fitness levels, while the foldable design ensures the machine doesn’t take up too much space.

However, it’s important to note that the full value of the Echelon Smart Rower is unlocked through the Echelon Fit app, which requires a subscription. Without the app, the rower’s functionality is more limited, and the basic LCD display might not provide enough data for users who want detailed tracking. Still, for those who enjoy interactive classes and structured workouts, the Echelon Smart Rower offers an engaging and effective rowing experience at an affordable price point.

Overall, the Echelon Smart Rower is a solid choice for users looking to stay motivated with interactive content while enjoying a smooth, quiet workout. Its space-saving design, versatility, and app connectivity make it a valuable addition to any home gym setup.