As a seasoned, on-the-water rower who relies on rowing machine workouts when it’s too windy, too cold, or both, I know from experience how convenient and efficient indoor rowing can be. While it doesn’t compare with the experience of rowing on the water, indoor rowing is a low-impact calorie-burning, strength-and-cardio conditioning superstar. It fires all of the six major muscle groups in your body—the legs, butt, core, shoulders and arms—in every stroke. Experts say it can be as beneficial as running—without all the joint-damaging pounding running requires. But I also know how excruciatingly difficult and mind-numbingly boring it can be to sit on a typical rowing machine and slog through a 30-minute session—no matter your experience or commitment to the sport. Is it possible to make indoor rowing more exciting, or at least more tolerable? Enter the CITYROW GO Max. This new rowing machine takes the ultra-effective sport of indoor rowing and adds an instructive, interactive element to keep you engaged and challenged. It’s a bit like the Peloton of rowing machines, giving you streaming video access to instructors that pump you up, badges for goals completed, and a broad array of classes both on the machine and off. The machine was developed by the folks behind CITYROW, a New York-based nationwide chain of indoor rowing studios that feature group workouts led by inspiring, experienced instructors. The goal? To bring you the same pump-you-up vibe, expert info and community support you get IRL at home. But does it deliver?
What is the CITYROW GO Max?
The CITYROW GO Max is an indoor rowing machine that uses water for resistance. It was developed in partnership with WaterRower, which makes a wide array of rowing machines for both gym and home use. The machine features a water-filled tank that attempts to simulate the feel of actually rowing in a boat on the water. Other indoor rowing machines, like the popular Concept2 ergometers, use air resistance via a flywheel/chain system that you can adjust manually to different levels. On the CITYROW GO Max, as well as other water-based indoor rowers, you control the intensity of the exercise by rowing faster and/or pushing harder—just like you would rowing with a crew in a boat on the water. But the CITYROW GO Max takes a basic indoor rowing machine to the next level, with its 19.5 inches, touch-screen monitor that brings the kind of in-studio classes you’d experience at a CITYROW physical location into the comfort of your own home. The monitor swivels for easier viewing for off-the-rower work like warmups, floor exercises, strength training, etc. In addition to streaming classes, the tablet includes a dashboard that you use during your workouts to monitor your stroke rating—the number of strokes you take per minute—your “split,” a measure of power that indicates how fast you’re going, the number of meters traveled, the time elapsed and the percentage of effort you’re exerting. Like other indoor rowing machines, the CITYROW GO Max requires a good amount of floor space—it is 83.5 inches long and 22.25 inches wide. Thankfully, though, it stores easily—just fold down the monitor and stand the CITYROW GO Max on its end in a corner or against the wall when not in use.
How much does the CityRow GO MAX cost?
At $2,195, plus tax and a subscription fee of $29/month or $348/year, the CITYROW GO Max isn’t cheap. It’s only slightly less pricey than the Hydrow, a similar premium rowing machine with streaming features that sells for $2,245 plus tax and a $38 monthly membership fee. But the CITYROW GO Max price includes shipping AND set up, so there’s no work on your part, no messing with cables and connections and water tanks to fill.
How does CityRow Go Max work?
To start using the CITYROW GO Max, you first connect it to your Wifi network. Turn on the monitor, find your network and enter your password. Then, you’ll be asked to create a profile that you can use to track everything from the number and type of classes you take, the number of meters you row, badges and awards you earn for meeting the goals you set, such as the number of classes you’re aiming to take. Among other information, you indicate your level of experience as a rower (beginner, intermediate, advanced), and whether you have access to weight training equipment like dumbbells. Then, you choose which class you want to take of the hundreds available. One of the best things about the CITYROW GO Max is the variety of the classes, each led by an instructor who works out with you while you view them from the monitor—guiding you through exercises, instructing and encouraging you. Beginners who are unfamiliar with the rowing stroke or need a refresher, and those who are new to CITYROW GO Max are encouraged to watch the set of three tutorials before trying a workout. The tutorials help ensure that you’re using the proper stroke so you can get the most out of your workouts and walk you through the performance data you’ll be able to monitor as you row. There’s also a special Beginner Challenge that involves three specific classes per week aimed at helping you ramp up in a way that’s appropriate for your level of fitness and experience. There are five different types of classes available at 20, 30 or 50-minute options:
HIIT (high-intensity interval training) classes: HIIT is a method of training that involves short bursts of intense exercise, alternated with brief, lower-intensity recovery segments. You can choose HIIT workouts on the CITYROW GO Max that feature rowing only, that integrate rowing on the machine and bodyweight or strength exercises off the rower, or that involve only bodyweight exercises done off the rower.Endurance classes: Endurance classes are rowing-only sessions. The instructors lead you through 30- or 50-minute sessions consisting of several “pieces”—rowing segments by time or number of meters. In Endurance classes, the segments are on the longer side—2000 meters or more, or 10 minutes plus, with rest in between. HIIT intervals, on the other hand, can be 1 to 2 minutes, 250 to 500 meters.Strength: Strength classes usually involve a combination of pieces on the rower with weight-training exercises using dumbbells on the floor. In some classes, the rower is only a part of the warm-up and cool down; in others, rowing pieces are alternated with strength exercises or done at the end of the class for a final, intense cardio challenge.Yoga: Yoga classes involve traditional yoga poses and flows to improve strength, flexibility and balance. They come in 20, 30 or 50 minute options, although the majority are 20 minutes. They’re great options for off-days or as a complement to a HIIT, Endurance or Strength class.Mobility: CITYROW GO Max offers a small but growing selection of 20-minute mobility training classes designed to help prevent injury and improve functional movement. These classes are also good for rest days and to complement rowing, strength and HIIT classes.
Using the touch screen, you can browse through classes in a number of different ways: by type duration, by instructor, by “Most Popular,” and “Newest.” Beginner and advanced classes are indicated as such. On your account dashboard, you can see classes you’ve already taken, and which you have indicated as favorites. Once you’ve selected the class you’d like to take, it’s simple—just press play and start sweating. Note that there are a couple of audio options to consider: You can listen to the class through the tablet’s speakers, or connect via Bluetooth with wireless earbuds. With each, you have the option of separately controlling the instructor’s voice and background music—even choosing no music or no instructor audio at all.
What are the benefits of the CITYROW GO Max?
The CITYROW GO Max is a one-stop shop for people looking to get and stay fit at home. Unlike other rowers, such as the popular Concept 2 models, the CITYROW GO Max offers more than just a great rowing workout, thanks to the hundreds of classes featuring weight lifting and bodyweight resistance moves, yoga, stretching and mobility. It’s suitable for anyone from beginner to advanced fitness levels, and there’s no previous rowing experience necessary to enjoy it. Because it was so easy to integrate yoga, stretching and strength workouts into my routine, I was able to get more of a well-rounded fitness experience vs. rowing-only workouts. It’s this variety that keeps you engaged and motivated.In traditional home rowing machines, it’s up to you to decide the length, speed and intensity of your workout. For me, it takes extra effort to not talk myself out of doing longer, harder workouts. But the unpredictability of the CityRow GO MAX workouts made me actually look forward to getting on the machine and commit to doing my best, whatever the instructor threw at me that day. I appreciated the adventure of opting for a new HIIT, endurance or strength workout, not really knowing what I was getting into beforehand. The breadth and number of classes offered by CITYROW GO Max provides endless boredom-busting variety. Sure, you can choose to go back and retake classes you’ve already tried, but with hundreds to choose from and new offerings every week, why would you? Plus,as a pretty seasoned, experienced gym-rat, I didn’t expect the kind of creativity offered by the instructors. I was excited to discover some strength-training, bodyweight and even stretching moves I’d never seen before, ones I’ll continue to do when working out on my own. Another advantage, especially for people who live in tight quarters, is that the CITYROW GO Max is quieter than machines that use air resistance, like the Concept 2.
What are the downsides of the CITYROW GO Max?
The CITYROW GO Max doesn’t yet offer the kind of real-time live classes you can get on a Peloton. So there’s none of that in-the-moment encouragement from and connection with the instructors. Nor is there a “leaderboard” to show you how your real-time performance compares with other CITYROW GO Max users. Some people might find that the community aspect and competition with others boost their motivation and performance even, and adds an extra layer of accountability, but frankly, I didn’t really miss it. One thing I do think would be helpful would be to offer guidance on how to construct an overall fitness plan using the CITYROW GO Max classes as a base. Suggesting the right mix of endurance, HIIT, strength and stretching classes based on your base fitness level and goals would help ensure that users are creating a well-rounded, balanced fitness experience. As far as logistics go, rowing machines, in general, take up a good amount of floor space, so that can be an issue depending on where you live and your circumstances. But at least the CITYROW GO Max is easy to get out of the way once you’re done with your workout.
Final verdict
I have to say, I was skeptical going in that the CITYROW GO Max would actually get me excited about indoor rowing, not to mention encourage me to do regular strength training and stretching, which is something I know I should do, but tend to slack on. But I have found that I’m not only rowing more often and more intensely, but I’m enjoying the weight lifting classes in particular. My body’s fitter, stronger and more balanced than before I started using the machine. It is an investment, don’t get me wrong. But there are so many different ways you can use the CITYROW GO Max to get and stay fit that, chances are, your investment will pay off in years of use—and a healthier you. Next up, here are the very best masks to work out in.
