adidas · Water Rower Review
adidas R-21 Water Rower Review
The adidas R-21 brings the natural feel of a water rower together with the connectivity most water rowers lack, Kinomap, a chest strap and a tablet holder all in the box.
adidas R-21 Water Rower
Connected water rower
Price and any code applied at checkout via Sweatband
The verdict
The R-21 offers seven levels of water resistance set by the tank volume, and pairs over Bluetooth with Kinomap for scenic routes, challenges and multiplayer sessions, with a 60-day Kinomap trial included. A chest strap and a built-in tablet holder come in the box, so you are set up for guided or entertained rowing from day one.
At £699, down from £1,000, it sits between the value Xterra and the premium WaterRower. It is a genuine water rower rather than a magnetic machine dressed up as one, so the feel and the soft swooshing sound are the real thing. The one basic spot is just four workout programmes.
Strengths
- Natural water resistance with 7 levels
- Bluetooth and Kinomap built in, 60-day trial included
- Heart-rate chest strap included in the box
- Built-in tablet and smartphone holder
- Adjustable LCD with 500m splits and heart rate
- 150kg user weight limit, two-year guarantee
Watch-outs
- Only four workout programmes
- 150kg limit, below the WaterRower
- Water needs an occasional purification tablet
- Pricier than the value Xterra water rower
The row
The R-21 delivers the smooth, progressive water catch that makes water rowers so pleasant, with seven levels set by how much water is in the tank, on top of the natural effort-scaling. The densely padded seat and adjustable footplates make longer sessions comfortable, and the whole thing rolls on transport wheels.
It measures 215 by 57cm on the floor and carries a two-year guarantee, so it is a substantial, well-supported machine.
Connectivity and extras
This is where the R-21 pulls ahead of most water rowers. Bluetooth pairs it with Kinomap for scenic routes, challenges and multiplayer sessions, with a 60-day trial included, so the connected experience is built in rather than an afterthought. A heart-rate chest strap comes in the box, which many rivals charge extra for, and there is a tablet holder for entertainment or classes.
The adjustable LCD shows speed, time, distance, calories, stroke rate, heart rate and 500m splits, though there are only four workout programmes, which is the one area it feels basic.
Who it is for
Buy the adidas R-21 if you want the natural feel of a water rower with app connectivity, a chest strap and a tablet holder included. If budget is the priority, the Xterra ERG600W gives a similar water feel for £200 less, and if you want a premium wooden machine, the WaterRower is the step up.
Specifications
| Resistance | Water, 7 levels by tank volume |
|---|---|
| Console | Adjustable LCD, 4 programmes |
| Data | Speed, time, distance, calories, heart rate, SPM, 500m split |
| Connectivity | Bluetooth, Kinomap (60-day trial), chest strap included, tablet holder |
| Max user weight | 150kg |
| Dimensions | 215 x 57 x 106cm |
| Warranty | 2 years |
FitRank breakdown
Performance 4.2
A genuine, smooth water catch with seven adjustable levels, on par with dedicated water rowers.
Build quality 4.2
Solid construction with a densely padded seat and a two-year guarantee, though a 150kg limit is below the WaterRower.
Value 4.0
Fair at £699. More than the value Xterra, but the included Kinomap trial, chest strap and tablet holder add real worth.
Features 4.4
Its strong suit. Built-in Bluetooth and Kinomap, an included chest strap and a tablet holder, let down only by four programmes.
Frequently asked questions
Is the adidas R-21 Water Rower any good?
Does the adidas R-21 connect to apps?
How does the adidas R-21 compare to the Xterra ERG600W?
What is the difference between the adidas R-21 and R-21x?
Related rowing machines
Compare it against the field in our best home rowing machines guide, or narrow it down in our best water rowing machines guide. You might also consider the WaterRower Original, Xterra ERG600W and MERACH wood water rower.
Chris writes the home fitness reviews across our sites, including our sister site HomeTreadmill.co.uk. He compares every machine against its rivals on UK pricing and specs, and scores each one with FitRank.
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