The all-new Aviron Strong Series Rower is a premium-level smart rower, replacing the Tough series rower. It’s got some impressive hardware features, including a 22” HD swivel screen, a higher-than-normal seat for easy access, and fully adjustable foot pedals. The gaming, interactive and trainer-led workouts are good, but there’s very little actual rowing instruction on this machine.
- Compact
- Great accessibility
- Combines magnetic and air resistance
- Excellent gaming
- Smooth rowing action
- Quiet operation
- 507 lb max user weight
- Very little rowing instruction
This is a review of the Aviron Strong Series Rower.
As a certified personal trainer, I’m constantly on the lookout for new and better home rowers. Rowing is the main form of cardio that I recommend to my home gym clients so I am constantly being asked for recommendations about which one to buy.
When Aviron announced that they were bringing out a premium-level connected rower, I was right on top of it. I’ve spent more than 40 hours poring over the Aviron Strong Series Rower to produce this rower review and to be able to make a confident recommendation to my clients.
After researching, trialing, and studying Aviron’s latest offering, I’m really impressed. The Aviron Strong combines a number of hardware innovations with a range of interactive games and instructor-led training programs. This is one of the most accessible rowers I’ve seen in a while, with fully customizable foot plates, a low rail, and a tall seat to accommodate people with limited mobility. While the program depth and the production value is lacking in comparison to the likes of Hydrow and Peloton, the brand-new Aviron Strong is a worthy competitor in the premium rower market.
Keep reading to get the full story on the Aviron Strong Rower.
Aviron Strong Series Rower
The Aviron Strong Series Rower is a brand-new premium-level rower from Aviron. It joins their popular Impact Series Rower, adding a number of hardware innovations, including a length reduction of around 12 inches without any change to the rail length.
This is a very well-built rower with premium steel construction that is able to handle more than 500 lbs of user weight. It’s also one of the few premium rowers that can be stored upright without the aid of a wall anchor.
A standout feature of the Aviron strong is its accessibility to all types of users. The long rail makes it suitable for people up to 6’8” while the 20” seat height means that seniors and those with limited mobility are likely to be able to get down on it without any problems.
This is an interactive rower that provides 8 ways to work out:
- Streaming
- Games
- Live competition
- Coached programs
- Power play
- Guided programs
- Scenic rowing
- Pros vs Joes
The production value is not as crisp as the biggest players in the space, but you do get plenty of choice, heaps of engagement, and lots of opportunities to interact with others.
Functionality And Design
The Aviron Strong Series Rower is a combination of a magnetic and an air resistance rower. As such it gives you the best of both worlds, with the natural feel of an air rower and the controlled resistance of a magnetic rower.
According to Aviron, the maximum magnetic resistance is equal to about a hundred pounds. That means you can use your rower to perform some cable resistance moves like curls and rows.
The rowing motion is smooth, jerk-free, and natural. There are 16 levels of resistance, with a noticeable change between each one. That provides plenty of progressive resistance for all ability levels.
The look of the Aviron Strong is sleeker and more industrial than the Impact Rower. This is a more compact machine, with about 12 inches behind reduced on the front end of the rower. Another design feature that I really appreciate is that the air that’s generated when you row comes back into your face to cool you down.
The rail on the Aviron Strong is slightly angled downward. This improves the ergonomics of your rowing action.
Features and Benefits
Now let’s look at the features of this machine.
Accessibility
The Aviron Strong Series Rower combines a low frame with a high seat to make it very accessible. Rather than having to crouch down to get on the seat, you simply straddle it and sit down comfortably. If you do need extra support, Aviron has an optional lumbar support pad.
The footpads on this rower are also fully adjustable. As well as being adjustable vertically, they can also be brought in or out to allow you to customize your hip, knee, and ankle positioning for optimized biomechanics.
Large Seat
As well as being comfortably padded, the seat on this rower is larger than standard, with a width of 20 inches. This combines with the extra seat height and optional lumbar support to provide some of the best seat setups I’ve seen in a while.
22” Touchscreen
The 22-inch HD touchscreen provides an awesome visual and auditory experience. You won’t have any lagging either, because it comes with 4 GB of memory. This screen can also be tilted 90 degrees in either direction. That’s very handy when you’re doing the rower workouts.
You can also fold the screen down for upright storage.
Games
Access to the Aviron interactive experience will cost you between $25-29 per month, depending on if you pay annually or monthly. That opens the gateway to an impressive array of games that definitely follow through on the company’s tagline of ending boring workouts with everything from pirates to zombies to help you forget that you’re actually exercising.
If you don’t feel like gaming, you can also switch over to your Netflix, Disney+or Amazon account or just start soaking up videos on YouTube.
Instructor Led Content
The training programs on the Aviron app are led by popular YouTuber Training Tall. Compared to such competitors as Hydrow and Peloton, the production quality is somewhat lacking and there’s little in the way of actual rowing instruction or progression.
Aviron has said that they will be regularly releasing more programming, including instruction.
Technical Specifications
- Rotating 22” HD Touchscreen
- 4-way adjustable footplates
- Rower weight: 114 lb
- Weight limit: 507 lb
- Dimensions: 84” x 27” x 48” (L x W x H)
- Upright storage: 35” x 27” x 83” (L x W x H)
- 19-inch rotating handlebar
- 100 lb resistance
- Whisper nylon belt
Setup Process
Assembly of the Aviron Strong Series Rower will take, on average, 45 minutes. All of the tools needed to complete the assembly are provided. You can also access an assembly guide video, to go along with the detailed assembly instructions that come with your purchase.
Price and Value
The Aviron Strong Series Rower is priced at $2,499. That puts it around the same price point as such established tech-focused rowers as Hydrow and Ergatta. The Peloton rowers are considerably more expensive.
Warranty
The Aviron Strong Series Rower comes with a 10-year frame and one-year parts warranty.
Alternatives
Here are some alternative rowers that you should consider.
Hydrow Rower
The first rower to use a streaming service that requires membership was Hydrow. As a result, it is frequently referred to as the “Peloton of Rowers”. This magnetic rower uses a computer-directed system in conjunction with the normal magnetic motor to provide a changing resistance where your intensity is dictated by the pace of your row.
Rather than a standard resistance level control, the Hydrow has a drag resistance control with 300 drag levels. This effectively combines the air rower’s changing resistance with the silent, smooth operation of a magnetic rowing machine.
The Hydrow provides you with a wonderful visual and auditory experience with its 22-inch touchscreen monitor in high definition. The instructor-led sessions take place on the water, unlike those on the Aviorn Strong. As a result, you can enjoy some gorgeous locations from around the world. Your $38 (compared to $25-29 for the Aviron) monthly subscription gives you access to a wide variety of workouts led by professionals.
At $2495 the Hydrow is priced at the same levels s the Aviron Strong Series Rower.
Read our full Hydrow review.
Ergatta Rower
The Ergatta corporation, which is based in New York, does not make rowing machines. Instead, they are a computer software company that developed a workout program based on a rowing machine before hiring the Water Rower company to install it on their machines.
As a result, when we talk about the Ergatta, we actually mean a Water Rower rowing machine that has a state-of-the-art gaming console inside of it.
The Ergatta is a water rower. As you pull on the handle of the rowing machine to create resistance, water-spinning blades churn the water. The faster you pull, the more resistance you’ll produce.
Just like the Aviron Strong, the Ergatta is lacking in instructional programming. So it’s not ideal for beginners. However, its gaming features are on par with Aviron. The monthly subscription is $29, being on par with an Aviron membership.
Read our full Ergatta rower review.
Should You Buy The Aviron Strong Series Rower?
The Aviron Rower is a good choice for people who want a highly functional, accessible rower that will keep you engaged during your workout but not necessarily teach you how to be a better rower.
The Aviron Strong Series Rower is for you if:
- Want a highly accessible rower
- Don’t need rowing instruction
- Are after plenty of interactive games and entertainment
The Aviron Strong Series Rower is not for you if:
- Are a beginner who needs instructional guidance
- Want slick, optimized video production
- Want a rower that sits low to the ground
Final Thoughts On The Aviron Strong Series Rower
The Aviron Strong Series Rower is a worthy entry into the premium interactive rower market. This is the most accessible rowing machine I’ve seen in a long while, with its high seat, optional lumbar support, and 4-way adjustable footplates. It will prevent your workouts from being boring but won’t give you much rowing instruction.
Aviron Strong Series
The all-new Aviron Strong Series Rower is a premium-level smart rower, replacing the Tough series rower. It’s got some impressive hardware features, including a 22” HD swivel screen, higher than normal seat for easy access, and fully adjustable foot pedals. The gaming, interactive and trainer-led workouts are good, but there’s very little actual rowing instruction on this machine.
Product Brand: Aviron
Product Currency: USD
Product Price: 2499
Product In-Stock: InStock
4.6
Pros
- Compact
- Great accessibility
- Combines magnetic and air resistance
- Excellent gaming
- Smooth rowing action
- Quiet operation
- 507 lb max user weight
Cons
- Very little rowing instruction
