Photo: John Biggs/Gizmodo
The pandemic has proved that the future of fitness is online. Companies like Peloton and Apple have embraced online training completely, offering classes that seem as real and vibrant as anything held in a sweaty gym. Other companies like Hydrow are taking a more refined approach by creating a real-life experience in the real world, taking you on a trip across a rippling lake or down a distant river.
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And then there’s the Echelon Row-S.
Echelon builds lower-cost connected exercise machines for those on a slightly lower budget than what a Peloton or Hydrow goes for. Their latest machine, the Row-S, is a standalone rower with a 22-inch screen and an electronically-controlled resistance system. The entire thing costs $1,599, not including the monthly subscription, which is slightly cheaper than a Hydrow and comparable to NordicTrack’s $1,599 connected rower. Dumb rowers start at $279 or so, so you’re definitely paying a premium to stream workouts.