You won't need to drain and refill your tank regularly. Instead, simply drop in a purification tablet every six months to keep the water clean. If you ever relocate your rower, we recommend emptying and refilling — but that's a rare need.

Much quieter than you might expect. The sound is a gentle, rhythmic whoosh — often described as soothing rather than disruptive. It's significantly quieter than a treadmill and most air rowers. Many Ergatta members row early in the morning in open-plan homes or small apartments without issue.

Rowing is a low-impact exercise, and water resistance makes it even more so. The smooth, fluid stroke creates no sudden impact on knees, hips, or shoulders. That said, we always recommend consulting your doctor or physio if you're recovering from a specific injury before starting any new exercise program.

Ergatta uses a specially engineered WaterFlywheel with a formed paddle that cups the water more precisely than a standard flat paddle. This design reduces slippage and creates a more consistent, realistic stroke feel. Combined with Ergatta's game-based software platform, it's water rowing built for the modern home athlete and enthusiast alike.

They're both excellent, but they feel different. Air resistance is common in competitive rowing (like the Concept2) and ramps up quickly with every stroke. Water resistance offers a slightly smoother, more flowing feel — it's often described as more meditative and closer to on-water rowing. For most home athletes, water wins on sound, aesthetics, and feel.

Magnetic resistance is smooth and silent, with precise resistance levels you dial in manually — it's great for interval training and structured workouts. Water resistance, by contrast, adjusts automatically with your effort, so there's no setting to fiddle with mid-row. The feel is also more organic and fluid. If you want a rower that gets out of your way and lets you just row, water wins. If you want ultra-precise, programmable resistance levels, magnetic has an edge.