Really is the weak link on an otherwise fantastic product imo. I mean what happens if Hydro goes belly up and there is no more subscription? What if you want to well not be milked 38 freaking bucks a month or just need a break from it for reasons? This is all you're left with on your 2k + machine? Not acceptable. They need to at least allowed the stats to be saved. I really do love this thing otherwise it's amazing. One can only hope that they improve the just row mode overtime with more functionality via software updates although it's somewhat intentional really to try and drive people towards the subscription. All these smart fitness equipment companies are going to be in for a rude awakening though if they don't get their act together. One day someone is going to release something that like a smart bike or whatever that is completely open platform just running blank android or something like that. Want to load netflix and ride to a movie? Sure. What to load Spotify on the side? sure. Want to load up you're own workout app that tracks whatever you want it to? Sure and it won't have a subscription tied to it like this.

@@devantetoppin7879 hell yes to everything you said

@@devantetoppin7879 "although it's somewhat intentional really to try and drive people towards the subscription." Somewhat intentional? It is completely intentional. The limited functionality is by design. They could easily match Concept2 functionality if they wanted to. They don't. While they would would sell more rowers, they would not sell as many subscriptions.

Well, but if the subscription is a scam in the sense that it costs a lot of money and gives you limited freedom, then there may end up being more people in this category unwilling to buy then those in the buying category in the first place. I'm with you. I want the machine, the tracking, and that's it. I want to compete against myself. As I noted above, indoor rowing isn't meant to be fun. Rowing on the water is. So, whatever. Give me a Concept2. Remember Hydrorow, your competition isn't just with other smart machines or even the Concept2. It's with gym memberships, running outside, rowing club fees, and whatever else a non-elite rower or person wants to do for physical activity. It's already costly for many people. So if you want to increase the number of people with a subscription, make it cheaper, more flexible (allow people to choose the features and classes they want rather than prescribing a basic or premium plan), and lower the cost of the machine.

@@devantetoppin7879 oh no they are not but you are when you will need a vax card to get into the gym

Technically my husband purchased it for me for my birthday and he just said he can’t remember if he did or not 🤦🏻‍♀️

No, not manually. The resistance is a direct result of your settings and how you are rowing (rate, speed, leg force and possibly something else I’m forgetting).

There is a power switch on the underside at the very front, above the front legs of the machine.

Unfortunately, no. You enter your height and weight and the machine auto sets the drag. I did test it while off just to see and the first pull feels like there is resistance but after that it seems to just be loose spinning and it’s like riding a bike with the chain off, sure you’re moving as if you’re pedaling but there is no resistance to keep things going.

Consider a concept 2 if you like to "just row" or even program your own workouts, like 5 min on, 1 min rest.

@@andrewstrobert8938 I ended up with a water rower + ergatta screen

I am liking the subscription right now simply for reminders on proper form (it’s been 20+ years before we purchased this) and the extra motivation but I don’t think I will have any problem cancelling the subscription in the future should we get to the point you are. We have ours positioned with a tv off to the left so I was just turning on something to watch/listen to so I wasn’t solely focused on the numbers and found that I doubled my time and distance by having that distraction, and you can select any of the videos (that you don’t actually have access to) based on the length of time you want to row to track your numbers. I’d say go for it, you can always subscribe again if you change your mind. I’d say go for it, you can always subscribe again if you change your mind

Agreed!! Two years of a subscription at over $40/months has made me ready to disconnect.

The monthly rate has gone up again as well. While I have been paying for it for some time now I am thinking I will be ending it in the near future.

@@BlackHillsMommy Sorry to hear that

You can use any of the set videos/rows and it would go for that length (I’ve seen as little as 5 minutes and as long as 45 minutes) and after the 1 minute countdown it will start the Just Row for that length. I just use the front video due to my own endurance limits.

That would make sense.

When I had done more digging it looked like this is a known and purposeful option but not advertised or encouraged.

@@BlackHillsMommy Thanks! Were you able to dig before you purchased? Or did you only discover after you bought it?

It hadn’t occurred to me to look before my husband bought it for me, I had never used one with a screen or subscription before this. When I did start looking I figured out on my own that I could use it without but hadn’t found any info on it, ironically I only stumbled across it when I was looking in to signing up for the subscription. So it does exist in their information but it’s not easy to find.

Not manually. It’s all based on the settings in the unit and the pace you’re rowing at.

@@BlackHillsMommy Thanks for the video! Can the resistance be changed with the subscription or is it all based on the settings in the unit and the pace you're rowing just like with the Just Row mode?

@@MOVIEKICKS From my experience at this point it is strictly based on your pace, I have not come across the ability to change the resistance.

I think the top right you'll see 3 horizontal lines. Press and then on bottom increase the drag ??

Yes, I have since learned that s/m means strokes per minute.