Snode WR100 Water Rowing Machine Review
The Snode WR100 Water Rowing Machine is a promising rowing machine and offers a full-body workout without impacting joints. Since it involves a water-resistance system, it offers adequate challenge to develop cardiac and overall strength, and develop and tone muscles all over the body.
It has a great build quality for the price, and is an excellent machine for home use to keep oneself fit overall and during situations like snowfall and coronavirus pandemic when going outside of the home for workout is impossible.
Published: October 9, 2021.
Specifications of Snode WR100 Water Rowing Machine
- Dimensions: 79 x 20 x 36 inches (201 x 51 x 91 cm) (L x W x H)
- Weight: 84 lbs. (38 kg)
- Maximum user weight capacity: 331 lbs. (150 kg)
- Resistance type: Water
Features of Snode WR100 Water Rowing Machine
Assembly
Like all other water rowing machines, the Snode WR100 too comes with its front section attached to the frame.
However, users have to assemble the other parts; thus, they have to connect the monorail to the front section of the frame, mount the console and seat, and add the footrests and base stabilizers. This takes around 40-50 minutes.
The user’s manual provides detailed assembly instructions and all the required tools are included.
Frame
The frame of the Snode WR100 is made of strong steel tubing with a double coating of a rust-resistant and chip-resistant black paint.
The unit features a horizontal rail which is a unique feature. Due to this horizontal rail, the user doesn’t have to apply extra effort to get a neutral rowing movement during the leg push phase.
Also since the rail is 43″ (109 cm) long providing a movement span of 40″ (101.6 cm) for the seat, users with height up to 6’5″ (196 cm) are accommodated by the machine comfortably and get a full range of motion.
Footprint
The Snode WR100 when fully assembled takes up a quite large space, its length being 79″ (201 cm) and width 20″ (51 cm).
Also, at least two feet of clearance should be left on each side and rear of the machine for easy and safe access and operation. In short, this machine is not very suitable for small spaces.
Storage
Although the Snode WR100 has no foldable design, it can be stored vertically, rested on a small bumper fitted into the front part and front base stabilizer. The water can stay in the resistance tank when the machine is in this vertical position.
Stability
The Snode WR100 is quite heavy, i.e. weighing 80 lbs. (36 kg) with no water inside. This weight offers it stability. Plus the rear stabilizer of the machine has two adjustable levelers.
Portable
The Snode WR100 is easily portable with the small wheels integrated in its front base.
Console
The console of the Snode WR100 is quite basic, as compared to its competitors. It however features a large LCD display that shows metrics like time, distance, strokes, strokes per minute, calories, and pulse.
However, the unit doesn’t feature any pulse rate sensors; users have to buy a wireless HR chest strap separately if they want to track their heart rate.
The monitor has three buttons – Mode, Set, and Reset. With the Mode button, users can select the metric they want to view.
Users can also select the Scan Mode that keeps all the metrics rotating with each one showing for a few seconds. With the Set button, users can select goals for time, distance and strokes.
Once they select a goal, the machine will start counting down from that value until it reaches zero. The Reset button clears all the metric values to zero.
Mount
The mount of the monitor of the Snode WR100 is quite robust and angle-adjustable due to which a user can perfectly adapt it to their height so as to see the metrics displayed on the monitor comfortably.
Seat
The seat of the Snode WR100 has around 2” (5 cm) thick foam cushioning which is contoured and thus offers an improved positioning and comfort. The seat is breathable, and is 12″ (30.4 cm) long and 10″ (25.4 cm) wide, thus providing optimum support.
The seat is around 14″ (35.5 cm) above floor level due to which it’s easy to enter or exit the machine, especially for users with disabilities, injuries, pain, etc.
The seat has been made durable with a steel base. It’s equipped with 3 sets of wheels, of which two are for sliding on top of the rail, while the 3rd one is for maximizing stability. Top-quality ball bearings of the wheels make the movement of the seat smooth and the rubber layer on them minimizes the noise.
Pulling Handle
The pulling handle of the Snode WR100 comprises of a short bar with ergonomic foam-covered grips. It’s connected to a durable highly abrasion-resistant nylon strap. Since the unit uses a strap and not a chain as its main drive system element, the machine runs smoothly and quietly, and the strap doesn’t need any lubrication.
Footrests
There are two pivoting footrests on the Snode WR100. They are made of heavy-duty thermoplastic material, have a textured surface, and have heel guards. They also have adjustable straps to allow users to secure their feet in place.
The footrests slightly tilt when users apply pressure on them during each rowing movement; thus, they offer the most comfortable angle. Although they cannot be locked, they have stoppers at their bottom so they cannot tilt beyond 60°.
Resistance System
As its name suggests, the Snode WR100 is a water resistance rowing machine. It features a large water tank made of heavy-duty polycarbonate material. Its capacity is approximately 3 to 4 gallons. The tank integrates a 16-blade impeller which is attached to the pulling strap via a pulley system. Thus, when the user pulls the handle, the impeller rotates in the water in the tank and generates resistance.
The water tank is single-chamber and doesn’t contain any resistance adjustment system. However, by adding or removing water, the user can adjust the resistance. If the water level has reached the highest marking, the user will get the highest rowing resistance.
Just like other similar machines, the Snode WR100 too offers a dynamic response. Thus the faster the user pulls, the more resistance is generated by the impeller. This is beneficial especially for professional rowing athletes since the machine offers a rowing experience more resembling that of rowing a real boat through real water, than the experience provided by a magnetic rowing machine.
Battery-powered
The Snode WR100 doesn’t require any external power source and doesn’t come with an adapter. It’s battery-powered. The monitor starts when one starts rowing or presses the Mode button. It also turns off automatically if the rower remains inactive for a few minutes.
Add-on
The Snode WR100 comes with a device holder which consists of a small shelf placed above the monitor. The tablet or phone placed on it won’t block the display.
Thus users can watch videos or listen to music to avoid boredom during the exercise. They can even get the free FitShow app which offers interactive personal training.
Free FitShow App
Snode also offers a free FitShow App for interactive personal training for Android and iOS devices. Thus users can install the free app, place their device on the device holder and take benefit of the training.
Noise Level
The Snode WR100 makes a little noise, but the noise is bearable and not very high and irritating like that of some air resistance rowers.
Maintenance
As a maintenance routine, users have to treat the water in the tank with special water rower chlorine tablets (and not pool chlorine tablets). Besides this, they have to keep the machine clean, particularly the rail.
They should also regularly check parts and joints if they’re loosened, and tighten them if they are.
Pros of Snode WR100 Water Rowing Machine
- Strong steel frame with chip-resistant and rust-resistant paint finish
- 331 lbs. maximum user weight capacity
- Long rail for users with height up to 5’6” and inseam up to 40” (101.6 cm)
- Water-resistance system that simulates the natural rowing experience
- Easily portable with transportation wheels on the front base
- Adjustable levelers on the rear stabilizer
- Console tracks time, distance, strokes, strokes per minute, calories, and pulse
- Goal setting for time, distance, and strokes
- Console equipped with angle-adjustable mount
- Cushioned, contoured large seat
- Ergonomic grips to eliminate stress on wrists
- Adjustable, durable footrests with heel guards and adjustable straps
- Device-holder included
- Smooth and quiet operation
- Easy storage
- Little maintenance
- Easy assembly
- Affordably priced
Cons of Snode WR100 Water Rowing Machine
- HR strap not included
- No preset programs
Bottom Line
The Snode WR100 Water Rowing Machine being a water resistance rower offers some serious resistance and challenge to a health enthusiast looking for exercising at home.
It consists of a heavy-duty polycarbonate water tank with a 16-blade fan, ergonomic foam-cushioned handlebars, comfortable seat, and a basic yet efficient console that displays all the important workout metrics.
With a maximum user weight capacity of 331 lbs. and a long rail accommodating users in a wide range of heights, the Snode WR100 can be a great choice for those who are aiming at cardiac training, strength training, calorie-burning, full-body muscle toning, weight loss, and even recovery training and physiotherapy, without any extra strain on joints and without having to break the bank.
Thus those who are looking for an exercise machine with high performance at a low price should consider buying this rower.
For more reviews and recommendations, feel free to check the Snode WR100 Water Rowing Machine Amazon link (link opens in the new window).
