Pricey Peloton Row Promises a Major Step Forward for Indoor Rowing

pcmag.com:

Peloton on Tuesday opened pre-orders for its new rowing machine, which does not come cheap, but looks to be a major step forward for the sport.

Priced at $3,195, the Peloton Row costs more than smart indoor rowing machines like the Hydrow ($2,495), but it offers one feature we have not yet seen on other models: real-time form feedback. Using sensors built into the hub of the machine, the Peloton Row can track the position of the seat and handle to determine whether you're rowing correctly. 

During a Zoom call this week, the team behind the Peloton Row gave me a first look at the new machine and its unique Form Assist feature, which should be especially helpful for those who are new to rowing. Following an initial calibration, a Form Assist visualization on the left side of the Peloton Row class screen will highlight areas for improvement in real time. If you do something wrong or out of order—like bend your knees too early, lean back too far, or slump forward—the corresponding body part will light up in red, so you can adjust your technique accordingly. 

"I call it democratized rowing," Peloton Row instructor Matt Wilpers tells PCMag. He adds that Peloton's goal is to make rowing "accessible to everyone, and make it fun."

Experienced rowers know it's one of the most efficient and effective forms of exercise, offering a full-body, low-impact cardio workout that puts minimal stress on your knees and other joints. But, here's the thing about rowing: It's a technical sport that requires coaching and practice to learn. It might look like it mostly involves your arms, but if you're doing it right, most of your power comes from your legs. If you do it incorrectly, you can hurt your back or shoulders, which would obviously be