FAQ
BIOROWER FAQ
Q: Why is the BIOROWER the best rowing machine in the world?
A: The BIOROWER is the best rowing machine in the world because it replicates the original rowing motion better than any other indoor trainer — with independent oar handles, real-feel resistance, and precise biomechanics. It’s not just a workout; it’s rowing. Designed and built in Austria, the BIOROWER protects your back, helps you improve technique, and delivers more live data than any other system — making it the first choice for professionals and beginners alike.
Q: What is the best rowing machine for beginners?
A: The BIOROWER is the best rowing machine for beginners because it feels natural from the start. Unlike conventional machines, it uses the real rowing motion, so your body instantly understands how to move — without overloading your back. Most people learn to row on a BIOROWER in under a minute. It’s safe, intuitive, and gives you live feedback to improve technique right away.
Q: What makes the BIOROWER different from other rowing machines?
A: The BIOROWER replicates the original rowing motion with independent oar handles and realistic resistance. It feels like rowing on water — not like pulling a chain. It also offers the most advanced live data tracking available.
Q: Is the BIOROWER suitable for beginners?
A: Yes. Because it follows natural biomechanics, most beginners learn to row correctly in under a minute. It’s intuitive, safe, and helps build proper technique from the start — without overloading the back.
Q: Why should I buy a BIOROWER when a standard rowing machine costs less?
A: The BIOROWER is in a class of its own — not just a rowing machine, but a true rowing simulator. And our customers consistently tell us the investment is worth it for three key reasons:
The unmatched joy of real rowing indoors. Even for people who have never rowed on water, the BIOROWER simply feels better. It’s smoother, more natural, engages more muscles, and is more enjoyable to use. As a result, people train more — and stick with it.
It’s better for your back. The BIOROWER follows the original rowing motion, which protects your spine instead of overloading it. That’s a major reason why many customers switch from conventional ergs, especially after discomfort or injury.
It’s an investment in longevity. Rowing is one of the most effective full-body exercises for lifelong health — and only the BIOROWER delivers true rowing on land. Many of our customers are well past 60, 70, even 80 years old — and still rowing every day. The machine is designed for a lifetime of movement, health, and performance.
In short: you’re not just buying equipment. You’re investing in better movement, better health, and a better future — with Austrian precision that lasts for decades.
Q: Who uses the BIOROWER?
A: Everyone from complete beginners to Olympic athletes. It’s trusted by elite rowing teams, clubs, national federations, and individual athletes who want to improve performance, technique, or train year-round.
Q: Can I use the BIOROWER for fitness, not just rowing training?
A: Absolutely. The BIOROWER delivers a full-body, low-impact workout that builds strength, endurance, and coordination — all while protecting your joints and spine.
Q: How is the BIOROWER safer for the back than other rowing machines?
A: Unlike traditional ergometers, the BIOROWER doesn’t force a deadlift-like movement. Its original rowing motion distributes load naturally and keeps your spine in a safe position throughout the stroke.
Q: How much space does the BIOROWER need?
A: The BIOROWER takes up slightly more room than a standard erg due to its realistic oar setup. However, it’s designed to be used indoors and fits easily in gyms, studios, or training centers. Reserve 280cm in length and 190cm in width.
FOR ROWING CLUBS & COACHES
Q: How can the BIOROWER help us select the best crew lineup?
A: The BIOROWER shows exactly how each athlete moves the boat — with data like force curves, timing, and power balance. It allows coaches to make informed, evidence-based decisions when selecting crews.
Q: Can we simulate team boat setups?
A: Yes. BIOROWERs can be linked to simulate sweep pairs or sculling boats, letting you train crew timing, coordination, and balance without water access.
Q: Will the BIOROWER help improve technique?
A: Definitely. It makes faults visible in real-time — both visually and through data. Athletes can correct mistakes immediately and reinforce proper rowing habits.
FOR REHABILITATION & MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS
Q: Is the BIOROWER safe for patients recovering from injury?
A: Yes. Its ergonomic design follows natural joint motion and avoids harmful compression on the spine, making it suitable for controlled rehab and therapy environments.
Q: Can I track biomechanical data for clinical evaluation?
A: Absolutely. The BIOROWER provides detailed metrics that help assess symmetry, timing, and recovery quality — useful for monitoring patient progress.
FOR FITNESS & PERSONAL TRAINING STUDIOS
Q: How is the BIOROWER better than a standard erg for general fitness?
A: The BIOROWER offers a smoother, more natural full-body workout that’s easier on the back and joints. It feels more intuitive and builds functional strength, endurance, and coordination.
Q: Can clients with no rowing experience use it?
A: Yes — it’s made to feel natural even for first-timers. In fact, most people row correctly on the BIOROWER within one minute of trying it.
FOR HOME USERS
Q: Is the BIOROWER suitable for home use?
A: Yes. While it’s a professional-grade machine, it’s quiet, low-maintenance, and designed for indoor spaces. Many private owners use it at home for daily, high-quality training.
Q: Can I train effectively without rowing on water?
A: Absolutely. The BIOROWER is the closest thing to rowing on water. It’s used by top-level rowers in off-season training, and it develops both technique and fitness.
FOR NATIONAL TEAMS & HIGH PERFORMANCE CENTERS
Q: How does the BIOROWER support elite athlete development?
A: It allows for precise technique monitoring, force curve analysis, and performance diagnostics in a controlled environment. Athletes and coaches can make micro-adjustments and test their effect in real time.
Q: Can we integrate the BIOROWER with our existing training systems?
A: Yes. The BIOROWER software exports data in standard formats, and we offer custom integrations on request for performance labs, biomechanics suites, and national training platforms.
Q: Is training on the BIOROWER realistic compared to real water rowing?
A: Yes — it’s widely considered the most realistic land-based rowing experience available. Unlike chain-based machines, it gives independent handle movement and true resistance through the stroke.
GENERAL TECH & OPERATIONS QUESTIONS
Q: What software is included?
A: The BIOROWER comes with proprietary performance software that displays real-time data and stores session history. You can view force curves, power metrics, stroke angles, and more.
Q: What kind of data does the BIOROWER provide?
A: The system delivers real-time force curves, stroke symmetry, oar angle, handle velocity, stroke rate, power output, and more — all essential for performance tracking and technique optimization.
Q: Is the BIOROWER easy to maintain?
A: Yes. The build quality is premium, made in Austria with precision components. It’s durable, reliable, and designed for heavy daily use in elite environments.
Q: Can I transport or store the BIOROWER easily?
A: Yes. The BIOROWER is built in modular segments, which makes transport and assembly straightforward. It also comes in a custom-built wooden crate for safe shipping.
Q: Where is the BIOROWER made?
A: The BIOROWER is designed and built in Vienna, Austria. Every unit reflects high-end craftsmanship and engineering precision.
Q: I don’t have enough time to train on water. Would it be a good solution to use a Biorower?
A: Yes. We have created the Biorower the replicate the original boat cockpit, and the original resistance feeling as closely as technically possible. This is difficult to describe without making it sound like a heavily exaggerated ad. “It feels very real.” This is what customers tell us. And that “there is no real alternative to a Biorower”.
Q: Will I find the instability existing on a real boat ?
A: The Pro comes with the optional instability option. You can set it to be stable, semi-instable or fully instable, in continuous degrees. You have to differentiate between a Biorower with inboards (oarhandles) only and a Biorower with full oars (which requires a lot of space, naturally)
A Biorower with inboards only is primarily stabilized with core stability and body balance. A Biorower with full oars is additionally stabilized with blade work.
Q: Should I purchase a Pro or a Club model?
A: There are four main factors that differentiate the Pro from the Club: to enjoy optional instability (if you want it), the ability to do sweep rowing if your are planning on heavy duty use such as a Gym or Physiotherapy studio, and the overall finesse of the rowing feeling. The transmission of the Pro is even more precise than the Club’s.
Rich DiGiovanna, our BIOROWER USA partner put it like this: “You row the Club, and you think it is the best rowing machine in the world… until you try the Pro”
Q: Can I put wooden racing seats on both, Club and Pro models?
A: Yes. These are optional for both models.
Q: Can I use real rowing shoes?
A: Yes. You can order original rowing shoes along with your BIOROWER.
Q: Is it made in Austria?
A: Yes, it is made in Austria.
Q: There is no dealer in my country. Can I order online?
A: Yes. The set-up and maintenance is simple. On request, we offer worldwide on-site installation and worldwide service and maintenance.
Q: Is a display included?
A: The Biorower comes without a display. The sensors connect with your tablet or smartphone.
Q: Is the assembly difficult?
A: The assembly is a simple set-by-step process. There is a clear cut manual, and we recommend the assembly to be done by 2 people. Unboxing and installing a BIOROWER takes us roughly 5 to 10 minutes, and will take person who has never touched a BIOROWER roughly 20-30 minutes.
Q: How long is the warranty?
A: More details here
Q: What if something breaks?
A: The entire concept of the BIOROWER is made for durability, precision and easy maintenance and service. Problems occur rarely, but any mechanical product will have faults eventually during its long product life.
If you are located in a country where there is no dealership, we provide video chat customer service and express shipping of spare parts. On demand, we offer worldwide on-site support and maintenance. Please contact us for details: info@biorower.com
Q: Is the Biorower App free?
A: Yes, it is free, and available for Android and IOS.
Q: Can I adjust the resistance?
A: Yes. The resistance is adjustable on the Club and on the Pro Series.
Q: How is resistance generated and is the resistance on a BIOROWER adjustable?
A: Yes, the resistance is adjustable and it feels ultra realistic. We use a tripple mechanism: an airfan, a heavy rotation disk (which creates the inertia comparable to the boat flow in the water) and an adjustable magnetic brake, which allows to fine tune the resistance at the catch but also the brake speed of the airfan.
This tripple system is the result of more than 20 years of research and refinement.
Q: Are there used models and demo models available?
A: Rarely, there are used models on the market, and sometimes even demo models. Please send your inquiry to info@biorower.com
Q: What is the maximum user weight on the Biorower?
A: We can confirm a max user weight of 150kg.
Q: What are the parts that need to be replaced most often on a BIOROWER?
A: The BIOROWER is built to last with premium materials and minimal wear. In regular use, only a few parts might need replacement over time — such as oar lock springs, bronze bushings and bungee cords, or oar handle grips, similar to a real boat. Most users report very low maintenance even with daily training. These parts are easy to replace, cheap to buy and two full sets of these parts are included in your initial delivery.
Q: Can I do the maintenance myself?
Y: Yes. If you can service a bike, you can service a BIOROWER.
Q: How is the spare part supply?
A: Spare parts are always available directly from BIOROWER in Austria, and most common parts are in stock for fast international shipping. For clubs or federations with multiple units, we also offer recommended spare parts kits to keep on hand.
Q: Does BIOROWER offer good customer service?
A: Yes — customer support is one of our strengths. Whether it’s technical questions, remote diagnostics, or ordering parts, you’ll always speak directly with someone from the BIOROWER expert team — not a generic call center. We support customers worldwide and respond quickly by phone, email, or video call.
