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Aviron, a leading brand in fitness technology and fitness gamification, has released a new rowing machine. The new Strong Series Rower, available for purchase as of October 2022, is replacing the Tough Series model as the premium option in the lineup. The Impact Series rower remains available. In my Aviron Strong Series Rower review, learn the specifics of this new cardio machine and why I strongly recommend Aviron products.
Oh Buoy! A New Smart Rower Has Entered the Chat
As an on-and-off CrossFitter, indoor rowing has been a part of my fitness routine for most of the last 10 years. I’ve spent more hours than I could possibly count on a Concept2 RowErg, and I’ve tried my hand at more than a dozen other rowing machine models in the last two years. My experience with the Hydrow, Ergatta Rower, Aviron Impact rower, and now the Strong Series, allows me to speak confidently on the quality of a given indoor rowing machine.
Aviron Strong Series Rower
Aviron Strong Series Rower
Product Highlights
- Compact rower featuring game-led software
- Durable construction made with premium steel and aluminum
- Features a 22” rotating touchscreen, wide 20” seat, and a 19” handlebar that rotates for a more ergonomic grip
- Width on footplate can be adjusted
- 2 front transport wheels and upright storage
- Impressive maximum user weight capacity of 507 lbs and a 6’, 8” height maximum
- Equipped with up to 100 lbs of resistance derived from a dual air and magnetic resistance system
- Over 500 workouts provided
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Compact
- Quality build
- 100 lbs of resistance
- Adjustable footplates
- Gamified experience
- Hundreds of workouts
Cons
- Shorter length may feel constricting for some
- Monthly subscription required for full functionality
Bottom Line
If you are looking for a high-tech, well-made rower with a ton of workout options, the Aviron Strong Series Rower may be for you.
A Quick Look at the Aviron Strong Series Rower
The Aviron Strong Series Rower is the newest product in Aviron’s smart rowing machine lineup. It replaces the Tough Series Rower as the premium model and is sold alongside the Impact Series Rower, which is the more budget-friendly version.
The new Strong Series Rower features everything you’d expect out of a $2,000-plus smart indoor rowing machine, including: a large swiveling touchscreen display, interactive and trainer-led workouts, a comfortably ergonomic design, many adjustment options, and a strong, sturdy frame.
My Tips
- Take a look at the accessory packages and determine which items you really need to make your rowing experience ideal. They’re all sold separately, and you can save yourself a few hundred bucks by forgoing them.
Pros:
- Durable aluminum frame
- Impressive 507-pound weight capacity
- Dual air and magnetic resistance
- 8 types of rowing workouts to choose from (and countless in each category)
- Stores upright with no wall mounts needed
- Patent-pending adjustable foot beds (adjustable in width in addition to length)
- 22” HD rotating touchscreen
- Phone holder
- Tons of workouts available even without membership
Cons:
- Accessories and floor mat cost extra
- Monthly subscription to Aviron membership required for full functionality
- Price starts at around $2,199
Aviron Strong Series Rower Video Review
Is the Aviron Strong Series Rower Worth It?
I have a lot of firsthand experience with the Aviron brand, and I’m inclined to say that an Aviron rower is well worth the cost if it’s in your budget.
I won’t advise you to stretch your budget too far for any piece of equipment, but Aviron is one brand whose product quality reflects the price. To be quite honest, I think Aviron rowers are a better choice than many other smart rowing machines in this price range (between $1,900 and $2,500).
This rowing machine provides a great value for the price, and the membership fee of $29 per month (or $25 per month if billed annually) is lower than most competitors.
Great for:
- People who love rowing and want a gamified experience
- Trainees who want a vast variety of workout types to choose from
- Home gym owners with enough space for a large cardio machine
Not recommended for:
- People on a budget (price starts above $2,000)
- People who don’t want to pay a monthly subscription fee
- Anyone who prefers to row in manual mode and doesn’t care for instruction
Aviron Strong Series Rower Specs
| Footprint | 83.5” L x 27” W x 48” H |
| Upright storage dimensions | 35” L x 27” W x 83” H |
| Seat height | 20” H |
| Weight | 114 lbs |
| Weight capacity | 507 lbs |
| Frame | Aluminum |
| Programming | Aviron Active programming |
| Display | 22” HD rotating touchscreen |
| Resistance | Dual air and magnetic flywheel |
| Resistance levels | 16 |
| Drive | Nylon belt drive |
| Connectivity | Bluetooth and WiFi |
| User height limit | 6’ 8” |
| Transport | 2 front casters |
| Storage | Upright storage with no mounts required |
| Warranty | 10-year frame, 1-year parts, additional available for purchase |
Workout Experience: Using the Aviron Strong Series Rower
I have genuinely loved every Aviron experience of mine. My step dad bought an Aviron Impact Series rower for his home, and whenever I visit, it (and some of my mom’s hand weights) are my primary mode of exercise.
The workout variety is unparalleled—I’m not convinced I could ever get bored on this machine. You can choose from eight workout categories with an Aviron Active membership:
- Games (individual or team video games)
- Coached workouts (great for beginners)
- Power Play (guided and community games)
- Scenic rowing (virtual rowing in beautiful locations around the world)
- Live competition
- Guided programs (on and off rower)
- Pros vs Joes (racing against professional athletes)
- Streaming (work out while you stream a movie, TV show, music, podcast, or audiobook)
Within each category exists a seemingly endless selection of workouts.
The games are incredibly fun, and playing said games is how my step dad lost upward of 40 pounds with Aviron.
I personally prefer the guided programs and scenic rowing. There’s something for everyone on Aviron!
Coop tested the new Strong Series Rower at our Springfield, Missouri, equipment testing facility, and he was thoroughly impressed, too. (He’s also used the Impact and the Tough Series, so he’s not surprised at this.)
“Aviron gamified training is pretty special,” he says, “and if you want a gamified experience, this is a great value.”
“This new rower specifically feels like a 2.0 version of the Impact, as in, it’s not that much different in what it can do, but the overall experience feels smoother, cleaner, and elevated,” he continues.
Footprint and Portability
Not the most compact rower but not the bulkiest, the Strong Series rowing machine will require dedicated space to use. It measures 7 feet long, 27 inches wide, and 4 feet tall.
It stores upright without any wall mounts required, which is nice. In the vertical position, the rower measures 35 inches long, 35 inches wide, and almost 7 feet tall.
This machine weighs 114 pounds, which isn’t ultra-light, but should be easy for the average Jane or Joe to move thanks to its front-mounted transport wheels.
Durability and Construction
The Aviron Strong Series Rower is constructed of an aluminum frame with durable plastic parts. Although I haven’t tried this specific model, my experience on the Impact Series rower was phenomenal: no shaking, bumping, or shifting during any workouts, even sprints.
Coop says the same about his experience with the Strong rower—the seat moves smoothly along the slide rail and the wide feet create an ultra-stable base so that it remains steady no matter how fast you row.
Notably, the Strong Series rower weighs just 114 pounds yet supports a maximum user weight of 507 pounds. That’s the highest weight capacity on a rowing machine to my knowledge.
Aviron recommends wiping down your machine after each workout to prevent sweat buildup, but the frame is aluminum so it won’t rust. Also, thanks to the nylon belt drive, other maintenance is minimal. It’s always a good idea to check over your machine now and again to identify any loose parts.
The Ergonomics
Much of the increase in value of the Strong Series Rower over the Impact Series Rower is due to improved ergonomics. (I provide a full comparison of the Strong and Impact machines below.)
The new Strong Series Aviron rowing machine features a number of ultra-ergonomic components, including a rotating handlebar; foot pads that are adjustable in both length and width; a rotating display; and a frame designed with accessibility in mind. (The slide rail is lower, so it’s easier to step over, and the seat is elevated to maintain an accessible 20-inch seat height.)
Additionally, the rower’s 7-foot total length means it accommodates exercisers up to 6 feet, 8 inches tall.
There are additional ergonomic accessories, such as a padded seat and lumbar support attachment, available for purchase separately.
Technology Benefits and Conveniences
As you might expect, this smart rowing machine has a robust suite of smart features. First of all, it boasts a 22-inch swiveling HD touchscreen, on which it streams workouts from eight different categories.
During your workouts you’ll never have to worry about reaching forward to change resistance, because the machine programs that for you automatically. It also gives you motivational cues and feedback throughout each workout based on your performance.
Of particular note is the resistance system on the Aviron rower: The dual magnetic and air resistance provides up to 100 pounds of resistance per pull at the highest level. Levels 11 through 16 were designed specifically for strength training, and let me tell you: Those levels prove much harder on the muscular system than any other rowing machine I’ve tried.
The Strong Series Rower also sports Bluetooth connectivity so you can listen through headphones, as well as compatibility with major streaming services such as Netflix, Hulu, YouTube, and Prime Video.
There’s also a global leaderboard, and the gorgeous display tracks metrics like 500-meter split time, calories, watts, distance, time, heart rate, and more.
Aviron Strong Series Rower vs Aviron Tough Series Rower
The Aviron Strong Series Rower is replacing the Aviron Tough Series Rower (which we reviewed previously) as the premium model in the brand’s current lineup. The new design keeps everything great about the Tough Series and expands functionality and luxury in several ways. Here’s a look at how the Strong Series compares to the Tough Series.
| NEW Strong Series Rower | Tough Series Rower |
- Rotating 22” HD touchscreen
- Weighs 114 lbs
- Maintains max user weight of 507 lbs
- 6’8” height maximum
- Over a foot shorter; total length 83.5” (7’)
- Low rail (10”) and high seat (20”)
- Wide 20” seat
- Wide 19” handle
- Patent-pending adjustable-width footplates allow users to adjust to their body type and comfort
- Rotating handlebar
- Includes 2 front wheels
- Stores upright with no supports or wall mount required
- 22” HD touchscreen—does not rotate
- Weighs 125 lbs
- Max user weight: 507 lbs
- 6’8” height maximum
- 98” total length
- Low rail (10”) and high seat (20”)
- Wide 20” seat
- Wide 19” handle
- Handlebar does not rotate
- Does not store away
Aviron Strong Series Rower vs Aviron Impact Series Rower
Aviron Impact Series Rower
Aviron Impact Series Rowing Machine
Product Highlights
- Foldable frame
- 22-inch touchscreen
- Dual air and magnetic resistance
- 16 resistance levels (11-16 for strength training)
- Steel and aluminum construction
- Gamified workouts
Pros & Cons
Pros
- 8 workout category to choose from
- Compatible with all major streaming services
- Quiet nylon belt drive
- Minimal maintenance required
- Foldable with 4 transport wheels
- 397-lb weight capacity
Cons
- Monthly membership fee required for full functionality
- 97” (over 8 feet) in length
- Not compatible with lumbar support accessory
Bottom Line
The Aviron Impact Series Rower is a fantastic smart indoor rowing machine that comes at a lower price point than many competitors.
The Strong Series rowing machine is Aviron’s premium, luxury model while the Impact Series rowing machine is the brand’s more budget-friendly model.
For most people, we think the Impact Series rower has more than enough features and functionality to support a robust workout routine. In fact, my stepdad has lost more than 40 pounds using the Aviron Impact Series rower—it’s the first piece of workout equipment that’s managed to get him to exercise consistently over a period of months.
However, upon testing the new machine, Coop said: “This is a better overall rower than the Impact Series, but it seems like it cannibalizes the Impact series due to them being so close in price.”
“I would recommend most people choose the Strong Series over the Impact due to the small price difference and the Strong Series being an overall better build, but it’s not that much different.”
In other words, either will get the job done!
The Aviron Impact rower features the same 22-inch HD touchscreen and gamified programming as the Strong Series, but there are some key differences to be aware of. Particularly, the Impact rower is lighter, doesn’t have as high of a weight capacity, and does not support as many ergonomic adjustments. This chart summarizes the main differences.
| NEW Strong Series Rower | Impact Series Rower |
- Rotating 22” HD touchscreen
- Weighs 114 lbs
- Max user weight: 507 lbs
- 6’8” height maximum
- Total length: 83.5” (7’)
- Low rail (10”) and high seat (20”)
- Wide 20” seat
- Wide 19” handle
- Patent-pending adjustable-width footplates allow users to adjust to their body type and comfort
- Rotating handlebar
- Includes 2 front wheels
- Stores upright with no supports or wall mount required
- 22” HD touchscreen – does not rotate
- Weighs 97 lbs
- Max user weight: 397 lbs
- 6’7” height maximum
- 97” total length
- Low rail (10”) and high seat (20”)
- Wide 20” seat
- Wide 19” handle
- Handlebar does not rotate
- 4 wheels for transport
- Foldable frame
- No cooling fan
Ordering and Assembling the Aviron Strong Series Rower
According to Sam Presley, GGR Facility Manager, assembling the Aviron Strong Series Rower was relatively simple and easy.
“The delivery was great,” he says. “It comes in a medium-sized box that is easily manageable.”
“As far as assembly goes, there are essentially four components to assemble,” he continues. “You attach the front leg, the rail, the seat and the screen. All of this can easily be done with one person. Overall, I would say it’s a great experience.”
Customer Experience
Aviron has a great customer experience. Their customer support team, which is reachable via snail mail (weird flex, but OK!), email, phone, and an online contact form, has been prompt and helpful in my experience.
My stepdad, who has an Aviron Impact Series Rower, has had to contact the support team about technical issues in the past, such as glitches on the screen or the system not logging his workouts for the monthly challenges. He says things get resolved relatively quickly and that the support experience with Aviron is better than many brands.
You can also browse Aviron’s support database, which has a robust suite of FAQs and articles to help solve common problems.
Orders are processed and shipped within five business days of placing the order, and items are eligible for a return and refund within 30 days of receipt. Signature is required for delivery. As for warranty, Aviron offers a warranty of 10 years on the structural frame and one year for all other parts and labor.
Customer Reviews
The Aviron Strong Series Rower just became available for direct-to-consumer purchase on October 12, 2023. At the time of writing, there are no customer reviews on the Strong Series in particular.
However, there are plenty of customer reviews on other Aviron models and the brand in general. The reviews are overwhelmingly positive, with most customers gushing about the build quality of the rower itself, as well as the engaging, fun, and effective programming.
Reviewer Jackie wrote: “The Aviron rower is by far the best on the market. The games, challenges, programs, and Facebook community can’t be beat. Customer service is amazing, and I couldn’t be happier with my purchase. You won’t regret adding this machine to your home gym! The only thing you’ll regret is not purchasing sooner. Top of the line in every aspect.”
As for negative customer reviews, I didn’t actually find any, since it looks like the Aviron website is the only place they are collected. This means the collection is likely curated to include only positive reviews, but I must say, I wouldn’t expect to see many (or any) strongly negative reviews.
I personally am a huge fan of Aviron because it has helped a member of my family turn his health around, meet fitness goals, and build a high level of conditioning at middle age.
Final Verdict of Our Aviron Strong Series Rower Review
We believe the Aviron Strong Series Rower upholds the high standards we’ve come to expect from Aviron. If you are itching for a way to up the ante on your at-home, full-body workout routine, any Aviron rower will do the trick.
- This is a luxury option. It’s not cheap, but it’s an investment you won’t regret.
- The Strong Series features a beautiful immersive display and provides more workout variety than any other smart rowing machine on the market.
- The build quality can withstand frequent, high-volume use, and there’s a 10-year warranty on the frame.
Full Rating
Aviron Strong Series Rower Review
The Aviron Strong Series Rower is the newest product in Aviron’s smart rowing machine lineup. It replaces the Tough Series Rower as the premium model and is sold alongside the Impact Series Rower, which is the more budget-friendly version.
Product Brand: Aviron
Product Currency: $
Product Price: 2499
Product In-Stock: InStock
4.3
Aviron Strong Series Rower FAQs
Here are some commonly asked questions about Aviron rowers.
Is the new Aviron Strong Series Rower replacing the Tough Series?
Yes, the Strong Series is replacing the Tough Series as the premium model. The Tough Series is no longer available on the Aviron website.
Which is better, the Aviron Strong Series or Impact Series?
The two rowers are very similar, but they differ in price by a few hundred dollars due to some extra features you’ll enjoy on the Strong Series. If you want top-of-the-line everything, the Strong Series is the best choice.
Is Aviron a good brand?
Aviron is a fantastic brand that manufactures high-quality cardio fitness equipment. Several members of our team at GGR have hands-on experience with various Aviron products and workouts, and we’re strong believers in the brand.
What is the best rowing machine?
Check out all of our favorite rowing machines in our guides:
Best Rowing Machines Overall
Best Water Rowing Machines
Best Budget Rowing Machines
Best Magnetic Rowing Machines
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