Hydrow Launches Arc Rower To Push Into Strength Training
The celeb-backed Hydrow is on a mission to redefine connected rowing — its new Arc Rower leverages AI metrics to put strength front and center
Hydrow, which has raised over $300 million from backers including Travis Kelce, Kevin Hart and Justin Timberlake, is pushing the at-home rowing category beyond cardio with the launch of the Hydrow Arc Rower.
The $2,295 machine, unveiled today, introduces HydroMetrics, a proprietary data system designed around strength that scores performance across precision, power and endurance, while offering personalized guidance based on each workout.
It also packs some bells and whistles, such as Hydrow’s largest screen yet (a 24-inch HD display) and premium sound for an immersive training experience.
Hydrow president and CEO John Stellato says the newest rower, which follows the debut of the Origin Rower and compact Hydrow Wave Rower, pushes the limits of connected fitness innovation.
“Rather than retrofitting existing hardware with AI capabilities, we’ve created a smarter approach to full-body fitness, powered by data, precision and the fluid rhythm of rowing,” Stellato told Athletech News, highlighting the introduction of HydroMetrics.
Each workout on the Arc Rower generates a HydroMetrics Index (HMI), a composite score across three dimensions. Precision Score measures stroke accuracy against the ideal rowing form, Power Score captures explosive force from a user’s seven best strokes within a given timeframe, and Endurance Score tracks cardio strength based on a five-minute effort.
Alongside each score, members receive targeted guidance to help correct and improve technique.
“The system has been trained by datasets from World Champions and Olympians, enabling us to identify form inefficiencies, provide actionable insights and develop proprietary scores and standards,” Stellato said. “Delivering real-time feedback to help members build sustainable, functional strength is really important to us, and this launch marks just the beginning of Hydrow’s continued evolution.”
“The biggest thing we hear from our customers is, ‘Tell me what to do,’” he said. “‘Curate this for me. You know what I want, you know what my goals are, you know where the results are going. Tell me what to do…’ I think us being able to serve it up quicker and then more seamlessly — that’s what you can do to generate value.”
That evolution started taking shape last year, when the Boston-based brand acquired a majority stake in Speede Fitness, a high-tech strength training equipment company specializing in performance analytics. Stellato has said the deal lays the groundwork for Hydrow to unlock the future of strength and cardio training.
He echoed that vision at the ATN Innovation Summit earlier this year, emphasizing how personalization drives Hydrow’s roadmap and hinting that upcoming innovations will meet that demand. The Arc Rower’s HydroMetrics system and intelligent workout recommendations are the latest signs that Hydrow is beginning to deliver on that promise.