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The Ergatta Lite Rower is a lightweight rower with premium content that helps you develop better rowing skills. Continue reading our review of the Ergatta Lite Rower to find out what we loved and what we thought needed improvement.
Updated February 29, 2024
Ergatta makes my favorite training content, so I couldn’t wait to test out the Ergatta Lite. This rowing machine gets its name from its lightweight construction and compact size. The Ergatta Lite uses water resistance as opposed to air or magnetic resistance. The Ergatta Lite has a subscription-based training service to enrich your rowing routine. The affordable construction of the Ergatta Lite gives it a smaller footprint and makes it more accessible to budget shoppers, but it comes with a few drawbacks. This Ergatta Lite Rower review inspects its construction, performance, training options, and more.
The Ergatta relationship with WaterRower is very interesting. The Ergatta Lite is a WaterRower, and it is WaterRower that covers the warranty on the machine. Ergatta is the screen and content addition to the WaterRower. So, if you are looking for a similar rowing machine without content, WaterRower is the brand that you want to consider.
There is a 5-year warranty on the frame, a 3-year warranty on the parts, and a 1-year warranty for labor. There is also a 90-day warranty on replacement parts. While warranty claims should be initiated through Ergatta, they are ultimately covered by WaterRower. The warranty is non-transferable.
The Ergatta Lite has an oak frame with a clear coat to preserve its unstained color. The frame is lightweight, so it is not as sturdy as the frame found on the original Ergatta. The frame can support a maximum user weight of 320 lbs. It sits low to the ground and is supported by multiple rubber feet.
Because the Ergatta Lite is a WaterRower, it has a paddle flywheel called the WaterFlywheel. Two paddles push the water and generate resistance as you row. The Ergatta Lite does not have a damper or resistance levels. Instead, the harder you paddle the harder the water resists you. The Ergatta Lite has a sticker on its water tank to label the maximum fill level. Our rowing machine came with the sticker placed upside down. While we could still appropriately fill our tank, Ergatta could improve their assembly to ensure this issue does not happen to other users.
The water resistance is quieter than air resistance but with many of the same benefits. The sloshing of the water is far less disruptive, and many users find the sound calming and enjoyable. Water resistance provides an unlimited challenge, so the Ergatta Lite is appropriate for rowing athletes of all skill levels. The tank size is sufficient for creating this challenging resistance.
The handle is a little over 15 inches long. It is comfortable to use and has a softer coating. The shape is oval and fit comfortably in my hands. The handle is attached to a nylon strap. This is much quieter than the chains used by many popular air rowing machines. The tension is smooth. The tension during the recovery phase isn’t as strong as some of the other rowing machines, like the AssaultRower Elite, so the recovery phase is more active on the Ergatta Lite.
The Ergatta Lite uses a dual rail system. Ergatta lists the maximum inseam length as 38 inches long, and I measured the functional length of the rails to be 37 inches. The rails are wooden with a thin metal covering that the seat moves along. The seat glides along the rail smoothly.
The seat is 12 inches wide by 10 inches long. It is very comparable to the seats found on the AssaultRower Elite and the Bells of Steel Blitz Rower. The seat sits about 11 inches from the ground. It is very comfortable. The slight texture on the seat prevented me from sliding around at all while training.
The Ergatta Lite has fairly standard foot stretchers. There are 9 pegboard settings to adjust the stretchers. I wear a women’s size 8 and set the stretchers to their third shortest setting, but I probably could go down to the second shortest. The maximum extended length of the foot stretchers is 12 inches, but there is room to hang over the top of the footboard up to about 16 inches. There is plenty of room for most athletic shoe sizes.
The footboards sit around 2 inches apart. This narrow positioning is ideal for exercisers who want a similar geometry to on-the-water rowing. This narrow foot positioning is common on dual rail rowing machines, because your feet sit between the rails. This design may be more challenging for new rowers and those with limited flexibility. The heel cups on the ends of the foot stretchers are not fixed to the footboards. If you are not as flexible, your heels can rise without coming off the foot stretchers. Not all users like this feature, but it was helpful for me.
The pegboards are not as refined as the rest of the rowing machine, but I have yet to encounter a rowing machine that has a significantly better alternative. Compared to other rowing machines the foot stretcher adjustments are not any more difficult. The pegboards may give you some difficulty, but adjusting the straps is easy. The adjustable strap is continuous from one side to the other and can be adjusted from either side.
The Ergatta Lite Rower can be stored upright or horizontally. It weighs only 40 lbs without any water inside of the tank. When filled with water, the rower weighs approximately 72 lbs. The weight distribution is a little awkward when you are lifting the rower to its upright position.
The screen should be folded down before standing the rower upright. Unlike the original Ergatta rower, the Ergatta Lite’s screen and arm attachment secure into place magnetically. Two magnets match up with screws on the frame. The screen flopped down once when I raised the rower upright, so ensure that the magnets are completely aligned with the screws. The power cord does not detach from the rowing machine, and there is nowhere to store the cord. If you are not careful, the cord may impede the securing of the magnets, causing the screen to flop. If you are cautious, you should be okay to store the rowing machine upright.
The Ergatta Lite Rower is an upgraded WaterRower, so its best features are its smart features. I strongly recommend using the Ergatta Lite with an active subscription, so you get access to all of the features.
The only button on the Ergatta Lite is the power button on the back of the console. The volume and other settings are controlled on the screen. The power cord cannot be removed from the Lite. There are a couple of other short exposed sections of cords, but it did not impact my impression of the console’s appearance.
The touchscreen is a 17.3-inch full HD 1920 x 1080 display. Some users reported wanting a larger screen, but I had no issue with this screen size. The touchscreen sensitivity was just right. It was easy to navigate the screen. The screen quality is really nice, and I did not notice a difference between the Ergatta and Ergatta Lite displays.
The screen is held in place by a wooden arm that stretches diagonally from the rowing machine frame. The arm is a bit flimsier than I expected and caused the screen to shake while I was training. It didn’t ruin my viewing experience, but it was definitely a con for me. The arm is only supported by two tiny retractable legs near its base. My biggest complaint about the Ergatta Lite is the sturdiness of the screen when folded or unfolded as well as the mechanism to do so. The retractable legs can be hard to fold down because they are located so closely to the hinge.
The speaker quality could be improved. The speakers are rear-facing and a bit muffled compared to front-facing speakers. The volume can be adjusted on the screen easily. The volume level is clear, but the clarity could be improved.
Bluetooth audio is another option for listening to the available music and training content. You can easily pair Bluetooth headphones or earbuds before beginning a workout. The audio sounds great through headphones.
You can pair Bluetooth heart rate monitors with the Ergatta Lite. While most heart rate monitors should work with the Ergatta Lite, I noticed that my Garmin watch did not pair with the Lite. That said, I have a Forerunner 245, and newer models may be more compatible. Pin-entry Bluetooth heart rate monitors are the ones least likely to be compatible, but check with Ergatta to ensure your device’s connectivity with the Ergatta Lite.
While I had a few cons concerning the Ergatta Lite’s construction, it’s important to note that these did not impact my experience training on the rower. I had just as good of an experience rowing on the Ergatta Lite as I did on the original Ergatta and other high-end rowing machines. The Ergatta Lite is great for all sorts of rowing efforts. You can train for endurance, speed, and power on the Ergatta Lite.
The Ergatta Lite is best when used with an active subscription. The Lite has gamified content with nice graphics. There are intervals, races, and competitions. If you want something more endurance-based, try one of the scenic rows or the Just Row function. You can set custom intervals if you have a training plan you are following or join a push program for workouts that build upon each other. These series are a great option for beginners and those trying to adhere to a new rowing routine.
Ergatta also introduced an AI-based coaching program to give new rowing athletes feedback on their rowing form. To use this service, you must download the Ergatta app to your phone. At the time of writing this review, the Coach AI is only available for iOS users. An Android version should be available later this year.
When you first set up your Ergatta Lite Rower, you should complete the calibration workout. This workout allows Ergatta to understand your current rowing ability. You will get a recommended pace for the paddle, steady, race, and sprint segments of workouts. Ergatta will also match you with users of similar abilities in the competition workouts.
Ergatta’s training content uses your intensity zones and teaches you to hit different cadence targets. These workouts have helped me develop as a rower and encouraged me to focus on rowing well rather than just beating a game.
To supplement your training experience, you can also select a genre music station from the Feed.FM radio before starting your workout. These playlists include current, popular music. I like the high-energy music station, because it helps me put in my best effort. You can also connect your training with the Ergatta Lite with your Strava account.
For those who choose not to subscribe or unsubscribe later, you can still use the Ergatta Lite. There is a free trial for the first 30 days. Then, you retain access to the Just Row. Other features free to non-subscribers include app connectivity, the Strava integration, workout data storage, Bluetooth connectivity, and the Feed.FM radio. While the Ergatta Lite isn’t as impressive without a subscription, it offers more options than many other subscription-based cardio machines.
The Ergatta Lite offers impressive gamified-training content. This wood-framed rowing machine fits easily into your household with its compact and lightweight frame. The Ergatta Lite can be stored upright or horizontally. There are a few drawbacks due to its low weight and affordability, but it did not impact the rower’s performance. With its 17.3-inch touchscreen display, you can access smart features like Bluetooth heart rate monitoring, Bluetooth audio, radio stations, and integration with the Strava app. The water resistance sounds nice and provides unlimited resistance for athletes of all abilities. The Ergatta Lite works with and without a subscription and transforms a simple WaterRower into a very impressive rowing machine.
