Our story
Born from rowing. United by design.
WATERROWER and NOHRD are sister brands connected by more than ownership. We share a belief that fitness equipment should deliver exceptional performance while bringing lasting beauty to the spaces in which people live and train.
What began with a single rowing machine has grown into a complete collection spanning rowing, cardio, strength and wellness—united by thoughtful design, natural materials and an uncompromising approach to quality.
It Began on the Water
The story began in Rhode Island in 1988, when engineer and competitive rower John Duke created the original WaterRower.
His ambition was to recreate the physical dynamics, resistance and sound of rowing on water. At the same time, he wanted to challenge the appearance of conventional fitness equipment by creating something that could belong naturally within the home.
Influenced by the honesty and simplicity of Shaker furniture, the original WaterRower combined purposeful engineering with solid hardwood and restrained design. Its patented WaterFlywheel created an authentic rowing experience, while its sculptural form introduced a new idea: fitness equipment designed to be used, enjoyed and lived with.
More than 35 years later, that original philosophy continues to guide every WaterRower we make.
From WaterRower Germany to NOHRD
The NOHRD story grew directly from WaterRower.
WaterRower’s German sales and distribution office was established in 1994 by Dominik Kuprecht. After relocating to Nordhorn, the business developed the space, skills and manufacturing capability to create fitness equipment of its own.
As WaterRower customers began looking for complementary equipment made with the same attention to performance, materials and design, a new range started to take shape. The first German-developed product led to the creation of NOHRD and an expanding collection of strength, cardio and wellness equipment.
Even the NOHRD name reflects its origins. NOH is the vehicle registration code for Nordhorn; in the original NOHrD logo, the stylised lowercase “r” represented a water tap—a nod to WaterRower—while the “D” stood for Deutschland.
Because NOHRD grew from within WaterRower, the two brands have shared the same design language from the beginning.
Two Brands. One Shared Purpose.
WaterRower remains dedicated to creating an authentic and beautifully designed rowing experience. NOHRD extends the same philosophy across a wider world of movement, from indoor cycling and running to strength, mobility and complete training spaces.
Each brand has its own identity and area of expertise, but they are designed to work together. Shared hardwood finishes, complementary forms and a consistent approach to craftsmanship make it possible to create a cohesive fitness environment rather than a collection of unrelated machines.
Together, WATERROWER | NOHRD provides equipment for the complete fitness journey—cardio, strength and wellness—without asking customers to choose between performance and design.
Made in the USA and Germany
Our approach depends on maintaining a close relationship between design and manufacturing.
WaterRower rowing machines are handcrafted in Warren, Rhode Island, while NOHRD equipment is designed and manufactured in Nordhorn, Germany. These facilities bring together experienced craftspeople, engineers and product designers, allowing ideas to move directly from development into production.
American ingenuity and German engineering give the two brands distinct characters, while shared standards of craftsmanship, material selection and durability ensure every product belongs to the same family.
Designed to belong
We believe fitness equipment should enhance its surroundings rather than need to be hidden away.
That belief influences every decision—from the selection and hand-finishing of the wood to the movement, sound and proportions of the finished product. Every detail must serve a purpose, and every product must earn its place through performance, durability and enduring design.
The result is fitness equipment created for real life: at home, in a hotel, within a professional studio or as part of a complete training space.
Moving Forward Together
In 2023, the shared history of the two brands was brought more visibly together under the name WATERROWER | NOHRD.
This was not the beginning of the partnership, but a clearer expression of a relationship developed over decades. Today, we continue to combine craftsmanship with connected technology, expand the ways people can move and create equipment intended to remain relevant for years to come.
Different origins. Complementary expertise. One shared vision.
