Lizzo, Timberlake, Other Celebs Invest in Hydrow
Kevin Hart, Lizzo, Justin Timberlake, and other celebrities have joined the Hydrow crew as investors.
Hydrow, an at-home rowing fitness device, announced today that it has attracted numerous celebrity investors who are ready to set sail. Lizzo, Aaron Rodgers, Justin Timberlake, Whitney Cummings, and Kevin Hart are on the list as big-name investors in the rowing machine company (with Lizzo, if you had heard rumors of her investing in Hydrow, now you know that all the rumors were true!).
Hydrow also secured investment from retail partner Fabletics.
The latest round of funding has led to Hydrow raising a total of nearly $200 million.
As an early investor, Kevin Hart enjoys the position of Creative Director, stating, “I invested in Hydrow because pound for pound, there’s no better workout out there than rowing. I signed on as Creative Director because I truly believe in this machine’s potential to change people’s lives.”
Hart adds, “You’re getting so much more than a workout each time you strap in. You’re shifting your mindset, and that’s a powerful thing.”
Hydrow says that the capital will help further innovation and assist the company in expanding globally, as the company works to make rowing more accessible. Some of the new funding will also help Hydrow meet demands during the upcoming holiday season.
Bruce Smith, Founder and CEO of Hydrow, appreciates the star-studded investors who believe in Hydrow’s mission. In a press release, Smith notes, “It is an honor to have some of the most well-regarded names in music, sports and entertainment support our crew as we strive to enhance our members’ lives through the shared experience of rowing.”
He adds, “As we continue to focus on positioning rowing as an accessible and mainstream lifestyle choice, we are excited to join forces with these exceptional people who each offer unique experiences and insights to help us in achieving this goal.”
As the desire for at-home fitness solutions has recently risen drastically, Hydrow has enjoyed sales that have increased 500% since last year. There is also chatter about Hydro going public in a deal that would bring the value to $1 billion.
Hydrow provides users with full-body workouts that engage over 85% of the major muscle groups and has a collection of nearly 3,000 live and on-demand classes led by professional athletes, including Olympians and Paralympians.
For consumers who like to sweat while doing good, Hydrow says that for every 25 days that a user rows, they donate to Water.org to provide clean water to developing countries.
Using technology that rowing experts created, Hyrdow works to mimic the experience of rowing on water, even if a user is in their living room. Hydrow uses a specialized algorithm, a computer, and patented electromagnetic mechanisms for the rowing motion.
What sets Hydrow apart, however, is the immersive experience. The rowing machine provides a 22” touchscreen display and front-facing speakers that allow a rower to enjoy water views. Premium content is filmed at various locations, and rowers can select a destination, from the Boston Harbor to London.
According to a study by RunRepeat, the at-home fitness equipment trend has grown to almost 220% in 2021.
