Rowing machines - http://www.rowingmachinez.com

Editor's picks

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  Stamina Body Trac Glider 1050 Rowing Machine

  Sports (Stamina Products, Inc.)
  

  Rating (339 reviews):

  (3.8/5)

  

  Demo of Stamina Rower

  Customer Video Review Length:: 1:16 MinsSo far, so good. I was a little upset that there weren't any video reviews for this product, (youtube, from the company itself etc.) so I promised myself that I'd make a video demonstration for others to judge.The basic stuff you need to know: There are 12 levels of resistance (I was using resistance level 8).The computer tells you how many complete rows you have performed, time performed, calories burned or you can scan through all three (My computer didn't work when it first arrived, but after a solid punch it woke up and started working). The resistance is nice. You'll get a good workout with this inexpensive machine. Storage is convenient, but don't be fooled, 35 pounds is heavy to move around from room to room. Keep the machine close to where you plan on using it. Finally, the footstraps were a major complaint. My complaint about the footstraps is that it doesn't hold your feet securely against the footrests. The clicking noise you hear in... 5/5 Louie Lefkowitz "Lou da Joo" (New York, NY) - See all my reviews, September 25, 2010

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  A fantastic rower for this price!

  .PROS:a. Real rowing (oar-like) action, rather than just pulling on a single T-bar.b. Comfortable even with tall people (I'm 6'1').c. Adjustable rowing tension.d. A very sturdy, rigid, and well-built frame.e. Easy to assemble.f. Takes little room to use.g. Very low cost (one hundred twenty dollars).CONS:a. The seat is not well padded.b. The unit creaks and squeaks a bit until it is warmed-up.c. No instructions explaining how to actually row properly. (I found some great videos and info on the Web, however, that instruct as to how to use rowing machines).You simply cannot beat this Stamina Body Trac Rowing Machine at this very low cost -- it is an amazing deal! 5/5 Linda (United States) - See all my reviews This review is from: Stamina Body Trac Glider 1050 Rowing Machine (Sports) .PROS:a. Real rowing (oar-like) action, rather than just pulling on a single T-bar.b. Comfortable even with tall people (I'm 6'1').c. Adjustable rowing tension.d. A very sturdy, rigid, and well-built frame.e. Easy to assemble.f. Takes little room to use.g. Very low cost (one hundred twenty dollars).CONS:a. The seat is not well padded.b. The unit creaks and squeaks a bit until it is warmed-up.c. No instructions explaining how to actually row properly. (I found some great videos and info on the Web, however, that instruct as to how to use rowing machines).You simply cannot beat this Stamina Body Trac Rowing Machine at this very low cost -- it is an amazing deal! Help other customers find the most helpful reviews  Was this review helpful to you? , December 20, 2006

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  Great Rower For The Money

  I have had this rower for a week now and it has been working great. The first rower I bought (a different brand of rower) broke down after 15 min of use, but the Stamina Body Glider is well built and very easy to use. The instruction booklet is very clear. It only took a few minutes to put the machine together.The amount of resistance is adjustable and the machine is very quiet. The only noise you hear is from the shock absorber type device which provides the resistance. It looks and feels like a more expensive piece of equipment, but provides the same type of workout that those higher priced models provide. Relatively lightweight, the Stamina Body Glider comes in at around 35lbs. The light weight makes it easy to move the machine around. I am thoroughly satisfied with this machine so far and I would recommend it to anyone who is looking for a rower. 5/5 R. Rose - See all my reviews, April 17, 2006

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  List Price: $230.00
  

  Monitor shows time, stroke count, and calories burned

  Adjustable gas-shock resistance

  Home rowing machine with compact footprint--23.5 x 46 inches

  Sturdy, steel frame construction

  Folds for easy storage

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  Concept2 Model D Indoor Rowing Machine

  Sports (Concept2)
  

  Rating (187 reviews):

  (4.9/5)

  

  Intregal part of my 75 pound weight loss!!!

  I own the Concept 2 Model D. I purchased it last year after an exhausting field and internet search. I "casually" used it for several months until a few months ago when I became very serious about losing weight. I now use the rower 5 to 6 times a week 30 minutes minimum- with an average of 45 minutes and occasionally (usually Saturday mornings) a 60 minute workout. I do not overdue the individual workouts, and maintain about a 23 stroke per minute rhythm.I chose this rower for several reasons. First, the great reviews on internet websites. Secondly, I was very impressed with the sales associate. He did not try to "oversell" me, instead he convinced me that for my needs the model D was more than sufficient. Third, I was fortunate enough to try one out at a friends home gym- I was impressed. Lastly- this is a high quality machine- very sturdy and well designed.I utilize this machine, along with a low carb diet and walking 3-4 miles 2 to 3 times a week, to... 5/5 D. Fraser - See all my reviews, March 22, 2009

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  "The Rower"

  You need go no further than a major crew regatta such as the Head of the Charles to understand why Concept2 rowers are regarded as the best available. Generally there are only a few rower manufacturers represented in vendor alley, and the one with the crowd will be Concept2. Found in crew boathouses everywhere, not only are they well-built and smooth, but can even be linked together to work in unison for training purposes. It's actually quite amazing to see in action. Concept2 also has an enormously enthusiastic user base that competes across the world. That's indoor rower competition! You'll also find Concept2 rowers in gyms everywhere - they're very tough.Concept2 makes two models. They are actually fairly close in specs and the pricing difference is a few hundred dollars. This listing is for Concept2's D model with their PM3 electronics module. I view the principal difference between the D and E models as height (the E is a bit taller). The E also comes... 5/5 New England Yankee (Northern New England) - See all my reviews, October 17, 2008

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  One of the best purchases for fitness you can make

  I bought a Model D with the PM3 monitor in August, 2009. I have been overweight my entire life and in November of 2008 I finally decided to change my life. I started a new way of eating with Nutrisystem and I started exercising. I bought an elliptical and treadmill to join my stationary bike and started losing weight. As I slowly became more fit, I kept researching other things I could do to keep my interest in exercise going. I'd never seen an indoor rower, but read about them as being terrific exercise in various places. I started looking really hard at them when I realized just how great a workout they offered at a low impact. Concept 2 is considered the standard in rowing machines. I was very pleased with the price point as well. I'd already spent a lot of money on the treadmill and elliptical and didn't want to drop a lot more. One very nice thing about Concept 2 machines is that they hold their value very well. I couldn't find a used Model D in my area on Craigslist,... 5/5 A. Weist "drsimnal" (Indy) - See all my reviews, December 6, 2009

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  List Price: $900.00
  

  Lets rowers choose between sleek, fast boat and slow, heavy boat

  Indoor rowing machine with sliding seat for complete total body workouts

  Requires footprint of 9 x 4 feet; 500-pound capacity; 5-year frame warranty

  PM3 performance monitor tracks your distance, speed, pace, and calories

  Quiet flywheel minimizes noise while providing smooth feel of water rowing

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  Kettler Favorit Rowing Machine

  Sports (KETTLER)
  

  Rating (29 reviews):

  (4.3/5)

  

  Good machine, but I got a dud.

  I got my Favorit about 5 days after I ordered it and when I went to put it together I realized that a piece was missing (the bar to hold the foot pedals on). So I called customer service and they sent me one free of charge the next day. I was a little disappointed because I was excited to use it but couldn't without something to put my feet on. So I waited another 5 or so days and I got that part.After using it I realized the right shock absorber wasn't working correctly, and it started losing more pressure within a few day to where it was unusable. I emailed customer service this time and they sent me a new shock right away.Since then I haven't had any problems, the machine works great and I've been using it about 3 weeks daily with the new shock. The customer service was really great, which is why I decided not to take off a star. I think I might have gotten a returned machine. It was obviously a dud either way, everything else about the experience was... 5/5 L P - See all my reviews Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?) This review is from: Kettler Favorit Rowing Machine (Sports) I got my Favorit about 5 days after I ordered it and when I went to put it together I realized that a piece was missing (the bar to hold the foot pedals on). So I called customer service and they sent me one free of charge the next day. I was a little disappointed because I was excited to use it but couldn't without something to put my feet on. So I waited another 5 or so days and I got that part.After using it I realized the right shock absorber wasn't working correctly, and it started losing more pressure within a few day to where it was unusable. I emailed customer service this time and they sent me a new shock right away.Since then I haven't had any problems, the machine works great and I've been using it about 3 weeks daily with the new shock. The customer service was really great, which is why I decided not to take off a star. I think I might have gotten a returned machine. It was obviously a dud either way, everything else about the experience was... Read more Help other customers find the most helpful reviews  Was this review helpful to you? , August 28, 2009

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  Well built with one major flaw...

  This rower seems to be well built and very sturdy. However, buyer beware, the design of this machine contains one major, VERY IMPORTANT flaw having to do with the resistance adjustment. The resistance is controlled by tightening knobs on the side of the machine at the bottom of each individual piston. Loosen the knob and you are able to move the bottom of the piston up (to increase the resistance) or down (to decrease the resistance). Regardless of how much I tighten each knob the resistance always loosens up during my workout. Sometimes one side will come loose before the other, producing an uneven workout. Eventually both sides loosen and the workout is much too easy.Which begs the question... Why didn't Kettler catch this problem during the testing phase of this product? I am extremely disappointed and would not recommend this product until Kettler comes out with a fix or different design with respect to the resistance adjustment. 2/5 Mike S. (Fredericksburg, VA USA) - See all my reviews This review is from: Kettler Favorit Rowing Machine (Sports) This rower seems to be well built and very sturdy. However, buyer beware, the design of this machine contains one major, VERY IMPORTANT flaw having to do with the resistance adjustment. The resistance is controlled by tightening knobs on the side of the machine at the bottom of each individual piston. Loosen the knob and you are able to move the bottom of the piston up (to increase the resistance) or down (to decrease the resistance). Regardless of how much I tighten each knob the resistance always loosens up during my workout. Sometimes one side will come loose before the other, producing an uneven workout. Eventually both sides loosen and the workout is much too easy.Which begs the question... Why didn't Kettler catch this problem during the testing phase of this product? I am extremely disappointed and would not recommend this product until Kettler comes out with a fix or different design with respect to the resistance adjustment. Help other customers find the most helpful reviews  Was this review helpful to you? , December 26, 2007

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  Best in its class

  Had no problem putting it together and have found no problem with the tightness of tension adjusting on the "oars" mentioned by previous reviewer - if anything they are very hard to release to slide up or down. So if sharing this machine with a different build quick adjustment day-to-day would be hard as you have to pry the plastic apart with a screwdriver.However still a vast improvement on my previous machine of 20 years.Shipping was a problem as the cardboard box and packing not heavy enough for the usual drop off but it survived even that! 5/5 Steven Medway (USA) - See all my reviews, February 28, 2008

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  List Price: $399.00
  Price: $398.99
  You Save: $0.01 (%)

  250-Pound weight capacity; measures 49 x 31 x 10-Inch

  Training computer provides info on time measurement, number of oar strokes, speed of strokes, distance covered, and more

  Rowing machine to help you stay in shape and train in your own home

  Two hydraulic cylinders with continuous resistance and a comfortably ergonomic seat

  Program for desired distance covered and stroke speed; visual and audio signals

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  Concept2 Model E Indoor Rowing Machine

  Sports (Concept2)
  

  Rating (18 reviews):

  (4.3/5)

  

  A Great Rower

  I ride dirt bikes, and this machine offers the perfect workout for the areas I need help with most. Shoulders, Back and Arms. Some people say the legs get a good workout as well, but I would say that is not the case. Very little benefit to the legs, but it is easy on the knees.Overall the Concept2 Model E is a great machine. I am glad I chose this over the Model D just for the higher stance, PM4 and maintenace free (except for oil) chain. The machine came delivered in two boxes, both of which were pretty beat up when they arrived, but nothing was damaged.Putting the machine together took me about 30 minutes, and the instructions were OK. For the money I paid for this machine, I was hoping for a little bit better overall quality. Some of the screws did not line up really well with some of the holes for assembly. I may have even stripped one trying to get it in there, but it seems to be holding on ok. Also there is more plastic than I thought there would have... 4/5 J. Pope - See all my reviews, October 19, 2009

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  Best rower in the world

  I have owned two Concept 2 rowers, the Model C and now the Model E. I donated the Model C to my parents when I "ascended" up to the Model E. Without doubt, Concept 2 has produced the world's best rower. It's built to last a lifetime of private use. And if parts are ever an issue, Concept 2 still has parts (quite cheap) for all their rowers, even the Model A! If you seriously plan to row for exercise or sport, the Model E (or any model, for that matter) will be your best investment. 5/5 Randall J. Pederson "sputnik" (Philadelphia, PA) - See all my reviews, December 5, 2009

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  Best Investment in Aerobic fitness

  I have had the Concept2 model C for over 6 years and still use it 3 to 4 times a week. My company recently got the model D in the office gym and it does have some improvements. Most noticeably the machine is a bit quieter and the electronics are more advanced (although, as has always been the case with concept2 rowers, the electronics can be upgraded to the latest for a reasonable fee).While I don't see a need to run out and upgrade my home machine I do think the new model is an improvement.In addition to being a great product, it is backed by a great company. They go out of their way to make rowing safe, and fun, with informative newsletters, regular chalenges and competitions, excellent support, online rowing logs, rankings, and races. 5/5 0, April 10, 2004

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  List Price: $1,260.00
  

  Separates easily into two parts for transport and storage. Caster wheels make it mobile

  Requires footprint of 9 x 4 feet; 500-pound capacity; 5-year frame warranty

  PM4 Performance Monitor accurately measures performance and heart rate, includes chest belt HR transmitter

  Indoor rowing machine with sliding seat for complete total body workouts

  Flywheel is designed to minimize noise while providing the smooth feel of rowing on the water

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  Stamina 1215 Orbital Rowing Machine with Free Motion Arms

  Sports (Stamina)
  

  Rating (15 reviews):

  (4.1/5)

  

  Started Good, Now Disappointing, Maybe Dangerous

  We just assembled our new Stamina 1215 Orbital Rower. It took about an hour and a half. The machine feels pretty sturdy to me. Is it worth $279? Hard to say, but with everything so overpriced these days, who knows? The acid test is usually how long something lasts, so it will be worth the money if it gives several years of good service. I've done my first half hour of rowing and it's a fairly smooth action and relatively quiet. On some sites, a few people complained that the lowest setting is too tough for beginners, and I agree. But you can set the arms even a little lower than the bottom number, and this helps. I've had two rowing machines in the past and this one is as good or better than they were. I like the ability to set the back of the bar up higher which aids in getting off and on the rower. I was concerned about the 'orbital' action of the arms, but find it's easy to adjust to, and in effect, you can just row as normal and not use the orbital ability at all. I'm... 5/5 marquis (New England) - See all my reviews Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?) This review is from: Stamina 1215 Orbital Rowing Machine with Free Motion Arms (Sports) We just assembled our new Stamina 1215 Orbital Rower. It took about an hour and a half. The machine feels pretty sturdy to me. Is it worth $279? Hard to say, but with everything so overpriced these days, who knows? The acid test is usually how long something lasts, so it will be worth the money if it gives several years of good service. I've done my first half hour of rowing and it's a fairly smooth action and relatively quiet. On some sites, a few people complained that the lowest setting is too tough for beginners, and I agree. But you can set the arms even a little lower than the bottom number, and this helps. I've had two rowing machines in the past and this one is as good or better than they were. I like the ability to set the back of the bar up higher which aids in getting off and on the rower. I was concerned about the 'orbital' action of the arms, but find it's easy to adjust to, and in effect, you can just row as normal and not use the orbital ability at all. I'm... Read more Help other customers find the most helpful reviews  Was this review helpful to you? , September 5, 2009

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  Don't waste your money

  I bought this Stamina 1215 rower two weeks ago. After 10 days of use, the rollers that allow the seat to move up and down the frame as one rows collapsed. Naturally I'd already tossed out all the packing materials and the box. Oh, well. What I did was, I transplanted the arms, and the hydraulic resistance units (think cheap shock absorbers) onto a 20-year old Altero rower - the resistance units for that gave up some time ago, and that company is out of business, but now it's back on the road, using the Stamina's resistance units. Compared to this one, that old Altero is built like a tank. This one is, in my estimation, worth maybe $15. Yes, it's less expensive than the similar Kettler, and which now wish I'd sprung for; but it's also not worth the $279 currently being charged for it, in my estimation. All the parts are cheap and designed to be sold, as opposed to having been designed to be used. The "computer" is a cheapie and its little screen is tough to see. Do yourself a favor:... 1/5 J. F. Thompson "JT" (Glendale, CA USA) - See all my reviews, June 21, 2009

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  Stamina 1215 Orbital Rowing Machine

  After using this exercise machine for about a month (9 total exercise hours), I have found it is basically a good machine for the price. After 4 hours of use, one of the hydraulic shocks developed a "dead spot" at the start of the stroke. I called the Stamina toll free number for customer support. They sent out a replacement shock which seems to be working OK.The 4 roller wheels on the seat slide are molded plastic. They aren't exactly round so they "rumble" a little bit. It would be nice if they were smooth without mold marks on the running surfaces. 4/5 Sailor Don "Rower man" - See all my reviews This review is from: Stamina 1215 Orbital Rowing Machine with Free Motion Arms (Sports) After using this exercise machine for about a month (9 total exercise hours), I have found it is basically a good machine for the price. After 4 hours of use, one of the hydraulic shocks developed a "dead spot" at the start of the stroke. I called the Stamina toll free number for customer support. They sent out a replacement shock which seems to be working OK.The 4 roller wheels on the seat slide are molded plastic. They aren't exactly round so they "rumble" a little bit. It would be nice if they were smooth without mold marks on the running surfaces. Help other customers find the most helpful reviews  Was this review helpful to you? , December 30, 2008

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  List Price: $400.00
  Price: $243.00
  You Save: $157.00 (39%)

  Some assembly required; 5-year warranty on frame, 90 days on parts

  Smooth hydraulic cylinder resistance; adjustable tension controls

  Thick, padded seat; pivoting foot plates

  Compact rowing machine with full range-of-motion rowing that mimics rowing on the water

  Single button monitor shows speed, distance, time, row count, calories burned, and miles rowed

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  HCI Fitness Sprint Outrigger Scull Rowing Machine

  Sports (HCI Fitness)
  

  Rating (30 reviews):

  (4.0/5)

  

  It's Like A Review Only Mildly Amusing....

  This, I think, is my first review on Amazon (woo hoo) and I'm mostly doing it because I'm reasonably sure the previous review is fake and from a company rep. With that said there is some truth to the review.I just received mine yesterday and was pleased to see it was all heavy steel with no plastic that I could see, even the casing is metal. The directions were hard to make heads or tails of which turned out to be okay given that a slow witted monkey could put this thing together in under a half hour, given that I am at least a few IQ points ahead of a slow witted monkey I was able to assemble it in about 15 minutes. Once the machine is all together feels really solid with only a slight, negligible wobble to the seat but that is not unexpected given that I'm a 6 foot 215 former bodybuilder and most things wobble or yell "hey don't sit on me" when I sit on them.Once on the machine I was pleased with the motion and resistance as it felt pretty even and the seat... 4/5 Brandon May "Thanos" (USA) - See all my reviews, February 13, 2009

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  Pretty much as expected ...

  I received my HCI Sprint Outrigger today.Packaging was in good condition, all parts present, no damage. Good job FedEx!Unpacking and setup was pretty easy, took about 10 minutes. Only tools required were hex wrenches, and they came in the box.Initial reactions - fit and finish are reasonably good. Welds are solid - this isn't an elegant piece of machinery, but it's pretty well put together. One nice feature is a pair of locking pins that engage the rowing arms in the folded position so that they're immobilized for transit.Less favorable reactions - someone commented elsewhere that the soft handle grips broke up with use - I can imagine this happening pretty easily, and I also think that given some harsh use, the velcro foot straps might not last too well. Seat rollers on rowing machines typically take quite a beating. Time will tell how well the rollers hold up.One other gripe is that the computer is pretty large - when I was... 3/5 Minarchist "Minarchist" (CT, USA) - See all my reviews Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?) This review is from: HCI Fitness Sprint Outrigger Scull Rowing Machine (Sports) I received my HCI Sprint Outrigger today.Packaging was in good condition, all parts present, no damage. Good job FedEx!Unpacking and setup was pretty easy, took about 10 minutes. Only tools required were hex wrenches, and they came in the box.Initial reactions - fit and finish are reasonably good. Welds are solid - this isn't an elegant piece of machinery, but it's pretty well put together. One nice feature is a pair of locking pins that engage the rowing arms in the folded position so that they're immobilized for transit.Less favorable reactions - someone commented elsewhere that the soft handle grips broke up with use - I can imagine this happening pretty easily, and I also think that given some harsh use, the velcro foot straps might not last too well. Seat rollers on rowing machines typically take quite a beating. Time will tell how well the rollers hold up.One other gripe is that the computer is pretty large - when I was... Read more Help other customers find the most helpful reviews  Was this review helpful to you? , June 30, 2009

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  Awesome Workout

  I bought this rower without being able to read any reviews on Amazon. I initially wanted to buy the Kettler Kadett rower because I enjoy the sculling action of an outrigger type rowing machine. But after comparing features and pricing I decided on the Sprint Rower. All I can say is that I am not disappointed with my decision. For the price this is a fantastic rower. It really simulates the natural motion of rowing while providing a rigorous and enjoyable workout. Another great plus is that it folds up to be very compact. When not using is I slide it under my bed.I consider myself average to below average when assembling things but I had the Sprint Rower together in under 15 minutes. The rower basically comes completely assembled and all that I needed to do was attach the display panel. The display is nice because it gives you all of the basic features and the numbers are fairly large. I like to row without my glasses so this helps.This is the first... 5/5 EaglesFan "Jake" (Philadelphia) - See all my reviews This review is from: HCI Fitness Sprint Outrigger Scull Rowing Machine (Sports) I bought this rower without being able to read any reviews on Amazon. I initially wanted to buy the Kettler Kadett rower because I enjoy the sculling action of an outrigger type rowing machine. But after comparing features and pricing I decided on the Sprint Rower. All I can say is that I am not disappointed with my decision. For the price this is a fantastic rower. It really simulates the natural motion of rowing while providing a rigorous and enjoyable workout. Another great plus is that it folds up to be very compact. When not using is I slide it under my bed.I consider myself average to below average when assembling things but I had the Sprint Rower together in under 15 minutes. The rower basically comes completely assembled and all that I needed to do was attach the display panel. The display is nice because it gives you all of the basic features and the numbers are fairly large. I like to row without my glasses so this helps.This is the first... Read more Help other customers find the most helpful reviews  Was this review helpful to you? , January 12, 2009

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  List Price: $599.00
  

  Quickly folds into an ultra-compact unit

  LCD display shows you time, stroke count, total strokes, and calories

  High-quality piston rowing machine; 12 levels of hydraulic resistance

  Strong, commercial-grade cylinders

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  Stamina 1205 Precision Rower

  Sports (Stamina Products, Inc)
  

  Rating (126 reviews):

  (3.8/5)

  

  Great rower

  I bought a used rower years ago and came to work it several times a week. I'm a busy person, so I don't have time for a sophisticated work out routine. I just want to work one machine for both strength and aerobic training. Rowing is great for this purpose. When I broke my rower, I started shopping. Unfortunately, even used rowers are over $100. I struggled with this model versus the smaller ones that stand up vertically for easy storage. I couldn't find any reviews on this that addressed the storage question. Finally, I chose it because it didn't look like I could break it from normal usage, whereas the kind that fold nicely seem flimsy.Pros:- This machine is very sturdy. It's solid, stable, and does not rock at all when in use.- It is amazingly quiet. The only sound is the whisper of the pistons. I can use it with the TV on normal volume.- The seat is very comfortable. I sat on it for 30 minutes the first time with no... 4/5 David Applegate (Ohio) - See all my reviews, February 18, 2006

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  Compact, Solid, Easy to Assemble

  Probably one of the best rowers I've ever used.It was easy to assembly, and looks and feels really solid.Lots of adjustment in the "power level" - from really easy to really hard.I'm 6' and it is definitely large enough (will easily work for taller people as well). My wife is 5'3", and she finds it easy to use too.Highly recommended. 5/5 Bruce Warne - See all my reviews This review is from: Stamina 1205 Precision Rower (Sports) Probably one of the best rowers I've ever used.It was easy to assembly, and looks and feels really solid.Lots of adjustment in the "power level" - from really easy to really hard.I'm 6' and it is definitely large enough (will easily work for taller people as well). My wife is 5'3", and she finds it easy to use too.Highly recommended. Help other customers find the most helpful reviews  Was this review helpful to you? , March 10, 2007

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  Stamina Rowing Machine

  I had one of these similar many years ago and let it go at a garage sale. Dumb idea! As I get older, this Stamina machine has replaced it and is giving me all the exercise I need. Good to set in front of the tv and row for 30 minutes, I've gone from a size 40 to a size 36 waist. I like the hydraulic part of it and the adjustability. 4/5 Ronald E. Cole (St. Louis, MO) - See all my reviews, January 14, 2007

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  List Price: $350.00
  Price: $150.00
  You Save: $200.00 (57%)

  Precision rowing machine with deluxe ball-bearing rolling system

  Smooth hydraulic cylinder action with adjustable tension controls

  Thick padded seat and pivoting footplates for maximum comfort

  Measures 32.5 x 27.75 x 48 inches (W x H x D); weighs 47 pounds

  Multifunction fitness monitor tracks speed, distance, strokes, and more

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  Kettler Kadett Outrigger Style Rower Rowing Machine

  Sports (KETTLER)
  

  Rating (53 reviews):

  (4.2/5)

  

  The rowing motion is like heaven

  I initially tried to order my Kettler Kadett from a company called Mercantila, a.k.a. Rowingmachines.com. It was a complete disaster and nightmare including some false advertising, trying to cover up some mistakes on their part which caused about a month of delays, some horrible customer service (or lack thereof), some false charges, and a lot of headaches. Eventually enough was enough and I wound up ordering it directly from Amazon, which cost me a few bucks more, but was well worth it.The machine comes mostly disassembled and took about an hour and a half to put together. There were a few confusing moments as the instructions are only pictures and no text, so making sure you have the right part takes a little extra focus. It came with all the tools necessary except an allen wrench which was necessary for one small thing.In terms of overall quality, it's very high. I'm not concerned about this thing breaking, nor does it rattle or have ill-fitting parts... 4/5 chris carter (California, USA) - See all my reviews This review is from: Kettler Kadett Outrigger Style Rower Rowing Machine (Sports) I initially tried to order my Kettler Kadett from a company called Mercantila, a.k.a. Rowingmachines.com. It was a complete disaster and nightmare including some false advertising, trying to cover up some mistakes on their part which caused about a month of delays, some horrible customer service (or lack thereof), some false charges, and a lot of headaches. Eventually enough was enough and I wound up ordering it directly from Amazon, which cost me a few bucks more, but was well worth it.The machine comes mostly disassembled and took about an hour and a half to put together. There were a few confusing moments as the instructions are only pictures and no text, so making sure you have the right part takes a little extra focus. It came with all the tools necessary except an allen wrench which was necessary for one small thing.In terms of overall quality, it's very high. I'm not concerned about this thing breaking, nor does it rattle or have ill-fitting parts... Read more Help other customers find the most helpful reviews  Was this review helpful to you? , March 4, 2006

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  Best thing I've done for myself in a long time!

  The Kettler Kedett rowing machine is an amazing piece of equipment. I unpacked mine last night and despite missing a washer and having to wade through 90 minutes of assembly instructions, I was impressed from the very start.From the solidity and the perfect fit of the parts, it is clear that this machine is the product of German engineering. I haven't seen anything so well designed in years. Each part fits well, tightens nicely and still rotates or slides with ease. The machine is sturdy, sits well on carpet or hard flooring and easily folds into a compact shape when not in use.A workout on the Kadett is better than any workout I've ever experienced, aside from rowing or kayaking. The motion is very realistic, with nothing to distract one beyond the small chirping of the pistons and the occasional knock of the seat against the front of the rail. It is easy to close my eyes and imagine myself rowing down a quiet river. The entire experience is more like... 5/5 Karl Treen "Karl" (Providence, RI) - See all my reviews This review is from: Kettler Kadett Outrigger Style Rower Rowing Machine (Sports) The Kettler Kedett rowing machine is an amazing piece of equipment. I unpacked mine last night and despite missing a washer and having to wade through 90 minutes of assembly instructions, I was impressed from the very start.From the solidity and the perfect fit of the parts, it is clear that this machine is the product of German engineering. I haven't seen anything so well designed in years. Each part fits well, tightens nicely and still rotates or slides with ease. The machine is sturdy, sits well on carpet or hard flooring and easily folds into a compact shape when not in use.A workout on the Kadett is better than any workout I've ever experienced, aside from rowing or kayaking. The motion is very realistic, with nothing to distract one beyond the small chirping of the pistons and the occasional knock of the seat against the front of the rail. It is easy to close my eyes and imagine myself rowing down a quiet river. The entire experience is more like... Read more Help other customers find the most helpful reviews  Was this review helpful to you? , January 6, 2006

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  OK, but some weaknesses

  well, after reading that many positive reviews, I decided to buy one.delivery and assembly were flawless.There are some strange things about this piece of equipment, however.1. all the labels on the equipment are in German. Not a problem for me, because I am a German living in the States. Must be strange for locals, though.2. the pulse meter is completely inaccurate. I was rowing like mad to get my pulse into my aerobic zone (130). Once I was exhausted and double-checked with my chest-strap based other pulse-meter, I was already beyond 150, when the Kettler thing still showed only 110. If you don't want to kill yourself, don't use the built-in pulse meter.Besides, I hate having a cable dangling at my ear while rowing.3. at the beginning of my 2nd training session, when I tried to fix my shoes with the 2 tapes which were provided for this purpose, one of the plastic rings broke. It is made of such a cheap material, it... 3/5 Rezensent "Rezensent" - See all my reviews Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?) This review is from: Kettler Kadett Outrigger Style Rower Rowing Machine (Sports) well, after reading that many positive reviews, I decided to buy one.delivery and assembly were flawless.There are some strange things about this piece of equipment, however.1. all the labels on the equipment are in German. Not a problem for me, because I am a German living in the States. Must be strange for locals, though.2. the pulse meter is completely inaccurate. I was rowing like mad to get my pulse into my aerobic zone (130). Once I was exhausted and double-checked with my chest-strap based other pulse-meter, I was already beyond 150, when the Kettler thing still showed only 110. If you don't want to kill yourself, don't use the built-in pulse meter.Besides, I hate having a cable dangling at my ear while rowing.3. at the beginning of my 2nd training session, when I tried to fix my shoes with the 2 tapes which were provided for this purpose, one of the plastic rings broke. It is made of such a cheap material, it... Read more Help other customers find the most helpful reviews  Was this review helpful to you? , January 8, 2009

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  List Price: $599.00
  Price: $504.98
  You Save: $94.02 (16%)

  250-Pound weight capacity, measures 49 x 31 x 10-Inch

  Program for desired distance covered and stroke speed, visual and audio signals

  Rowing machine to help you stay in shape and train in your own home

  Training computer provides info on time measurement, number of oar strokes, speed of strokes, distance covered, and more

  Outrigger style rower simulates actual water rowing, resistance setting from 1 to 12

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  LifeSpan Fitness RW1000 Rowing Machine

  Sports (LifeSpan Fitness)
  

  Rating (21 reviews):

  (4.2/5)

  

  Not meant to actually be used

  I loved this rower at first, although if you have small feet, it's difficult to keep them from pulling out of the pedals while rowing. 6 broken straps, several emails to Lifespan (they did replace them for me), a change to a different type of shoe, and that problem was finally fixed. Then the pulleys started to break. Ordered a new set and replaced those (those I had to buy). Now the flywheel will not recoil. Took it apart...I would have to replace the magnetic wheel assembly. It's time to give up, it just wasn't made to be used. I used this rower for 2 1/2 years. My last rower was a cheap old piston type, it lasted 12 years. I finally broke the frame. I used the rower 4 times a week, this one just couldn't hold up. And, no, I'm not some 350 pound body builder...I barely make it over 5 feet and am under 135 pounds. I don't think I should be killing rowing machines. 1/5 T. J. Stewart (Burnsville, MN, US) - See all my reviews, March 5, 2010

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  Good rower, not the best

  I bought my LifeSpan rower about a year ago and have used it a lot with no major problems. It does the job and seems to be a good value for the money, but it definately is not a performance rower.PROS:CheapCompactFolds EasilySimple Digital Display lasts a very long time one one batteryCONS:No chain, the pull mechanism is a strap of fabric.Plastic wheels support the seat and pull movement. Mine have note worn out yet but they're not that smooth and they do feel as if they have worn down significantly during the year that I have used my rower.The pull movement creates no momentum as with a fan or water resisting model, so you really cant build up much inertia and each pull feels like you're starting from a stp, which is not mych like real rowing.All in all it's a good unit but if you're looking for something that will really take a beating and last a long time and also emulate the feel of rowing much better,... 3/5 James D. Strawn "Problem Finder" (San Jose, CA United States) - See all my reviews, May 12, 2010

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  Great Product; be careful with shipping!

  We ordered this product to help in a revamping of our exercise program, and it is absolutely great in that mission. The device assembles very easily and quickly; 15 minutes or less if you lay the parts out. There are two major assemblies, and you just attach the seat and put the two pieces together. In action, the device is smooth and quiet, and it can give you a very good workout in a relatively short period of time. The electronics package is good; the only issue some may have is that changing rowing resistance doesn't appear to change the calorie count.The only problem we had was with Amazon in shipping. This is shipped in two boxes but for some reason Amazon seems to lose sight of that fact on its own tracking. If the two boxes become separated (which ours did) and only one is delivered, they show status as "delivered". I called customer service to try to get them to help with the other box and they continually insisted that the order was one box and was... 5/5 T. Nolle "NetTraveler" (New Jersey) - See all my reviews, December 13, 2009

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  List Price: $699.99
  Price: $499.99
  You Save: $200.00 (29%)

  Solid steel frame; assembled dimensions measure 87 by 19 by 23 inches (L x W x H)

  Three-LCD console provides distance, calories, time, strokes, and strokes per minute workout feedback

  300-pound maximum user weight; five-year frame warranty, two-year parts warranty, and one-year labor warranty

  Recipient of the 2008 Gear Awards Seal of Excellence

  Features a smooth and quiet eddy current drive system with a 16.5-pound flywheel

  Folds to 34 by 19 by 64 inches (L x W x H) for easy storage

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  Lifecore R100 Commercial Rowing Machine

  Sports (Lifecore Fitness)
  

  Rating (22 reviews):

  (4.4/5)

  

  Solid unit, great workout

  Overall an excellent unit that I feel is worth its steep price. I've owned a couple rowers and a skier for years and after 3 weeks this is now my cardio workout device of choice. It's quiet, comfortable and the computer controlled workout options are nice. At first I thought things like "whitewater" rowing were a bit goofy but the variable resistance programs make a real difference. The fan does make a bit of noise but far less than my skier and I can easily watch TV over the top of the resistance unit.The stats and options in the computer unit are top notch. The only gripe I have here is at full extension it sometimes loses the signal of my heart monitor (new Polar unit) - I'm 6' 3" - I tested the Polar watch and it, too, tends to lose the signal at that range so I suppose it's to be expected. I just wear the watch on my wrist to keep track of my actual heart rate (which is normally pretty close on the rower computer anyway) and use the computer stats for tracking... 5/5 Jeff Lindborg (Seattle, WA United States) - See all my reviews, February 22, 2007

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  I'm very satisfied with my R100

  After looking at several manufacturers and models I settled on the R100 because it has magnetic as well as air resistance. I'll admit I was a bit reluctant because of the price but after using it for three weeks now I'm extremely satisfied with the R100. It works like a dream. The flywheel isn't too loud and the seat glides very smoothly. It takes a bit of assembly but the allen wrench that comes with the R100 works just fine. When I placed my order I received notice that it would be delivered in 3-4 weeks but I had it in my house in one week! I've read some negative comments about Mercantila but I had no problems. If you're considering a rowing machine I highly recommend the R100. But if you've never used one before, see if you can test a few different types to experience air vs magnetic resistance. Possibly at a gym or spa if they allow single day or guest memberships for a day. 5/5 D. Mengle (Central PA) - See all my reviews, November 3, 2006

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  Great Machine

  I tried every rower I could find before buying one, and the Lifecore R100 is by far the best of the bunch. I only gave it 4 stars because there are little things that I think can and need to be improved, such as the screen tends to lower itself gradually when working out, to the point where you need to let go of the handle bar and raise it, yea I am sure it just needs to be tightened up, but on a brand new machine, one should not have to do anything. I also think they could have made a longer, and beefier cord to plug this thing in, the little short cord is just not long enough.The thing glides smooth, rows nice, and is a good rower. It goes together very easy, took me maybe 5 min to put together. I also spoke to the owner of Lifecore when researching these things, and the guy really knows a lot about rowing machines, and you can tell that he spent a lot of time refining this machine, and he cares about his product. Bottom line, good product, and this is defiantly on... 4/5 SpeedRacer (Austin, Texas) - See all my reviews Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?) This review is from: Lifecore R100 Commercial Rowing Machine (Sports) I tried every rower I could find before buying one, and the Lifecore R100 is by far the best of the bunch. I only gave it 4 stars because there are little things that I think can and need to be improved, such as the screen tends to lower itself gradually when working out, to the point where you need to let go of the handle bar and raise it, yea I am sure it just needs to be tightened up, but on a brand new machine, one should not have to do anything. I also think they could have made a longer, and beefier cord to plug this thing in, the little short cord is just not long enough.The thing glides smooth, rows nice, and is a good rower. It goes together very easy, took me maybe 5 min to put together. I also spoke to the owner of Lifecore when researching these things, and the guy really knows a lot about rowing machines, and you can tell that he spent a lot of time refining this machine, and he cares about his product. Bottom line, good product, and this is defiantly on... Read more Help other customers find the most helpful reviews  Was this review helpful to you? , May 1, 2007

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  List Price: $1,599.00
  Price: $1,299.00
  You Save: $300.00 (19%)

  15 preset programs and 4 heart rate control programs compatible with Polar HRM products

  Commercial-grade, folding rowing machine with 16 levels of magnetic resistance

  Measures 92 x 19 x 36 inches unfolded; 600-pound weight capacity

  Warranty: 5 years parts/1 year labor for residential; 2 years parts/1 year labor for light commercial; 1 year parts for full commercial

  Ergonomically designed seat and handles; angled footrests with pivoting heel supports

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