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Editor's picks

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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%)

  Smooth hydraulic cylinder resistance; adjustable tension controls

  Thick, padded seat; pivoting foot plates

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

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

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

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