Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

I'm a fitness nut. I mean by this is I've been involved in weight lifting, physical fitness, dance, yoga, and pilates for over 30 years. I have an autoimmune condition that constantly attacks my joints and muscles, so I have to keep relatively strong. I have no ability to produce certain muscle fibers, and I have an AAT disorder so I'm definitely NOT athletic. I purchased this machine along with a squat assistance machine for the weeks after my flare ups when I can recuperate at home before I venture back to a gym. I am 5'4" 118lbs. 18-20% BF. Here is my review. 1. This machine would not be ideal for someone over 220 lbs as it isn't structurally designed to support the weight without significant wear and tear to the parts. 2. Rowing is one of the most beneficial whole body low impact exercises you can do for yourself. Get this and an upright sit and ride for squats and sit in front of your netflix or amazon prime and binge while you workout. you'll thank me for years to come. You don't need any other equipment in your gym or home except one other piece: the X3Bar. Read my entire reviews for tips on maximizing efficiency on this machine. PROS: 1. comes fully assembled and ready to use out of the box. 2. quiet machine, fairly sturdy. 3. 3 basic levels of resistance. If you need added resistance by booty bands or resistance bands and use that to enhance your rowing. 4. the arms are rigid but still manage to offer a full range of motion through the full pull and release of your rowing stroke which I like so if you want to focus on triceps, upper chest, lower chest, you can do it. 5. the bottom of the machine allows some incline adjustment, which is nice. 6. Some of the added arm training is workable. CONS: 1. takes up some floor space, but can be folded down to be shoved under a tall enough bed. 2. many of the additional exercises are not anatomically accurate for full range of motion or enough resistance through the full range of motion. Take for example the curls. A total waste of your time. Don't bother with it. The rows and flies and chest press and shoulder press are nice addons if you don't have dumbbells. Or do what I do and get a set of dumbbells and use the full bench down and go to town. 3. lack of exercise video training instructions. I'm compelled to make a series just to help folks because overall this is a tremendous rowing machine. 4. It's low to the ground. Get a chair, or put it next to a couch or something that can help you get on and off the machine. PRO TIPS: 1. Get yourself a waist trainer and a set of sauna tights and a sauna sweat vest if you want to enhance your workout efficiency and keep your joints warm. This will enhance your overall workout, increase the overall caloric burn. 2. Drink 1/2 to 1 gallon of pure water a day with cell food drops. This makes a huge difference when you need to drop fat fast. 3. STOP COUNTING CALORIES AND DOING THE FAD DIETS. Simple portion control: look at the palm of your hand. Now, make a fist. Your entire stomach is the size of 2 fists put together. I don't care how much fat you carry. This is the anatomical size your stomach is when it is not stretched to the max. I've examined enough cadavers. 4. Fast until 10am, only drink water with lemon and tea or coffee with very little sugar and a full scoop or 2 of collagen protein. This will give you protein needed to get through your morning. at 10am, break your fast with a full meal shake like Orgain and a celery stick with hummus or peanut butter. Lunch - make lunch your biggest meal of the day. one palm of protein, one palm of carbs, two palms of veggies a thumb size of fat, oil, or dressing for a salad. Same for dinner. See how easy it is? no more calorie counting. snacks, one palm size of fruit, nuts, whatever you'd like. Stop eating after 7pm-8pm. Only water or herbal tea. 5. HAVE ONE CHEAT DAY EVERY WEEK. 6. Avoid ALL WHITE FOODS. No white sugar, white flour, white potatoes, white breads, white tortillas, white ANYTHING. if its white its out. If you must have creamer in your coffee, use So delicious organic almond cashew milk, coconut milk or something like that. If you have to have your ice cream, go with greek style frozen yogurt and honey with berries. Never limit yourself on snacks, treats, just the portion. If you have trigger foods, avoid them like the plague until you know you have the self-control to eat one. remind yourself daily, "nothing tastes as good as healthy feels and looks!" 7. Cleanse your colon, your liver and kidneys. Colon cleansers are GREAT! If you have poor bowel movements, get one, use it for at least 90 days. Better yet, get a series of colonics. "death begins in the colon". Your colon is so important. treat it with love and respect it. 8. Charcoal capsules for days you don't feel good. gassy, upset digestion, stress, charcoal capsules are your friend. 9. Full spectrum enzymes and probiotics. 10. finally - don't kill yourself. 20 min of cardio is enough for everyone. go for a walk, make a commitment to get up and move or dance for 5 minutes every 45 min you sit. Look, my joints and muscles are deep pain constantly. I get it. there are days I cannot get out of bed. I still make the effort to do something every day for my body. Your body is your soul's temple. What you get out of it is based on what you invest into it. Get this machine, commit to loving yourself and honoring your body. It really is a great piece of equipment. Do pulses on the rowing machine not just full range of motion. Pulse at the top of your movement for a count of ten, then do a full range for 10. Do one arm at a time while rowing. Do fly out with your arms as wide as you can while pulling. Do half range motions at the bottom of your pull and half at the top of your pull for a count of ten. Look up youtube for rowing machine 20 min exercise videos and follow along. Don't be afraid. Just get on and row that fat right off. If all you can do is 5 minutes - just do it. and get back on and do another 5 minutes. Don't give up. Don't ever quit.