Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

I row a lot (about 6-10 miles per day/4-5 days a week) and have a lot of thoughts on this rower. Overall, it has held up really well. Here are some things to consider before purchasing: +The footplates swivel. This is a weird design flaw as many have mentioned. If you have correct form (your heels lift up off the footplate two inches or less as you come into the catch) you'll be fine - you just have to adapt and watch your form. If you are new to rowing and don't know proper form, this feature will be a problem. +The meters tracked are worthless. The machine only tracks how far the handle pulls the nylon strap - not how long the propeller in the water stays spinning (as a normal, better water rower would). For a frame of reference for newbies, this is equivalent to rowing a boat and pretending the boat stops dead still for each time you take the oars out of the water. Your power propels the rower forward and those meters should be tracked; yet not on this weird rower. +If you know your stuff; your splits, what your full efforts feel like, how many meters you normally net in a minute, this will not mater. You can crank out timed intervals with great results - you'll just have to guestimate the meters. +I successfully use CityRow for all my workouts. I can do this because a) I know exactly what my timed efforts yield depending on stroke rate and b) because I have a lot of experience with CityRow. It's possible to pair with the CityRow workouts - you just have to be ready to break everything down to timed efforts because the meter tracking is garbage. +To me, a pretty heavy user, this is a super durable rower. Easy to move, easy to store, and looks pretty sleek. Best water rower I found for the price. +Assembled it on my own. I am a 120lbs woman. It was an effort but it is doable if you are used to assembling furniture on your own. There are a few comments I want to address in the reviews that are negative that have *nothing* to do with the rower: +You *will* get calluses on your hands and maybe even your ass. This is a sign that you are doing it right. Athletes develop calluses - from golf to tennis to running. Comes with the territory. You don't need gloves - gloves are for wusses. You need to build your calluses up. If you don't have calluses you will always be uncomfortable. Don't be scared of developing calluses. +Yeah, no rower I've ever used has come with a perfectly comfortable seat. You are working out - you *should* be in some discomfort as you examine your form and effort. Many people mistake discomfort for pain. If you are in pain: stop. If you are in discomfort: welcome; this is where change happens. Stop complaining and suck it up. +If you are new to rowing PLEASE watch videos on proper form before starting where the instructor is ON A WATER ROWER. Water rowers are a different breed than concepts or any rowers where you manually set the resistance. Understand this machine before you buy it and what proper form looks like on it specifically. +Do not mess around with the dumb "resistance" system on this rower. If you think you'll be funneling water in or out each time you work out you are delusional. Fill the rower with water to the highest resistance and train against that. That is how you will get stronger and see results. That is what they would do in any boutique rowing class or with any water rower at a gym. Overall, I love this rower and love rowing. I know my sport well and this does the job. However, if you are new to the rower, make sure you understand the competencies necessary before purchasing. This machine encourages bad form with it's weird footplates - make sure you are confident in your self-accountability and form before purchasing. Rowers are low impact but I've seen people injure themselves when they assume they now how to row. Do your research and make sure this is the right workout for you before buying.