Magnetic Resistance Rowing Machine

It was easy to assemble until I reached the last screw, where the hole wasn’t drilled straight. I spent a while trying to figure out why the screw wouldn’t go in. Well, it wasn’t straight, but it doesn’t affect its functionality, so it’s not a dealbreaker. On the workout side, it’s decent and does the job.

This is a great beginners rower for the price. I got this rower to supplement my workouts, so I didn’t need anything with a lot of bells and whistles.Pros:- price- extremely lightweight- easy to store upright- has basic settings for time/distance/caloriesCons:- the handle is an inch or two short of truly comfortable. It needs to be a little longer. I have a narrow frame and my hands are at the very edge of each handle end to clear my legs- this rower may be too small for someone with a naturally wider frame.- the feet pads move, which take some getting used to. Could be a con or a pro, depending how you look at it.I hesitate to put “only 16 levels of resistance” as a con because I likely won’t need to go that high. I use the rower at a pretty low resistance. If you need more, upgrade to the next model.I use this as a warm up before lifting and then for slightly longer recovery rows, so I’m not going hard on it. It’s held up to the interval work I’ve done on it.Overall, it’s been an excellent addition to my home gym.

I went back and forth on this purchase more than I’d like to admit. For context, I’m 6’0”, 210 lbs, and I’ve used the Concept2 rower quite a bit in gyms and training classes—so I had a pretty good idea of what a good rowing experience should feel like.I couldn’t justify the cost of a Concept2 for home use, and even some of the air rower alternatives were still more than I wanted to spend. I ended up choosing this magnetic rower mainly because of the price and the fact that it’s quiet enough to use at home without waking up my kids.After a few sessions on it, I’m honestly impressed.First off, it’s very comfortable for my size. I never felt cramped or unstable, which was one of my main concerns going in. The motion is smooth, and while it’s not identical to a gym-level air rower, it’s much closer than I expected at this price point.The biggest win for me is the noise level. It’s extremely quiet compared to air rowers, which makes it realistic to use early in the morning or late at night. That alone makes it a better fit for a home setup in my situation.One small downside: I do wish the foot pedals were a bit more stationary. It’s not a dealbreaker, but that’s one area where you can tell it’s a budget-friendly machine. That said, the handle design and overall foot positioning are actually very comfortable. I’ve used other cheaper rowers where the foot placement feels too narrow or the handle/bar is awkward, and this one avoids those issues. One more slightly negative is the location omg the reel. I wish it were further forward of the feet so you could get a better and longer stroke.Is it a Concept2? No. But it’s also a fraction of the price (1/5 or less with a discount code)—and for what it is, it performs very well. If you’re a serious competitive rower, you’ll probably still want a higher-end machine. But if you’re looking for a solid, affordable, and quiet rower for home workouts, this is a really decent use of money.So far, I’ve done 3 workouts on it and I’m genuinely happy with the purchase. If anything changes over time, I’ll update this review—but right now, I’d absolutely recommend it.

Second UpdateI was hoping this would be the good news that I was able to move the foot rests back, and now get a proper catch, but that is not the case. Despite time and money invested, for me (6ft) the rail is not long enough to do that. The only conclusion is - if you're serious about rowing, get a Concept 2 (which I what I'll have to do). The problem with the Chinese clones of the Concept 2, like the R50 from Merach, is that they only cloned the hardware, and ignored the data/software portion (showing serious ignorance about the nature of serious rowing).I'd like to emphasize again that this review concerns this product, and is not a reflection on Merach. They have shown exceptional customer service. If any of their row-alike machines serve your exercise purpose, you're in good hands. If you're serious about rowing, you need to get a Concept 2.First UpdateReplaced the handle with a standard handle, and that turned out pretty well. Below some pics. The original handle is just under 16 inches wide, with a 1 inch diameter, and covered with a neoprene like rubber material. Comfortable to hold. The replacement is 19 Inches wide, with a 1.5 inch diameter, and a smooth rubber surface. It fits pretty well into the handle notch. So now I can get my full hand onto the handle, not just three fingers, each.Updated ReviewIn response to my first review, the seller contacted me and offered a refund, which I thought showed a level of customer service that we rarely ever see on Amazon anymore. I gave them a five star seller feedback. I'm using the refund to make this a better machine for me, as I still can't afford a full size model. I'll post some pics when I'm done.I'm adding a star to this review, because there are three things I actually do like, namely: 1) the spacing of the foot rests fits me perfectly (Concept 2 always felt like they were too close together); 2) the seat is better than any gym rowing seat, because it has some cushoning; and 3) I like the magnetic resistance pattern - it's consistent over the length of the stroke, and makes you work harder than a flywheel that carries momentum from one stroke to the next.All in all, if you're looking for an exercise machine that gives you a full body workout, this will absolutely do that. However, if you're into rowing, and want to exercise on a real erg, like you might at the gym, you need to keep saving your pennies, and buy a full size model.__________________________________Original ReviewOK, but not great. This is not a full size rowing machine. :-(. I'd say about 75% all around - size, quality and performance. I'll post some pics when I'm done with the modifications, but the geometry is not like those you find at the gym.The foot rests are way too far forward compared to the resting position of the handle. That means tghat for the first 3-4 inches of pushing with your legs, your arms are not doing any work (for me 6 ft; if you have extremely short arms, your experience will be different, but total height would not seem to matter). I'm trying to fix this with 3 inch Yoga blocks, that I'm fitting into the foot rests. This will give me and extra 3-4 inches of work out range.Second, the handle is too narrow and thin. I already ordered a regular replacement handle.I did save $300 compared to buying the R50, and that is really my only consolation. Had it only been $100-200, I'd feel I made a mistake. I'm hoping that when I'm done with my modifications, I have an 85% owing machine.If you're serious about rowing for exercise, even if just for fun, but you like it, BEWARE, you might want to save up and get a full size rower. Also, BEWARE, once this is assembled, you can't return it, unless you are extremely fastidious while unpacking. The styrofoam packing material is extremely brittle and inevitably breaks into pieces as you unpack the machine.

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For the price, you won't do any better for a rowing machine. Don't compare this to a fifteen hundred dollar Nordic Track rower ... or any of the name brand gym-quality equipment. This is a budget rowing machine for an inexpensive home gym and nothing more. The quality is much better than I thought it would be.Would I buy this again? Yes. It is a great entry-level machine.The reviews were very hard to decipher on this with a lot of mixed opinions. I am 6'3 and weigh 230 lbs. I am a former professional athlete and am no stranger to gym equipment. I was very worried the machine would be too small, based on some other reviews but am pleased to say ... though it doesn't offer me the full range of motion a more professional machine would ... it's decent. And for the price, I am happy with that.Yes, they don't do themselves any favors by photoshopping the pictures and making it look bigger than it is. Even an average-sized person isn't going to look like the guy in the ad sitting on this.The worst part of this (beyond the instructions/assembly) is the foot holders. They are very small ... the straps are almost useless (they don't fit over my shoes and the buckle is a huge hassle to fix each time) ... and the back near the heel is shallow, so your heels pop out a lot. It wouldn't have cost them much more to make a better tray and given how integral that is to the performance of the machine, I am taking a star off for that.I was surprised at how long this was, given some of the reviews. I can fully extend and lock my long legs when sitting on it. The issue comes with how far I can bend towards the front of the machine after I glide forward. That makes the range of motion about 15 - 20% less than it should be. The result is less core/lower body and more arms/back/shoulders. The bottom line is you lose some of the full benefits of rowing if you are tall.I was surprised about two other things:- The glide is very good. It's incredibly smooth and there are no hitches. The seat moves well throughout the track and allows for a nice motion.- The resistance is more than I thought it would be on the highest setting. I didn't expect that much resistance at this price range and you can get some good arm and shoulder work in. On the lower settings, it's easier to do. More expensive machines have more difference between the levels but for the price, I didn't expect this much resistance.The machine is fairly portable ... it is made of lightweight plastic, mostly, with some metal. It is easy to pick up the back and roll it across the floor, though the wheels are cheap. If you have a smaller apartment or space, it does store upright against a wall. However, this is bigger than I thought it would be and it does not fold up ... so it may not be ideal for very small spaces. I thought it would be smaller/less long.The directions and assembly is terrible. There aren't a lot of parts ... but the diagrams are drawn terribly when it comes to screw placement, etc. They have a video you can watch but the video shows a previous version of the unit being assembled, which is very different in design and construction ... so, it can get confusing watching the video. The biggest place to be careful is the foot pedals. I had to take them apart and reassemble because the 'extenders' were not shown in the video. This added an extra 20 - 30 minutes to the 45 minute assembly.Overall, I would absolutely recommend this. I debated between getting a used rower ... or buying a new one. Because rowing machines often have issues mechanically, especially after being used improperly, I decided to go new vs. a machine someone may have damaged before. I hope my video, pictures and honest review ... after having used the product for several months ... were helpful to you.

I am very happy with this purchase. For reference, I am female, 5’8, 155lbs. There is plenty of room on this machine that I think it would be a comfortable fit for most sizes. It’s super quiet, well made and easy to assemble. The directions that come with it are a little difficult to decipher, I looked up a video on YouTube and with that it was simple to put together. The display is simple and easy to use. The seat and handle bar are both comfortable even for longer workouts. Also, to store it, it easily stands up and fits against a wall or in a corner. Love this machine! I’ve worked out on it every day since I’ve gotten it!

Mostly easy to assemble although two of the holes were misaligned. That took a little effort. But, it works well. Easy to operate and provides a full body exercise with varying intensity.

It’s great—easy to install and works very well. However, the resistance is a bit on the light side; I need to start at level 10, and since the maximum setting is 12, I feel like I’ll quickly outgrow this weight level.

Installers were on-time, courteous, and very professional. They did not waste any time, and had the products up and running in no time at all without sacrificing quality. After putting the products together, they took the time to explain how everything works.

This is a thouroughly fun rower with all the bells and whistles of much more expensive machines. I love the smooth operation and the various tracking stats. KUDOS to the team at Merach for such an excellent product!

I've had this rower for over a year and use it every 3rd day. It's been a great purchase and wouldn't hesitate to buy another if mine was stolen etc. It was easy to assemble and all of the parts are of high quality. The bolts even had dabs of Loctite so they wouldn't loosen. The only ding would be the seat, which isn't that comfortable, but a small piece of foam makes my butt happy. The app links with my iPhone well. Super happy with this rower.

I honestly cannot believe how high-quality this rower is for the price. It feels like an incredible bargain for such a solid piece of fitness equipment.Build & Operation: The magnetic flywheel setup makes it almost completely silent during workouts, which is fantastic for home use. The dual slide rail design provides a surprisingly smooth, balanced glide with no side-to-side wobble or instability, and the 16 levels of resistance offer plenty of range for daily cardio.Overall Impressions: Assembly was straightforward, and the compact footprint fits easily in a living room or home gym space. If you are looking for a reliable, quiet, and comfortable rowing machine without spending a fortune, this MERACH rower is an absolute steal. Easily a five-star purchase!

Had this for years now. Use it 2-3 times a week. It’s stood up to use by my whole family ranging in age and height from 9 years to 45. Compared to professional machines this is good for short people like myself so hence the 5 stars.I disagree with the metrics. It keeps time but I think the calories burned and distance are not correct. At this point in the game I just set a timer, turn on a classic album and row like I’m a Viking approaching an English coastline.It’s a space saver. Tip it on its top and it compacts nicely. Resistance settings are simple and easily changed mid row. Assembly was easy. Not 20 minutes as advertised. If your looking for an entry level rower and you tend to be a person of smaller stature it’s a good by.

I enjoy and am motivated to work out with this. I can set it on a lower setting for me as an older and daughter in law can set higher. We both get a great workout. I find myself sometimes working out twice a day. I am not a fanatic. The seat is not bad as far as comfort and it slides well. Daughter in law is taller and she is able to work out on it just fine. Many different measurements taken...calories, distance, and count. The feet area is big and sometimes I can't get the strap tight enough and my foot slides. The pull bar glides smoothly. I also love that I can either be in the garage or in my house. It is very light and easy to move. None of us are big people but I just have a concern with the bars the seat slides on. They are not flimsy and hoping they will hold up for a long time.

Very nice quality, easy to assemble and works great. Instructions could be clearer, very small print. I did find online tutorials for assembly which were helpful, even though some of the instructions were obsolete because the rear feet were already welded together and the instructions showed the feet needed to be screwed on.Anyway price was reasonable and quality was better than expected. I’ve only used it a few times and no complaints.Previous reviews mentioned how difficult it is to unpack and with that I was prepared, but they weren’t wrong.

We first tried this rowing machine at our physical therapy office and found it very easy to use. That experience convinced us to buy one so we could continue our exercise training at home on our own schedule.Assembly was straightforward, although it does require two people to put it together. The machine is simple to use and displays your workout time, calories burned, distance, stroke count, and total stroke count during each session. There's also a convenient ledge above the display where you can place your phone or tablet.The quality is very good for the price. I know there are much more expensive rowing machines available, but if you're looking for a simple, reliable machine for home workouts, this one offers great value.Our only complaint is the seat. After rowing for more than 15 minutes, it can get a little uncomfortable and leave us feeling sore. We even tried adding a seat cushion, but it didn't make much of a difference. Hopefully, we'll get used to it over time! 😄Overall, we're very happy with this purchase and would recommend it to anyone looking for an affordable, easy-to-use rowing machine.

I also have the Merach large water tank wooden model for the main house gym. This little unit is for my apartment and is great. Can't beat the price. My only criticism, and it is for all of the magnetic systems, is that the pull cord is too low, so that I will hit my knees with the pull bar unless I am thoughtful about every stroke. I don't think that it's my height, as it also happens in the online video reviews. So, I place a folded towel over the hard plastic seat to raise me (and cushion my bottom). I would recommend a towel rather than a $40 foam seat, as it is easily washed, and, well, it is free.

I love my row machine. It showed up fast and was very simple to assemble. The metal is very strong. there is no bowing when in use. The pull bar is strong and the strap is still holding strong as well. We haven't had any issues with the materials, even with my girls trying to use it as a balance beam. This particular row machine does not have wheels on it, so its not the gentlest thing to move on a hard wood floor. With that said, it is light weight and even my 14 years old can move it. I do also like that it will stand upright and can be put against a wall or in a corner for storage. The seat glides smoothly and the resistance is very easy to adjust. My biggest critique is that, for me at least, the track is just a little too short. I seem to always be hitting the back bumper, So I have had to become very cautious of that while I row, which can be distracting sometimes. But, all-in-all, its a great little at home machine.