ATIVAFIT Magnetic Rower Rowing Machine 8 Level Adjustable Resistance Exercise for Whole Body with LCD Monitor for Home Use Folding Magnetic Rower

I was reluctant to purchase bigger gym equipment online (not easy to return if any), and reading the 1-star reviews made me nervous (lack of resistance, not as comfortable, louder than expected, etc.). However, almost all the rower entry/mid-level rowers had those reviews, so I opted to give this one a try.Assembly was really easy. They parse and package all the hardware out by steps so it really is impossible to mess up. There were only about eight total steps, some of which were just putting the leg caps on, so it's quick and painless. I'm a 5'5" female and assembled it alone under an hour. The only awkward part would be propping it up to screw in the rolling portion of the front leg. I just used a stool.With my luck, when assembly goes that smoothly, I expect immediately to have a part not work, find something broken or the product to work like garbage. However, when I popped on and started rowing, I was extremely pleasantly surprised. Not only did it work with no issues, but it exceeded the previous reviews.For instance, when it says this is quiet, this thing is QUIET. I opted for rowing simply because I can't stand the loud thumping from a heavy footed individual (cough, my partner, cough). We have this in a small room upstairs and work from home so if anyone is working from home, reading, doing whatever, they won't hear the loud thumping. This is so quiet, my partner or I can be rowing in the same room while the other one is on a phone or virtual meeting. It's fantastic.I was also nervous hearing about the resistance, that it wasn't very strong. I'm a new rower so take my thoughts with a grain of salt, but I felt even on resistance two, it had some good pull. ...I literally just left writing this review to crank it up and try the most resistance, 8. It's definitely still possible for me to row and pull it back, but I could only likely pull at that resistance for about a few minutes. I toggled it back and forth between 1 and 8 and there is definitely a big difference. I did an initial workout at 2 and felt I got in quite a workout. Again, I have no reference or prior experience with rowing so someone who is more trained may be able to give better insight as to the resistance. But for a starter rower, this is excellent.There's plenty of room on the slide so people taller should not have an issue. It glides quietly as well. There are no bells and whistles to it, but that was fine as I track on my watch and have a TV to where I can put on YouTube videos of rowing around the world. It's a nice little set up. However, if you don't have a TV, there is a place below right above the cup holder where you can have your iPad or phone. I can't speak to how well it keeps in place, though. Cup holder is square but I don't see it causing a problem. it's large enough for most cups and containers.My only minor issue right now is the straps on the shoes. The foot placements are set up for Goliath feet. I just had simple shoes on and the straps are so long that they barely hit the velcro. I fiddled with it a bit and finally got it to strap securely.I'm so pleased with this rower. The straps really seem to be my only annoyance. It does what I wanted and then some--quiet, future proof with decent resistance, sturdy but minimalist for easy stow-away, etc. If this changes, I will update my review, but if you were reluctant like I was to get a rower, I don't think you should hesitate; I think you have a good one here.

This is an initial review, after one use. 4 stars assigned, taking into account the much more affordable price tag ($220) of this machine over the other big-name brands. I may come back and update after more uses.Setup:Generally pretty easy. The only problem I encountered was in attaching the phone tray. The holes in the tray didn't quite match up with those in the frame. One screw went in a little cock-eyed, and I may have made a new hole on the other side. But it went on securely it seems, and it's not a critical piece anyways.Rowing mechanics:I should start with a caveat that I haven't done loads of rowing, so I don't know how well-qualified I am to judge these aspects.The rowing action is pretty smooth. My previous machine was hydraulic piston resistance, with articulated arms for the rowing action. I ended up not using it much. This machine seems to be a vast improvement.I think I could do with a larger (longer) rowing handle. It feels like my hands are just slightly too close together - I can't hold them at what would seem to be a "natural" shoulder-width position when extended. But it did not keep me from getting a good workout in.I think the resistance wheel housing may be a little too close to the foot pedals. It seems like I ought to be getting a little more arm extension in the "catch" position. again, I'm not an expert rower.I'm 5'9"... these issues may be compounded and more noticeable for larger-framed folks (say 6' and above).As a beginner rower, I wonder whether the max resistance setting (8) will actually be high enough when I start wanting to push my workout. I haven't done any serious rowing in a long while, so I did a "beginner workout" from the Concept 2 website, which alternates short periods of rowing (3 minutes each) of slower vs. faster stroking, and comfortable vs. "hard" resistance, then finishes w/ ten minutes at "your choice", for which setting 5 seemed about right. I did that seven hours ago, and I do feel a little soreness in some upper body muscles. So that was sufficient for now - it's just difficult for me to judge whether setting 8 will be a sufficient plateau setting later on, for harder, longer workouts.Console:mehFirst of all, it doesn't attach securely to the wheel housing (e.g. by screw) - it just slides on. It's already come off accidentally once. Unit did not ship with batteries.There aren't any programs available, just tracking. Honestly, I haven't explored the console functionality enough to judge it - I was just following the timer and noting stroke pace to follow the Concept 2 workout recommendation. The console displays:- time- stroke rate (well actually it shows "RPM" but I assume this correlates as 1 RPM = 1 stroke). I think the sensors occasionally read in the reverse direction as well or something, because every now and then it would display a 2x rate (e.g., go from 24 RPM to 48 RPM), but that was a very temporary condition.- distance. Seems "miles" is the default unit (shows an "m", which is normally meters, but half an hour on the rower resulted in around "1.5 m"). I think rowing distances are typically done in the metric standard... there may be a way to change this with the "mode" button.- calories. no idea how this is calculated.- stroke countSo overall, some minor deficiencies but nothing that will keep me from using it (effectively), or to make me regret buying it at its price point.

I'm a little over the weight capacity but figured it would be ok. Supports my weight total fine (I'm not that much over) but I'm sure that at a higher weight will decrease the lifetime. That said, at the price, if it lasts a year, I'd be happy, and I'm sure it will.Really well built. Easy to assemble. Very portable- which is important for me with needing to stow it away every day but also not cumbersome enough to deter me from getting it out daily either. I have a really small place so it fits perfect and stows in the closer upright.More than enough tension to stay challenging for a lifetime. Rowing is full body and made for distance and longer durations, so what feels easy at start will not feel easy in half an hour. Really great investment for someone wanting to get into shape but hates exercise as it does work the whole body, burns calories fast, and is more fun. Its repetitive, yes, but theres something relaxing about it too and the resistance feels very similar to real water. Great for low impact.Wish it were higher rated for larger people- feel like they'd get great use out of it for weightloss and cardio. I really love it and recommend to friends.