Customers say
Customers find the rowing machine easy to assemble with clear instructions and appreciate its compact size that makes it easy to move and store. The machine provides good cardiovascular exercise and is considered a fantastic workout for an inexpensive rower. However, the build quality receives mixed feedback, with some saying it’s well-built while others report it breaking within a month. Moreover, the resistance and noise level get mixed reviews – while some find the resistance good, others say it’s lacking, and several customers mention the machine is noisy.
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Your Sales Price $309.00 - $289.99
A quick rundown of this product’s key features:
Wind resistance provides efficient, smooth rowing stroke
Multi-function monitor displays speed, distance, time and calories burned
Includes free access to müüv, the smart audio coaching app
Upholstered, padded, sliding seat makes rowing comfortable and sliding easy
Sturdy steel construction that’s built to last
Our Top Reviews
Reviewer: 3leggeddogsrule
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: If you are looking to row for a good price–
Review: I am a beginning rower, but I exercise regularly. In the past I have run a few miles a day or done the Insanity workouts, I also throw in some weights, qigong, and yoga. This rower may be difficult for someone who is not already used to regular exercise. I looked into a rowing machine because I live in a very small house, my treadmill has been in storage for quite some time, and I was at a point that I needed something. Because of my work schedule, I do not have 45 minutes a day to work out anymore. I needed something that would fit in my small space and give me an efficient work out. Rowing was the answer for me.My friend has a Concept 2 rower, which is considered top of the line, it is very nice, however, in some ways I prefer this rower. The concept 2 uses magnetic resistance and if you pull too hard, you have to wait for the machine to “catch up” otherwise you will lose resistance. This is not a problem with this rower (or any other air rower) the harder you pull the more resistance you get and you don’t have to stop when you get a good groove going. I had to have my friend turn her resistance up when I used her Concept 2, I was afraid that if I got a lower end magnetic rower, I would work past the resistance levels quickly. The other thing I really like about this rower is the rail. The concept 2 has a flat rail. (Maybe this is adjustable, I don’t know, but my friend’s is flat). I felt like I was overextending my legs when I was on it, or I was struggling not to slide back too far. I am 5’4″ so I can’t get much distance anyway, however, the incline on the Stamina X helps me feel like I am stopping in the right place. Of course where you really lose out between the Concept 2 and the Stamina Air Rower is the electronics. The Concept 2 has programable workouts, it shows wattage and your distance in meters. The Stamina X’s display is very simplistic. It gives your speed, distance (in miles), your time, and a poor estimate of calories burned. A heart rate monitor would be in order if you really want to keep track of calories. The miles can be converted to meters easily, however, I think it is silly that Stamina doesn’t just put the distance in meters. It seems like that would be a simple change for them to make.Some people complain about the noise level. It isn’t bad. It is certainly no worse than my treadmill. The air rower has a fan, and it sounds like one. Think of an old box fan, depending on how hard you are rowing it sounds like you are turning the fan from low, medium, and high. I have used it with 4 year old son in the same room asleep and it did not disturb him and he is a light sleeper, but again, since it sounds like a fan, it is a kind of white noise.What I cannot speak to is the difference between the Stamina X, and the Stamina Air Rower. I was able to buy the X on sale for the same price as the Air Rower. From what I’ve read there isn’t much difference between the two. All in all this is a well built machine, it was easy to put together and it gives you a great workout.
Reviewer: Donna Davis
Rating: 4.0 out of 5 stars
Title: I would have loved to be able to afford a Concept2 rower but
Review: Bought this both to supplement my own workouts as well as to have something total body for 2 of my boys (ages 12 & 15). I would have loved to be able to afford a Concept2 rower but, seriously, $1000? I’m sure it’s worth it, but out of my price range. This was the best one I could find for the price and I’m thinking it was a pretty decent deal for the money.Putting it together had me swearing like a sailor, but then, putting a simple book case together usually has me swearing. My 15 year old assisted me and tolerated my juvenile temper tantrums without rolling his eyes even once. There was 1 bolt missing from the package, which I couldn’t figure out, since getting the stupid bolts and nuts out of the package required a shaman, a chicken foot, and a sumo wrestler. Nonetheless, we were able to make due fine and had it all together within 45 minutes (yes, I am fairly incompetent at assembly).On to the meat of the matter: we like it. The seat slides perfectly. The resistance is decent to start and runs on the idea of you get what you put in to it. In other words, it is not technically adjustable, but you can increase your work based on speed of pull and degree of body control. I slapped on my Polar H7 and link to Digifit to get a heart rate idea. In 5 minutes of light to moderate rowing, my heart rate sat happily in the 140s. 30 second break for water, repeat, heart rate sitting low 150s. I repeated that a few times for a total do 24 minutes. Yeah, that may have been a bit much and my for clearly wasn’t perfect, as I am now feeling it in my low back. Gotta watch that posture a little closer.Overall, though, I find this equal to doing one of my combat workouts, though not quite as high end as a HIIT workout, though it should actually strengthen and tone better. I expect, when I put a bit more effort into the rowing, it will surpass the HIIT workouts in terms of calories burned.I’m 5’5″ and have no trouble with the foot straps or range of motion. I’m doing the rower barefoot simply because I hate shoes. Both my sons are slightly shorter than me (couple of inches maybe?) and they had no trouble with the range of motion. The 15 year old is uber skinny and the Velcro on the foot straps cannot be tightened down enough on his feet, so he has to wear shoes to get enough bulk for the straps to hold his feet. Otherwise, no complaints.The flywheel is noisy on the pull–not annoying noisy, just a “whirring” sound that increases in volume on the hardest part of the pull. Music playing on my iPad was barely audible over the noise, but if I blue toothed it to a regular speaker, there would be no problem. Similarly, you might have to crank up your TV a bit if that is your thing. Again, it isn’t an unpleasant noise and it actually helps you subconsciously be more aware of the amount of effort you are (or aren’t) expending.As far as I am concerned, rowing is almost a perfect combination of strength and endurance training–more bang for your buck, so to speak. The only thing I’ve ever found better is Insanity workouts, but since those nearly trashed my joints after 2 full rounds, I’d far rather go for the low/no impact rowing, combined with maybe some yoga or Pilates for flexibility and some swimming thrown in for good measure. Right now, I am 175 lbs (meh, gained more than a bit after surgery in April) and not in as good a shape as I was 6 months ago, so hopefully this rower will give significant results.
Reviewer: Felix
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title:
Review: Updated with more info 6 weeks after purchase. This (was) a really good value, more than solid enough for home use.I see a lot of previous comments about noise but its not bad at all, pretty standard for an air rower. The nylon strap actually makes this rower quieter than a chain drive. I’ve been using for about 6 weeks now and have found that it’s taken about this long to develop proper technique over a long session. I can’t stress enough how important it is to start easy and develop proper technique, especially using your core and legs for most of the work; after 6 weeks I can see some great changes in my posture and upper body build. This rower will not limit you in any way in reaching your fitness goals if you learn to use it properly. It’s not a strength machine for bulking up, rowers are for for overall fitness and toning. Also want to add that I have had back issues and some tendon issues with my shoulder and calf in the past, but the rowing (if done properly) does not bother me in any way.The only ‘con’ I have is that the display is simplistic (no splits, etc.), but for the price I’m more than happy.
Reviewer: CDNGUY4067
Rating: 4.0 out of 5 stars
Title:
Review: Just received this rower a few days ago, so this review is based on limited use.The rower was fairly simple to assemble. The instructions were easy to follow.The rowing motion is really smooth. The seat is comfortable. You can really feel the muscles working when rowing. As you row faster, the resistance increases, and it’s quite a good workout. You can feel it in the upper and lower body.Before purchasing this unit, I read a lot of reviews for this one and many others, trying to determine which one would be the best value for me. After months of consideration, I decided on this one. Most of the reviews were very positive, but there were some negative ones. I like to look at the negative ones, just to see what people find wrong with things. I was a little concerned with some reviews criticizing the construction, but I find it to be well built and quite sturdy. It wouldn’t hold up to commercial use at a health club, but it’s just fine for home use.Some reviews talk about the noise of the unit. It is quite loud. The faster you row, the louder it gets. If you have music or the TV on, you’ll have to turn it up, or wear headphones. This is why I only gave it 4 stars.
Reviewer: Kschappert
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title:
Review: You know what i am pleasantly surprised. you always wonder what you are going to get when you buy one of the cheaper products in its category. Yes the build quality is not up to par with the other rowers on the market but you cant expect it to be when you are paying a third of the price. I work out at a gym with the concept two’s and there are a couple things i like more about this rower then that one. one of the big things i find this one to be more of an arm work out, with no resistance setting this rower just gets hard the farther you pull it… Like a resistance band. so when you want to take it easy you can and when you want to crank it up a notch you can and the rowing will get hard. But since this is similar to a resistance band it will tire out your arms faster which personally i like. below are a couple more pros and cons.Pros:Inexpensive/valueLight weightLow maintenanceCons:Loud when really going hardSimple display
Reviewer: CLARA MOLLER UBANDO
Rating: 3.0 out of 5 stars
Title:
Review: This rower is JUST ok… a little less and it would suck. It exercises the same muscles as a higher end rower, but lacks the sturdiness and smoothness of better brands. If you are looking for a way to lose those few extra pounds you gained over xmas it is ok, but of your intentions are to get a more serious row workout, dont get this. You basically get what you pay for compared with the Concept2… a third of it. I didnt want to dish out 1400 on a C2, and i’m content with what I got, but I will be upgrafding to a C2 next year. So yeah, this is an entry-level rower that “gets the job done” (barely). This is definitely a personal/couple use rower, and will NOT withstand heavier use like a gym or club would demand.
Reviewer: Monica
Rating: 1.0 out of 5 stars
Title:
Review: I bought this product late 2018 and a few weeks later, the wheels on the seat starting blocking instead of rolling. I contacted customer service. Unfortunately, my last email in my discussion with customer service at Stamina stayed unanswered for a very long time. I tried to fix it however I could as I was getting no help from Stamina, searching for tips online and in comments (thank you) but after a while I got a bit discouraged… After a few months I decided to contact the company again, and I finally was able to get an answer. By then, I had to spend another 70 CAD to get new rollers – which I did because I needed to exercise more than even with the pandemic going on. I installed the new rollers, and I was happy again, training Monday to Friday. 10 weeks after installing my new wheels/rollers they blocked again! Now they are rolling bumpily instead of smoothly, and I’m afraid it will just keep getting worst until they start blocking completely like last time. After paying over 400 CAD + 70 CAD for new rollers, I am rather disappointed at the lack of durability. I also have to add that the that strap pulling the wheel has also started to rattle rather than operate smoothly. So my recommendation at this point is to avoid Stamina rowers completely as I would not trust them anymore for the quality and durability or their product for normal use. I want to insist that in both cases, my rollers starting blocking after about 10 weeks only. Unacceptable.
Price effective as of Jun 27, 2025 21:58:07 UTC
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