Stamina Conversion II Recumbent Bike/Rower Review
The Stamina Conversion II Recumbent Bike / Rower offers users three different types of exercise on one machine. With the rower, users can exercise their entire body with its innovative rowing technology. With the recumbent bike, users can focus on working their cardio and on their lower body – strengthening and toning thighs, hips, and buttocks – in a low impact way. Users can also strength train specific muscles using the machine’s pulley system.
Stamina Products, Inc. is determined to give their customers products with combined cutting edge innovation, quality, and affordability. Since 1987, the company has focused on supplying quality and value to the fitness and leisure markets. Their mission is to outperform competitive companies by successfully teaming with partners and maintaining communication, consistency, superior customer service, and active marketing campaigns.
Specifications and Features
The Conversion II is both a recumbent bike and a rower. Using the rowing pulley, you can strengthen your upper body as well, including bicep curls, tricep kickbacks, forearm curls, and etc. The machine’s housing offers eight levels of magnetic resistance and includes a multi-function electronic monitor with a large LCD display for easier reading. The monitor has the ability to track speed, distance, time, calories burned, and pulse. There is a built-in hand pulse sensor in the grips that measure heart beats per minute. The seat and seatback are made of molded foam pad for added comfort. The rowing pedals rotate and have foot straps that hold your feet securely in place while you exercise. The rowing beam is made of extruded aluminum, while the rest of the machine is made of sturdy steel. The machine is foldable and has wheels for easy transportation and storage.
This machine uses a magnetic resistance, utilizing electromagnets to slow the spinning flywheel and offering resistance to your workout. Each time the user rows, bikes, or pulls on the pulley, he or she is causing the flywheel to spin in its housing. Magnets in the housing are used to slow the flywheel. With higher resistance levels, you will have to work harder because the magnets working harder to slow the flywheel. Magnetic resistance is extremely quiet – great for those living in apartments and young children.
Assembled, the Conversion II is 75.5” x 20” x 27” while folded it is 35.5” x 20” x 56.” This machine weighs in at 103 lbs, while its maximum weight limit is 250 lbs. Warranty covers the frame for 3 years, while parts are covered for 90 days.
The Good
The Conversion II comes with an extremely low price tag because you are getting three machines in one, the bike, rower, and exercise pulley. The machine switches easily between bike, rower, and strength training. The exercise pulley can be used to work both your upper and lower body. No friction is used in magnetic resistance, so the machine make very little noise. Users can switch through 8 levels of resistance. The fitness monitor is easy to read due to its big display and has an integrated heart rate monitor. The entire machine easily folds within seconds. Caster wheels make the machine mobile. Compared to other bikes and rowers, this machine’s padded bucket-style seat is very comfortable.
The Bad
The Conversion II is lacking in a few details. The integrated heart rate monitor can only be used in the recumbent bike mode. We noticed that rowing on this machine does not quite feel like rowing on a traditional machine. Also, the 8 levels of resistance may not be enough for advanced bikers or rowers. Additionally, the foot rests do not secure your feet completely, so your workout may be interrupted by your feet slipping off the pedals. Finally, we also noticed that the machine can become somewhat unstable when rowing intensely.
The Verdict
The Stamina Conversion II is a great home gym equipment that works your cardiovascular system, while toning your legs, buttocks, back, torso, shoulders, and arms. This machine helps users lose and maintain a healthy weight. It is easily portable and easy to transition from bike to row to exercise pulley modes. Users should be careful with the position of their feet on the pedals, as feet can easily slip off of them. If you are an advanced biker or rower, you might want to look at other machines that are more stable and offer more resistance.
Also read our review on the Stamina Avari Magnetic Rower!
