Stamina InMotion Rower (35-0123) Review
The Stamina InMotion Rower makes a perfect addition to any home gym with its solid steel construction, a comfortable stitched seat, and foam hand grips. Oversized, pivoting foot plates maintain natural rowing movement while you use the machine. The accompanying monitor tracks strokes per minute, count, time, and calories burned, with a scan feature.
Stamina Products Inc was founded in 1987, providing customers with cutting edge innovation and affordable, quality equipment. Stamina’s mission is to outperform the competition through the development of a successful team of partners while striving to maintain effective communication, consistency, superior service, and active marketing programs.
Specifications and Features
This rowing machine features a solid steel construction, five levels of hydraulic resistance, a comfortable seat, pivoting foot plates with adjustable closure, a single-button mutli-function InTouch monitor, and is easy to store.
The rower is recommended for home, low-impact use that strengthens all major muscle groups and builds cardiosvascular endurance. The Stamina InMotion Rower is 56.5” x 23.5” x 19” and weighs 27 lbs with a 250 lb weight limit. Assembly is required, which should take you about 30 minutes.
Stamina warrants their products free from defects in materials and workmanship at the time of the original purchase from an authorized retailer. If the rower becomes defective, you can contact the company via phone or by writing to the customer service address listed on their website. Parts are warrantied for 90 days, while the warranty for the frame is for one year.
The Good
Keeping in tune with the Stamina mission, this rower is quality and performance rolled into one, with a low pricetag. The Stamina InMotion Rower is made for heavy use, but is lightweight and mobile enough for easy storage when not in use.
Extra-large footplates can accommodate many different shoe sizes. The adjustable closure straps provide a firm grip, so that users who are vigorously training on the machine cannot slip off the footplates easily.
The oar is padded well with foam, so blisters are hard to come by even after a long workout.
The machine’s hydraulic system is a single-piston system (unlike most hydraulic rowers with 2 pistons) which makes for a quiet and smooth rowing experience. A one-piston system makes the rower lighter, costs less, and has one centered rowing arm. Dual-pistoned rowers have two arms that are controlled by different pistons, making it difficult to maintain the same resistance on both arms. As a result, one piston may wear out faster than the other. With single-piston systems, the user does not have to worry about this future maintenance issue.
Assembly is quite simple by attaching the footplates, monitor, and oar. The main frame comes pre-assembled. The product manual is detailed with illustrations so the user can easily master putting the machine’s parts together.
The Bad
One aspect that the Stamina InMotion Rower can improve upon is its screen display. We found that the font is too dark and small to easily read. The data monitor also does not have present workout programs. Stablity is compromised due to the machine’s lack of weight. We also noted that changing the resistance is not so easy, impeding on the rower’s smooth session. Most rowers offer at least 12 levels of resistance, while this rowing machine only provides five. The hydraulic cylinder responsible for the resistance is also prone to overheating, so users should be aware of the temperature to avoid getting burned and overworking the machine. Although the handlebars support a full range of motion, it does not mimic the feel of rowing outdoors. Those with bad knees will find it difficult to get on and off the Stamina InMotion Rower’s low seat.
The Verdict
Exercise machines can set you back a pretty penny. If you are not looking to go bankrupt on a home exercise machine and want something for a small space, then you should consider the Stamina InMotion Rower. The durable construction means your hard-earned money is spent well. This rowing machine is great for beginner rowers, is smooth and quiet, includes a monitor, and assembles easily. If used regularly, this machine’s user will lose weight and increase their endurance. However, advanced rowers will need more than this rowing machine’s 5 levels of hydraulic resistance, is too small for users above 6’ tall, and is too low to the ground for those with bad knees. Also note, users should check the cylinder’s temperature to avoid overheating the machine and burning yourself.
Also read our review on the Stamina Conversion II Recumbent Bike/Rower if you are looking for something that offers more features!
