FITNESS REALITY 4000MR Magnetic Rower Rowing Machine with 15 Workout Programs

Like everyone else, I did a Ton of research before buying this machine (FITNESS REALITY 4000MR Magnetic Rowing Machine). We have tried several other machines, including Ellipticals, Bikes, Treadmills and one other Rowing machine. This is easily our favorite machine. The price was good and the shipping was faster than promised. Here are my Pros and Cons:Pros: Excellent value for the Money, Machine is very sturdy but not too heavy where you cant move it around if need be, Very Quiet almost NO noise, Range of motion is VERY similar to the actual rowing of a boat, more compact than most rowers, Assembly was fairly easy, Instructions even highlighted which step each nut and bolt belonged to, machine is very comfortable for me (5'7" and my Wife 5'3"), Super smooth seat motion, the handle grips actually spin and rotate now with each motion (I think this is a new upgrade because the videos do not show this), the Seat is comfortable and has a fairly ergonomic shape to it, I am just getting back into shape but the first level had me out of breath within 10 minutes and there is plenty of tension adjustment left, the range of motion is easy on my jointsCons: Package was a little banged up upon arrival (but no damage was found), Tools that were included were junk (ended up using some of my own tools), Power cord is a little short but manageable, Control panel display is rudimentary but manageable I guess, when seated and reaching for the handles to get started its quite a reach (you may need to grab them first before getting started)Overall I am VERY pleased with this machine and who knows, we might actually use this thing unlike all the other machines we purchased in the past!! (Don't be judging me, you all know what I am talking about)

This was my first rower I have several other pieces of equipment but felt I needed something with a little more overall workout. After checking several web site reviews this model came very highly recommended for a mid level rower. The price made it even more attractive. I received it 2 days ago. The box is rather heavy but it was well packaged. It took me approximately 3 hrs to assemble. Having been a mechanic for over 40 years helped but the directions were very easy to follow. One thing that truly impressed me was the quality of the machining, everything fit perfectly. I did not have to struggle with any parts not lining up. Once it was together you could see how well made it was. The operation is quiet and smooth. The workouts I have done are even better than I hoped. There is enough variety in the programs to keep anyone happy. Although there is a slight learning curve to understanding how to program the different workouts to your needs it seems to be not too difficult. I will update as I have more experience with it. It is definitely worth the investment. I am an avid recumbent bike rider but now I can alternate and get an upper body workout as well as my legs.

I can’t compare this rowing machine with any others because it’s the only one I’ve ever used. I can say that I am completely satisfied with it.I took my time unpacking and assembling it. The directions were very clear and the parts for each step were packed together and numbered. The tools necessary for assembly were included. Having suffered through any number of IKEA assemblies now, this was a blessing.There are built-in programs which I haven’t tried yet and the ability to create up to five custom programs. Most importantly, you can set duration and resistance for these. Calories, distance and watt targets can also be set, but are frankly meaningless to me. I’m satisfied setting duration and resistance levels.I’m starting slowly with 10-15 minute sessions at low resistance levels as I feel my way through this. I’m a lifelong cyclist and 76 years old, so, no surprise here, my legs are much stronger than my core and upper body. My sense is that the fitness and strength levels for all areas will even up as I work through this - and that will strengthen my cycling.The best thing about this machine is that you engage 80-90% of your muscles with each stroke. 15 minutes on the rowing machine are probably the equal of an hour in the gym - and the gym is 20 minutes away by car from my house.I’ll add that I selected this machine over others because it has handles that move the way you would move the oars if you were out on the water. When you move your arms out on the recovery part of the stroke, you engage more muscles in your chest and shoulders than you would with a bar on a chain.I’m very happy I selected rowing for my winter program and completely happy I picked this machine. It’s going to help me achieve my focused winter program without a lot of expensive bells and whistles.Updating Dec 27, 2022OK, six weeks in. Enjoying this machine more and more. Started "BBQ style" (low and slow), have worked my way up through resistance levels. Have not tried the pre-loaded workout programs, have simply plotted out workout sessions in two of the custom levels. I think this is the best way to learn to use this machine. Longest session so far was just 30 minutes at levels 1, 2 & 3, but have a nice secondary program that uses 3-8. As a long-time cyclist, my legs are much stronger than my upper body, and that's why I'm working on lower levels.I like the ability and ease of setting up a program. I wish I had a little more control over the programming. For example, I would like to be able to set a target number of strokes, but you can't do that. Unfortunately, you can't reset stroke count to zero at the end of a session, and the program you're in automatically stops when stroke count hits 999 (you have to press START to get counting going again).I have no doubt this will enable me to achieve my winter fitness goal. AND, since we get 95+ temps here in MO in summer, I'll be able to row on those super-hot, super-humid days. So far, impressed with this machine, glad I spent the extra money for the separate handles. Recommend highly.Further update Jan 6, 2023Having now spent about 6 weeks with this machine, here's what I've learned. Most importantly, the rowing machine lets you work on the "pillars" of fitness: aerobics and strength. To me. aerobic work is the more important because that concentrates on keeping the heart healthy and maintaining stamina. I'm too old to worry much about building strength, but I want to do some strength work, and this machine lets me do both.What I have done is to make three custom programs working with the structure the machine provides, i.e., 10-segment workouts. I confess I haven't tried any of the 10 programmed workouts because they may use resistance levels higher than I can do. So these are my three programs:No. 11: resistance levels 1, 2, 3, 1, 2, 3, 1, 2, 3, 4No. 12: resistance levels 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5No. 13: resistance levels 4, 3, 2, 1, 3, 2, 1, 3, 2, 1I set the length of each program as the one ends and another is selected. This structure lets me do only an aerobic session (11 & 13) or a session that includes some strength work (11, 12, 13). I can do all three in a short session of 5-minute programs or a longer session of each program for 15 minutes.As I do more work on the machine, I will be able to increase the resistance levels of #12 to do more strength work. To me, that's the great thing about this machine: it's adaptable to my personal level on a literally daily basis.Updating Feb 26, 2023Still all in on this machine (have rowed 157 miles since Jan 1) with these disclaimers:1. The console is worthless; the programming comes from another planet.For starters, the "stroke count" function is wildly inaccurate. Stroke count (tempo) is key to towing, and the wildly inaccurate "rpm" reading isn't even close. Simple solution: download metronome app from the web, and use it to set tempo.Second, you, the user/owner, cannot reset stroke count to zero at the end of your workout. Fitness Realty gives you a console that counts repeatedly to 1000 strokes, at which it stops. When it stops, it wipes out whatever program you gad started in, sort of (it gives you 1-minute intervals from wherever you are to the end. Started a 20-minute program at 700 stroke count, going for 24 strokes per minute? So sad, when the stroke counter hits 999, program is ended, and your previously selected 2-minute intervals go to 1-minute intervals.2. Tech support is non-existent. If you reach out, it replies by quoting, word for word, the user manual. Wait!!! I have the user manual, and I have a question not answered in the user manual, and tech support can only quote the user manual. Hmmm... what's wrong with this picture?Still sticking by high rating, but be aware of where the shortcomings are. Machine has great, adjustable resistance levels and has dual handles to replicate actual water rowing motion. Seat is comfortable (doing 1-hour workouts without discomfort). Don't need a big screen, no downside there, but some assistance with the weak console would be welcome.NOT shopping for a different machine. Fixes seem easy, why don't they get made?