Average Customer Review:
Write an online review and share your thoughts with other customers.
2 of 5 found the following review helpful:
 Concept 2 is a better machineMay 28, 2008
I tried the R100 vs. the Concept 2 in a store. The R100 is much louder than the Concept 2. It has more fan noise.
The Concept 2 has a reputation of being very noisy. But they've quieted it down a lot. If you've tried a Concept 2 in a gym and thought it was a noisy beast, you probably tried an older one, or they weren't oiling the chain.
I've worked out a lot on different rowing machines. If you want an intense aerobic workout, to breathe hard like you were running up a hill - go for a Concept 2 or maybe a water rowing machine. Air/water resistance is much better for intense workouts, because it firms up under a kick much more than magnetic resistance. So you can kick hard on it and put out a lot of power. Putting out a lot of power = raising your heart rate = burning calories fast.
If you want less intense workouts, like for weight loss, or you need a machine that's very gentle on your joints, a magnetic rower might be fine.
The R100 is an air/magnetic hybrid. I got the R100's little sister, the R900. After months of intense workouts I could no longer get my heart rate over 145 on the R900. I easily get my heart rate to 165/170 on the Concept 2.
The R100 has the same resistance as the R900, except with a little air resistance added in. The little bit of air resistance would help to get an intense workout. But you might still end up having the same problem I did.
If you're athletic, go for what you know will be a good workout - the Concept 2. Or maybe water rowing machines.
I also wondered, dealing with Lifecore Fitness, about the quality of the company. They had false advertising about the R900 on their website for a long time. I got my R900 broken and the replacement I got was slightly damaged, and a part broke after a few months of using it. The R100 is probably no better built and no better shipped.
1 of 1 found the following review helpful:
 Worth the researchMar 29, 2008
Looked a few less expensive machines, glad I got this one.
Smooth and quiet operating machine, display is bright and large enough to read throughout the entire cycle of the exercise motion. Took me about 3 weeks of practice to get smooth and strong enough to keep my heart range in a 75% range. Great investment!
2 of 3 found the following review helpful:
 Worth the money.Mar 15, 2008
I'm very happy with this product and was impressed with the quality of it's build. I have had it a couple weeks now and haven't found anything I don't like about it.
3 of 3 found the following review helpful:
Great Rower!Mar 08, 2008
I have used a number of commercial rowing machines, including the Concept II, at my fitness club. The Lifecore R100 rowing machine is as good as the best commercial rowing machines I have used. The heart rate monitor also worked well, right out of the box. It is an excellent accessory that comes pre-packaged with the rower.
The build quality and fit and finish of the rower are very high -- and are frankly exceptional for a machine for home use. The pre-programmed workouts in the computer/display module are also great. There is enough variety to keep you entertained while getting a solid workout.
Assembling the rower was also a snap -- within minutes after taking it out of the box you will be using the machine. The machine is a bit on the expensive side, but it is well worth the price. It looks like it would last a lifetime - and probably will.
4 of 4 found the following review helpful:
Solid Rower for Any AthleteDec 19, 2007
I originally got the R900 thinking I did not really want to spend this much money for a rower. However I quickly returned that as simply not providing a decent workout (or it didn't work, they never told me which). SO I was really hesitant to get another machine from the same company. However this company is small enough that you can still talk to the founder and he talked me out of getting the C2 that I wanted and getting this machine. I have not been unhappy in the least with that decision.
This is a solid machine. The computer is clear and sophisticated. The materials are topnotch. The machine feels like it will last a lifetime. We've only had it a few days, but the difference relative to the R900 was so substantial I wanted to make sure I let people know that this for all intents thus far is a solid purchase and I'd recommend this unit.
|
based on 10 reviews
