Fitness Express - rower testimonals

Fluid Rower Testimonals

The following testimonals are from around the world, commenting on how much people love their new Australian fluid rowers.

I am retired from competitive rowing but occasionally I row for pleasure. Currently I just focus on cycling and general fitness. However I still cannot think of any cardio/endurance workout without indoor rowing involved. Over a dozen years, I’ve used many different indoor rowers, but mostly Concept II as they were very popular in rowing clubs and gyms. Also I owned one for about 4 years.

I bought my beloved FR-s500 in late 2006 to replace an aging C2 and since then I never looked back. It was conscious decision as I tried the rower for a few weeks before I was committed to buy it. At that time, I heard about water resistant indoor rowers but I had never used it before and to be honest never heard "Fluid Rower" until I saw one and tried it at sports and fitness show in Melbourne. I signed up for trial and got a brand new FR-s500 within a month. When it arrived, the first think I noticed with FR-s500 was the excellent build quality with full steel frame, alloy rails, comfy seat with gliding rollers and perfect foot rest. This model was marked as “commercial” and obviously it was built as a work horse. It was shorter, bulkier and lot heavier than my previous one but it presented itself as a serious indoor rower for enthusiast.

After a few hours on it, I could tell the difference in consistency between air and water resistance. Unlike air, I found water resistance was more reliable, consistent and immediate. Especially in catch and finish, I used to have a short free run with my old rower, now with FR, the resistance was immediate and consistent till the finish. Vibration was another thing I noted. With old rower vibration did not bother me much, I probably did not even realise how annoying it was until I tried FR where there was absolutely no vibration and no movement. I think combination of being eavier and wider unit, plus well designed moving parts plays a great deal here. Anyways, in short I found rowing experience is quite unique, smooth and enjoyable with FR. The only thing did not impress me was the performance monitor. Comparing to newer Concept II PM, it was basic yet it had all the fundamental readings I needed.

In last 3 years, I very much enjoyed working out with this rower without any hassle. The only problem I had was cleaning the water tank after my kids managed to open the top valve and drop a marble and sugar cube in it. They also broke the PM but luckily when I contacted to First Degree Fitness International to buy a new PM, they were quite responsive and kind enough to supply an upgraded PM, free of charge.

Comparing to Concept II model C, FR-s500 is the heavier unit and not suitable to roll under the bed every night! Also, water tank requires some maintenance where C2 only requires lubricating now and then.

However in overall, I think FR-s500 is the superior choice for the reasons above. I am happy to recommend FR-s500 (or the newer model) to rowing fanatics or to fitness enthusiasts.

Well done first degree fitness.

M. Guldogan
Melbourne Australia"

...........................................................................................................................................................................................................................

The First Degree rower delivers what it claims. You get realistic resistance right to the end of the stroke; an easily adjustable load that demands as much as you are willing and comfortable to give; high level of safety on a beautifully engineered device. Best of all, you get terrific full body and great heart-lung results for your work. Four 45-minute sessions a week keep my resting heart beats-per-minute in the low 50’s. If you have time, space and money for one brilliant fitness device, I recommend a First Degree rower. It’s outstanding value with genuine results if you take the challenge to do the work. And it’s enjoyable! You can’t ask for more than that.

Dr Ian McLean, committed home gym user, Sydney, Australia

2009

Previously, I only had experience of Concept Rower and a direct comparison is possible. After careful consideration of various rowers I purchased an E316 for use at home. The only other serious contender was the Concept2 but the Fluid Rower is a far superior product. Unfortunately it is rare to see a Fluid Rower in a gym environment whereas a Concept2 is almost quaranteed to be present.

It would be quicker to say where the Concept2 is slightly better than the Fluid Rower since there are only 2 marginal items.

The display on the Concept is slightly better, the PM3/4 display is brighter than the E316's IPM and is easier to use. Some worked examples within the IPM instructions would have helped to explain some of the functionality. Perhaps some additional guidance could be provided on the First Degree website. The other disadvantage of the Fluid Rower is that you will have to change the tank water so there may be a bit more maintenance required.

These are minor areas where the Concept2 is slightly better. It is like saying the First Degree football team beat the Concept team by 20-0 but the Concept team has the better scoreboard at it's ground.

I was going to say that the Concept team had a nicer looking football kit but the E316 looks so much better than the hospital grey Concept. The E316 looks the business and invites you to use it. The points of contact for the user are so much more comfortable than the Concept. The seat is more comfortable and the handle is superior to the nasty plastic of the Concept. The older Concept models had a better handle. The E316 footrest is functional and easy to adjust. The Fluid Rower seat is almost at chair height so you can sit down more easily. And, if you have had a long session it is easier to get up again!

When you have finished it is easy to stand the rower up although it is slightly heavy due to the uncompromising solid construction. Bringing it back down is also easy almost like launching a boat into the water.

The most important thing with a rower should be the rowing action. The Fluid Rower is totally superior to the Concept. Specifically, the resistance is constant and has a good feel. The Concept being an Air Rower has an initial resistance to overcome but then it virtually freewheels from the inertia at the start of the pull. If you stop pulling on the Concept, the counter keeps going. On the Fluid Rower it stops instantly. The workout is much harder and has a more natural feel with a constant resistance through the range of motion.

But one of the best things, instead of the anonymous sound of an Air Rower you have the swishing sound of water and the delight of watching it spin round on the E316. It is almost hypnotic.

Price wise the Concept and the more expensive Fluid Rowers are comparable. But anywhere other than the USA the Concept seems overpriced. In the UK you pay the same number in GBP that someone would pay in USD in the USA which is approx £1000 or $1000. The Concept should be at least 30% cheaper and it seems overpriced for non-USA customers. For this money Heart Rate kits should also be provided as standard by all manufacturers.

In conclusion, the First Degree Fluid Rower E316 is considered a far superior product than a Concept2.

Chris - Gloucester UK
...........................................................................................................................................................................................................................
My health club recently started offering group rowing sessions on your Fluid Rower S-350. What a great workout! I have done spinning for a couple of years, but this beats it hands down, because my arms and upper body are now getting the benefits too. I used to like to watch the Boat Race on TV and always wondered what it was like in one of those big boats, and now I think I understand the feeling of togetherness that there must be. Rowing is great! I only wish I had taken it up 20 years ago.

London

We just got our new Wave Rower a couple of weeks ago, and all we can say is how pleased we are with our choice. We looked at other rowing machines a lot more expensive, but this seems every bit as good and certainly does all we want of it. It’s a seriously tough workout, and with the pulse monitor kit to go with it we can do long fat-burning pieces at target heart rate and really know we are now having the exercise we need to get back in shape and stay that way.

Best of all, living in an apartment it takes us just a few seconds after each daily workout to wheel it into a corner, stand it on end and it’s out of the way until the next time.

Well done Wave Fitness. What a great product!

Steve and Nell

Adelaide, Australia

WOW!

I JUST PURCHASED MY FLUID ROWER MONDAY AND TOOK DELIVERY YESTERDAY.

I'M SO HAPPY WITH THIS EQUIPMENT!

I'D BEEN ROWING ON ANOTHER BRAND (YOU KNOW WHO THEY ARE, IT HAS A WATER TANK TOO) THAT MY SISTER OWNS.

YOUR MACHINE IS FAR SUPERIOR. IN FACT, MY SISTER (WHO HAS ROWED BOTH COMPETITIVELY AND ON EQUIPMENT FOR YEARS) CAME OVER TO TRY MINE OUT AND SHE WAS THRILLED WITH IT TOO.

THANKS FOR THE GREAT PRODUCT!

C ABBOTT

PHOENIX, ARIZONA

S.J. USA
I just purchased a Fluid Rower from Direct Commercial Fitness in Sun Prairie, WI and would like to relay to First Degree Fitness how extraordinarily pleased I am with my decision to purchase this product. As advertised, it is extremely well engineered and manufactured and most importantly, priced where it is easily the best value for money of any of the fitness equipment I own.

All this cardio equipment is owned to keep me from going crazy during Wisconsin's always balmy winter months. I am sure I'd go insane without the ability to cross train, and the Fluid Rower, aside from being a cost effective work of art, is just plain FUN to use! I was addicted after my first couple minutes on the machine.
..........................................................................................................................................................................................................................

M.N.F. USA
After calling all of the fitness equipment stores in our area, most of them hadn't heard of your Fluid Rower. After leaving a message at one store, I got a call back telling me he would have a Fluid Rower in his store in a few days for us to try.

The next day, the manager of the Total Fitness Orange store called to say they had a machine all set up.

We went that day, tried it, bought it and wound up bringing it home.

I have just retired and my wife and I wanted a machine that would work for both of us and tie in with our love of the water. Your Fluid Rower was the perfect answer for us. Working out is like making water music. We love it!

We are grateful that First Degree Fitness made such a great machine.

Buy Equipment

Fluid Rower Testimonals