Customer Reviews

HCI Fitness Sprint Outrigger Scull Rowing Machine

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

This, I think, is my first review on Amazon (woo hoo) and I'm mostly doing it because I'm reasonably sure the previous review is fake and from a company rep. With that said there is some truth to the review.

I just received mine yesterday and was pleased to see it was all heavy steel with no plastic that I could see, even the casing is metal. The directions were hard to make heads or tails of which turned out to be okay given that a slow witted monkey could put this thing together in under a half hour, given that I am at least a few IQ points ahead of a slow witted monkey I was able to assemble it in about 15 minutes. Once the machine is all together feels really solid with only a slight, negligible wobble to the seat but that is not unexpected given that I'm a 6 foot 215 former bodybuilder and most things wobble or yell "hey don't sit on me" when I sit on them.

Once on the machine I was pleased with the motion and resistance as it felt pretty even and the seat glides smoothly. I know your thinking,"he seems to really like this machine why did he only give it a 4 star rating", here's why. It's all about the hydraulic pistons, if you do not have a decent amount of muscle (mostly children, hippies and very petite women such as my lovely girlfriend) you might find the resistance even at level one to be a bit much. I came to this conclusion as my afore mentioned lovely girlfriend tried it and had trouble pulling the arms or oars if you prefer, this resulted in an angry look which may have been related to my laughter. For me and other manly men or manly women, I'm not one to judge, this will not be a problem. Where everyone regardless of levels of manliness will have a problem is when they attempt to change the resistance levels which at some point you will want to do. When changing levels (which is done by a knob on each piston) even when you put them on the same setting getting the resistance even or relatively even becomes a needlessly long and tiring process (like watching The English Patient), you will eventually get it right but risk losing the motivation to work out in the process. I fortunately did not lose motivation and did two runs of 20 minutes, one last night and one this morning, and all was well with the world except the hand grips made my hands smell like the south end of a north bound horse and the pistons get really, really hot to the touch. The hot to the touch part can be solved by not touching the pistons, figured that out myself.

Lastly the computer, whoa is the computer. Honestly it would have been more useful if it was one of those old DOS based Tandy units with nothing but Oregon Trail on it. I'd suggest finding other means of counting your strides...rows, whatever since this thing cannot count. I did 100 strides as a test while I was mentally counting and it said I had done 276, and for the record I have the utmost confidence in my ability to count to 100. On a positive note the timer appears to work ok but takes several minutes to figure out and the directions are about as useful as that other guy from George Michael's old band Wham.

In closing this is a good buy and currently at about half the price of those shady Germans at Kettler. I will update my review after I put some wear and tear on the machine. Until then happy rowing.

3/13/09 - I have made this machine suffer daily abuse (minus one or two days where I had a cold I affectionately nicknamed "the creeping death") for around the last month. After several weeks of having my heavy rear end seated on this machine while I angrily and vigorously yank at the handles the machine is still performing beautifully. Given my well documented destructive powers a few weeks with me translates to about a year of wear and tear under normal circumstances. The computer is still useless but that is a minor annoyance, the only negative change I have seen in the machine with a bit of wear is the cushion hand grips are always sliding during my workout. Unfortunately I am not clever enough to fix this but am open to suggestions.

I received my HCI Sprint Outrigger today.

Packaging was in good condition, all parts present, no damage. Good job FedEx!

Unpacking and setup was pretty easy, took about 10 minutes. Only tools required were hex wrenches, and they came in the box.

Initial reactions - fit and finish are reasonably good. Welds are solid - this isn't an elegant piece of machinery, but it's pretty well put together. One nice feature is a pair of locking pins that engage the rowing arms in the folded position so that they're immobilized for transit.

Less favorable reactions - someone commented elsewhere that the soft handle grips broke up with use - I can imagine this happening pretty easily, and I also think that given some harsh use, the velcro foot straps might not last too well. Seat rollers on rowing machines typically take quite a beating. Time will tell how well the rollers hold up.

One other gripe is that the computer is pretty large - when I was using the machine, my calves were rubbing on the case. This isn't a dealbreaker for me, I count strokes myself, and I can read the time from a clock. But if you like your gadgets, this is a consideration.

After 20 minutes of moderate use, the mechanisms were running quiet. Adjusting the resistance in the pistons is achieved by rotating a collar on the piston. Inevitably, a '7' on one piston isn't excatly the same resistance as a '7' on the other, but it's pretty close, and I'd expect that once I get used to compensating for this, I'll be able to ignore the issue.

There are 3 adjustments:

Piston resistance: giving you a tougher rowing experience
Angle of incline for the seat travel: higher angle makes your legs work harder
Chassis length: so you can adjust the rower for your leg length

Conclusion:
Sturdy, no-nonsense unit with a few minor issues that don't matter too much to me. I'll be disappointed if the seat rollers give out, but I can't condemn the unit for a problem that hasn't occurred yet.

Inevitably, readers will want a comparison to the Kettler Kadett. I've used one of those, and it's a very nice piece of equipment, but also not without its faults. At Amazon prices, at the moment, I'm not sure the Kettler is $250 'better' than the HCI. And for my 4x a week, 45 minute workouts, the extra would be hard to justify, and my cardiovascular system is unlikely to be able to tell the difference.

UPDATE - 12/1/2009
------------------

Been using the rower on and off for six months now. Good cardio results, and I've stayed with the program. None of the concerns above materialized - rubber grips are still fine, I got very good at getting the piston resistance balanced, velcro straps OK, seat still fine. However, I'm going to have to contact Amazon for a warranty replacement because the chassis itself has failed. This might be just a result of a bad weld, or possibly a design fault - I'll post pictures in a day or so. I'm not going to revise the rating yet - I tend to view warranty problems as a fact of life - but I was pretty surprised to see the failure.

UPDATE - 12/14/2009
-------------------

Received a return authorization from Amazon today. I'm still in two minds over whether I'll just order another HCI or a Kettler Kadett. The problem I see is that the chassis split wasn't a failure in the weld, it was in the steel tube itself, and I find that disappointing. Do I still think the unit is a good one at the price? Absolutely - and with Amazon standing behind the product for warranty, I don't have a problem with continuing to recommend this rower as great value for the money, but once I started getting fitter, and adjusting the resistance (up to 8 on a scale of 0 - 10 ), I think I was unlucky and just happened to have a unit made with a piece of defective steel tube. But the romance is over, and I think I'm leaning toward a Kettler Kadett, despite the extra price. So I've removed a star from the rating to reflect my experience with the rower.

I had this rower for about a week, and I have to say it was a big disappointment. I chose it mainly because of all of the good reviews, and the price. I had been using a concept 2 at the gym and I was really excited about having a rower at home.

Shipping and Assembly:

As usual, Amazon's shipping was great and the box arrived in great condition. Everything inside was well packaged, and it all seemed very solid and well put together. It assembled really easily and I was up and running within 15 minutes of opening the box.

The computer:

Completely useless as anything but a clock. The sensor that counts your rows basically picks up on the seat sliding over a certain spot. So instead of a full row counting as a pull back and then a slide forward, each motion is counted leaving it looking like you're a super-fast rower :). As with most calorie counters, I have no idea where the numbers are coming from on this thing . For how simple the functions of the computer its ridiculous how non-intuitive it is. The button layout is confusing and i felt like I was just randomly button mashing to get the clock to start or for the data to reset. Its worth noting, I'm very computer savvy and this thing was stupid-ridiculous.

The hydraulics:

So here's were the problem starts, the hydraulics on each side have their own dial to twist for resistance. Now I'm cool with that, except that the numbers on the dial aren't the same resistance on both sides. So if you have the left set at '5' and the right set at '5', your left side may be getting much more, or much less of a workout than your right. So again, I'm a relatively reasonable person, I do a little trial and error, and I figure out what feels the same on both sides and set each dial to whatever arbitrary number gives me the same level of resistance, and off I go.

The problem:

So here's where the problem starts. As you work out, the hydraulics get hot, and as they get hot the friction changes, and lo and behold, the friction doesn't change evenly on both sides. So throughout your workout, you are constantly changing the resistance on the hydraulics on both sides so that you can keep going at the pace you're going (oh, and during all this the thing is squeaking like two steroid-induced mice in a cage match). The other problem that happens as it gets hot is the range of motion, everything gets tighter. So where you used to be able to push each "oar" well in front of you as you were coming in to end a rep, the "oars" are now hitting you in the shins. So I tell myself, this thing isn't a gym-quality machine, so you get what you pay for. Even though its not exactly cheap, in the realm of workout equipment, it is. I decided to resign to my fate of having a subpar workout machine, it wasn't great, but boxing up a 60lb workout machine and shipping it back seemed like more trouble than it was worth. As fate should have it on workout #4, about 26 mins into a 30 min workout,( "oars" hitting me in the shins and deafening squeaks waking the neighbors) , the left hydraulic explodes and pours hydraulic oil all over the place. I mean, I AM a fitness god, and no machine can tame my manly athletic prowess, but really?!?

The replacement:

So now its boxed up and on its way back to amazon. Needless to say the thing was a lot easier to unpack than it was to repack, finally a workout. I ended up ponying up a bit more dough and picking up the LifeSpan rw1000 rower, and so far so good. It hasn't exploded hot oil all over the place, so I'll call it a win.

Not to knock the positive experiences that many other reviewers had, but I definitely would not recommend this puppy to anyone. In general, quality rowers seem to be hard to come by in the entry-level price range (under $500) so I can see the appeal of this unit, but trust me this is not the rower you're looking for.

I bought this rower without being able to read any reviews on Amazon. I initially wanted to buy the Kettler Kadett rower because I enjoy the sculling action of an outrigger type rowing machine. But after comparing features and pricing I decided on the Sprint Rower. All I can say is that I am not disappointed with my decision. For the price this is a fantastic rower. It really simulates the natural motion of rowing while providing a rigorous and enjoyable workout. Another great plus is that it folds up to be very compact. When not using is I slide it under my bed.

I consider myself average to below average when assembling things but I had the Sprint Rower together in under 15 minutes. The rower basically comes completely assembled and all that I needed to do was attach the display panel. The display is nice because it gives you all of the basic features and the numbers are fairly large. I like to row without my glasses so this helps.

This is the first piece of exercise equipment that I have bought thru Amazon and I was very satisfied with the process. It was easy to do and the product arrived without any glitches.

I love my new rower and would recommend this product to anyone.

PLEASE READ THIS ENTIRE REVIEW. I BOUGHT THIS MACHINE JUST OVER A YEAR AGO. THE GOOD, THE BAD, AND THE UGLY.

I've had this HCI rower for just over a year and at first it was great. Shipping, assembly, and use was a breeze and I used it 5 days a week for a solid year...right up until about the 6 month mark when one of the oars broke off. Not at a weld, not at a joint or hinge, but right in the middle. It just broke off in my hand. So being the self reliant type I took it to a friend and we welded it back on and it was fine again...right up until the frame broke. It's hard to explain what it looked like, but long story short the main beam of the machine pretty much peeled away from the front supports. So, since it's no longer under warranty I carried it down the stairs and on my way to the dumpster decided to put it in the garage until I figured out what to do with it even though I know it's useless.

Please don't mistake this for a completely negative review of the machine. It's a good machine at a good price for someone who is looking to get started with a fitness program. If you are looking for a long term heavy duty piece of equipment this may not be the machine for you. I'll always be glad I bought this machine because it was my gateway into taking better care of myself...but if I had it to do over again I'd have dropped a few extra bucks on something that would last.

Other issues with the machine. The counter/computer seems to be alright, but the calorie meter is just about useless. I have a hard time believing that 100 strokes at a low setting and 100 strokes at a high setting burns the same number of calories.

Also, during periods of extended rowing the pistons get very hot causing the oil inside to expand and this restricts the amount of travel in the oars which makes it very hard to use proper form.

The rubber grips like to twist off, but a little duct tape fixed that.

At the pivot point of each oar some kind of powdery substance (I think a rubber bushing)is ground up a tiny bit at a time as you row and over time it will turn the carpet underneath it a dark color. It can be cleaned up with some carpet cleaner and a little scrubbing, but I'd suggest getting an oversized mat that will sit under the oars as well as the frame to avoid damaging carpet.

The machine folds up like a champ and is far more compact than other rowers I have seen. It is perfect for apartment living as far as size, but durability is another issue.

In the end I would say this is a good rower for a beginner or someone who doesn't plan on using it that often, however I would tell a friend to spend a couple hundred dollars more and get something that would last and at least have some resale value in the event they chose to get rid of it.

Hope this review helps.

This rowing machine is overall a good value. I purchased it for my wife and she has enjoyed it. I actually started using it every day for about 30 minutes a day also and find it to be pretty good. It is a good machine to jump on a do some light to moderate aerobic exercise. Being a former competitive swimmer and swimming coach I find it is hard to get a really intense workout, but is easy to get a good aerobic workout. This machine would be ideal for someone who is just looking to do moderate aerobic exercise for weight management and heart health. People looking to work their pants off should look at something like the concept2 or another form of exercise. It folds up to a fairly small footprint.

As someone else mentioned the hand grip cushions tend to slip off. It is a minor problem and doesn't take away from the value as you just slide them back on. The resistance of the pistons is stiff even at the lowest setting. The computer doesn't make much sense, I just have it stay on the clock mode and use time and track my heart rate to make workouts. Also one of the pins which holds the arms down when folded broke soon after purchase. It was a cheaply made pin that does not effect the usability of the machine.

In summary overall a great value so far. For someone who is looking to start a reasonable aerobic exercise routine and loose weight this is a great buy. People looking for super intense workouts should likely look at heavier models.

I received my rower last Wednesday, so I have not had it long. I have used it in an actual session twice so far...not counting just trying it out when I first got it assembled. My 11 year old granddaughter helped me get it out of the carton and set up in no time. It was very easy to assemble and I am NOT one of those who can just look at something and figure out how it goes together. We only had to unfold the arms and secure them into place, attach the computer and the foot pedals. I used it 60 minutes Friday morning and 30 minutes this morning. I have to use it on the lowest, easiest setting now, but hope to increase as I go. I am a 52 year old female and weigh 129 lbs. with a very weak upper body. I must say that I have found this to be the most enjoyable form of indoor exercise that I have every tried...and I have have tried it all. I HATE a treadmill and never felt like I got an upper body workout with a stepper. This is right up my alley as it is my upper body that needs strengthening. I feel like I get an excellent work out for my core, back, shoulders and arms and a moderate work out for my legs. I wish there was a way to have more resistance in the slide of the seat. I do have it elevated as high as it will go. It is incredibly quiet and works very smoothly, unlike those noisy treadmills where you have to turn the TV up to super sonic volume to hear over them. I have not and probably will not use the computer. After working in the office all day, I just want to get on the thing and mindlessly watch something on TV. No counting reps or anything else. For my needs, this is a perfect rower. I am glad I decided on this one with the higher weight limit in the event that my husband might want to use it. The quality seems excellent and it is well made. I was needing some form of all body strengthening and aerobics to help lower my blood pressure and I believe I have found it. I will report back after I have had it a while. For now... I LOVE IT! I would recommend it to anyone of any age.

I was anxious as to what was involved in setting up the Sprint, for my use of any tool beyond a Q-tip is chancy. The "BRAVO"?.... I lifted an ASSEMBLED rower out of the box except for foot pedals and monitor- actually had the machine ready to use in 12 minutes and marveled at how well it's made...durable and sturdy...parts precision calibrated with well described instructions. Everything went together bing-bam-boom. I adjusted each piston until both felt balanced. The glide was smooth... performance rock solid.
The choice for me was between
1. a $619 German rower
2. a popular $169 model
3. HCI Sprint (the 'new kid on the block')
The HCI Sprint was priced right in the middle and what won me over was the statement how the machine is based on German technology. A great feature is that the unit folds and locks down to a tidy footprint. I cannot find anything negative. The box even arrived in great condition. Fast service, Amazon. Five stars without hesitation.

So I've only had the HCI Sprint for a little under a week and I've used it three times. It seems very well built and solid, no flimsy plastic parts or things that appear like they took the short cut to build it. It was relatively easy to put together considering I didn't really read the directions and it can be folded up to fit under a normal sized bed quite conveniently. I'd say time between bringing it out under the bed and having it ready for use is 5 minutes, as you have to fold out the "oars" and secure them with screws. The same time applies to folding it back up and sliding it under the bed. One small complaint I have is that it does take a little fiddling to get the piston pressure adjusted equally on both sides. It also seems that the piston pressure slides a little bit on one of the oars after you've been rowing for a while and needs quick readjustment. I quite like the monitor as the screen is large and it conveniently stops if you take a quick break and then restarts once it detects you've begun rowing again. All in all I'm quite happy with the product.

My purchase was based on several great reviews and a fair price for the rower. It is the perfect size for an average room, easy to use and a very solid machine. However, after the first use, one of the hydraulic shafts (that sets the amount of resistance) began to fail. So, the resistance setting on that rowing arm needs to be reset after only a dozen pulls. I contacted HCI fitness and their affiliates to get a replacement part - There were none and/or they were less than willing to help after several attempts. I still can't find a replacement part anywhere. Too bad. Overall the unit would be great, but based on this failed part and total lack of help getting a replacement part from the manufacturer or distributor, I DO NOT recommend this product.