Customer Reviews

Lifecore R100 Commercial Rowing Machine

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Overall an excellent unit that I feel is worth its steep price. I've owned a couple rowers and a skier for years and after 3 weeks this is now my cardio workout device of choice. It's quiet, comfortable and the computer controlled workout options are nice. At first I thought things like "whitewater" rowing were a bit goofy but the variable resistance programs make a real difference. The fan does make a bit of noise but far less than my skier and I can easily watch TV over the top of the resistance unit.
The stats and options in the computer unit are top notch. The only gripe I have here is at full extension it sometimes loses the signal of my heart monitor (new Polar unit) - I'm 6' 3" - I tested the Polar watch and it, too, tends to lose the signal at that range so I suppose it's to be expected. I just wear the watch on my wrist to keep track of my actual heart rate (which is normally pretty close on the rower computer anyway) and use the computer stats for tracking distance, speed etc...
The Unit is very solid and sturdy and can give anyone a good workout. Yes, it's a tad on the expensive side but in my opinion it's worth it if you're going to use it often as I do.

After looking at several manufacturers and models I settled on the R100 because it has magnetic as well as air resistance. I'll admit I was a bit reluctant because of the price but after using it for three weeks now I'm extremely satisfied with the R100. It works like a dream. The flywheel isn't too loud and the seat glides very smoothly. It takes a bit of assembly but the allen wrench that comes with the R100 works just fine. When I placed my order I received notice that it would be delivered in 3-4 weeks but I had it in my house in one week! I've read some negative comments about Mercantila but I had no problems. If you're considering a rowing machine I highly recommend the R100. But if you've never used one before, see if you can test a few different types to experience air vs magnetic resistance. Possibly at a gym or spa if they allow single day or guest memberships for a day.

I tried every rower I could find before buying one, and the Lifecore R100 is by far the best of the bunch. I only gave it 4 stars because there are little things that I think can and need to be improved, such as the screen tends to lower itself gradually when working out, to the point where you need to let go of the handle bar and raise it, yea I am sure it just needs to be tightened up, but on a brand new machine, one should not have to do anything. I also think they could have made a longer, and beefier cord to plug this thing in, the little short cord is just not long enough.

The thing glides smooth, rows nice, and is a good rower. It goes together very easy, took me maybe 5 min to put together. I also spoke to the owner of Lifecore when researching these things, and the guy really knows a lot about rowing machines, and you can tell that he spent a lot of time refining this machine, and he cares about his product. Bottom line, good product, and this is defiantly on the top end of rowing machines.

I like the feel and design of the rower, but like previous reviewer, I find the heart rate monitor to be inaccurate. Sometimes it reads +/-20 bpm lower than my wrist unit and sometimes +/- 20 bpm higher than my wrist unit. I suspect its interference with the magnet, but would have expected the manufacturer to consider this in the design. The dealer contacted LifeCore and they offered no remedy. Not what I'd expect for an $1100 fitness machine.

I did not purchase my R100 through Amazon, however I have decided to post this review here since Amazon appears to have the largest free consumer review database online. Many websites that compile consumer reviews actually link into the reviews posted here. And I wanted to get the word about the Lifecore R100 rower, and why I am confused that it is considered a competitor to the Concept 2 rowers.

First a note on my rowing background: it is limited to rowing machines only, I have never rowed crew in real life. Also, a vast majority of my rowing has been on Concept 2 rowers. I row regularly for fitness both as a stand-alone workout, and integrated into Crossfit-type circuit training. I am no expert rower, but I do have many many hours logged on rowing machines.

After reading the rave reviews I decided to purchase a Lifecore R100 over a Concept 2. I did this against my instincts as I am very familiar with the Concept 2 line of rowers and know that I like them. And I had never used the R100, but I wanted to give the magnetic/wind resistance combination a try. So I picked up a used 2009 R100 in excellent condition from a private seller for $600. And after just one 5K row (approx. 20 minutes), I immediately put the rower up for sale. Here are the reasons why:

1. Poor Ergonomics: One of the big selling points that Lifecore promotes about the R100 is the angled footrests, which are supposed to produce a more ergonomically powerful rowing position. I found the angled footrests to be incredibly troublesome for my rowing. Angling the toes outward causes the legs and knees to spread when you go into the recovery position to begin a stroke. This created a very awkward body position where I couldn't get a good reach toward the front of the rower because my legs were in the way of my arms, which weakened my stroke from the very beginning of the pull. Also, the friction of my arms rubbing my legs was very uncomfortable and caused skin irritation that would likely have become chaffing if I had rowed long enough. This problem was compounded by the fact that the R100 has a very wide monorail which spreads the legs apart even further still. I am 6' and don't have the widest shoulders, but I imagine that one would have to have unusually wide shoulders to not have this problem while using the R100. Aside from my arms being unable to clear my legs, the wide and angled position of my feet felt unnatural and seemed to actually diminish my leg power in the stroke. I did not feel that I was able to generate as much power as I do on a Concept 2. On the Concept 2 my feet are parallel and closer together which creates a tight body position and a good line of power transfer from my hips to my toes, the R100 positions your body in a way that I feel disrupts this power transfer.

Finally, when I finished my row and got up to walk it off, I immediately felt discomfort in my knees which felt very much like strained connective tissue. After rowing 5K I knew without a doubt that the R100 was not going to work for me.

2. The handle: I was very disappointed with the handle. Another big selling point on the Lifecore website is the ergonomic handle. I found the handle to be too skinny. It is fashioned out of what appears to be a hollow aluminum tube sleeved with cheap foam, with plastic end caps. I tend to grip wide on the handle, which was especially necessary on the R100 in order to try to clear my legs with my arms due to the problems mentioned above. And I immediately felt the edges of the plastic end caps digging into my palms as the foam compressed. It was very uncomfortable, and surprising and disappointing to find such a cheaply made and poorly designed handle on a rower that retails for around $1200. The handles on Concept 2 rowers are far superior. Even the old straight wooden handles on Concept 2 model B rowers have a good thickness to them, and are sleeved in a nice comfortable foam rubber that is nicely molded around the ends with no end caps to dig into your hands. The ergonomic handles used on newer Concept 2 models are even better.

3. The computer: A critical piece of information while rowing is your instantaneous pace, this is your speedometer while rowing. The algorithm used by the R100's computer to calculate your pace while rowing is a complete mystery to me as there is no explanation in the manual on how it works. But I observed the computer to be insufficient in giving instantaneous feedback on my pace while rowing. This was very frustrating as I would increase my pace through more power in my stroke, but the increase would not reflect on the Time/500M pace display for several strokes. Perhaps the computer's pace display is an average over the workout, but it definitely was not instantaneous, it did not update every stroke. I couldn't determine how many strokes it would take for a change of pace to reflect on the display, nor could I determine what factors were being used to calculate the pace (i.e. stroke power, strokes per minute, resistance setting (both magnetic and wind)). Again, the manual does not explain how the algorithm calculates your pace. Perhaps the R100 relies more on your heart rate as the main feedback on your performance, but I did not use the heart rate monitor features so I cannot comment on that. By the end of the workout I was frustrated and did not have confidence that the computer was giving me high fidelity information based on the amount of work I had done. The Concept 2 manual does a good job of explaining how your pace is calculated through your strokes per minute, wind resistance setting, and stroke power. More importantly, the Concept 2 computers give you feedback after every stroke which makes is very easy to observe the results of your work and to maintain your target pace.

4. Miscellaneous: I found the R100 to be very solidly built overall, perhaps too solid. It is very heavy and requires two people to lift it safely which makes it very impractical to transport to an outdoor fitness event or to your neighbors garage. The Concept 2 breaks down quickly and easily into two parts, and can be lifted by one person and easily loaded into a vehicle. The fact that the R100 required AC power to use all of the features was something I was willing to live with, but in retrospect I don't know what I was thinking. There is a battery compartment on the R100 computer, but I believe that not all of the features of the rower or display are available while operating on battery power. The recent Concept 2 models do not require AC power and are self powering. Concept 2 computers use batteries but they are supplemental, the computers will work with dead batteries as long as you are rowing. Batteries in a Concept 2 computer also last for a very long time, and the latest Concept 2 computer (PM4) uses rechargeable batteries (they recharge as you row).

One good thing about the R100 is that is has good resale value. I was able to sell it off in one day for $50 more than I paid for it. The next week I found a Concept 2 Model D that was less than a year old and in perfect condition for $600. I bought it and have never looked back. This isn't a review of the Concept 2, although I have done a lot of comparisons throughout the write-up, but I will say that the Concept 2 is a far superior rower and is the industry standard for a reason. And if you are trying to decide between the Lifecore R100 or a Concept 2, choose the Concept 2 and you will have no regrets.

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.

I love this machine. I usually hate doing cariovascular workouts and I hate running and Ive found it to be a beautiful piece of equipment.It is relatively quiet and much quieter than the schwinn airdyne I used to use. It is very sturdily built, has a great seat and I absolutely love the foot spacing on it. I am a big guy (250lbs) and I find it very comfortable. For a guy who hates workouts I unexepctedly find myself jumping on it several times a day for 5-10 minute workouts. It is very user friendly and very easy to work with.It has had a slimming effect on my body and it would be great for a bodybuilder or weightlifter trying to cut up or improve cardio without resorting to higher impact exercises.You can explosively row this machine and do interval routines with ease. Its effect on my back, shoulders and waist has been great and noticeable. I have not used other rowers like the concept 2 so I cannot really compare. I have used an older model A concept 2 and didnt like it that much. However, it is not a fair comparison as Concept 2 has many more modern models on the market such as the model D and E. I have not done any amateur or professional rowing so I cannot say whether any rowing enthusiasts would find this machine useful to training for their sports. For any other fitness enthusiast, fighter, endurance/strength athlete, or couch potato I cannot recommend this machine highly enough.

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.

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!

If you're considering a rowing machine - you owe it to yourself to check out the R100. I have used the Concept 2 at the gym and it was excellent, but I like this rower even better. It is VERY smooth, has numerous rower settings, and an excellent seat. Can even watch / listen to the TV when I'm using it.

GET OFF THE COUCH and get this machine. Use it and live a much healthier life.