Proteus PAR-5500 Commercial Club Series Rowing Machine

by HCI Fitness

Product Features

• Commercial-grade rowing machine with both air and magnetic resistance systems
• Combines "on the water" feel of air resistance with strength and smoothness of magnetic resistance
• Comfortable ergo seat with underside seat rollers for exceptional gliding
• Oversized, easy-to-read LCD display panel with 16 resistance levels
• 280-pound capacity; measures 96 x 31 x 19 inches (W x H x D); weighs 100 pounds

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description

The Proteus PAR-5500 folds for easy storage.

Get fit without trudging to the gym day after day with the Proteus PAR-5500 Club Series rowing machine. The professional-grade PAR-5500 makes use of both air and magnetic resistance systems to create a genuine rowing experience. The air resistance system provides an "on the water" feel, so your body will believe you're rowing on the Thames even if your mind doesn't. The linear magnetic resistance system, meanwhile, provides the strength and smoothness you've come to expect from gym machines.

The machine also includes a comfortable ergo seat with unique seat rollers located on the underside of the seat rail. This not only prevents dust and dirt from gathering on the rail, but it also helps the seat glide exceptionally well with each stroke. And thanks to the pivoting foot pedals--which offer five adjustable levels--you can easily optimize your position on the rowing machine. As a whole, the PAR-5500's ergonomic, high-quality design makes it perfectly suited for both cardio workouts and endurance training.

To keep your workouts on track, the PAR-5500 offers an oversized, easy-to-read LCD display panel and an advanced computer with 16 levels of electronically controlled resistance. Users can also turn to the 15 preset workout programs, which include six preprogrammed workouts, four user-controlled workouts, four heart-rate-controlled workouts, and one watt-control program. During each program, the computer will automatically increase and decrease the resistance level according to the profiles shown on the LCD display. Other features include a built-in cooling fan, transport wheels for easy transport, and a folding frame for storage.

An easy-to-read LCD display panel offers an advanced computer with 16 levels of electronically controlled resistance.

Specifications:

• Frame: Commercial aircraft grade aluminum
• Resistance levels: 16
• Recovery function: Yes
• Display panel: 16 columns
• Distance display: 100m, with feedback windows
• Feedback: Time, 500m split time, strokes per minute, total strokes, distance, watts, calories, and HR
• Displayed when not in use: Clock, alarm, date, and temperature
• Programs: Manual, P1-P12, heart rate control, race, and user
• Heart rate measurement: Built-in receiver
• Max capacity: 280 pounds
• Dimensions: 96 x 31 by 19 inches (W x H x D)
• Weight: 100 pounds

Product Description

The Professional grade construction and design of the Proteus PAR-5500 Commercial Club Series Rower is based on stringent European manufacturing regulations for exercise equipment. The design of the Proteus PAR-5500 Commercial Club Series Rower and makes use of both air and magnetic resistance. By combining these 2 resistance systems, you are able to enjoy the on the water feeling of the air resistance and the strength & smoothness of the linear magnetic resistance system.

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 96 x 19 x 31 inches ; 100 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 100 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: This item can only be shipped to the 48 contiguous states. We regret it cannot be shipped to APO/FPO, Hawaii, Alaska, or Puerto Rico.
• Shipping Advisory: This item must be shipped separately from other items in your order. Additional shipping charges will not apply.
• ASIN: B002NRFSS2
• Item model number: PAR-5500
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #183,954 in Sports & Outdoors (See Top 100 in Sports & Outdoors)
  • #51 in Sports & Outdoors > Exercise & Fitness > Cardio Training > Rowers

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Love the machine, just have one issue, December 2, 2009

By 

K. Ringel - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Proteus PAR-5500 Commercial Club Series Rowing Machine (Sports)

EDIT: I'm editing my original review up to 5 stars. The machine is great, and I found my error on how to get customer service. Looking again at the product page, I saw an "other products from HCI Fitness" link. HCI Fitness is in Seattle, and looks like who I'd contact to resolve any further service problems. It certainly isn't obvious from what's inside the box, but now I know and feel much more confident about the machine. Below is my original review:

There is only one reason I'm not giving this product five stars. On my first workout on this machine, I got about 2/3 through when suddenly the computer displayed an "E-2" error. I tried power cycling the machine, but "E-2" came back. That's when I went to the manual to look for customer service.

The only contact info of any kind that I found was the company website. The website URL is shared with "Zeta & Co" auto parts, and clicking through to Proteus Fitness revealed a pretty basic and Taiwan-based website. I could either call or email Taiwan. I chose email. To the company's credit, I received a response in 24 hours, with a Word doc with pictures on what I might look for to troubleshoot the E-2 error. As it turns out, in that time my husband unplugged and plugged the machine back in several times and the error cleared itself. We think it isn't a computer problem, but rather perhaps something with the magnetic resistance getting stuck that aborted the workout program. But what if it hadn't worked out? What if it's flawed in some way still? How would I get this machine fixed? They really need a U.S. customer service line or something that instills a little more confidence.

We've had a couple error-free workouts on the machine since. The machine itself is fantastic... smooth mechanical operation, well-constructed. The workout programs are great. We especially like that they aren't fixed length... you can choose the workout profile and separately the workout time and one will scale to the other. So far, we're keeping the machine, but I'm checking Amazon's return policy so I know what I'm dealing with. If it remains error free before a return period is up, we'll probably roll the dice and keep it. We love it that much. If it craps out again, sadly it will have to go back to Amazon rather than have some reasonable repair path available.

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great rower that lives up to the hype, November 1, 2009

By 

GettinFit (Phoenix, AZ) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Proteus PAR-5500 Commercial Club Series Rowing Machine (Sports)

Almost pulled the trigger on the Concept 2 but was convinced by a friend to check out the Proteus Rower (we each ended up buying one). This rower is definitely commercial quality as advertised from head to toe. I am very impressed with the fit and form of all components, the European manufacturing influence is very noticeable. Display panel provides more than I will ever need but it is great to have all of the options. Extremely smooth workout, so far so good. I will keep you posted.

4 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Still waiting to see what happens..., March 3, 2010

By 

William F. Rieck II "Bill" (San Antonio, TX) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Proteus PAR-5500 Commercial Club Series Rowing Machine (Sports)

Got this for $700 during a lightning deal, thiking it was a good price. As usual, got it on time and everything was OK with Amazon. However, after spending a few hours putting it all together and finally starting to use it, the handle/cable would not fully retract, and at times, not retract at all. I called the company for the rower, and they were shocked that this model would have any problems, and said there's nothing I could do to fix it, but rather that I needed to contact AMZ to get a replacement.
So AMZ immediately sent me a replacement, but I had to pack up the first one in the box for the new one and ship it back. Although they attempted to send a USPS label, I told them the USPS would never pick that up, and that it had to go back UPS. they said that I had to go ship it myself, and that they would reimburse for shipping. However, after the UPS driver delivered the 2nd one, he said not to do that, but rather have AMZ issue a "call tag."
They did, and the defective one has now been picked up. the new one seems to be retracting OK so far - but I wonder if I'm going to have this problem in the future, and what will happen if I do... I did not notice that this has any kind of manufacturer's warranty....
Anyway, I got good service, but for $700, I would have expected a good machine and not to have to worry about it breaking down...