Customer Reviews

Rowing Machine Companion

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

 

 

Overall, I'm glad I got this DVD because it is beneficial with regard to keeping good form by simply watching the rower in front of you. It also has workouts that have you rowing with different strength and emphasis at certain times for more of an interval workout rather than just hopping on and rowing at some steady speed. My workout on it does seem to go a bit quicker and I'm watching the clock less despite there being a countdown clock in the corner as it plays. It was clearly shot many years ago as evidenced by the minimally acceptable at best picture quality, even on my 1080p upscaling DVD player. The sound quality is poor so when it's time to do a "power 10" you can barely hear him say that. It would be nice to get some short scenery shots in there now and then too rather than focus on the back of the rower every single moment. Again, that's very beneficial for the workout, but I don't think a few 10-15 second shots to the side for some scenery would impact the quality of the workout video and would make it more realistic.

I like that it has a beginner, intermediate and advanced workout, but I wish it had more of a variety of each on there. Back when it was originally done perhaps there wasn't room for multiple workout tracks, but in this day and age you can jam oodles of things on a DVD. I think that if a new one was shot now with several more workouts for each level, with HD picture quality and better sound that it could be fabulous and I'd certainly invest in it.

I have owned the Rowing Machine Companion in VHS for many years. When DVD came in. I did my best to find it in DVD, but to no avail! A friend copied the tape for me, when my VHS machine pooped out. I know I shouldn't admit this but I was frustrated that the author did not make it available in DVD at that time. About the first of February 2010, I was just playing around on Amazon and by golly I found it in DVD. I ordered it immediately, but I am partically disappointed with quality. This DVD has the added benefit of a table of contents. I can just "click" to the row I want! My "Micky-mouse" copy was unable to click from one row to another, and the copy is distracting for its flaws.
I would like to comment on another review I saw here: The reviewer did not like this DVD very much. I understand his feelings but I have come to "love" this production. As with any repetitive exercise it can get boring. But it is very important to keep the correct posture and cadence in rowing. I found that if I sloff off like many of us would do momentarily, watching the back of the rower on screen, helps remind me to stay with the motion of rowing and watch my posture. If I try very hard to keep up with the rowers back movement, I find I am benefiting much more. I also like the on screen count-down timer. Without the timer I am prone to stop before my 24 minutes are up. At 68, I find it helps me walk 40 minutes at least once a day. And walking motivates me to do my rowing. And visa-versa! I know rowing is not the "in" thing these days, but I found it very 'healthful". And easier than an ellipitical.

Additional note: I revised my opinion of this product and dropped it two stars, as this seems to be a copy of the VHS version and is very light (appearing overexposed). But never the less if it helps you keep your mind on rowing, with the correct posture, then I think it does it's job. We must remember "rowing" as out of favor for the masses to exercise with. Mine is an excellant machine for the home. but alas the company is out of business now due to lack of interest on the public's part.

This DVD gives a great opportunity to work on form, especially for sweeping, but is too short. At the end of the DVD you are invited to call a phone number to request a longer DVD, but my message was not returned. I really like the interval work, but could use a longer warm up with some focus drills.

This video enables you to stay in good form and is nice to feel like you are out on the water. The audio and video quality are not too good, but I knew that going in.

Nice DVD with warm up the a 6min row or a 22 min row. I Really like it

The product arrived promptly, but I did not have an opportunity to play it until just last week. It is exactly what I had hoped it would be and more. Sitting on a rowing machine staring at a wall requires a lot of discipline. The dvd makes the experience a bit more real and certainly helps with timing and technique. I would recommend this product.

I first purchased the VHS version, then later the DVD. I've not seen anything quite like it anywhere else. With that said I must say it is past time a new and higher quality version should be produced. This DVD is just the old VHS tape captured video in a DVD format, which is okay but it could be so much more. I now have a huge 1080p TV and a BlueRay player, and I guess I'm a little spoiled by that. Still, the potential for profit will eventually have someone make high definition rowing video and I just don't want to wait. Maybe I should make one...... Ummm, nevermind.

the rowing machine companion dvd is not all that bad, not much to see or hear but then again, when you row, its all about getting into the rhythm. brought me back to my college days when i used to row on the crew team. put some music on, get on your rower and enjoy.

When you can't get out on the water this is the next best thing! I just wish I had the sliders for my erg when I use this!

This is a water-level view of sculling which gives a pretty realistic feel of rowing along a waterway. There are several workouts in varying degrees of difficulty. The viewpoint for all workouts is of a male rower's back as he rows in front of you, and you have to match his pace. Not bad. I think it would be better if the male rower were gone and all I see is the beautiful waterway, but as it is, it's pretty good.