Merax Magnetic Rowing Machine Foldable Exercise Rower 14-Level Adjustable Resistance for Cardio

I have waited about 9 months to review this machine to see how it held up under regular use. I am a healthy, active, still working 73 year old who uses the machine along with other exercises to keep in shape after cardiac surgery. Machine has also been used by other family members, mostly by my athletic 15 year old grand son who is involved in track, cross country, etc. to keep in shape over winter. This review is based on performance after several thousand hours of use. Below are most outstanding features of this rower.COMPACTNESS: Outstanding solid machine for small places. I have an office/spare bedroom/ exercise room with treatmill, weights, and rowing machine, desks, bookshelves, bed... and need device that fits into small places. In folded format this machine can fit in about 18"x24" space. Takes a few tries to get right mechanics, but I can fold or unfold in less than a minute.STURDY: I have used perhaps 4 other models of rowing machines in gyms over my lifetime. This model works same as most basic machines and is very solid. After 9 months of regular use it is still holding up well. True test came when my 15 year old very athletic grandson decided he needed to keep in shape this winter and used this machine on high settings for 60+ minutes at a time. Solid, sturdy, durable machine.AFFORDABLE: I paid a little over $200, but seasonally can be obtained for less. I find this device equal to the rowing machines that I have used costing 3-5 times as much. True, it not a dynamic simulated crew rowing device, but is similar in function to other rowing motion exercise machines, and very affordable.QUIET SMOOTH MOTION: One of quitest rowing machines I have used.IMPROVEMENTS: ADD IPAD HOLDER: The machine does not have any where to hold kindle or ipad, which I find useful when exercising as distraction. Solution was to tape an $8 ipad holder to top of machine. Works great and machine is smooth enough so vibrations. Don't dislodge ipad. PUT LIGHT ON TIMER: The timer, row counter, calorie counter is marginally adequate and has basic functions needed to exercise but hard to see in dim or even normal lighting. A 50 cent backlight would help. I really don't need an expensive progamable device, but again with todays electronitics, would probably not cost much to upgrade. Other problems with timer such as wire fraying and timer not working can be overcome with careful attention to wire position at assembage. I have not had these problems, just can's see numbers on device without light directed to display.Hope this review is helpful to others.

The delivery was a little later than promised but in their defense, it was the same week that Covid 19 vaccines were being sent out for the first time, I still got it before Christmas, YAY! I was able to assemble it myself in about 45min to an hour (I am a 56 year old female with common sense and have built IKEA furniture in the past). The directions were fine. I have rowed 2 times so far and I love it. It seems quiet enough, I was able to watch a TV show while rowing. I am 5 feet tall with short legs so when I am crunched the handle taps on the wheel case, that was the more noticeable noise. Also on the note of being a smaller person; I wear a 6-61/2 shoe size(still an average size, I think) and the pedal straps were positioned to high up to hold my foot securely. It was an easy fix, just took them out of the slots and moved the below the axil, they are not held in place but that is not a problem when my feet are strapped in it's all good. The rowing seems good to me, smooth. Now the monitor... different story. The reviews did warn that it was hard to read...it is nearly impossible without a flash light. Plus, setting it seems to be difficult. I can't clear it, it has the same numbers each time. I just left it. Honestly, that won't make me send it back. I will simply time myself. I may have my husband look at it at some point. For me, it's great so far. I just want to feel better in these strange times of pandemic. I walk with my dogs most everyday, but this give me more and is not weather pending. And the price fit my budget.

I usually don't take the time to write reviews but I am so happy with the Merax rower. What an amazing buy! It's not expensive, is very quiet (the only thing that I hear is the belt going back into the machine otherwise its silent), small and easily put away. It took my husband about 25 min to put together. I, my husband and my 2 boys love it. I can't wait to shed the remaining fat that I cant get rid of with diet alone. It is very powerful. Glad I did not get a more powerful machine and paid more, I would't need it. I keep it at setting 3-4 (to mimic water rowing). At 8, its too strong for me. Im a woman by the way (145lbs, 5'5). This is the best exercise equipment we have now. The only thing is the seat could be a little softer other than that would give this product 10 stars. I don't care about the screen being small. I don't pay attention to that anyway. I've researched many other machines and am so happy I chose this one. I plan to use this almost every day, and maybe several times a day, since its so addictive.

I am sure the expert on training equipment will have better choices. For the price I don't think you can beat the effectiveness of this row equipment. It's easy to assemble, it's easy to use. It doesn't have Bluetooth or a video monitor to show you movies while you row but it works great. The only gripe about it I add is that the foot assembly could be improved. I often sit down with different type of sneakers or even barefooted. There is no easy adjustment to these changing circumstances. Would be great to use this barefooted.For the money I got my value of exercising, while listening to music from my basement stereo. The simplicity is one thing that I believe makes this long-lasting. I will find out.

Considering this is a low end rower that costs about 1/4 of the price of the high end rowers , this rower is a very good machine. I've never used a rowing machine before and I'm 6' 195lbs and this rower accommodates me very well. It's easy to put together and very sturdy. I've had it for a month and use it 2-3 times per week for 15-30 minute sessions. I use it as a part of my overall fitness workouts. The resistance is not super tough, but its ok. If you are pretty fit, I recommend setting the resistance high and doing intervals for a good cardio burn. Overall, it's pretty good if you are looking to add some rowing to your fitness regimen and you can't or don't want to spend $1000 on high end machines just yet.