META: Curious if the Stamina X Air Rower is right for you? This guide will provide a detailed breakdown of the product along with our thoughts and opinions.
If you’re looking for an at-home rowing machine, one of the options you’ll likely come across is the Stamina X Air Rower. This machine’s resistance comes courtesy of a fan, which could provide for some intense workouts. Curious if the Stamina X Air Rower is right for you? This guide will provide a detailed breakdown of the product along with our thoughts and opinions.
What is the Stamina X Air Rower and How Does It Work?
Photo credit by: fitandme.com
According to the Stamina website, this product is for someone who is “ready to take their workout and fitness to the extreme.” The rower relies on a fan to provide resistance for a workout, helping to improve your cardiovascular fitness thanks to high-intensity interval training. The rower can also strengthen various muscle groups, including your:
- Back
- Core
- Biceps, Triceps, and Forearms
Stamina built this product with a steel frame, lending to the product’s durability. The rowing handle connects to the rowing chain, which then connects to the fan inside of the metal housing. Unlike magnetic rowers, which allow users to set their intensity level, this unit adjusts to the users’ resistance automatically based on the users’ intensity.
The X Air Rower also comes with a comfortable molded seat that allows you to sit for long periods of time without being bothered by an uncomfortable chair. Additionally, Stamina included a monitor on the device as well, allowing you to track statistics that are vital to your workout, including the total distance traveled, total calories burned, total strokes, speed, time, and strokes per minute.
Stamina also made the unit foldable, allowing users to pack and store it anywhere in their home quickly. The rower comes with wheels on the bottom of the device so that you can roll the piece of equipment to a convenient location. The rower features a sleek design that is black and red. Unfortunately, there are no other color options available. The X Air Rower measures 78.5” x 18” x 29” and weighs 63 pounds.
What Makes the Stamina X Air Rower Unique?
One of the features that sets the Stamina X Air Rower apart is the fact that it features an angled seat rail, which makes for an easy return. The X Air Rower provides a smooth workout as a result, as users can glide back and forth on their rower without issue. Additionally, users can do so in a comfortable position. The molded seat allows people to sit on their rower for hours without discomfort.
The X Air Rower also features a very durable design. Stamina made the entire unit from steel, which helps ensure the rower can last for years. The rowing chain is also quite sturdy as well. Another unique design feature that Stamina included are pivoting footplates, making it easy for users to get in and out of the equipment.
Furthermore, the monitor that Stamina included on its X Air Rower model is top-notch. Some air rowers do not come with monitors, but Stamina’s monitor contains a wide array of statistics. Accessibility to these statistics can help keep users motivated during their workouts, allowing them to break through plateaus and reach new heights while exercising.
Pricing
If choosing to purchase from the Stamina website, the cost is $399. This is down from the original price of the product, which was $549. However, customers may be able to find the unit cheaper when searching elsewhere online. For example, the product costs $385 on Amazon. The product costs $399 on Walmart’s website, but users must pay an additional fee for insurance.
Stamina offers a pretty good warranty for the X Air Rower as well. When ordering from the company website, the product comes with a three-year warranty on the frame and a 90-day warranty on the parts. If a part breaks, you can contact Stamina for a replacement. The company may request that you return the product or part for repair or replacement.
There is no mention of a warranty on Amazon’s website. Stamina may not offer the warranty on the unit if you purchase it from a third-party seller. So, although the product is a bit cheaper on Amazon, it could perhaps be in your best interest to pay slightly more money to purchase it from Stamina directly. With a high-quality warranty, the product could end up lasting for years, proving to be quite durable.
Additionally, there is free shipping when ordering from the Stamina website. The product is available on Amazon as a Prime product, meaning those with a membership will also receive free shipping. But if you do not have a Prime plan, the cost could add up considerably, and it would again be more worth your while to purchase the product from Stamina directly.
Public Perception
The general opinion of this rower is that it is an above-average device that is ideal for home use. The product has a 3.5-star rating on Amazon with just under 140 customer reviews. However, those reviews seemed to be rather widespread. Only 37 percent of customers gave the product a five-star rating on Amazon, while 25 percent gave it either a two or one-star rating.
Some customers remarked that they felt as though they received incredible value for this product. They were happy with the workouts they obtained while using the equipment and felt as though it was the perfect addition to their home gym. On the other hand, some customers complained that the machine did not function properly out of the box, resulting in frustrating delays.
The customer reviews on the Stamina website are a bit more skewed. There, the product has a 4.4-star rating with 85 reviews. Customers rated the quality of the product as a 4.5 and the value of the product as a 4.6. The sole one-star review here was from a customer who found that the fan did not provide enough resistance for their liking.
How it Compares
The Stamina X Air Rower is one of many models available on the market today, two of which are the RW5623 Air Rower from Sunny Health & Fitness and the Concept2 Model E Indoor Rowing Machine. Comparing the X Air Rower to these two machines can allow buyers to make a better-informed decision about their purchase.
Sunny Health & Fitness RW5623 Air Rower v. Stamina X Air Rower
Photo credit by: pinterest.com
The rower from Sunny Health & Fitness is available on Amazon for $280. Unlike the X Air Rower, which allows users to set the resistance levels based on the fluctuating intensity of their workouts, the RW5623 comes with eight pre-programmed levels of adjustable resistance. The company also says that the fan adds additional resistance, creating a dynamic response every time the user completes a stroke.
Like the X Air Rower, this piece of equipment also features a padded seed and handlebars with a non-slip grip. The RW5623 also comes with anti-slip foot pedals and adjustable straps so that the person using the machine can secure themselves into a comfortable position. The RW5623 also comes with a digital display, although it only shows the time, stroke count, calories, and average stroke count.
Also like the X Air Row, this product comes with portability wheels, making it easy to transport from one location to another. The product also comes with a three-year manufacturer’s warranty on the frame and a 90-day warranty on all other parts and components. The product features a 3.9-star rating on Amazon with 100 customer reviews.
Concept2 v. X Air Rower
Photo credit by: amazon.com
When it comes to air rowers, the Concept2 is a top-of-the-line model that is ideal for experts who are looking to take their workouts to the next level. You can purchase the product on Amazon for $945, which is considerably more expensive than the X Air Rower. The Concept2 is available in two colors, black and light gray.
The Concept2 comes with a 14-inch seat height, as well as an ergonomic handle and adjustable footrests. The Concept2 also features a weight capacity of 500 pounds, compared to the 250-pound weight capacity of the X Air Rower. This means that a broader array of people can use the Concept2 compared to the X Air Rower.
With the Concept2, customers get for what they pay. The model is considerably more expensive than the X Air Rower, but it could be well worth the cost. The digital display on the Concept2 displays real-time data thanks to the Performance Monitor that comes included with the device. You can also sync the Performance Monitor to third-party heart rate belts and apps for even more accurate readings.
Another feature that sets the Concept2 apart is how easy it is to put together and take apart. The device comes with wheels to make it mobile, just as the X Air Rower. But, those using the Concept2 can also detach it into two pieces easily. Not only does this make it easy to carry, but it also makes for a more accessible storage option. Assembly is as straightforward as inserting eight screws.
Lastly, the device comes with limited two and five-year warranties. The frame is covered under the five-year warranty while the company covers parts and other components under the two-year warranty. When it comes to air rowers, the Concept2 is arguably the best. It features a 4.9-star rating on Amazon with nearly 1,800 customer reviews. Amazon considers it the #1 Best Seller for Rowing Machines.
What We Think
If you’re a beginner to a moderate-level rower who is looking to invest in a quality piece of equipment, the X Air Rower could be an excellent choice. When we tested the product, one of the things that stood out most to us was the product’s sleek design. We noticed the red and black steel frame and appreciated the fact that we could fold and transport the device quickly.
There were also three performance-related aspects of the X Air Rower that stood out to our team during testing. First was the seat on the equipment. The position is quite comfortable. When we had completed our workouts, we did not find ourselves with sore backsides. In our opinion, Stamina did an excellent job designing a satisfactory product for its customers.
The second feature that stood out to us was the LCD monitor that came included with the unit. We were big fans of the numerous facts that this display showed us during our workouts. Having access to such real-time statistics could allow you to fine-tune your workouts and dial into the next level. Lastly, we were also very impressed by the fact users could set their resistance levels thanks to the responsive fan.
Although we typically view Amazon as an excellent buying option, in this case, we believe it’s better to buy from Stamina directly. The cost difference between the two is nominal and is not worth forfeiting the product warranty. Customers are better off paying the extra few dollars to ensure they receive the three-year warranty. We found the cost of the X Air Rower to be appropriate.
If you’re a fitness expert who is looking for intense workouts to help reach new peaks, you may want to consider different air rower models, such as the Concept2. But for beginners who are looking for a way to get a fantastic cardio workout in the comfort of their home, the X Air Rower should be an excellent choice to do so.
That’s because the X Air Rower focuses on simplicity. No, you will not gain access to fancy bells and whistles such as speakers or heart rate monitoring. But you’ll receive a product that you can trust to work well thanks to a durable frame and sturdy design. If you care for your product, there’s no reason why it shouldn’t last you for years.
The Stamina X Air Rower could also be an excellent choice for families. It is sized to fit users as tall as 6’5” or those who weigh up to 250 pounds. Thanks to the adjustable foot pedals, it’s easy to change from one user to the next. Thus, the X Air Rower makes for a reasonable investment that could help keep your family in shape for years. Be sure to consider Stamina when choosing your next air rower.