- Folding rowing machine for the home with 8 levels of magnetic resistance
- 12 preset programs and 1 heart rate control program compatible with Polar heart rate monitoring products
- Features a low-profile design and pivoting heel supports
- Measures 70 by 20 by 25 inches unfolded; 350-pound weight capacity
- Warranty information: three years on parts, on year on labor
Customer reviews Lifecore R900:
Look No Further!!, February 17, 2007
By John C. Simpson (Kennesaw, GA USA)
Faithful readers may have read the review of my previous dealings with a rower from Brand X. I have been using this rower for a few weeks now and I am very pleased. As other reviewers have noticed, the magnetic resistance is very quiet. I sometimes get rattling from the seat, but not much. Okay, unlike other machines, the max weight limit on this machine is 350 pounds (not 250). The LCD display is great in my dim basement, the heart rate feature is the HEAT! I waited to try that feature before I wrote this review. It's compatible with my Polar Heart Rate Monitor's existing chest strap(one is supplied anyway). The pulse program is useful as it raises resistance to raise your heart beat to a preset target and also reduces resistance to lower your heart rate to the target rate. There is even a pulse recovery feature for when you stop rowing. It monitors how quickly your heart rate recovers in a minute and displays your score from 1-6 to the nearest tenth. The preset programs and options are varied enough to prevent boredom. If there is any drawback, it's the way that the operator's manual needs a couple of readings to get the meaning across. In fact, I basically tell you more about the Pulse Recovery feature than they do in the manual. Barring that, I was able to assemble the rower by myself in one session using the tools that came with it. Overall, a very satisfactory balance between price and features.**UPDATE** 16 March 2007: I had a part break in the seat. I called Customer Service and not only spoke to a human being, but a human being in the States! The part was on it's way THAT DAY. Now THAT is what I call a positive experience.
Not good for intense aerobic exercise, OK for less intense exercise?, August 16, 2007
By Light Pebble
The R900 has 8 levels of resistance and one heart rate control program. Not 20 or 16 levels of resistance and 3 heart rate control programs, as Lifecore Fitness's website used to say.
Magnetic resistance, which is what the R900 has, feels different from air or water resistance. Magnetic resistance doesn't change with the velocity at which you're pulling the bar, but air/water resistance increases with the velocity. That means that with air/water resistance you can kick off hard with your legs, getting a lot of resistance, and take it easy on your arms. So you can put out a lot of power, using the most powerful muscles in your body - getting your heart rate as high as you want - and burning a lot of calories. On the Concept 2 at the gym, which has air resistance, I can easily get my heart rate up to 170+. When I was snowed in the other day I tried working out on the R900 but I could only get my heart rate up to 141. Almost everybody I see rowing at the gym is not kicking off hard, though, and they could get the same workout on a magnetic rower.
The magnetic resistance is very gentle on your joints for this reason, so maybe it's actually better for people with joint problems.
Rowing machines aren't like other exercise machines, where you can just hop on and do it. Rowing technique is illustrated in the "Flip Luisi" video online. It's like a complicated dance step. Kicking off hard doesn't mean you have to go at a high strokes/minute, because with the right technique, the return stroke is controlled so you slow down somewhat.
Read More Lifecore R900>>>
Very good quality, June 27, 2007
By Maryland Gentleman (MD)
This is a very good quality machine especially for home puposes. I did not use the heart feature but the machine works very well. Its easy to install. The only thing you may want to take note is that the seat goes in from the back of the machine. ( its a bit unclear in the manual), otherwise the machine works well and is great for a workout for people who like a rowing machine.
It stores easily and even rolls on a hard floor, does not roll well on carpet. Its a nice model and they have good customer service. One thing I may point out, if you have hip arthritis, you might want to contact your Dr. first as when you lean forward your knees end up high above your waist line, which would be fine for most, but for someone with bad hip arthritis or someone with a hip replacement this may be something to consider. Enjoy your workout and I hope this helps in your decision.
