First Degree Fitness Newport AR Rower Water Rower Exercise Machine Review

If there is any rowing machine that simulates the real rowing boat then that would be the First Degree Fitness Newport AR Rower Water Rower Exercise Machine. It offers a real rowing experience and designed to fit and suit everyone at any fitness level.

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The Frame/Quality

The frame of this rower is made of steel while the seat rail is made of anodized aluminum. It is very sturdy and stable.

It supports up to 300 pounds maximum user weight capacity and accommodates users between the heights of 5 feet to 6 feet 7’’ inches.

The rail/frame’s dimensions are 6 feet 5 inches long and 21 inches wide.

Other parts that are made of steel are the stabilizers and the support of the water tank.

There are transport wheels at the front base for easy relocation process.

The rower is not foldable but can be stored in a vertical position. It will require a storage area with perimeters of 22 inches long by 21 inches wide by 78 inches high.

The water in the tank does not leak when it is propped up.

The Seat and Handle

The seat and the handle are the major elements that are responsible for comfort when it comes to working out with a rowing machine. If the seat is well-padded and contoured and the handle is ergonomically designed then chances are the user will experience comfortable workouts.

That said, the First Degree Fitness Newport AR Rower Water Rower’s seat is large, contoured, and padded.

It is integrated with concealed rollers and it’s attached to the aluminum rail. Thus, it glides smoothly back and forth.

The handle is ergonomically designed to prevent any sort of stress on the hands and arms because it is slightly curved to suit and provide comfort to any user. It is further covered with a rubber foam material to provide that comfortable feeling to the hands which also prevents blisters and enables the user to have a solid grip on the handle during workouts.

Also, the handle is connected to a highly durable 1’’ nylon strap which is also connected to the pulling and returns mechanism.

Comfort was one key element in mind when the First Degree Fitness Newport Challenge AR Rowing Machine was being manufactured. Its fluid technology provides smooth rowing stroke that is being admired and loved by the users.

The Resistance

The First Degree Fitness Newport Challenge AR Water Rowing Machine has a water resistance system just as the name suggests.

A user experiences resistance each time the handle is pulled because there are paddles inside the water tank that is filled with water. The paddles spin inside the water tank thereby creating the intended resistance required.

One of the characters that are always associated with a water or fan resistance system is the fact that the resistance intensity or difficulty increases whenever the user pulls faster and harder and it gets easier when the user works out slowly.

So the air resistance system is similar to the water-resistance system. When you row faster, the resistance becomes difficult, and when you slow down the resistance becomes less difficult.

This type of resistance is user-friendly because no matter your fitness level you will be able to use it since the resistance applies according to your pulling ability.

Now, the water tank of this rower machine is made of solid polycarbonate material and it is capable of containing about 17 liters of water maximally. The tank is recommended to be filled with water up to 17 liters or at least 9 liters for it to function well. However, the maximum capacity of 17 liters is highly recommended so that the user can always enjoy the full benefit of its proficiency.

Also, you may have noticed that this rower machine has this acronym ‘’AR’’ which stands for adjustable resistance. Yet, we have said earlier that the resistance intensity depends on how fast or slow you pull the handle, however, it does have adjustable resistance.

The resistance could be adjusted by using the resistance setting which could be minimum or maximum. Technically, here is how it works; the tank has two chambers, namely the storage chamber and the active chamber. When a user sets the resistance at a minimum that means it will take few strokes to fill the storage tank leaving only a small amount of water in the active tank which ultimately will be less demanding when working out or pulling the handle.

Whereas, if set at maximum, then the whole water will be inside the active part of the chamber thereby providing the user with a challenging workout.

It is also important to let you know that the rower machine comes with a water treatment conditioner box and a small pump for filling the tank with water. These enable you to fill the tank with water and also be able to treat it to prevent algae growth inside the water tank.

So, you can truly adjust the resistance to suit your fitness level and skill.

The Resistance pros

The water-resistance system closely mimics the real rowing on water partly because of the variable resistance.

It is said to have bearable noise that could allow you to listen to music without having to blast the speakers. Although, it also depends on how faster and harder the user is working out and the setting of the resistance.

Overall, the noise is not a problem but instead, it gives you the feeling of rowing out on a real rowing boat on the water.

Yet another unique feature of the First Degree Fitness Newport AR Rower Water Rower Exercise Machine is the patented dual-chamber tank with fluid technology. A user can experience different or varied resistance during a workout and also have the opportunity to adjust the resistance as well.

The resistance adjustable feature is one that is not commonly found in rowing machines except the likes of Concept2 D Model and Concept2 E Model which are kind of unique as well because these rowers do not have a water resistance system.

The fact that this machine’s resistance is adjustable also means that different users of different skills or fitness levels can use it. Both beginners and advanced users will find it very appealing.

Due to the design of the resistance system with fluid technology, it offers smooth workout experience without any sort of obstruction that could cause annoyance or even injury or soreness in the joints.

The Monitor

The First Degree Fitness Newport Challenge AR Rower is equipped with a performance monitor that is capable of showing workout data such as the time,500M time, tank resistance level, heart rate, stroke per minute, calories per hour, and watts which allows the user to keep track of workout progress.

These workout data are the necessary information needed by a user to be on top of achieving fitness goals and also be able to remain focused.

It has high readability that won’t place unnecessary strain on the eyes; although it has to be used in a well-lit room or area because it is not a back-lit type of monitor.

A user has the opportunity to set a preferred distance by pushing the ‘’ADD 100M EACH TOUCH BUTTON’’.

The monitor can be synchronized with the water tank to provide accurate tracking information. Let’s say the setting on the monitor is level 1 and the setting on the water tank resistance is level 4, this means there will be an inaccurate supply of data by the console. The settings on both the water tank resistance and the monitor have to be the same so that the correct information will be created and be shown.

A user should be able to monitor the calories burned as well and there is a USB feature available on the console that allows the user to connect a computer to the monitor. This means that a user can use NetAthlon 2 XF for Fluid Rowers program that makes competing virtually with other people on the internet possible.

The monitor comes on when rowing activity is resumed on the rower and it gets back to a default whenever activity stops for 5 seconds. The stroke per minute, watt, and 500M will be zero, whereas distance and time will be saved and the calorie/hour will become total calories.

The console is powered by 2 AA batteries which are included upon purchase of the rowing machine.

However, it is important to let you know that you will have to purchase the heart rate separately if you wish to monitor your heart rate during a workout. This is optional and does not cost much to acquire one.

Approval Rating

An approval rating is one aspect that cannot be ignored when looking up fitness equipment to purchase because that tells you almost everything you need to know about the machine in a nutshell.

And of course, we consider the feedback and the reviews by real users of any given machine we intend to review because you get to know if the claims of manufacturers can be collaborated with what the end-users are saying.

So, in the case of the First Degree Fitness Newport AR Rower Water Rower Exercise Machine, the machine has got some positive feedbacks and approval rating that says it is recommendable.

Ordinarily, this is a good sign and an indication that you should consider purchasing the machine but not without some additional examination.

As at the time this review was written the approval rating of this unit is 4.6 out of 5 on Amazon after 52 customer reviews which indicate that the users reviewed the machine favorably.

 Pros Overview

• It does possess a solid frame and very sturdy as well
• Great and suits all individuals of different fitness levels both beginners and advanced
• It mimics the real rowing boat and provides the feeling
• It has got ergonomically designed handle that makes pulling very comfortable
• It has got concealed track for seat rollers which prevent dirt from causing damage
• Well designed and padded seat
• It has got adjustable resistance that allows users to find their preferred and suitable resistance level
• Ability to connect to the PC or computer to compete on the internet
• Storage can be done vertically thereby saving a lot of space
• It has got a monitor that enables a user to keep track of workout progress
• Transport wheels available for easy relocation and storage
• Easy to assemble
• Considerably quiet during operation
• Has a good warranty
• Supports up to 300 pounds maximum user weight capacity

Cons

• The machine does not include heart rate upon purchase (have to be purchased separately

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Product Dimensions

• 78’’ Length
• 21’’ Width
• 20’’ Height
• Weighs about 60 pounds without water in the tank
• Supports up to 300 pounds

Warranty

• 5 years on Frame
• 3 years on Tank and Seals
• 2 years on Mechanicals
• 1 Year on Wear parts

Shipping, Assembly, and Maintenance

Shipping

The shipping of the First Degree Fitness Newport AR Rower Water Rower Exercise Machine depends on where you are purchasing the machine from. Retailers have different policies regards to shipping, however, Amazon usually provides free shipping.

Assembly

To assemble this unit is pretty easy as the major components are preassembled. Moreover, it is relatively easy and simple to assemble since it is accompanied by an instruction manual that could walk you through the process of assembly without much stress.

You basically need to attach the rear base, and then attach the seat rail on the frame and then the seat. Fix the batteries into the console and then fill in the water tank with water as it comes without water in it.

The tools required for assembly are included.

Maintenance

The maintenance of this machine is very minimal because the rail that should have required maintenance is concealed by design and so that leaves you with the treatment of the water. This is not also a big deal because you take delivery of the unit with the water treatment pack included so that you can treat the water in the tank from time to time to avoid seaweed growing in it.

Conclusion

There is nothing that is ever perfect and that includes the First Degree Fitness Newport AR Rower Water Rower Exercise Machine.

But the good news is that the upside of the machine outweighs the downside greatly.

96% of the 52 Amazon customers that reviewed the machine gave it thumbs up and they will surely recommend it.

The reason is very obvious because it is undeniably a very solid and sturdy machine that has unique features such as the fluid technology and adjustable resistance. These features are not commonly found in rowing machines.

It also offers the feel of rowing a real rower with minimal noise that could allow you to listen to music or watch your favorite TV show; however, this depends on how hard you are working out though.

Even though some users have complained about the resistance being too easy, the majority of the users do not have any qualms about the resistance. Also, the complaints came from very few people that might also not know how the resistance works because the faster you row the harder and challenging the workout becomes, and the slower you row the easier the workout becomes. It is as simple as that.

Overall, this is a very recommendable machine that HTBTB would recommend even though we think that the machine ought to have come with the heart rate instead of having to purchase it separately and optionally.

If you don’t have anything against rowing machines with an air resistance system we strongly recommend you look up the Concept2 Model E Rowing Machine.

Do not hesitate to holler at us if you have any questions and we shall be very glad to respond accordingly.