Stamina 1205 Precision Rower Review

Do you have limited workout space but plenty of motivation? Turn to the Stamina 1205 precision rowing machine, which offers a compact footprint of only 32.5 inches wide by 48 inches long, but offers the same terrific workout as machines twice its size. The Stamina 1205 mimics the smooth motion of rowing on the water, with a padded seat that glides on a ball-bearing roller system, rowing arms whose resistance is adjusted by hydraulic cylinders, and foam grips that keep your hands stable and comfortable. The multifunction fitness monitor, meanwhile, keeps you motivated and on track to reach your fitness goals, showing your speed, distance, time, stroke count, and calories burned. And users will love the thick padded seat and pivoting footplates, which combine to provide comfort and support during your workout. Other features include a precision extruded aluminum beam, a silver steel frame, a five-year warranty on the frame, and a 90-day warranty on parts.

Product Features

• Precision rowing machine with deluxe ball-bearing rolling system
• Smooth hydraulic cylinder action with adjustable tension controls
• Multifunction fitness monitor tracks speed, distance, strokes, and more
• Thick padded seat and pivoting footplates for maximum comfort
• Measures 32.5 x 27.75 x 48 inches (W x H x D); weighs 47 pounds

Review
I bought a used rower years ago and came to work it several times a week. I'm a busy person, so I don't have time for a sophisticated work out routine. I just want to work one machine for both strength and aerobic training. Rowing is great for this purpose. When I broke my rower, I started shopping. Unfortunately, even used rowers are over $100. I struggled with this model versus the smaller ones that stand up vertically for easy storage. I couldn't find any reviews on this that addressed the storage question. Finally, I chose it because it didn't look like I could break it from normal usage, whereas the kind that fold nicely seem flimsy.

Pros:
- This machine is very sturdy. It's solid, stable, and does not rock at all when in use.
- It is amazingly quiet. The only sound is the whisper of the pistons. I can use it with the TV on normal volume.
- The seat is very comfortable. I sat on it for 30 minutes the first time with no discomfort.

Cons:
- It does not fold, collapse, or stand up vertically. It just sits on the floor. It would be very awkward to try to store it under a bed. Don't lift the back end too far or the plug for the timer will bend. This is why it only has 4 stars.
- The front bumper pads are just stuck on. You can't drag it backwards without them popping off. The back ones also just sit on there, but they face sideways, so they won't come off.
- The instructions were difficult. My wife and I kept flipping back and forth in the manual to figure out to which bolt each step of the direction referred.

The work out was great. I really like using this machine. I only wish I had a better place to put it when I'm not using it.