The Stamina Body Trac Glider 1050 Rowing Machine is a budget priced rowing machine has been around for a while and shouldn’t make too big a dent in anyone’s pocket. It offers the potential benefits of total body work that you get from this type of fitness equipment – combining both cardio workout and muscle strengthening workouts. This is what makes there machines a popular choice for both newbies and those with lots of fitness experience. This type of exercise is great for increasing muscle strength and toning and shaping the body. The question is can this budget model really deliver the benefits you seek when using a rowing machine or is it budget priced for a reason.
Specifications
- Average Price: $130
- Size: Measures 58.25 x 42.5 x 18.13 (W x H x D)
- Weight: 39 pounds
- Maximum User Weight: 250 lbs
- Resistance Levels: 12
- Adjustable Seat: Yes
- Adjustable Handles: Yes
- Adjustable Resistance: Yes
- LCD Display: Yes
- Materials: Steel Frame with Aluminum I Beam
- Warranty: Frame 1 Year. Parts 90 Days
The Pros?
Cost: You can pick this machine at well below even with the cost of shipping added to the price. It means this is one the lowest priced machines available. It also means you can probably add other pieces of equipment to your home gym if you want to. Having said that, you might not want to buy anything else because of the total body workout you get with using rowing machines. Although you might get some more functionality with more expensive models this does give you a good solid rowing type workout to build your cardio fitness as well as build up muscle strength.
Resistance Levels: You get 12 different levels of resistance with this machine. It is easy to go from one level to next. This all means even if you are an rowing enthusiast this machine can give you a good challenge. Most people will probably want to start at the lowest setting with not too much resistance and build up muscle and stamina before moving on to the next levels when they are ready. You can keep the resistance levels to increase rowing time to help with body shaping and toning.
Robust Construction: It is made from sturdy materials to stand up to the pressure of exercising. It does weigh 35 lbs so it isn’t the heaviest machine around but you can tell that the manufacturer hasn’t skimped on the strength and durability when making it. This also means you get a smoother ride when exercising and it isn’t that noisy. The frame is made from steel and the I beam is made from aluminum which helps to reduce the weight while maintaining its robustness and durability.
Space Needed: This machine takes up very little floor space even when fully extended. It needs just 58 inches. This makes this compact rowing machine a good choice for those with smaller apartments. You can also fold it up to store it away. At 35 lbs it isn’t the lightest machine, so it would be helpful to store it close to where you are going to use it if you can.
Ease Of Assembly: Most people find this machine quite straightforward to put together unlike some of the more pricier models available. The manufacturer recommends you have 2 people to get the job done many people have found that you can easily by yourself if you want or have to.
The Cons
Seat Padding: Or more importantly the lack of seat padding. The seat id padded but not enough for any long periods of rowing. It can be solved by placing a thin pillow or towel on the seat to take away some of the ache and pain of sitting. Also you can sort this issue by standing and stretching to give yourself some breaks during your exercising session. This is recommended by fitness experts as best practice so for many people the problem with the seat won’t be too big a problem for most users.
Foot Straps: Some people have found the foot strap design a bit frustrating when you try to get your feet in the right position to start exercising. It can also be difficult to tighten the straps fully to keep your feet securely in place. This area is a bit of a flaw with the machine. It makes it hard to get your feet strapped in completely and keep your heel on the bottom of the footrest. You can help this situation by punching holes into the plastic to adjust the positioning of the strap but this is not ideal.
Should You Buy The Stamina Body Trac Glider 1050 Rowing Machine
The Stamina Body Trac Glider is ideal for anyone wanting to use a rowing machine for the first time. It’s not really the piece of equipment for you if you are part of the college rowing team or wanting to row a boat long distances. But if you want to get physically fit in a very effective way than this machine makes for a great choice. You get a big selection of resistance levels meaning you can get many years of challenging workouts from the machine. You can also make adjustments to the machine so that it should be able to accommodate all of the family and everyone should also get something out of it.
