- Full body low impact workout targets forearms, triceps, traps, shoulders, legs, thighs and more
- 16 Level DUAL TRANSMISSION magnetic tension resistance for an easy or more challenging workout
- Highly visible backlit 5” LCD displays distance, time, count, calories burned, RPM, watts, and tension levels
- Large contoured cushion seat (13.5” L x 10” W) provides extra comfort for a long session workout
- 4 Adjustable floor stabilizers prevent rocking to ensure a smooth rowing experience
Carl Gallenson –
As someone who reads a lot of reviews but has not contributed much since I usually don’t have anything much to add to what’s already been written, I’m writing a detailed review of the Fitness Reality 4000MR rower because there is so little information available about it. There were only 2 reviews for me to read and they did not contain a lot and, inexplicably, this model does not even show up on the manufacturer’s website! It only shows their model 1000.
First – how I selected this model
This is my first rower. My old elliptical trainer finally gave out and I was looking for a new, low impact cardio machine and decided on one for rowing. Most rowers have a single handle with a cable, but I decided I wanted to get one with independent handles to more accurately simulate rowing with oars. I looked at the ones from Sunny but was bothered by their display not having distance measurement on them. I considered a couple of models from Stamina too, but was not sure they had the build quality I was looking for after reading some reviews. So I raised my budget some and looked at two models from Kettler. On the first one the handles only went back and forth, with no movement outward, the second one (Kadett) had the features I was looking for, but meant spending $600 for a hydraulic cylinder style unit, and I felt for that much money it should be magnetic or some other newer technology. So for $78 more I found the 4000MR. It is magnetic, the display has all the data I would ever want, it folds up, and it appeared to have solid build quality. The only rub was the dearth of information about it. There was just the promotional video on Amazon and Youtube and two short reviews from previous Amazon purchasers. I decided to take a chance and buy it. Here’s what I found
Delivery, Packaging and Assembly
I placed my order on a Monday morning, the rower was shipped via Fedex on Tuesday, and it was delivered on Wednesday. It was all in one, heavy box, and was packed well (see pics of box and view when opened at the top). All the hardware was packaged and labeled for easy identification, and all the tools you will need are also included. After unpacking I put all the parts on the floor to make it was all there (see pics) and it was. Assembly took me about an hour and a half, as I am not that mechanically inclined and wanted to go slow and carefully. Others may assemble it more quickly, but I can report the instructions were clear and I had no problems.
Operation and Performance
Since this is my first rower, I have nothing to compare it to, but feel this is a very solid and well designed unit. Note that this rower uses an AC adapter which has to be plugged into a wall outlet, where many other rowers use batteries. The seat is large and comfortable enough, the pedals and foot straps have lots of adjustment range, and the handles have comfortable grips. The display is plenty large and easy to view, important for me because I normally wear glasses but don’t care to while exercising. It also has a small shelf just below the display where a phone or a tablet can be placed. The rail is way longer than I need (I’m only 5’4″) so it will accommodate much taller rowers. Resistance is called out as a “Level”, from 1 to 8. Level 1 is very easy, and I think Level 8 is plenty hard, so the available resistance range seems perfect to me. There are 10 canned programs, labeled P1 to P10, where the display shows a kind of bar graph map of the Level for ten time periods. I’m still experimenting with these programs to see which one(s) I would like to use on an ongoing basis. You can set a goal for time, distance (in kilometers), or calories and the console will count down towards zero as you row. It will beep when you reach your goal, at which point you can hit the Start button again if you want to continue past and have the console resume. I am also experimenting with P11 – P16, which are user programmable. Here you can set your goals like with P1 – P10, and also set what level you want for each block of time on the display map. I find this rower to be very quiet and am pleased with how it operates. You can move the handles as wide, or as narrow, as you like and the leg action is very smooth. After a rowing session I can definitely feel several muscle groups have been worked, and have not experienced any pain. My rowing sessions have been in the 20 – 30 minute range so far, which seems about right for this 66 year old body.
Folding up for Storage
The rower is large, and quite heavy but has wheels to allow moving it around. It is easy to fold up for storage, just requiring the removal of a pin that is screwed into the main rail. I do this every time I use it since it takes up too much space to keep it fully extended. I have found that when you do extend it back out for use, you need to properly tighten that pin in the rail or else it can rock some while rowing.
Conclusion
I am very satisfied with the 4000MR and am glad I spent the extra money for a quiet magnetic rower that appears to be very sturdy and will hopefully have a long life. I still wonder why it is not shown on the manufacturer’s website, unless they don’t intend to keep making it. I feel it has a very good combination of features for the rower who wants a dual handle unit that more accurately simulates rowing with oars than the standard single handle with a cable configuration.
Pros: Cons:
Dual Handles with full rowing arm movement Large and heavy, requires fold up after use
Adjustable pedals and foot straps
Easy to assemble
Large, clear display
Magnetic rower technology
8 Levels of resistance
10 canned programs
6 user programmable programs
Long rail accommodates short and tall alike
Chain drive, sturdy construction
Easy to fold up for storage
Carl Gallenson –
I can’t compare this rowing machine with any others because it’s the only one I’ve ever used. I can say that I am completely satisfied with it.
I took my time unpacking and assembling it. The directions were very clear and the parts for each step were packed together and numbered. The tools necessary for assembly were included. Having suffered through any number of IKEA assemblies now, this was a blessing.
There are built-in programs which I haven’t tried yet and the ability to create up to five custom programs. Most importantly, you can set duration and resistance for these. Calories, distance and watt targets can also be set, but are frankly meaningless to me. I’m satisfied setting duration and resistance levels.
I’m starting slowly with 10-15 minute sessions at low resistance levels as I feel my way through this. I’m a lifelong cyclist and 76 years old, so, no surprise here, my legs are much stronger than my core and upper body. My sense is that the fitness and strength levels for all areas will even up as I work through this – and that will strengthen my cycling.
The best thing about this machine is that you engage 80-90% of your muscles with each stroke. 15 minutes on the rowing machine are probably the equal of an hour in the gym – and the gym is 20 minutes away by car from my house.
I’ll add that I selected this machine over others because it has handles that move the way you would move the oars if you were out on the water. When you move your arms out on the recovery part of the stroke, you engage more muscles in your chest and shoulders than you would with a bar on a chain.
I’m very happy I selected rowing for my winter program and completely happy I picked this machine. It’s going to help me achieve my focused winter program without a lot of expensive bells and whistles.
Updating Dec 27, 2022
OK, six weeks in. Enjoying this machine more and more. Started “BBQ style” (low and slow), have worked my way up through resistance levels. Have not tried the pre-loaded workout programs, have simply plotted out workout sessions in two of the custom levels. I think this is the best way to learn to use this machine. Longest session so far was just 30 minutes at levels 1, 2 & 3, but have a nice secondary program that uses 3-8. As a long-time cyclist, my legs are much stronger than my upper body, and that’s why I’m working on lower levels.
I like the ability and ease of setting up a program. I wish I had a little more control over the programming. For example, I would like to be able to set a target number of strokes, but you can’t do that. Unfortunately, you can’t reset stroke count to zero at the end of a session, and the program you’re in automatically stops when stroke count hits 999 (you have to press START to get counting going again).
I have no doubt this will enable me to achieve my winter fitness goal. AND, since we get 95+ temps here in MO in summer, I’ll be able to row on those super-hot, super-humid days. So far, impressed with this machine, glad I spent the extra money for the separate handles. Recommend highly.
Further update Jan 6, 2023
Having now spent about 6 weeks with this machine, here’s what I’ve learned. Most importantly, the rowing machine lets you work on the “pillars” of fitness: aerobics and strength. To me. aerobic work is the more important because that concentrates on keeping the heart healthy and maintaining stamina. I’m too old to worry much about building strength, but I want to do some strength work, and this machine lets me do both.
What I have done is to make three custom programs working with the structure the machine provides, i.e., 10-segment workouts. I confess I haven’t tried any of the 10 programmed workouts because they may use resistance levels higher than I can do. So these are my three programs:
No. 11: resistance levels 1, 2, 3, 1, 2, 3, 1, 2, 3, 4
No. 12: resistance levels 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5
No. 13: resistance levels 4, 3, 2, 1, 3, 2, 1, 3, 2, 1
I set the length of each program as the one ends and another is selected. This structure lets me do only an aerobic session (11 & 13) or a session that includes some strength work (11, 12, 13). I can do all three in a short session of 5-minute programs or a longer session of each program for 15 minutes.
As I do more work on the machine, I will be able to increase the resistance levels of #12 to do more strength work. To me, that’s the great thing about this machine: it’s adaptable to my personal level on a literally daily basis.
Updating Feb 26, 2023
Still all in on this machine (have rowed 157 miles since Jan 1) with these disclaimers:
1. The console is worthless; the programming comes from another planet.
For starters, the “stroke count” function is wildly inaccurate. Stroke count (tempo) is key to towing, and the wildly inaccurate “rpm” reading isn’t even close. Simple solution: download metronome app from the web, and use it to set tempo.
Second, you, the user/owner, cannot reset stroke count to zero at the end of your workout. Fitness Realty gives you a console that counts repeatedly to 1000 strokes, at which it stops. When it stops, it wipes out whatever program you gad started in, sort of (it gives you 1-minute intervals from wherever you are to the end. Started a 20-minute program at 700 stroke count, going for 24 strokes per minute? So sad, when the stroke counter hits 999, program is ended, and your previously selected 2-minute intervals go to 1-minute intervals.
2. Tech support is non-existent. If you reach out, it replies by quoting, word for word, the user manual. Wait!!! I have the user manual, and I have a question not answered in the user manual, and tech support can only quote the user manual. Hmmm… what’s wrong with this picture?
Still sticking by high rating, but be aware of where the shortcomings are. Machine has great, adjustable resistance levels and has dual handles to replicate actual water rowing motion. Seat is comfortable (doing 1-hour workouts without discomfort). Don’t need a big screen, no downside there, but some assistance with the weak console would be welcome.
NOT shopping for a different machine. Fixes seem easy, why don’t they get made?
AIDA ABUD –
Todo perfecto . maquina solida , buenos acabados facil de montar , para entrenamiento intensivo en casa .
jose miguel –
La compré en abril 2020. Me gasté más dinero de lo que tenía pensado pero nunca me he arrepentido ya que es fuerte, pesada, estable y me sobra. Hago tres entrenos por semana (de media hora en la máquina de remo). Se puede replegar y poner en una esquina. Aunque yo sea de estatura y peso bajos sirve para personas mas corpulentas y altas también. Ha sido una buena compra.
D. Earls –
The rowing machine delivers what I need, reasonably priced during the thanksgiving weekend!
It supposedly has an extended warranty, so no need to buy extra warranty from Amazon
However, the product support number listed on the manual is horrendous: number is a spam and if you choose not to get the health insurance they are trying to sell you NEVER connect with the customer support
If their number has changed, they must update what is listed on the manual
It was difficult for me to put it up together following the manual but once I opened the video on Amazon I did it pretty well
I would recommend the product but don’t expect to get an agent on the phone if there is a problem