Assault Health is finest identified for its Assault AirBike, which has kicked my butt — and presumably yours — by way of many a CrossFit exercise. And certain, the Concept2 is without doubt one of the best rowing machines on the market and is at present the most well-liked rower seen in CrossFit gyms. However not too long ago, Assault Health mentioned, “Wait a gosh-darn second” and acquired in on the competitors with the AssaultRower Professional.
We’ve consulted with two testers, considered one of whom is a licensed private coach and a CrossFit Stage-1 coach, to get rowing for this AssaultRower Professional evaluate. To offer you the clearest understanding of our testing, we’ve utilized the BarBend equipment testing methodology, offering scores from 1 (yikes) to five (perfecto) in classes resembling sturdiness, exercise expertise, worth, and extra. Whereas this rower goes toe-to-toe with the Concept2 Row Erg and is an superior house gymnasium air rower for non-CrossFitters, learn on to see the place the Rower Professional takes first prize and the place it falls behind amongst the 2 dozen rowers we’ve examined.
AssaultRower Professional
The AssaultRower Professional includes a powder-coated, metal body that may stand up to the weather and help customers as much as 350 kilos. This air rower can also be human-powered, so you will not have to plug something in earlier than you are taking off in your trip.
Fundamental Takeaways
- Our tester appreciates the weather-resistant powder-coated metal body, permitting them to sort out exercises from their yard with out worry of corrosion from sweat, solar, or the weather.
- The seat peak is 20 inches from the bottom (we measured), greater than different rowers we’ve tried, and could also be supreme for older adults or these with restricted mobility.
- In accordance with our tester, this 109-pound rower is surprisingly straightforward to tip vertically, transfer, and retailer away.
- Our tester avoids getting their fingers pinched by the sliding seat when stowing this rower vertically, because of the flexibility to lock the seat into place.
AssaultRower Professional Specs
| Worth | $999 |
| Resistance Sort | Air |
| Person Weight Capability | 350lbs |
| Show | LCD monitor |
| Product Weight | 109lbs |
| Dimensions | 45” H x 92” L x 22” W |
| Bluetooth Connectivity | Sure |
The AssaultRower Professional — rebranded from Assault AirRower identical to when Kanye West modified his identify to Ye — is without doubt one of the best air rowing machines, using air resistance and your individual effort to dictate the depth of your exercise.
It’s constructed with a corrosion-resistant powder-coated metal body that makes it a heavy 109 kilos, however this construct can stand up to chipping and forestall corrosion and rust attributable to sweat, daylight, and different environmental components. With built-in transport wheels and a devoted transport deal with, you’re all set as much as roll this rower out into your yard to your exercise. And no have to run an extension wire, as a result of this rower doesn’t require an influence supply (moreover you and your effort). That makes it loads eco-friendly to function, because it’ll be draining your muscle tissue slightly than your electrical energy invoice or the planet’s assets.
The twin drive chain is half chain drive and half belt drive, which our tester — a licensed private coach — has discovered to supply a dependable stroke. “The pull is easy and constant, and there isn’t any shake or wobble even once I push it throughout high-intensity interval coaching,” they clarify. Nevertheless, this does add some noise to their exercise. “The twin drive chain and fan are loud,” says our tester. “If you need a quiet machine, you’ll wish to have a look at magnetic rowers as a substitute of this one.” Nevertheless, magnetic rowers can usually price nearer to $3,000 and embrace month-to-month subscription charges — this machine is available in slightly below $1,000, so could be price the additional sound.
The tech on the AssaultRower Professional is proscribed to a easy show that gives you with fundamental coaching metrics and some exercise applications and targets you’ll be able to set. There’s additionally Bluetooth and ANT connectivity, so customers can pair wearable coronary heart fee screens to get real-time suggestions or set goal coronary heart fee exercises. BarBend tester Josh Hackworth says, “You gained’t discover a fancy touchscreen right here that includes the best rowing apps, however the buttons on the console have been straightforward and intuitive to make use of. I had no bother going from one exercise to a different or discovering what I used to be on the lookout for.”
Professionals
Sturdy commercial-grade construct that includes a metal body, sturdy chain drive, and twin aluminum rails
Doesn’t use electrical energy, which can assist decrease your carbon footprint
Simple to move and will be stowed vertically
Snug padded seat that's excessive sufficient to permit extra folks with restricted mobility to entry the machine
Cons
Heavy construct at 109 kilos
Air resistance will be noisier than magnetic or water rowers
No damper to regulate airflow into the flywheel
Who Ought to Use / Who Shouldn’t Use the AssaultRower Professional
The AssaultRower Professional will be the excellent machine for you, or chances are you'll have to proceed your search elsewhere. That can assist you work out if this machine fits your coaching, the next are our suggestions for who would and who wouldn’t profit from bringing this pet into their house gymnasium.
Advisable for:
- Athletes who need an air rower that’s a bit greater off the bottom than competitor manufacturers
- Anybody who prioritizes consolation of their health gear
- Individuals on the lookout for the best cardio machines that may stand up to a great deal of use and even a number of customers
Not Advisable for:
- Customers who need high-tech options with an immersive touchscreen
- CrossFit athletes, for the reason that Concept2 is what’s used within the CrossFit video games
- These with restricted house of their storage gymnasium or house
Our Expertise Coaching With the AssaultRower Professional
Coaching on an air rower just like the AssaultRower Professional can make the most of almost each muscle in your physique — your hamstrings, calves, triceps, lats, again, glutes, biceps, core, and extra. (1) “Rowing is a implausible full-body exercise. I notably like rowing as a result of it engages the vast majority of the physique’s muscle tissue and may develop energy and explosiveness within the glutes and hamstrings along with bettering cardiovascular endurance,” explains Amanda Capritto, BarBend knowledgeable contributor and authorized private coach.
Our testers unboxed, constructed, and took the AssaultRower Professional by way of all of its paces, finishing HIIT and LISS exercises to see how this machine carried out at totally different intensities. We’ve additionally examined greater than 20 totally different rowers from prime manufacturers, permitting us to check our expertise right here towards the competitors. The next are our key takeaways after attempting, testing, and coaching.
Weight and Portability
This rower weighs 109 kilos, so it’s virtually twice as heavy because the Concept2. Yikes. Nevertheless, that is as a result of sturdy powder-coated metal development, which offers some climate resistance and can assist maintain this rower going for years to return. Hooray! “It’s heavier than different rowers I’ve tried, however I can inform this body can stand up to years of heavy use,” says our tester. Sturdiness scores a 4.5 out of 5 — a welcome rating.
Whereas heavier than different choices in the marketplace, we admire that there’s a devoted handlebar on the again for if you wish to tip it up onto its transport wheels and transfer it round or retailer it away. “I didn’t have an issue tipping it as much as retailer it away, and when you can’t take this rower aside in order that it splits into two items, I feel most individuals will admire that it may be stowed upright,” says our tester who provides footprint and portability a 4 out of 5.
“I additionally love that the seat can lock into place once I go to tip this rower up — this fashion you don’t get your fingers smashed because the seat goes crashing towards you,” praises our tester. This performance additionally permits customers to lock the seat into place in the event that they wish to work by way of a sure vary of movement on the rower’s rail.
Accessibility and Consolation
A big downside we’ve come throughout with rowers is that the seat is so low to the bottom that all of it however prohibits these with restricted mobility or flexibility from getting on and off of the rower. Nevertheless, the AssaultRower’s seat sits greater than different rowers we’ve tried. “I didn’t should squat as little as I often do when getting onto one thing just like the Concept2,” says our tester. This consideration to seat peak permits a wider vary of customers and ability ranges the flexibility to coach. Ergonomics scores an ideal 5 out of 5 with our tester.
Our tester pulled out their handy-dandy tape measure, discovering that this seat sits 20 inches off the bottom. That’s about the identical seat peak as an ordinary eating room chair. (2) For reference, the common rower’s seat peak is nearer to 14 inches tall.
“The cushion is grooved and padded, a bit extra comfy than the Concept2’s laborious molded seat,” says our tester. You’ll additionally discover the ergonomic deal with can be utilized in a typical shoulder-width grip style, nevertheless it additionally includes a distinctive middle cut-out so customers can row with one hand. Working our means all the way down to our toes, the foot pedals are extensive and versatile, in order you push away and pull again in, the foot plate offers some give, which provides some consolation all through every stroke.
Lastly, must you discover any wobble or wiggle throughout your row, the 4 stabilizers underneath this rower can ensure that your exercise is stage. No have to stuff napkins underneath the legs such as you would when chowing down on the native Subway — all you must do is twist the four-way stabilizers to dial within the peak you want from the bottom of the rower.
Easy Person-Powered Design
In contrast to the Hydrow Professional, Peloton Row, or Aviron rower, which price between $2,000 and $3,300 plus a month-to-month subscription charge, the AssaultRower is without doubt one of the best rowing machines under $1,000 — and also you nonetheless gained’t want an influence supply to stand up and rowing. You are the ability supply. The tougher you pull, the tougher it's to tug. The one factor we want was included was a damper, in order that customers had the choice to regulate how a lot wind may enter the fan — which is one approach to management the resistance on air rowers exterior of how laborious you’re working.
“In the event you’re somebody who doesn’t know what to set a damper to, then I don’t suppose it’s an enormous deal that you just don’t have one right here. Nevertheless, if you happen to’re accustomed to utilizing one, chances are you'll be extra inclined to go for an air rower that options one just like the Concept2,” says our tester, who provides customizations a 4 out of 5.
The fan resistance is managed by a dual-stage chain, which is fancy discuss for what’s principally a hybrid belt and chain drive. We love the sturdiness of chain drives, however belt drives usually present a quieter and smoother exercise expertise. This hybrid chain drive primarily reminded us of typical chain drives as a result of elevated audio stage skilled on every pull.
Expertise
Air rowers don’t sometimes characteristic a great deal of expertise, and the AssaultRower Professional isn't any totally different. (If tech is what you’re after, take into account perusing our checklist of the best magnetic rowing machines — nonetheless, be ready to pay virtually triple the price of this rower). “This rower monitor breaks down your entire metrics: split-based time, distance, energy, strokes per minute, energy per hour, common 500-meter time, watt, and common watt,” says our tester, who additionally notes that this console is comparable, if not equivalent, to what we’ve seen on the AssaultRunner Elite, AssaultRunner Professional, and AssaultBike Professional. There additionally isn’t any storage on this console, so if you wish to maintain monitor of your coaching, you’ll want to try this elsewhere.
This console is adjustable, permitting you to set it for probably the most ergonomic viewing expertise, and may fold down if you wish to stow it away. This is without doubt one of the primary variations between the AssaultRower Professional and AssaultRower Elite.
This console, whereas easy, can also be Bluetooth-compatible and offers ANT connectivity. This lets you pair a suitable coronary heart fee monitor to this rower, so you'll be able to see real-time readings in your effort. Tech capabilities rating a 4 out of 5. There’s additionally an AssaultFitness app, which you'll be able to obtain onto your telephone and pair with this rower. The app permits you to monitor your progress, race towards buddies, compete in challenges, and entry custom-made exercises. Whereas we admire a free app, it at present solely has a 1.8 out of 5 ranking within the Apple Retailer.
You additionally gained’t discover all kinds of coaching applications right here. “You could have the choice to do an interval program, or you'll be able to set a goal coronary heart fee, distance, time, or break up time, however that’s it,” says our tester, who provides dynamic coaching a 3.75 out of 5.
What to Contemplate Earlier than Shopping for the AssaultRower Professional
We live in a good time for at-home coaching, with a variety of choices and value ranges for no matter gear you need. Nevertheless, earlier than you add this rower to your cart and take a look at, the next are some areas to think about.
- Programming: Contemplate if you happen to’re somebody who desires built-in programming or trainer-led instruction if you happen to’re not sure how to use a rowing machine — since you gained’t discover both of these right here.
- Sort of Rower: “What sort of rowing machine would you like?” asks Amanda Capritto, licensed private coach and BarBend knowledgeable contributor. “The flywheel mechanism dictates the rower sort: Air rowers use fan flywheels; water rowers use fan flywheels towards the resistance of water in a tank; magnetic rowers use electromagnetic resistance; and hydraulic rowers, that are inexpensive however functionally restricted in comparison with the opposite three varieties, use hydraulic cylinders within the handles to create resistance.”
- Noise-level: In the event you plan on rowing whereas your children or roomies are asleep, or catching up in your favourite exhibits, take into account that air rowers just like the AssaultRower Professional are louder than different kinds of rowers.
- Footprint and Portability: “Dimension, weight, and portability are essential, as you’ll want to make sure the machine will slot in your house and it’s comparatively straightforward to maneuver if you happen to gained’t have the ability to go away it stationary,” notes Capritto. Whereas the AssaultRower Professional — one of many best rowing machines for apartments — will be stowed vertically, you’ll wish to ensure that this gear’s dimensions work in your house.
AssaultRower Professional Vs. Rivals
We’ve rounded up a number of the prime competitors on the earth of air rowers, so you'll be able to simply cross-check varied specs from mannequin to mannequin.
| AssaultRower Professional | Concept2 RowErg | Bells of Metal Blitz Air Rower | |
| Worth | $999 | $990 | $849.99 |
| Dimensions | 45” H x 92” L x 22” W | 95” L x 24” W | 37.5” H x 95” L x 24.25” W |
| Max Person Weight | 350lbs | 500lbs | 320lbs |
| Product Weight | 109lbs | 57lbs | 90.4lbs |
| Resistance Sort | Air | Air | Air |
| Vertical Storage? | Sure | Not advisable by the model | No |
Ordering and Assembling the AssaultRower Professional
Delivery is free from Assault Health, and you'll anticipate your new rower to ship inside 5 to 7 enterprise days.
“As soon as delivered, placing collectively the AssaultRower Professional proved to be a little bit of a problem,” says our tester, a licensed private coach, who was capable of construct this rower in about 45 minutes. “The chain goes by way of the monorail, which made placing all of it collectively a bit extra of a problem than when in comparison with constructing the Concept2.” Supply and setup rating a 4 out of 5.
Locations to Purchase AssaultRower Professional
You should purchase the AssaultRower Professional straight from Assault Health or on Amazon.
Model Repute and Buyer Opinions
Assault Health is well-known within the health house for offering health merchandise which can be constructed to final. The AssaultBike was beforehand the CrossFit Video games official air bike, because of the difficult exercise it offers and sturdiness to resist powerful and rigorous competitors. And the AssaultRunner — a handbook treadmill — whereas not endorsed or used within the CrossFit video games, is wildly standard for its capability to supply road-like operating and HIIT workouts.
When perusing buyer evaluations, it’s attention-grabbing to notice that lots of the lowest scores are complaints about customer support slightly than complaints in regards to the AssaultRower Professional gear. To get in contact with customer support, you'll be able to name them at 1-888-815-5559 between the hours of 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. PST or ship them a message by way of their contact type here. When utilizing their contact type to ship a message, you'll be able to anticipate a response inside 48 to 72 hours.
Warranties
The AssaultRower Professional comes with complete protection, which features a 7-year body and a 3-year transferring components guarantee.
Ultimate Ideas on the AssaultRower Professional
Whether or not you’re taking a look at rowing to build muscle, wish to help your cardiovascular well being, or need to swap up your cardio routine as a result of sure, operating is boring, the AssaultRower Professional is a strong possibility to think about. The elevated seat makes it a super alternative for anybody who struggles with mobility, and the powder-coated metal construct will maintain this machine lasting for years to return.
The AssaultRower Professional is usually in contrast with the Concept2, and it’s truthfully as a result of each choices are strong, sturdy, and worthwhile coaching instruments. In the event you’re a CrossFit king, queen, or royalty, it could be finest to stay with the Concept2, since that’s what you’ll be utilizing in your house CrossFit gymnasium. Nevertheless, for anybody else on the lookout for a easy air rower to kick their butts, arms, legs, again, core, and so forth. the AssaultRower Professional could also be simply the suitable match.
AssaultRower Professional FAQs
How a lot does the AssaultRower Professional price?
Is the AssaultRower Professional loud?
Sure. Air rowers resembling this one are usually louder than magnetic and water rowers. The noise comes from the air battling towards the fan, and also you’ll even have some jingling that comes from the chain because it will get pulled out and retreats again in on every stroke.
Ought to I get the AssaultRower or the AssaultBike?
Whereas each the AssaultRower and AssaultBike provide nice high-intensity full-body exercises, the suitable alternative for you actually is dependent upon your choice. Nevertheless, if in case you have any again ache, we’d advocate choosing the AssaultBike so that you’re not placing pointless pressure in your again from rowing.
References
- Volianitis, S., Yoshiga, C. C., & Secher, N. H. (2020). The physiology of rowing with perspective on coaching and well being. European journal of utilized physiology, 120(9), 1943–1963. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-020-04429-y
- Abbas, A. (2021c, December 15). Commonplace Sizes for Numerous Varieties of Furnishings. thespruce.com. https://www.thespruce.com/standard-furniture-measurements-1391374