First Degree Fitness Evolution Series E-520 Fluid Professional Rower

The E-520 is the best rowing machine on the market. I have recently purchased this machine. It was quite heavy and two of us were needed to carry this machine into the apartment. Setup for the machine was very easy, taking less than one hour to complete. All setup instructions in the manual were provided and the machine comes with all necessary tools for installation. The resistance is easily adjustable on the fly, and the Interactive Performance Monitor (the rowing computer) allows for pacing programs as well as interval training. The resistance is immediate throughout the entire rowing stroke and there are no dead spots, which can be found on air rowing machines. It is very quiet and the rowing belt is very sturdy and made of nylon (seatbelt material). The foot straps were very thick and firm and were easily adjustable. The machine needs very little maintenance except for putting chlorine tablets and blue dye into the water tank (both included with the rower). The rowing seat is very comfortable and wide. Judge this machine by the heavy solid steel construction for the frame. The seat rails are aluminum and the rowing seat glides effortlessly along the seat rails. I needed to contact the staff at First Degree Fitness and three gentlemen at the company were all just a phone call or email away, and they all responded quickly to my inquiries. I believe the added cost for this machine is justified not only by the extremely sturdy steel frame which doesn''t move at all when rowing vigorously, but also due to the adjustable water resistance on the fly. It is a commercial grade machine but is also perfect for high end home use. The machine measures 28 inches wide and 75 inches long. The only negative thing about this machine is that you can''t upload your rowing times and distance to a computer such as with Concept 2, but other than that, this machine has no equal.

Usually when I travel I dread the types of "rowing machines" that are in hotels and clubs. My gold standard for ergs has been the Concept II. I was recently away for a week and worked out on the Fluid E-520. What a pleasant surprise! The Fluid is heavy (meaning sturdy) and very quiet. It''s like rowing next to a washing machine, in a nice way. You can listen to music and TV at normal volume. No way with a C-II.

The action is very much like being on the water. There is no slip at the catch, and more of a feel of momentum at the finish. It was easy to do long pieces. A wide range of adjustable resistance. Good meter with comparable splits to the C-II.

This will be my next erg purchase.

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The First Degree Fitness E-520 rower is ok if you want a soothing row with more pull than push. I just don''t feel much difference in the setting. This is not a rower to do speed on but you can go for a long ride. It just cannot get my heart rate as high as it would on the Concept 2 rower. I have both machines and of course I can never get my husband to use the E-520 because he needs a challenge and not just a smoothe ride. Whereas I enjoy using the E-520 when I want to go for a relaxing ride, the Concept 2 rower keeps me more focused and motivated.I honestly think they feel different and my husband feels the same. The one good thing is that you can use the E-520 rower every day for an hour or more without feeling beet. With the C2, an hour''s rowing every day will exhaust me. I use it every other week with my indoor rowing software.

Another thing is that whatever little service you get from the the customer support for the E-520 is very poor, while the C2 support stands high with outstanding service and suport. Once you purchase a machine from C2 the love and support begin, and no chlorine tabs needed at additional expense to maintain the tank. Other water rower competitor gives you free tabs once you own their rower no matter the age. So not only that this is an expensive rower but when all the chlorine tabs that comes with the rower are used up, you need to purchase more at $10 for 3 tabs plus shipping. Not a user friendely machine in that aspect. My E-520 rower is buy the window where I can look at the beautiful view outside while rowing, but I got to pay the price by purchasing the chlorine tablets. Everyone has different experiences and reasons why they purchase a rowing machine and mine was due to the fact the I love indoor rowing,I love to participate in the races and challenges online, I love to race with my husband (he uses the C2)and I use it to exercise. This is my honest review.

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