Phoenix 98900 Power Rower

We were looking for a reasonably priced rowing machine and the MR 900 was one of the few reviewed. It has a tension adjustment knob at the base, so that you can increase your workout. The seat slides easily and the handlebar pulls back fine. As a smaller woman, I find the footpedal position a bit awkward and despite the velcro strip, I can''t quite get the right fit. The other review that I saw for this machine also mentioned that the footpads were not as well placed as they might be. Phoenix could really improve their machine by allowing some adjustment in height and better width grip on this feature. The display is fine, but the calorie count seems off--either that or I''m just not working as hard as I think I am. I don''t think it accounts for the quickness with which you pull or your body weight and might just be taking into account the tension, time, and number of pulls. Overall, I''m really pleased. My stomach, legs, and arms get a nice workout. I guess the trick is to emphasize using your back with your stomach and legs vs. forearms, which I am still trying to get used to. If you are concerned with noise, the seat motion causes no noise, but the air on the pull definitely does. If you''ve got an iPod or mp3 player it won''t matter, though.

The Phoenix 98900 Power Rower is my first rowing machine and I am thinking that it is an near excellent choice for anyone seeking an entry-level rowing machine. The actual magnetic resistance rowing action on the Phoenix 98900 provides a constant movement that can be adjusted to accommodate differing levels of endurance and strenght (core and upper body), and the seat action guides almost silently on a silicon wheel carriage.

Subjectively, I also think that the Phoenix 98900 is of a sleek-looking design and it easily folds up to reduce the footprint size when it is not in use.

I now tend to use my Phoenix 98900 five days a week for 30+ minute sessions at the highest resistance setting (averaging 4 miles per hour and burning 110 calories per session and I can see the improvement to my abs and reduction of my "love handles") and I can honestly say that I look forward to using my Phoenix 98900 rowing machine.

The minor issues that I have with the Phoenix 98900 include:

a multi-paneled, digital display that is way too small to be easily read (unless you are perhaps a twenty-something and your vision is already 20/20) with display captions printed in white over a silver metallic background;

tacky, add-on stickers for the Phoenix 98900 that seem like a last-minute afterthought by the manufacturer (these stickers went directly into the trash can);

poor assembly instructions, particularly with the mounting to the "feet" (and I still have a part left over from the handle receiver that I have not yet figured out exactly where it is supposed to be attached to the Phoenix 98900);

poor cleaning instructions (be careful about how you are cleaning the seat rail as the silicon wheels will begin screeching if you apply the wrong household cleaners); and;

a somewhat limited resistance range for those individuals also engaged in upper-body strength weight training.

Having stated all of the aforementioned comments about the Phoenix 98900 rowing machine, I would strongly recommend this rowing exercise equipment for purchase by my family and friends.

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No chance we''d buy this product again! On day 91 of ownership, the tension spring that retracts the cord snapped. And we weren''t using the machine any harder than normal. Our Concept 2 is on the way.

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I hate to come down on this rower so hard, but it just broke at the most inopportune time. I have had it for 2 years. It has been ok, but it has neither been as smooth, or quiet as I expected it to be based on its product description and maybe other reviews. I took it apart today to see why it stopped working (the nylon strap wouldn''t retract anymore). Inside, there''s a coiled spring that winds the strap after each pull. This spring broke, and to this point, I''m having a difficult time finding out if it''s a replaceable part. Even if it is, i don''t know if i''ll be able to get it back together. I wanted to get a more expensive rower when i bought this one, but just didn''t want to spend the money, now I''m regretting not doing that.

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It puts together easy 25 min(foot pedals and seat). only used once so far its sturdy seems worth the $203. doesn''t want to fold back up?(maybe I should read instructions)...(nah) oh yeah its quiet. I read many reviews before purchasing(amazon is best price) take the good comments and bad and believe somewhere in the middle. I''m happy with it. I''ll try to update this if it breaks or is junk but so far so good.

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