Lifecore R88 Rowing Machine

Background: I have severe arthritis in my knee and can no longer perform exercises that impact the joint (even lengthy walks) without experiencing considerable pain. After using Lifecore Fitness'' excellent 900 RB recumbent bike for the past 8 months, for a low impact good cardio workout, I recently purchased the company''s R88 rower to exercise upper body muscles and provide an alternative to the bike. The rower was easy to assemble and took approximately 1/2 hour. The instructions are clearly written and well illustrated.

Using the Rower: This machine is very easy to use. The first two days I limited my moderately paced workouts to 20 minutes on resistance setting #2. (Note: Most product descriptions -including Amazon''s -state that the R88 has 8 resistance settings but this model only has 6 resistance settings, which is clearly specified on the shipping box and manual.) After two days I felt a pleasant soreness throughout my body (legs, abdomen, arms, chest, shoulders, back, and butt), which told me that this machine really delivers. Using this machine provides a more intense cardio workout than the recumbent bike.

Pros: The R88 rower is simple, solid, compact,very well constructed, easy to operate, and smooth. I''d compare the build quality and operation to that of driving a base model Mercedes Benz with a manual transmission. The rower''s resistance settings (changed easily by turning a dial) will accomodate almost everybody''s fitness level. The seat bottom is firmer than that of the RB 900 bike, which is too soft. The unit folds up and can be rolled into a relatively small storage space.

Cons: These are minor but worth mentioning. First, the monitor is not as well illuminated as shown by the company''s advertising pictures. To clearly see all display info, a light (overhead or behind your shoulder) is recommended during workouts. Second, when folded for storage, the machine''s wheels do not roll very easily on carpet. Third, while the flywheel fan provides a welcome breeze and cooling effect, the fan is pretty noisy especially under hard rowing.

Conclusion: Investing $699 for this quality rowing machine was a no brainer. The R88 is fun to use and provides an outstanding, impact free, total body workout. My arthritic knee is painfree afterwards. The extra features offered by the R99 rower($200 more)seem like a waste of money. NOTE: I will update my review of Lifecore Fitness'' R88 Rowing Machine in a few months. G Miller -Phx. AZ

January 2012 Update: Sorry for taking so long to update my review of this rower. I am still very satisfied with the R88 machine and it continues to function flawlessly. Since I purchased the rower, I have tried out other machines both more and less expensive. For the money, especially at the new lower price, I can''t see how this one can be beat. The only additional con that I can add is that the monitor goes through alkaline batteries much faster than I would like.

Pros, really get a good heart pumping workout. It is small and stores very well.

Cons, it is noisy. I don''t notice it as bad when I am using it, but when someone else is using it in our house it is loud. I do not like the manual tension dial, wished it was automatic.

Over all it is a good machine, just not sure about the price. Wished it had been a little cheaper.

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This is a decent rower. If it cost $400, it wouldn''t be an issue. However, the seat is high, relative to the foot pedals, so you end up working your arms and back much more then legs. I was used to a Concept2 at the gym and did not feel like this was in the same league. I returned it and bought a Concept2 for $200 more and couldn''t be happier. There is a reason Concept2 owns the space.

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The R88 is the best choice for rowers under $1,000. The combination of air and magnetic resistance is a great design. There are six resistance selections on the R88, not eight as described. The first and lowest selection is air resistance only, and the air coming through the vent will keep you cool. The display could be updated as the background screen is a dull gray. Initially, my rower wasn''t counting the strokes or distance (you can set it to count the strokes down from a set number or count up). I called Lifecore tech support and they said the sensors (there are two) near the fan wheel probably got loose during shipping. They suggest I pop the outer shell loose to check the sensor, and I did. The wires and sensor seemed secure but whatever I did made it work. The only critique I have is about the way the foot pads are mounted; I wished the foot pads would be almost level with the frame instead of lower. You are more in a sitting position than a laying position when in the "recovery" position or the stretched-out position. I guess the angle simulates the position in a real row boat. Also, I had to put some thread lock on the acorn nuts that hold the plastic foot pads on the metal rod they pivot on, as the right side kept getting loose from the pivoting of the foot pad. I think a C-clip would work better. The frame and seat (firmly cushioned) are nice and wide and will support any size body. The handle is permanently fixed to the flat strap that spins the fan; I wish there were optional accessory handles that allow a wide grip or a narrow vertical grip handle to work different back muscle groups. Overall, I am glad I purchased this rower because it is nice and solid and will add variety to your workout. I like to mix this in between running and cycling; diversity in a fitness program is very important, and the R88 provides that element.

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Background:

I live in the north of Saskatchewan. There are no gyms here, and very little to do in town to keep fit. My job requires me to walk 10 ft to my car everyday, and the rest of my working day requires a lot of sitting down and very little physical activity. There''s not much healthy eating here, either. Fresh fruits and vegetables are extortionate, so I live off a lot of junk food. I''ve been living here for a year, and I''ve put on about 10kg and to my horror am developing quite the gut (lovely, I know). I''m not keen on running, and I tend to develop shin-splints quite easily. The roads around here are unmade and prone to twisted ankles. Lots of dangerous wildlife (and drivers) around too. So yes, I really need an indoor activity to keep me fit. I tried rollerblading around my basement, but it got tedious after a few dizzy laps. Plus it''s dark and cold down there, and very dusty. I tried doing ''runs'' up and down my stairs, but that too got boring (and quickly tiring too, for my poor untrained, unfit knees!). I tried P90X (the Plyometrics, I thought, would be a great cardio work-out, with very little equipment necessary), but I just didn''t have the discipline to do it day in day out. So fatter and unfitter I got.

And then I bought this rower...

I didn''t expect much of it, to be honest. I had budgeted to spend $1,000 on a piece of cardio equipment for my house, and in the end spent just $495 on this rower (including P&P from California to northern SK!) on eBay. Bargain. But, I worried it would show for the ''cheapness'' and not be too impressive. Oh, how I was wrong!

The rower is heavy (not too heavy; I still managed to carry it in to my truck and then on in to my house on my own), and feels very sturdy. I was a little miffed at first when I thought I was missing the nuts/bolts/washers, but then realized they were already screwed in to the pieces and I just had to unscrew them and attach the parts together. At first I thought this was a set-back, but I realized it''s actually a bonus, cos then I knew exactly where each bolt etc went, instead of having to work it out. Saved a few seconds/minutes perhaps on assembly time..!

I got the entire rower assembled in a little over half an hour. Not bad.

The rower doesn''t take up much space on my floor at all, and it''s easily rolled in to a corner when not in use, due to the two ''stabilizer'' wheels on the end. The seat glides smoothly, and there is an impressive amount of tension in the pulling mechanism. It''s wonderful actually; the main reason I bought a rower was because I wanted to get some calorie-burning heart-healthy cardio exercise whilst also getting some resistance training for my arms. This is perfect.

What I also like is the built-in fan that actually works rather well, and definitely helps keep me cool. I''ve positioned the rower beside a window for additional cooling effect.

Haven''t really tried the computer out yet (I just like to aimlessly row while I watch tv) but it looks decent so far and appears to meet my needs (measures time and distance etc).

I''m 175cm tall, weigh about 80kg (ouch! was 68kg a year ago..!), and the rower is perfect for my height and weight. It doesn''t wobble or tip at all, even when I have the resistance on full and am really exerting myself. Like I say, it appears to be very sturdy and it''s great construction. I can see this rower lasting a number of years, and I''m really excited to start seeing some results as I''m sure this equipment will help get me well on my way to being trim and fit again! (I''m visiting friends and family in a couple of months, so hopefully the results will come quick!)

If my experience with this rower changes, I will post another review. But for the time-being I would rate this rower with 5/5 stars, and would wholeheartedly recommend it. I see no fault with it yet, and it by far exceeds all my expectations. $495 well spent...!!