Stamina Body Trac Glider 1050 Rowing Machine

Stamina Body Trac Glider 1050 Rowing Machine is sturdy, compact, affordable home rower. Resistance system is based on adjustable gas-shock absorber - rower doesn't provide the most realistic rowing experience, but in this price range, it provides excellent workout for legs, back and arms. Since rowing is mostly pulling exercise, combine it with some push-ups and you will get great fully body workout. It is not gym class machine, but, for home use, it is one of the best buy entry-level rowers.

Stamina Body Trac Glider 1050 Rowing Machine Features

Stamina Body Trac 1050 is a home rowing machine with compact footprint - just 23.5 x 46 inches (60 x 117 cm). Even better, it folds for easy storage.

Adjustable gas-shock resistance arms mimic the smooth motion of rowing on the water. However, if you have ever done some actual rowing on the water, you will find that rowing experience is not quite right - but, for almost full body workout, this is not so important. Rowers using water or magnetic resistance systems provide more realistic rowing experience, but they are larger, heavier and much more expensive.

Monitor shows time, stroke count and calories burned. Personally, I am not sure about accuracy of the calorie counter, but use monitor (calorie counter included) for comparing workouts and always try to do more than previously. This is not always possible, but as a long term goal, it is highly recommended. After all, no exercise can beat a good diet in terms of losing unwanted fat.

Personally, I would add a strap-on heart rate monitor, just to monitor heart rate and focus my workout in keeping heart rate in certain range. This is very important for elderly people and people having any heart related issues, since heart rate monitor allows them to workout at pace previously agreed with the doctor!

Frame construction is sturdy and it is made of steel with an aluminum center beam with ball-bearing roller system. This way, construction is both strong and light enough to be moved around, if required. Rower weighs around 39 pounds (17.7 kg) - it is rather light for rowers, but not the lightest unit to move around. It is best practice to store the rower close to the position where it is used most often.

Rower has a manual resistance control knob, with 12 levels of rowing resistance. There are no preprogrammed workouts or anything similar.

Molded, padded seat is relatively comfortable - it takes some time to get adjusted, but after few workouts, one can sit and row for 30 or so minutes with ease.

Warranty is 1 year on frame and 3 months on parts.

Few more notes:

- unit is very quiet - few low-noise creaks and squeaks are gone during warm-up,

- seat could be better, but one gets used to it after some time,

- straps could be better - if straps are not set properly, feet can slip away easily,

- maximum user weight is 250 pounds - only 250 pounds!

Stamina Body Trac Glider 1050 Rowing Machine is great home rower exercise machine - it will last for years, it is low maintenance exercise machine, easy on joints, very compact. Few issues that this rower has are more than acceptable for rower in this price range.

For more reviews and recommendations, feel free to check Stamina Body Trac Glider 1050 Rowing Machine Amazon link (link opens in the new window).