Stamina Body Trac Glider 1050 Rowing Machine

A fantastic rower for this price

I bought this machine after quite a bit of research into various rowing machines. I am not a rower. My goal is to lose weight and get a good aerobic exerciser. I did not care too much whether the machine approximated actual rowing. I was looking for a rower that was smooth and challenging. This one fills the ticket for a VERY REASONABLE price. (Most rowers are $500 and up.)

Packaging

The Trac Glider comes in pieces that you have to assemble. Be careful that you don't lose any parts, because I did not get any extra screws or pieces in my package. The machine is fairly simple to put together. It only took about 15 minutes.

The Machine

I noticed immediately that the materials for the rower are pretty solid. However, I found the plastic for the monitor to be pretty flimsy but serving their purpose. Another quality issue is the nylon and velcro foot straps that may break over time. My feet slip into the foot stirrups easily but if the straps aren't tight they can and do slip out occasionally. The monitor conveniently measures time, estimated calories, and number of rows. You can set it to scan through this information while you are rowing so that you don't have to stop to change what is shown. The monitor also cuts on and off automatically, saving power.

The rower was not silent. When I first got it, it squeeked fiercely. But a few squirts of WD40 and the annoying noise was taken care of. The pistons hiss and the seat rolls back and forth making a sound similar to what a skateboard makes.

The seat is cushioned. This is very important for anyone wanting to row for long aerobic workouts. The row arms move nicely...similar to an outrigger but not quite the same movement.

I am six feet tall and immensely pleased that I chose the Body Trac Glider because it has a longer track than most rowers. I am able to extend my legs fully with each row and my arms can go through a full range of motion with this machine.

Storage

The arms fold underneath the track and the machine stands on its 'head' for storage. I live in a small condominium and need that space. The design is quite effective. The monitor is not touching the ground as it appears to be in the picture. The T-style ends make a 3 point stand when tilted up.

On the whole, I don't think anyone could find a better rowing machine than this anywhere near this price. It provides an effective workout and is made of sturdy material. This is a five star machine. I considered 4 stars only because I wish the monitor was made of better materials. --But, I would have bought this even if it didn't have any monitor.

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