| Unit | Size | Supported weight | Resistance | Fitness meter | Warranty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Fitness Reality 2646 Check Discounted Price | L:70" W:23" H:26" | 250 lbs | Air & magnetic, 14 levels | Time, Time/500 Strokes, SPM, Distance, Calories, Watts, Goals, Bluetooth | 1 year limited |
The Fitness Reality 2646 rower is one of the fitness machines released by Paradigm Health & Wellness in 2020. It combines air and magnetic resistance, but it’s not motorized. It also includes a performance monitor compatible with the MyCloudFitness app. This rower is also referred to as Fitness Reality 3000D, but its product part number is 2646.
Key Features and Specifications
- Assembled dimensions: 70L x 23W x 26H inches (178L x 58W x 66H cm)
- Assembled weight: 49 lbs (22 kg)
- Weight capacity: 250 lbs (113 kg)
- Frame: Steel & aluminum
- Resistance: Air & magnetic, 14 levels
- Fitness monitor: Time, time/500, distance, strokes, strokes per minute, calories, Watts, goals, Bluetooth
- Warranty: 1 year limited
Frame construction
The Fitness Reality 2646 air and magnetic rower combines steel, aluminum, and thermoplastic parts in its
construction. The front part of the frame that holds the fan, as well as the rear stabilizer, are made of steel. The machine’s rail is made of extruded aluminum, while the coves of the fan, the footrests, and several other small elements are made of heavy-duty plastic.
All the steel parts are coated with a corrosion-resistant paint finish, black and dark gray. The rail features its natural aluminum polish. The front casing of the drive and resistance elements is black, gray, and red for an extra aesthetic touch. These are the only colors available for this machine.
The fully assembled machine is not too large compared to other rowers but still is approx. 70″ (178 cm) long, and 23″ (58 cm) wide. Plus, it is recommended to leave at least two feet of clearance at the rear and on each side for ease of access. So, at least lengthwise, you’ll need a bit of space for it. This being said, it may not fit too well in a small room.
The machine’s rail is approx. 38″ (96.5 cm). Therefore, the rower should be able to accommodate users up to 6’2″ – 6’3″ (188 – 190 cm). It is rated for a maximum user weight limit of 250 lbs (113 kg). Also, users up to 270 lbs (122 kg) have reported that the machine holds this weight with no problem as well.
On the other hand, this Fitness Reality rower is foldable. Its rail and seat assembly folds up leaving the machine with a footprint of 33.5″L x 23″W (85 x 58 cm), and a height of 46″ (117 cm).
The rower is fairly light. Its net weight is only 49 lbs (22 kg). This means it can be carried and assembled by only one person. Once it is assembled, it can easily be moved via the small wheels integrated into the front stabilizer. Also, the front stabilizer is equipped with two adjustable levelers.
Seat, footrests, and other parts
The Fitness Reality 2646 rower is equipped with a seat similar to the one included with the Stamina 1130, or
the FISUP magnetic rower. Its top section is made of high-density foam featuring a contoured surface for optimal comfort. Its base frame is made of steel and integrates two sets of wheels that slide through the side grooves of the rail. The wheels have built-in sealed ball bearings to provide a smooth seat motion, while on the outside, they have a thick layer of silicone or urethane high-density rubber to eliminate noise.
The machine’s rail is not horizontal; it is inclined forward by a few degrees. Therefore, it provides a slightly better workout for the legs and the seat is a bit higher when it is extended all the way to the back of the rail. Its maximum height is approx. 10″ (25.4 cm).
The Fitness Reality 2646 rower is equipped with two large footrests. They’re made of heavy-duty thermoplastic material. They are size-adjustable, they should accommodate athletic footwear of all sizes. They also have adjustable straps and heel guards so you can perfectly secure your feet on them.
In case you’re wondering, the machine’s footrests do not pivot. They are attached to two parallel steel rods so they’re fixed at an angle of approx. 45°.
The pulling handle is a simple short steel bar. It has foam sleeves for a more comfortable grip. It is not equipped with resistance controls or pulse sensors. It is attached to a heavy-duty nylon strap highly resistant to abrasion. This type of drive comes with two main advantages over the chain drive. First of all, you don’t have to lubricate it, and second of all, it generates less vibration delivering a smoother rowing motion.
Resistance system
The Fitness Reality 2646 rowing machine features a resistance system that combines air and magnetic 
elements. The main resistance-generating element is a large fan integrated into the front unit of the rower and connected to the pulling system. As you pull the handle, the fan spins inside its casing generating resistance.
Just like any other air resistance rower or bike, the FR 2646 produces a dynamic response during rowing. In other words, the resistance depends on how fast you pull the handle. Differently put, the faster you pull, the faster the fan will spin, and the more resistance you will get. This type of resistance resembles the feeling of rowing a real boat through the water which can be a plus.
The rower also integrates a magnetic brake and a small metallic flywheel. This braking system offers the possibility to adjust the overall resistance of the machine. The brake is connected to the tension knob visible on the front unit of the machine. Therefore, when you turn the knob, the brake shifts its position in relation to the internal metallic flywheel, increasing or decreasing the workout load.
Of course, since the main resistance mechanism of the rower involves a fan, along with the resistance, it also generates some noise. This pretty much stands for any air resistance rowing machine. But nonetheless, the rower is not very noisy. The sound produced by the fan when the rower is in use is similar to the one of an electric fan of the same size.
The machine’s magnetic brake requires manual action. Therefore, you won’t be needing a power adapter for this rower. It offers 14 distinct levels of resistance. On the lowest level, you will basically work only with the resistance generated by the fan. Conversely, the 14th tension level adds considerably more resistance for anyone who wants to push their limits and improve strength and stamina.
Performance monitor
As we’ve mentioned above, the Fitness Reality 2646 rower is not motorized. Therefore, the included 
performance monitor cannot automatically adjust the resistance. However, the machine’s magnetic brake is connected to it, and depending on the resistance selected, the fitness monitor will adjust the distance per stroke, Watts output, and calories.
The performance monitor is equipped with a 6-window LCD display that indicates time, split time, distance, strokes, strokes per minute (SPM), Watts, and calories burned. Distance and SPM share the same window and will change every four seconds. The distance is shown in meters, and if it exceeds 9,999 meters, it will change to kilometers. The distance cannot be set to miles.
The monitor unit does not have pre-set workout programs, but does offer the possibility to select workout goals for distance, time, calories, and strokes. The goal setup mode has its own quick-access button. Once a goal is selected, the monitor unit will count down from the selected value until it reaches zero and will beep letting you know that you have completed your goal.
Similar to most other Fitness Reality machines released this year, the performance monitor included with the 2646 rower has Bluetooth connectivity. This being said, you can sync it with your smartphone if you have the MyCloudFitness app installed. This app allows you to track your progress and workout history online, also offering several other features.
The performance monitor is battery-powered. It requires four AA batteries (which are not included). It automatically turns on when it detects flywheel movement or when you press a button. It also automatically turns off after approx. 20 minutes of inactivity on the rower.
Assembly and Maintenance
The front unit of the rower with all the drive and resistance elements comes pre-assembled. However, the rest of the parts do require user assembly. You will basically have to attach the front base stabilizer, connect the rail, insert the seat on the rail, add the rear stabilizer, and the footrests. This shouldn’t take more than 40 minutes of your time. All the necessary tools are included and the manual provides pretty clear assembly instructions and schematics.
Once the machine is assembled, you don’t have to worry too much about maintenance. All you have to do is keep the rower clean, especially the rail, to prevent any damage to the wheels. It is also recommended to periodically check if all the parts function properly and still hold tight in their places.
The Pros
- Light-weight construction, easy to carry and handle;
- Fairly decent weight capacity – can support users up to 250 lbs;
- Folding design;
- Transport wheels and adjustable levelers on the front stabilizer;
- Large padded seat;
- Wide aluminum rail for improved seat stability;
- Large, adjustable footrests with straps and heel guards;
- Offers a fairly long motion range – can accommodate users up to 6’2″;
- Air resistance for a dynamic response;
- Magnetic resistance for adjusting the overall workout load;
- Multi-window performance monitor – it tracks time, time/500, distance, strokes, strokes per minute, calories, and Watts;
- Goal settings for time, distance, strokes, and calories;
- Bluetooth connectivity and compatibility with the MyCloudFitness app for online workout history tracking;
- Phone holder included;
- Easy to assemble;
- Little maintenance required.
The Cons
- No backlight on the performance monitor;
- No pulse reading function.
Summary
The Fitness Reality 2646 is an air & magnetic resistance rower designed for home use. It offers 14 levels of magnetic resistance, a fairly long aluminum rail with a weight limit of 250 lbs, and a multi-function console with Bluetooth connectivity, compatible with the MyCloudFitness app. It’s a great machine for a full-body cardio workout, interval training, muscle toning, stamina, development, and weight loss.