| Unit | Size | Supported weight | Product weight | Resistance | Console |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Niceday 206 Check Discounted Price | L:77.56" W:21.85" H:30.12" | 300 lbs | 77 lbs | Magnetic, 16 levels | Time, Count, SPM, Distance, Calories, Scan, Goals |
The Niceday 206 is one of the rowing machines released in 2021. In terms of features, it can be compared to the Yosuda H-185. However, it offers more resistance levels and its fitness monitor has a workout goal-setting function.
Key Features and Specifications
- Assembled dimensions: 77.56L x 21.85W x 30.12H inches (197L x 55W x 67H cm)
- Shipping weight: 77 lbs (34.9 kg)
- Weight capacity: 300 lbs (136 kg)
- Frame: Steel & aluminum
- Footrests: Pivoting, with straps
- Resistance type: Magnetic, 16 levels
- Fitness monitor: Time, count, distance, strokes per minute, calories, goals, scan
- Extras: Phone holder
- Warranty: Parts lifetime
Frame construction
The Niceday 206 magnetic rower combines steel and aluminum elements in its frame construction. For example,
its front frame section that holds the resistance system, the rear stabilizer, and the core part of the rail are made of steel tubing. The side sections of the rail are made of extruded aluminum. All the steel parts in the machine’s construction are coated with a corrosion-resistant paint finish. The color used is black, this being the only color available for this rower, at least for the moment.
This rowing machine also integrates several plastic parts. The most notable ones are the covers of the drive and resistance elements, the base bar caps, and the casing of the fitness monitor.
The Niceday 206 mag rower is not a super large fitness machine. However, it does take 77.5″L x 21.85″W (197 x 55 cm) of floor space. It is recommended, though, to allow at least two feet of clearance on each side of it and at the rear, to be able to execute the rowing motion correctly. Its rail is foldable and with it folded up, the machine’s footprint becomes 35″L x 22″W (89 x 55 cm).
The unit’s rail is approx. 46″ (116 cm) long. This being said, the machine should be able to accommodate users between 4’9″ and 6’3″ (145 – 190 cm). It is also rated for a maximum user weight limit of 300 lbs (136 kg) which is not bad for a home-use machine.
The rower is not super-heavy. Its packaged weight is 77 lbs (~35 kg), so it can be carried and assembled by only one person. Also, once it is assembled, it can be moved even easier as its front base features a set of wheels.
Seat and other parts
The Niceday 206 rowing machine is equipped with a pretty standard seat, similar to the one included with
the Stamina DT Plus 1409. Its top is approx. 12″ (30 cm) wide so it provides plenty of contact surface. It is contoured for extra comfort. It is padded but does not have a thick cushioning, so it’s pretty firm.
The base of the seat is made of steel. It integrates three sets of wheels that pass through the grooves of the aluminum side sections of the rail assembly. They have small internal ball bearings and a rubber layer on the outside for a smooth motion and for reduced noise.
It’s also important to mention here that the machine’s rail is not perfectly horizontal. This can actually be considered a plus, as the rower provides a better workout for the legs. Also, the highest point of the seat is approx. 12″ (30 cm) above the floor level.
The rower is equipped with a set of large footrests. They’re made from a durable thermoplastic material. They have a textured surface and adjustable straps, as well as heel guards, for improved foot stability.
The unit’s footrests are not size-adjustable but they are large enough to accommodate athletic shoes of all sizes. They have a pivoting design so you can adjust the angle of your feet slightly during each stroke. They do have stoppers at the heel, though, so they won’t tilt backward past an angle of approx. 60°.
The machine’s pulling handle has an ergonomic design. It is slightly curved towards the user and has rubber foam sleeves for improved contact. It does not have pulse sensors or other controls, though. It is attached to a heavy-duty nylon strap highly resistant to abrasion.
Resistance system
The Niceday 206 rowing machine is equipped with a manual magnetic resistance system which is similar up to a point
to the resistance of a magnetic exercise bike. The rower is not motorized, so you don’t need to connect it to an external power source. The only powers source needed is a set of batteries for its exercise monitor.
The main elements of the machine’s resistance system are a magnetic brake, a tension knob, and a metallic flywheel. The brake and the flywheel are concealed by the front guards of the machine. The brake is connected to the tension knob to a steel wire. Therefore, when you turn the knob clockwise, the magnets move closer to the flywheel which increases the rowing difficulty. Conversely, if you turn the knob to the left, the magnets move away from the flywheel which leads to a lower rowing difficulty.
The unit’s magnetic resistance system comes with a few advantages. For example, the brake does not touch the flywheel, there is no internal fan, and there is no friction between the braking system elements. Therefore, the rowing motion is very smooth and quiet. The unit actually generates a maximum of 26 dB during usage. Also, since there is no internal friction, the brake sustains virtually no wear and tear, so it should never need replacement or maintenance.
The machine offers 16 levels of resistance which is not bad, as most magnetic rowers in this price range only offer 8. On the lowest setting, the machine delivers a fairly low difficulty level, great for recovery training or muscle toning. Conversely, the 16th tension level provides quite a challenge even for the most seasoned users, great for stamina development and weight loss.
It’s also important to mention here that the machine does not provide a dynamic response like a water resistance rower or an air resistance rower. In other words, the resistance does not increase if you pull faster. It strictly depends on the selected magnetic tension level. But nonetheless, the rower still provides a very consistent full-body cardio workout even if the rowing feel is slightly different.
Fitness monitor
The Niceday 206 rower is equipped with a pretty basic fitness monitor. It is equipped with an LCD display that tracks 
time, stroke count, strokes per minute, distance, and calories burned. It does not have a pulse reading function. It also does not have a split time (time/500 m) function.
The monitor is not compatible with any fitness apps and does not have any pre-set workout programs. However, it offers the possibility to select workout goals for time, count, and calories burned. If a goal is selected for any of these metrics, it will count down from the selected value until it reaches zero. This way, you can keep track of your progress and push your limits from one workout session to another.
The monitor unit is very easy to use. It has three buttons: Set, Mode, Reset. The Set button covers the goal-setting function. The Mode button allows you to select the workout metric that you want to view on the display. There is also a scan mode; in scan mode, the display shows each workout metric for approx. 6 seconds and rotates them. And finally, the reset button clears all the values on the monitor to zero.
The monitor unit is battery-powered. It requires two AA batteries which are included. It also integrates a device holder which consists of a small shelf right under the buttons, on which you can place your phone. However, you cannot connect or sync your phone with the rower’s fitness monitor.
Assembly and Maintenance
The front unit of the machine with the drive and resistance elements comes pre-assembled. You only need to attach the front stabilizer, connect the rail to the front section of the rower, add the seat, close the rail with the rear stabilizer, then add the footrests and the fitness monitor. This may take up to an hour of your time, but the task is pretty simple. Plus, the manual provides step-by-step assembly instructions and all the necessary tools are included.
For maintenance, it is recommended to keep the machine clean, especially the rail, to prevent any damage to the seat’s wheels. The internal parts should not need any maintenance for a long period of time. Other than this, it is also recommended to periodically check for loose bolts and parts, and make sure the machine still functions properly.
The Pros
- Fairly decent construction – can hold users up to 300 lbs;
- Folding rail, space-saving design;
- Transport wheels on the front base;
- Adjustable levelers on the front and rear stabilizers;
- Large, padded, and contoured seat for improved comfort;
- Steel rail reinforced with extruded aluminum side beams;
- Pivoting footrests with adjustable straps;
- Quiet magnetic resistance with 16 distinct levels;
- Fitness monitor included – it tracks time, count, SPM, distance, and calories burned;
- Workout target function;
- Device holder included;
- Easy to assemble;
- Little maintenance required.
The Cons
- No pulse reading function;
- No split time function;
- No backlight on the fitness monitor.
Summary
The Niceday 206 is a rowing machine made for home use. It is equipped with a 16-level magnetic resistance system, a 46-inch rail, a comfortable seat, and a fitness monitor that tracks time, distance, count, SPM, and calories. The rail is also foldable and offers a fairly decent 300-lb max. user weight limit. In all, it’s a machine made for a full-body cardio workout, stamina development, muscle toning, and weight loss.