| Unit | Size | Supported weight | Product weight | Resistance | Console |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Soozier A90-243 Check Discounted Price | L:72.75" W:22.75" H:22.5" | 264 lbs | 65.9 lbs | Magnetic, 8 levels | Time/500m, Count, Distance, Calories, SPM, Watts, Goals |
The Soozier A90-243 is one of the rowing machines released in 2021. In terms of features, it is almost identical to the UREVO UR9RW0010 rower. However, its front unit has a slightly different design and its middle stabilizer features an adjustable leveler.
Key Features and Specifications
- Assembled dimensions: 72.75L x 22.75W x 22.5H inches (185L x 58W x 57H cm)
- Shipping weight: 64.9 lbs (29.4 kg)
- Flywheel weight: 9 lbs (4 kg)
- Weight capacity: 264 lbs (120 kg)
- Frame: Steel & aluminum
- Footrests: Pivoting, with straps
- Resistance type: Magnetic, 8 levels
- Fitness monitor: Time, time/500m, count, strokes/min, distance, calories, goals
Frame construction
The Soozier A90-243 features a frame made of steel and aluminum parts. The front frame section of the machine that
holds the resistance mechanism and the rear stabilizer are made of steel. The rail is made of extruded aluminum. The steel parts are painted black, featuring a durable corrosion-resistant paint finish. The aluminum rail is not painted.
The rower also incorporates several plastic parts. The most notable ones are the footrests, the covers of the resistance mechanism, the base bar caps, and several other small parts. These are made from a durable ABS material.
The rower is fairly light compared with other models. Its gross weight is approx. 65 lbs (29.4 kg), so it can be carried and assembled by only one person. Once the unit is assembled, it can be moved even easier. That’s because the front base stabilizer is equipped with transport wheels.
The Soozier A90-243 rower is not as large as other models, such as the EnergyFit Ski-Row SR-7, for example. Its net footprint is 72.75L x 22.75W (185 x 58 cm), but it is recommended to allow at least two feet of clearance at the rear and on each side of it for easy access and to be able to execute the complete rowing motion correctly.
The unit’s rail is approx. 38″ (96 cm), so the machine should be able to accommodate users up to 6’4″ (193 cm) with no problem, allowing a complete leg extension. The rail is also foldable, and with it folded up, the unit’s footprint is reduced to 25.25″L x 22.75″W (64 x 58 cm), while its height reaches approx. 49.25″ (125 cm).
Seat and other parts
The Soozier A90-243 rowing machine is equipped with a fairly large seat. Its dimensions are 10.5″L x 13″W
(26.6 x 33 cm) so it provides plenty of contact surface. Its top is made of high-density PVC foam and it is also contoured to provide a better positioning for the user.
The base of the seat is made of steel. It integrates two sets of wheels that pass through the side grooves of the rail. The wheels have internal ball bearings and a thick rubber layer on the outside for a smooth motion and to reduce noise.
The rail and the seat assembly are rated for a maximum user weight limit of 264 lbs (120 kg) which is not bad for a home-use machine. Also, the top of the seat reaches approx. 12″ (30.4 cm) above the floor, so taking a seat or standing up can be done without too much trouble by any user.
The rower is equipped with a set of large footrests. As we’ve mentioned above, they’re made from a durable thermoplastic (ABS) material. They have adjustable straps and heel guards in order to provide superior foot stability.
The rower’s footrests are non-adjustable. They also do not have a pivoting design like the footrests of the Sunny Health & Fitness SF-RW5864, for example. They attach to the front frame section via two large rods each and have an angle of approx. 40°.
The rower features a handle with an ergonomic, curved design. It has PVC foam grips to prevent the formation of palm clavuses and to provide a better contact. It does not have any resistance controls or pulse sensors like the more expensive rowers. It is attached to a durable nylon strap highly resistant to abrasion.
Resistance system
The Soozier A90-243 is a magnetic rowing machine. It is not motorized, though. Therefore, you don’t need a power adapter
or a power cord for it. But on the other hand, the unit’s fitness monitor cannot control the resistance in any way.
The machine’s resistance system is similar up to a point to that of an upright exercise bike. It integrates a brake pad with magnets attached to it which is connected to the tension knob on the front unit of the machine. When you turn the knob, the magnets change their position in relation to the internal flywheel. Therefore, when they’re closer to it, the intensity of the created internal magnetic field increases, which also increases the rowing difficulty. Conversely, when you turn the knob to the left, the magnets move away from the flywheel which results in a lower rowing difficulty.
The main advantage of the magnetic resistance is that the rower is very quiet compared to an air resistance rower or a water resistance rower. The brake does not touch the flywheel so there is no internal friction. Also, you don’t have to worry about the brake’s wear and tear.
The unit’s resistance system offers 8 difficulty levels. The first level provides a fairly light workout difficulty, great for a workout warmup. Conversely, the 8th level provides distinguishably more tension. It’s also important to mention that since it is a magnetic resistance rower, it does not provide a dynamic response like an air or water rower. In other words, it does not provide more resistance if you pull the handle faster. However, it still does offer an excellent full-body cardio workout, even if the sensation is not as close to rowing a real boat as is for a water or air resistance rower.
Fitness monitor
The Soozier A90-243 rower is equipped with a fitness monitor that offers a few more features than a basic one. To
begin with, it has an LCD display divided into 6 sub-sections. It shows time/500m, stroke count, strokes per minute, distance, calories, and watts.
The distance is shown in miles and cannot be converted to meters. The unit does not have a pulse reading function. It cannot interact with a wireless heart rate chest strap and the machine does not have any pulse sensors for this purpose.
The monitor unit does not have pre-set workout programs. It also does not have online connectivity and it is not compatible with any fitness apps. It has three buttons – Set, Mode, and Reset. The Set button allows you to select goals for some of the workout metrics available on the monitor. The Mode button covers the selection function. And finally, the Reset button clears all the values on the device to zero.
The monitor unit is battery-powered. It requires two AA batteries which are included. It starts monitoring your workout stats when you begin rowing. It also turns off automatically after a few minutes of inactivity on the machine.
Assembly and Maintenance
The machine’s front unit with all the drive and resistance elements comes pre-assembled. You only need to attach the front stabilizer, the rail, the seat, the rear stabilizer, the two footrests and several other small covers. The manual provides step-by-step assembly instructions with illustrations, and all the necessary tools for the task are included.
The machine’s intenal parts do not require any lubrication or maintenance. Therefore, the upkeep of the rower only requires you to keep it clean, especially the rail, to prevent any damage to the seat’s wheels. It is also recommended to periodically check for loose bolts and parts.
The Pros
- Sturdy frame – can hold users up to 265 lbs (120 kg);
- Folding rail, space-saving design;
- Transport wheels on the front base;
- Adjustable stabilizers on the rear base;
- Middle stabilizer for extra support during standing rows or bicep curls;
- Large, padded seat for improved comfort;
- Fairly long rail – can accommodate users up to 6’4″ (193 cm);
- Large footrests with adjustable straps;
- Quiet magnetic resistance with 8 distinct levels;
- Fitness monitor included – it tracks time/500m, stroke count, strokes per minute, distance, calories, and watts;
- Goal-setting function;
- Easy to assemble;
- Batteries for the monitor are included;
- Little maintenance required.
The Cons
- No backlight on the fitness monitor display;
- No pulse reading function.
Summary
The Soozier A90-243 is a rowing machine made for home use. It is equipped with an 8-level manual magnetic resistance system, a 38-inch aluminum rail, and a set of large footrests with straps. It also integrates a fitness monitor that tracks time/500m, stroke count, strokes per minute, distance, calories, and watts. It’s a fitness machine for a full-body cardio workout, interval training, muscle toning, stamina development, and weight loss.