| Unit | Size | Supported weight | Product weight | Resistance | Exercise meter |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Bluefin Blade 2.0 Check Discounted Price | L:65" W:20" H:29" | 220 lbs | 46.2 lbs | Magnetic, 8 levels | Time, Distance, Count, SPM, Calories, Scan, Goals, Bluetooth, Kinomap compatible |
The Bluefin Fitness Blade 2.0 is one of the magnetic resistance rowers released in 2019. In terms of features and design, it can be compared with the Ativafit Mag Rower. However, it comes with a better fitness monitor which also has Bluetooth and is compatible with the Kinomap app.
Key Features and Specifications
- Assembled dimensions: 65L x 20W x 29H inches (165L x 51W x 74H cm)
- Assembled weight: 46.2 lbs (21 kg)
- Frame: Steel & aluminum
- Weight capacity: 220 lbs (100 kg)
- Footrests: Pivoting, with straps
- Resistance type: Manual magnetic, 8 levels
- Console: Time, distance, count, SPM, calories, goals, Bluetooth, compatible with Kinomap
- Extras: Device holder
- Warranty: 12 months
Frame construction
The Bluefin Blade 2.0 rowing machine combines steel, aluminum, and ABS plastic parts in its construction. The rail
is made of extruded aluminum, the front frame section and the rear stabilizer are made of steel tubing, while the drive system covers are made of ABS material. All the steel parts are coated with a black, corrosion-resistant, and chip-resistant paint finish. The rail is not painted; it has its own “natural” polish.
Like most other magnetic rowers, the Bluefin Blade 2.0 is not too large. It measures only 65″ (165 cm) in length and 20″ (51 cm) in width. However, it is recommended to leave at least two feet of clearance at the rear of the rail and on each side of it for easy access and correct usage.
The unit’s rail is approx. 40″ (101 cm) long while the seat slides for a length of approx. 36″ (91.4 cm). This being said, the rower may not be the best choice for users above 6’3″ (190 cm) as they may not benefit from a complete leg extension. Also, the manual specifies a 220 lbs (100 kg) maximum user weight limit for the seat and rail.
The rower does not have a folding frame. However, it can be stored vertically. The top section of the front unit features an additional leveler which serves as a 3rd stabilizing foot when the unit is stored upright. While stored in an upright position, its footprint becomes approx. 29″L x 20″W (74 x 51 cm).
This Bluefin Fitness rower is not too heavy. Its net weight is around 44 lbs (20 kg). This being said, the transport of the packaged unit can be done by only one person.
Seat and other parts
The Bluefin Fitness Blade 2.0 rower is equipped with a seat similar to the Circuit Fitness AMZ-986RW-BT model. 
It is approx. 16″ (40 cm) wide, so it provides plenty of comfort and contact surface. Its top is padded and contoured. It stands at approx. 13″ (33 cm) above the floor level when pushed all the way back on the rail.
The base of the seat is made of steel. It is equipped with two sets of wheels that slide through the side grooves of the rail for maximum stability. They’re silicone-made for a smooth and quiet seat motion. They are concealed by the sides of the seat frame for maximum safety. They have internal sealed ball bearings.
The rower is equipped with a set of large footrests designed to accommodate athletic shoes of all sizes. They’re made of a durable thermoplastic polymer (probably polypropylene). They have a textured surface, heel guards, and adjustable straps, so you can perfectly secure your feet on them.
The footrests don’t offer size-adjustability but do have a pivoting design. They can tilt on their axis in order to adapt better to the position of your feet during rowing. Their angle is approx. 50°.
The pulling handle is a simple short cylindrical bar. It has PVC foam grips for improved contact. It does not have pulse sensors or other controls for the rower. It attaches to a heavy-duty nylon strap connected to the internal drive system. Since the rower uses a strap, not a chain, its usage is quieter and you don’t have to worry about chain lubrication, rust, or link tightening.
Resistance system
The Bluefin Blade 2.0 rowing machine is equipped with a manual magnetic resistance system. This means that you
don’t have to connect it to a power source and you don’t need an adapter for it. The console is battery-powered and does not play any role in the machine’s resistance adjustment.
The rower’s resistance system consists of a magnetic brake which is connected to the tension knob at the base of the machine’s front unit via a steel wire. When you turn the knob clockwise, the magnets move closer to the internal flywheel which increases the rowing difficulty. Conversely, when you turn the knob to the left, the gap between the magnets and the flywheel is increased, which reduces the rowing difficulty.
The exact weight of the internal flywheel is not specified. But considering that the rower itself is pretty light, the flywheel probably doesn’t weigh more than 20 lbs (9 kg). It is perimeter-weighted, though, for a more stable motion.
The main advantage of the magnetic brake is that the magnets don’t touch the flywheel. Thus, there is no internal friction and the rowing motion is very smooth and quiet. Plus, you don’t have to worry about the brake wearing out, or brake pads lubrication.
The machine makes available 8 resistance levels. The lowest level delivers a very light workout difficulty, great for muscle toning or recovery training. The 8th tension level doesn’t exactly provide a super-tough workout difficulty, but nonetheless, the difference between it and the 1st level is noticeable.
Console
The Bluefin Fitness Blade 2.0 rower is equipped with a pretty simple console. As we’ve mentioned above, it does not
control the machine’s resistance in any way. It is battery-powered. It starts up when you begin rowing, and also automatically turns off if it does not detect any activity on the rower for more than four minutes.
The unit features an LCD display with LED backlight divided into 7 sub-sections. It indicates time, stroke count, strokes per minute, distance, and calories burned. It also indicates pulse but it is not clear if it can be paired with a wireless heart rate chest strap; the rower itself does not have pulse sensors. Also, the distance is shown in meters.
The console does not have pre-set workout programs but does offer the possibility to select goals for time, distance, stroke count, and calories burned. If a goal is selected, the display will count down from the selected goal. The goal-setting function is done from the SET button. The MODE button covers the value selection function, and finally, the RESET button clears time, distance, calories, and stroke count to zero.
The console also has Bluetooth connectivity and you can pair it with the Kinomap app. There are two QR codes on it under the display which you can scan with your phone to install the app. This app offers the possibility to track your progress online, view various training videos, or row in various locations around the world.
Last but not least, the console unit incorporates a device holder. It has a small shelf at the base which can serve as support for your phone or tablet. However, it does not have any ports for your device (no AUX, no USB).
Assembly and Maintenance
The front unit of the rower with all the drive and resistance elements comes pre-assembled. You only have to attach the front base frame, the footrests, the console, insert the seat on the rail, connect the rail to the front section of the rower, and attach the rear stabilizer. This shouldn’t take more than 30-40 minutes of your time. The manual provides pretty clear assembly instructions, and all the needed tools are provided.
For maintenance, you only need to keep the rower clean, especially the rail, to prevent any damage to the seat wheels. The internal mechanism doesn’t require any lubrication.
The Pros
- Fairly sturdy rail – can support users up to 220 lbs;
- Can be stored vertically;
- Folding rear stabilizer;
- Padded, large seat for optimal comfort;
- Large, pivoting footrests with straps and heel guards;
- Smooth and quiet magnetic resistance system;
- 8 levels of resistance, for light to medium intensity workouts;
- LED backlit console – it tracks time, distance, count, SPM, and calories burned;
- Goal setting for time, distance, count, and calories;
- Bluetooth connectivity and compatibility with the Kinomap app;
- Device holder included;
- Easy to assemble;
- Little maintenance required.
The Cons
- No pre-set programs;
- No time/500m function.
Summary
The Bluefin Fitness Blade 2.0 is a rowing machine made for home use. It is equipped with an 8-level manual magnetic resistance system, a large contoured seat, a sturdy aluminum rail, and a console that tracks the most important workout metrics. The console also has Bluetooth connectivity and is compatible with the Kinomap app. It’s a rower made for light to medium-intensity workouts, muscle toning, stamina development, and weight loss.