| Unit | Size | Supported weight | Assembled weight | Resistance | Console |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Fitness Reality 2000F Check Discounted Price | L:80" W:23" H:28.5" | 250 lbs | 64.3 lbs | Magnetic, 14 levels | Time, Split/Time, Strokes, SPM, Distance, Calories, Watts, Goals |
The Fitness Reality 2000F is one of the many rowing machines released in 2020. It’s a magnetic rower with an open flywheel, similar to the Sunny Health & Fitness SF-RW5856 model. However, it is equipped with a superior fitness computer which can also connect online to the MyCloudFitness app.
Key Features and Specifications
- Assembled dimensions: 80L x 23W x 28.5H (203L x 58W x 72H cm)
- Assembled weight: 64.3 lbs (29 kg)
- Flywheel weight: 12 lbs (5.4 kg)
- Weight capacity: 250 lbs (113 kg)
- Footrests: Pivoting, with straps
- Resistance type: Magnetic, 14 levels
- Console: Time, split/time, strokes, spm, distance, calories, watts, goals
- Warranty: 1 year limited
Frame construction
The Fitness Reality 2000F magnetic rower features a steel frame construction. It combines rectangular
and ovalized tubes in its construction for improved sturdiness and aesthetics. It has a slightly different design than other rowers in this price range featuring two stabilizers for the front frame section and a smaller housing for the drive and resistance elements.
All the steel parts in the frame construction are coated with a corrosion-resistant paint finish. The color used is black, this being the only color available for this trainer. The only exceptions are the flywheel which has a gray paint coating, and its protective bar which is painted red.
The fully assembled rower is fairly large, especially lengthwise. It is approx. 80″ (203 cm) long, and 23″ (58 cm) wide, while its highest point reaches approx. 28″ (72 cm) above floor level. It is recommended, though, to leave at least 24″ (61 cm) of clearance on each side and at the rear of the machine for ease of access and unhindered usage.
The Fitness Reality 2000F rower is foldable. Its rail with the seat can be folded up to save space. With the rail folded up, the unit’s length is reduced to 41.5″ (105 cm) while its height becomes 57.5″ (146 cm).
The machine’s slide rail is approx. 38″ (96.5 cm). This being said, the rower should accommodate comfortably users up to 6’5″ (196 cm) allowing a complete leg extension. The rail is also durable enough to support users up to 250 lbs (113 kg) without bending or flexing.
Compared to other rowers, the FR 2000F model is a bit lighter. With all the parts assembled, it weighs only 64.3 lbs (29 kg). This being said, it can be assembled by only one person. Also, its front base bar features a set of transport wheels, while its rear base is equipped with two adjustable levelers.
Seat and other parts
The Fitness Reality 2000F rower features a seat similar to the seat of the Marcy NS-6070RW rower. To begin
with, its top is contoured for a better positioning, and integrates a layer of padding to reduce the stress on your tailbone. It is approx. 12″ (30.5 cm) wide, and 10″ (25.4 cm) long. It also stands at an approximate height of 15″ (38 cm) above floor level. But it’s important to mention, though, that the rail is not perfectly horizontal. It is inclined forward by a few degrees, so the seat will be a little higher when extended all the way to the rear.
The seat base is steel-made. It is equipped with three sets of rollers. Two of them slide on top of the rail while the third slides underneath it for extra stability. The rollers integrate heavy-duty sealed ball bearings for a smooth seat motion and feature a rubberized coating for reduced noise.
The rower’s footrests are non-adjustable. However, they’re pretty large so they should be able to accommodate athletic footwear of all sizes. They have a ribbed surface, heel guards, and adjustable straps for extra foot stability.
The footrests feature a pivoting design. This means they can tilt on their axis. However, they also have stoppers at the heels to prevent them from tilting backward over more than 45°.
The machine’s pulling handle features a simple design. It’s basically a 21.5″ (54.6 cm) bar with rubberized grips. It does not integrate any pulse sensors or other controls like other, more expensive rowers. It is attached to a heavy-duty nylon strap which is highly resistant to abrasion. Evidently, since the machine uses a strap, not a chain, like the Concept2 Model D for example, the usage of the rower is quieter and the drive system doesn’t require lubrication.
Resistance system
The Fitness Reality 2000F is equipped with a manual magnetic resistance system. This means you don’t 
have to connect it you a power outlet, nor you need any adapter for it. The only required power source is a set of 4 AA batteries for the machine’s console. This also means that the trainer does not adjust the resistance automatically.
The machine’s resistance system consists of a magnetic brake which is connected to the tension dial on top of the machine’s front unit through a steel wire. By turning the knob clockwise, the brake moves closer to the flywheel which increases the workout load.
The rower makes available 14 resistance levels. The first ones deliver a fairly light rowing difficulty, great for cardio training and stamina development. Conversely, the 14th level adds considerably more difficulty to the rowing motion. As a general idea, even a professional athlete may not be able to sustain a steady pace on this difficulty level for more than a few minutes.
The unit’s flywheel features a balanced, slim structure. It weighs 12 lbs (5.4 kg). It is not perimeter weighted but delivers a very consistent and smooth rowing motion. It’s also important to mention that the machine’s drive system uses a dual belt transmission which not only improves the smoothness of the ride, it also adds a bit of extra resistance.
Needless to say, the Fitness Reality 2000F rower doesn’t have water or air resistance elements. It is a full-magnetic rower. This being said, it does not offer a dynamic response during rowing. In other words, the resistance doesn’t depend on how hard you pull the handle, only by the selected tension level. Therefore, the rowing feel is not as close to the rowing of a real boat through the water as it is the case for an air rower or water rower. But nonetheless, it still provides an excellent, full-body workout.
Exercise meter
The Fitness Reality 2000F rower is equipped with a fairly decent exercise meter, compared to other rowers
made for home use. To begin with, it features a 6-window LCD display which tracks time, split/time, strokes, spm, distance, calories, and watts. SPM (strokes per minute) and distance (meters, km) share the same window and are shown alternatively for a few seconds each. The unit does not have a pulse reading function.
The meter unit doesn’t have any preset workout programs but does offer Goal Settings for time, distance, and calories. If a goal is selected for any of these metrics, the display will count down from the selected value until it reaches zero.
Similar to other Fitness Reality cardio trainers, the exercise meter of the 2000F magnetic rower has built-in Bluetooth and is compatible with the MyCloudFitness free app for iOS and Android. Therefore, once you download this app on your smartphone, you should be able to sync the machine’s exercise meter with the app and record your workout data to track your progress better.
The exercise meter uses four AA batteries which are included. It starts up when you begin rowing but also automatically shuts off after several minutes of inactivity on the rower.
Assembly and Maintenance
The front section of the rower with the flywheel, resistance system, and all the other drive elements comes pre-assembled. You only have to attach the front base bar, connect the rail to the front part of the frame, insert the seat on the rail, add the rear base bar, and the footrests. This shouldn’t take longer than 30 minutes. The task is far from being complicated and the manual provides clear assembly instructions and schematics. A basic toolkit is also included.
For maintenance, it is recommended to keep the unit clean, especially the rail, to prevent any damage to the wheels of the seat. The internal elements do not require any maintenance. It is also recommended to periodically check for loose bolts and parts, and re-tighten them if necessary.
The Pros
- Sturdy frame for home-use machine – can support users up to 250 lbs;
- Folding design;
- Adjustable levelers on the rear base bar;
- Transport wheels on the front base bar;
- Padded and contoured seat for optimal comfort;
- Pivoting footrests for a perfect foot position with each stroke;
- Fairly long rail – can accommodate users up to 6’5″;
- Quiet and smooth magnetic resistance system;
- 14 levels of resistance, for light to medium workouts;
- Exercise meter included – it can track time, count, total count, calories, distance, and RPM;
- Goal setting functions for time, count, and calories;
- Phone holder included;
- Batteries for the console are included;
- Tools for the assembly are included;
- Easy to assemble;
- Little maintenance required.
The Cons
- No pulse reading function;
- No backlight on the exercise meter.
Summary
The Fitness Reality 2000F is a rowing machine made for home use. It features a 14-level magnetic resistance system, and open 12-lb flywheel, and an exercise meter that tracks all the important workout metrics. Its rail is fairly long so the machine can accommodate users up to 6’5″, and also folds for better storage possibilities. In all, it’s an excellent machine for light to intense cardio workouts, interval training, stamina development, muscle toning, and weight loss.