| Unit | Size | Supported weight | Product weight | Resistance | Warranty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H2O RX-750 Check Discounted Price | L:78" W:22" H:20" | 350 lbs | 65 lbs | Water | Frame: lifetime Tank: 3 years Seals: 3 years Mechanical: 2 years Parts: 2 years |
Just as the Newport model from First Degree Fitness, the H2O RX-750 ProRower is another, more affordable alternative for the fluid rower models made by WaterRower. Design, quality and effectiveness are the three main words to describe this water rowing machine. It’s a rower made for users of all levels, and an excellent fitness machine for cardio, muscle toning, stamina building and weight loss. It’s also not a very expensive rower compared with other similar models. Therefore, if you’re on the lookout for a budget fluid rowing machine, here’s what you should know about this H2O model.
Technical Details and Specifications
- Assembled dimensions: 78L x 22W x 20H inches (198L x 56W x 51H cm)
- Product weight: 65 lbs (30 kg)
- Maximum user weight: 350 lbs (159 kg)
- Frame: Aluminum / steel / acrylic combo
- Footrests: Pivoting, with straps
- Resistance type: Water
- Performance monitor: Yes
- Warranty: Frame lifetime / Tank and seals 3 years / Mechanical 2 years / Parts 2 year
Frame and its components
The frame construction of this rower is quite similar to the FDF Pacific model. It combines parts of anodized aluminum, steel and hard plastic. It has a nice, silver finish, resistant to corrosion. The frame consists of two main parts: the front part, which sustains the water tank, and the rear part which is basically the rail with the gliding seat. The frame rests on three bases. The front part features two bases, consisting on tubing a bit higher in diameter, finished with hard plastic caps.
The front base also features transport wheels, which considerably help with the relocation and storage of the machine. The rear base is a simpler, consisting in a small, square metallic tube, with plastic padding on the lower part.
The frame is not foldable. However, it can be stored vertically, resting on the front base and the metallic guard of the water tank. The water doesn’t require to be removed from the tank, for the storage of the machine. When in vertical position it save quite some space having a footprint of 20″L x 22″W (51 x 56 cm). On the other hand, when in fully assembled and ready-to-use position, the machine takes quite some floor space, especially length-wise. Its footprint is 78″L x 22″W (198 x 56 cm), therefore before choosing this machine, make sure you have the available space for it. On the other hand, this rather long footprint is a plus, as the gliding rail is pretty long, being able to accommodate even tall users, up to 6’7″-6’8″ (200 – 203 cm), or in other words, users with an inseam up to 39″ (99 cm).
The gliding rail of this rower is made of anodized aluminum, pretty durable, capable to withstand a user weight of up to 350 lbs (159 kg). It’s completely horizontal, not slightly inclined as in other rower models, such as Stamina Air for example, providing a correct rowing position. The seat uses high-grade rollers, made to last for many years of use. The rollers’ track is concealed, to maximize safety and ensure a smooth operation.
The seat provided with the H2O ProRower RX-750 is quite wide in size, with a contoured, ergonomic design, meant to minimize the stress on the buttocks. In case you’re wondering, the seat will give you an elevation from the floor of about 11″ (28 cm).
The footrests on this rower are not size-adjustable, but they have a pivoting design, which allows the adjustment their angle. This is quite a great feature to have, as many rowing machines offer only fixed footrests, at an angle of cca 45°, and not all users may be comfortable with it. The footrests feature a heel guard and adjustable straps to prevent foot slippage.
Water tank and resistance system
The water tank is pretty similar to the ones used in most other fluid rowers. It’s a polycarbonate material tank, equipped with a triple-blade impeller, designed to simulate the natural, water resistance and natural rowing feel. The drive system of the rower involves a pulley, a belt and a 1″ nylon bungee cord, similar to a car’s seat belt, quite durable. The bungee cord is attached to a 
slightly curved handle, with grips covered in rubber foam padding, to prevent blistering. This particularly insignificant aspect, the pulling handle being curved, helps a lot with the completion of the stroking motion, being easier to pull it closer to the chest.
The maximum capacity of the tank is 17 liters (4.5 gal), and for the proper functioning of the unit, it requires a water quantity between 9 – 17 liters (2.3 – 4.5 gal).The water tank, and respectively the RX-750 rower does not feature any resistance adjusting dials, or resistance system. The only adjustment that you can make is the water level inside the tank; the more water, the more resistance for the average stroke. There are actually markings on the side of the water tank, recommending water levels for it.
On the other hand, since it’s a water-based rower, the resistance isn’t constant. It’s dictated by the amount of strength you put into each stroke; the harder you pull, the more resistance you will get. This is pretty much the same principle as rowing an actual boat. Also, to get an idea of the overall resistance of this rower, it’s going to be pretty difficult to last for several minutes, by pulling as hard as you can, if you don’t have the physical shape and stamina of a professional rower.
The box includes a siphon with a flexible hose for filling/emptying the water tank. You also get chlorine pills for treating the water in the tank, to prevent the formation of algae.
Performance monitor
The performance computer supplied with the H2O RX-750 ProRower is actually a MyRower model. It’s a pretty basic rower computer, but does cover all the values required by the user to 
know during their workout. This console displays and keeps track of time, distance, calorie/hour, heart rate and strokes per minute (SPM). It also has a 500M function, which indicates your time for 500 meters of rowing.
The MyRower computer is quite easy to use. It features three buttons: MODE, SET and RESET. The MODE button is your key button for all functions. It’s used to set goals for time, distance and heart rate. SET is used to insert your desired value, and evidently RESET to reset value. It also has an AutoScan mode which will cycle through the aforementioned values, showing each one for 5 seconds.
When it comes to heart rate, this rower doesn’t feature any sensors that can actually read heart rate. However, the console is compatible with most Polar HR chest straps, and will be able to track pulse with one of those. A HR strap is not provided with the rower, though.
Finally, the console is battery powered. It requires 2 x AA-type batteries. Batteries are not included.
Assembly and Maintenance
The assembly of the ProRower RX-750 is far from being difficult. It shouldn’t take more than 30 minutes. There are basically 8 steps to assemble this unit, and the whole assembly pretty much requires you to connect the rail to the main part of the frame, add the seat, the rear base, and connect the console. And evidently, fill up the tank by using the siphon and funnel provided. Needless to say, the owner’s manual is supplied with the box, as well as the several tools necessary for the assembly.
The machine isn’t completely maintenance free though. It requires the changing and treatment of water in the tank from time to time, with the supplied chlorine pills. In case you run out of chlorine pills, as a general idea, just about any 1″ chlorine pill for pool use should do. They can’t possible generate any damage to the tank.
Other than water replacement and treatment, the rollers may require greasing from time to time. Also, the gliding rail must be kept free from any debris, to avoid any damage to the rollers.
The Pros
Since it’s an excellent rowing machine, it’s only natural to come with quite a bunch of pros. Even though we’ve mentioned most of them in detail, just in case you’ve missed on, here’s a summary:
- Water resistance, offering a natural rowing feel, the best that you can get from a rowing machine;
- Solid frame, with quite an appealing design;
- Space-saver design, can be stored vertically;
- Sturdy gliding rail, being able to support users up to 350 lbs;
- Top-quality seat rollers, with heavy-duty ball bearings;
- Concealed gliding rail for maximum safety;
- Comfortable, ergonomically designed seat;
- Pivoting footrests;
- Ergonomically designed handle;
- Performance monitor included;
- Really easy to assemble and handle;
- Quiet machine, great for apartment use;
- Little maintenance;
- Excellent warranty package.
The Cons
Even though it’s an outstanding fitness machine, this ProRower does have a few drawbacks. It wouldn’t be fair to leave them out, so here they are:
- Footplates are pivoting, but they’re non-adjustable size-wise;
- Console can track pulse, but requires a chest strap, which is not supplied.
Bottom Line
The H2O Fitness RX-750 rower is one of the best and most affordable fluid rowers that you can find at the moment. Although it doesn’t offer the full range of “belts and whistles” a commercial grade rower normally offers, it still is a machine pretty close to the quality of those used in most gyms. It’s actually a gym-grade rower, tweaked for home use. It does provide the rowing training setting for users of all levels, it supplies the natural rowing feel, and also soothes your nerves. And evidently, it’s an excellent machine for a low-impact, full-body workout.