Marcy NS-6070RW Water Resistance Rower

Unit	Size	Supported weight	Resistance	Console	Warranty
Marcy NS-6070RW Check Discounted Price	L:78.75" W:22" H:42.25"	300 lbs	Water	Time, Time/500m Distance, SPM, Strokes, Calories, Pulse, Recovery, Race, Manual	2 years limited

The NS-6070RW rower is one of the new models released by MarcyPro in the second part of 2019. It’s a water resistance rower similar in terms of features to the Sunny SF-RW5713 or the MaxKare Water Rower that we’ve already reviewed here. It lacks the high bases, but on the other hand, it offers a greater weight capacity. It’s definitely a sturdy machine, great for any home gym setup.

Key Features and Specifications

• Assembled dimensions: 78.75L x 22W x 42.25H inches (200L x 56W x 107H cm)
• Supported weight: 300 lbs (136 kg)
• Frame: Steel
• Footrests: Fixed, with adjustable straps
• Resistance type: Water
• Exercise meter: Total time, 500m time, distance, SPM, total strokes, calories, heart rate, race program, recovery
• Warranty: 2 years limited

Frame construction

Although it’s not a commercial-grade machine, the Marcy NS-6070RW features a pretty sturdy frame, made of steel tubing. Its sliding rail is rated for a weight capacity of 300 lbs (136 kg), a bit more than for other similar models. The whole frame features a corrosion-resistant, black paint finish, with the “MarcyPro” logo painted white/gray.

The fully assembled machine is fairly large, especially lengthwise. It is approx. 78.75″ (200 cm) long, and 22″ (56 cm) wide, so it may not fit too well in a small room. Plus, MarcyPro recommends leaving a clearance of at least two feet all around the unit for ease of access and safe usage.

The unit’s sliding rail is approx. 40″ (101 cm), while the seat travel length is approx. 36″ (91 cm). This being said, the unit should accommodate users up to 6’2″ (188 cm) with no problem, allowing a complete leg extension and a correct rowing motion.

As we’ve mentioned above, the Marcy NS-6070RW lacks the elevated front and rear bases that are characteristic to several other similar rowers. Therefore, its seat is closer to the floor (at approx. 12″ – 30 cm). Also, its sliding rail is slightly inclined forward which leads to a faster recovery motion an a bit of extra difficulty for the leg push phase.

The exact weight of this rower is not specified, but as a general idea, it weighs more than 80 lbs (36 kg), without water in the tank. Therefore, the transport of the boxed unit may require two people, but the assembly can be done by only one person. Also, once the unit is fully assembled, it can easily be relocated; its front base features a set of transport wheels.

The machine’s frame does not fold; however, it can be stored vertically, resting on the front wheels and the extra stabilizer attached to the top of the front frame section. When stored vertically and with the console arm folded, the unit’s base becomes approx. 20″ x 22″ (51 x 56 cm). Also, in case you’re wondering, the water can remain in the tank when the unit is stored vertically.

One last aspect to mention here regards the machine’s rear and front base stabilizers. Its rear base is equipped with two adjustable levelers, while the front base rests on two large rubberized pads, similar to the ones on the WaterRower Oxbridge.

Seat and other parts

The Marcy NS-6070RW water resistance rower is equipped with a seat designed for optimal comfort. Its top is made of high-density foam; it is firm but not extremely hard. It is also contoured in order to minimized soreness, provide a better positioning for the user, and prevent sliding backward from it.

The seat base is steel-made. As we’ve mentioned above, the whole seat assembly and the sliding rail are rated for a user weight capacity of 300 lbs (136 kg). It integrates three sets of wheels, two placed on top of the rail, the other under the rail to provide extra stability. The wheels are designed to minimize noise, featuring an outer rubber shell, and internal sealed ball bearings for a smooth seat motion. Also, all the wheels are concealed by the side panels of the seat to maximize safety.

This Marcy rower is equipped with two non-adjustable footrests, made of thick, durable ABS material. They are large enough to accommodate athletic shoes of all sizes. They also have adjustable straps and heel guards for improved foot stability.

The machine’s footrests do not pivot on their axis. Their metallic base is directly welded to the main frame. They are placed at an optimal angle of approx. 50°, designed to provide firm support for the leg push phase.

The pulling handle features an ergonomic design. It is slightly curved towards the user to provide a more natural positioning for the hands and reduce the stress on the wrists during rowing. Its is urethane-covered for an improved grip and attached to an abrasion-resistant nylon strap. The pulling handle does not integrate any pulse sensors; however, the console can monitor pulse rate.

Water tank and resistance system

The Marcy water rower machine NS-6070RW is equipped with a durable polycarbonate water tank. Its exact capacity is not specified, but it is similar to the tanks of other rowers in this feature range, so it should be between 3-4 gallons (11-15 liters).

The tank integrates a 16-blade impeller made of heavy-duty ABS material. This is the primary resistance-generating element of the unit. The impeller is connected to a pulley system and a bungee cord attached to the bottom of the front base frame which makes possible its reverse rotation.

The machine’s resistance system is simple. As you pull the handle with the strap, the impeller spins inside the tank filled with water which adds resistance to rowing motion. The tank does not have an adjustment resistance system like the FDF Cambridge Challenge AR rower, but you can still adjust the overall water resistance by adding or removing water manually from the tank. There are 6 distinct water levels marked on the tank.

Just as any other water resistance rower, the Marcy NS-6070RW machine delivers a dynamic response during rowing. In other words, the resistance depends on the speed of the impeller. Differently put, if you pull the handle faster, the impeller will spin faster and generate more resistance. This leads to a sensation similar to the rowing of a real boat.

Last but not least, the rower generates a bit of noise during usage. However, the noise level is low and the sound is far from being annoying, which may be the case with certain air resistance rowers.

Exercise meter

This Marcy rowing machine is equipped with a mid-range exercise meter. It is battery-powered and requires two AA batteries. It features an LCD display with multiple windows to show all the metrics at once, so you don’t have to continuously select the ones you want to view. It tracks time, time/500m, distance, strokes per minute (SPM), total strokes, calories, and pulse. The distance value is shown in meters (cannot be changed to miles or yards), while for the pulse reading you will need a 5.3 kHz HR chest strap (not included); the machine does not have any integrated pulse sensors, so the meter unit can only read your pulse through a wireless strap.

The exercise meter does not have Bluetooth or any other online capabilities. It also isn’t compatible with any fitness apps. However, it has two workout programs to keep you motivated. The first program is Manual. This has two workout modes. For the first mode, you can select goal settings for time, distance, strokes, calories, or pulse. It’s important to mention, though, that you can only select a goal value for one of the aforementioned functions. So, if for example, you set a goal value for time, you won’t be able to set a goal for distance, strokes, etc. The second workout mode is basically free mode. You simply press Start, begin rowing and the monitor will track all your workout metrics.

The second program is Race. As its name suggests, this program creates a racing training setting in which you will have to compete against the computer. It displays the user and the CPU as two boat icons on the center display, and when the program is initiated, the two icons begin to move. The program has 15 difficulty levels; the first level has a default timer of 8 minutes, while the 15th level has a default timer of 1 minute. The distance can be adjusted for each level. The race begins when you hit start, and ends whenever you or the PC reach the distance goal that was set for the race.

The meter unit also has a Recover function. This requires the use of an HR chest strap. It measures the heart rate cooldown at the end of the workout and based on the result, it will give you a fitness rating between F1 (excellent) and F6 (poor).

Two other notable functions of the rower’s meter unit are the Alarm and Sleep Mode. The Alarm can be set to notify you that you must begin your training. The Sleep Mode is initiated after 4 minutes of inactivity on the machine. During sleep mode, the unit displays the current date, room temperature, and clock.

Assembly and Maintenance

The rower’s water tank and all the other drive and resistance elements come pre-assembled, attached to the front frame section. Therefore, you only need to attach the seat to the sliding rail, connect the rail to the front main part of the rower, close it with the rear stabilizer, attach the console, and add water inside the tank. This shouldn’t take more than 30 minutes. All the necessary tools are included and the manual provides very clear assembly instruction.

For maintenance, it is recommended to keep the unit’s rail clean to prevent any damage to the seat rollers. The box does not include chlorine pills for water treatment, and the manual specifies that the water shouldn’t be treated with bleach or pool chlorine pills. So, regular water change may be a good call. And finally, it is recommended to periodically check for loose bolts and parts, and re-tighten them if necessary.

The Pros

• Sturdy frame – can support users up to 300 lbs (136 kg);
• Aesthetic design;
• Space-saving unit – can be stored vertically;
• Transport wheels on the front base;
• Adjustable stabilizers on the rear base;
• Ergonomic, contoured designed seat;
• Ergonomic, curved handle to minimize stress on the wrists;
• Durable footrests with heel guards and adjustable straps;
• Water resistance system, providing the most natural rowing feel that you can get;
• Exercise meter with a multi-window LCD display that tracks time, 500m/time, pulse, distance, strokes per minute, total strokes, calories;
• Two workout programs – Manual and Race;
• Recovery function;
• Smooth and quiet operation;
• Little maintenance required;
• Easy to assemble.

The Cons

• No chlorine pills for water treatment;
• The fitness meter does not have backlight;
• Chest strap or armband transmitter for pulse reading is not included.

Summary

The Marcy NS-6070RW is a water resistance rower designed for home use. It features a sturdy frame that can hold users up to 300 lbs. It is equipped with a durable polycarbonate tank featuring a 16-blade impeller, an ergonomic seat, and a fitness meter that tracks all the important workout readouts and has two workout programs. In all, it’s an excellent trainer for a full-body cardio workout, interval training, muscle toning, and stamina development.