Murtisol OLA-RW806 Water Resistance Rower

Unit	Size	Supported weight	Assembled weight	Resistance	Console
Murtisol OLA-RW806 Check Discounted Price	L:76" W:19" H:26"	265 lbs	66 lbs	Water	Time, Distance, SPM, Strokes, Calories, Pulse, Recovery, Race, Goals,

The Murtisol OLA-RW806 is one of the rowing machines released in 2021. In terms of design, it can be compared with the Sunny Health & Fitness Hydro SF-RW5910 as it has an inclined water tank. However, it has pivoting footrests and a slightly lower weight capacity. Also, the included fitness monitor does not have a device holder.

Key Features and Specifications

• Assembled dimensions: 76L x 19W x 26H inches (193L x 48W x 66H cm)
• Assembled weight: 66 lbs (30 kg)
• Supported weight: 264 lbs (120 kg)
• Frame: Steel & aluminum
• Footrests: Pivoting, with straps
• Resistance type: Water
• Fitness monitor: Time, strokes, strokes per minute, distance, calories, pulse

Frame construction

The Murtisol OLA-RW806 combines steel, aluminum, and ABS parts in its construction. Needless to say, the frame is made of steel tubing. Most of the tubes in its construction are oval, for improved sturdiness and aesthetics. The rail is rectangular and features two side covers made from extruded aluminum for extra reinforcement, and for a smoother seat travel. The console casing, the footrests, and several other small parts are made of durable ABS plastic. And, of course, the tank is made of polycarbonate material.

All the steel frame parts are coated with a corrosion-resistant paint finish, black in color, this being the only color available for this machine (at least for now). The aluminum covers of the rail are not painted; they have their natural polish. Most of the ABS parts are also black in color, to fit the color theme of the machine.

This Murtisol rower is not too large. With all the parts assembled, it is 76″ (193 cm) long, and 19″ (48 cm) wide. It is recommended for users with a maximum inseam of 31″ (78 cm). Therefore, it should be able to accommodate users between 5’0″ and 6’1″ (153 – 185 cm). Taller users may not benefit from a complete leg extension. Also, the rail is rated for a maximum user weight limit of 265 lbs (120 kg), which is not bad for a home-use machine.

The rower does not have a folding design. However, it can be stored vertically. Its front frame bars that go over the water resistance tank feature two extra stabilizers for securing the machine in a vertical position. The unit is not too heavy either. Its net weight (without water inside the tank) is only 66 lbs (30 kg). Plus, it can easily be moved as its front base features transport wheels.

Seat and other parts

The Murtisol OLA-RW806 is equipped with a seat similar to the one included with the MKHS rower. Its top is contoured in order to provide a better positioning for the user. It is made of high-density foam so it’s not too hard either. It is approx. 12″ (30.4 cm) wide, and 9″ (23 cm) deep, so it provides plenty of contact surface.

The base of the seat is steel-made. It integrates three sets of wheels. Two of them roll on top of the rail assembly, the other one closes the seat frame over the rail and rolls under the rail for extra stability. All the wheels have ball bearings for a smooth motion and a rubber layer on the outside for reduced noise.

The machine’s rail is horizontal. Therefore, the rowing motion is neutral. This also means that the seat height remains constant throughout the stroke. Its top is at approx. 12″ – 13″ (30 – 33 cm) above the floor.

As we’ve mentioned above, the rower’s footrests are made from a durable ABS polymer. They are non-adjustable, but they’re large enough to accommodate athletic shoes of all sizes. They have heel guards and straps so you can perfectly secure your feet on them.

The footrests feature a pivoting design. In other words, they can tilt on their axles in order to adapt better to the position of your feet during rowing. They have stoppers, though, so they won’t tilt back past an angle of approx. 45°.

The unit’s pulling handle is a pretty simple straight bar. It has oval grips made of high-density foam material. It does not have pulse sensors, or other controls for the rower. It attaches to a heavy-duty nylon strap which is highly resistant to abrasion.

Resistance system

The Murtisol OLA-RW806 is a water resistance rower. It is equipped with a water tank made of polycarbonate material. It has a capacity of approx. 4.5 gallons (17 liters). It is also inclined which adds a bit of extra resistance to the rowing motion because the water is pushed up and the gravity force is also involved.

The main resistance element is a multi-blade impeller. This element is connected to the tank’s pulley system and to the strap. As you pull the handle, it spins inside the water tank and generates resistance.

The water tank has a simple construction with only one chamber. Therefore, it does not have any mechanical resistance adjustment system. So, in order to increase or decrease the overall resistance, you have to manually add or remove water from the tank. A pump is included with the machine.

Similar to other water resistance rowers, the Murtisol OLA-RW806 provides a dynamic response during rowing. This means that the resistance increases if you pull the handle faster, as it also enables the impeller to spin faster inside the tank. This leads to a sensation similar to rowing a real boat which can be quite a plus especially for users who want to train on a professional level.

The rower does generate some noise during usage. However, it is not extremely loud and it shouldn’t cover the sound of a TV set on a low volume. It’s also quite appealing compared to the sound generated by certain air resistance rowers.

Fitness monitor

The Murtisol OLA-RW806 comes with a fitness monitor similar to the one included with the Circuit Fitness AMZ-167RW model. It features an LCD display divided into multiple sub-sections in order to show as many workout metrics as possible at once. It tracks time, distance, strokes per minute, total strokes, calories burned, and pulse.

The distance is shown in meters. For the pulse reading function, the rower does not have any integrated sensors. It should be able to read your pulse if you wear a 5.3 kHz HR chest strap. This accessory is not included, though.

The monitor unit does not have Bluetooth or online connectivity. It is not compatible with any fitness apps. However, it has three workout modes to keep you motivated. First of all, it has the quick start mode; in this mode, it just records the data as you row. Next, there is the countdown mode which essentially gives you the possibility to set up a workout goal for either time, distance, or strokes. If a goal is selected, the unit will count down from the selected values.

The third mode, is the race mode. This is basically a program that 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 computer reach the distance goal that was set for the race.

Finally, the monitor has a pulse recovery function. Evidently, this is only available if you wear a heart rate 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).

Assembly and Maintenance

The front section of the rower with the water tank comes pre-assembled. However, you still have to attach the front stabilizer, the rail with the seat, the rear stabilizer, and the fitness monitor. Next, you have to fill the tank with water. The manual provides all the necessary instructions. All the tools for the assembly are included, as well as a siphon pump for filling up the tank.

Once the rower is assembled, maintenance does not require much. A bottle of water purification pills is included, so you shouldn’t need to change the water too often. The rail should be kept free of any small objects or textile fibers to prevent damage to the seat’s wheels. Other than this, you only have to periodically inspect the machine to make sure that all the parts still function properly.

The Pros

• Sturdy frame – can support users up to 265 lbs (120 kg);
• Aesthetic design;
• Space-saving unit – can be stored vertically;
• Transport wheels on the front base;
• Adjustable levelers on the rear stabilizer;
• Ergonomic, contoured designed seat;
• Durable footrests with heel guards and adjustable straps;
• Water-resistance system for a dynamic response;
• Angled water tank for extra resistance;
• Fitness monitor included – it tracks time, strokes, SPM, distance, calories, and pulse
• Countdown modes;
• Race program;
• Recovery function;
• Long, foldable arm for the console unit;
• Smooth and quiet operation;
• Little maintenance required;
• Easy to assemble.

The Cons

• The monitor display does not have backlight;
• A heart rate chest strap is not included;
• No phone/tablet holder.

Summary

The Murtisol OLA-RW806 is a rowing machine made for home use. It features a water resistance system, a steel frame with a 31″ rail and a maximum weight limit of 265 lbs, a set of pivoting footrests, and a comfortable seat. It also comes with a fitness monitor that tracks the most important workout metrics, has a race mode, and countdown modes. It’s a great fitness machine for a full-body cardio workout, muscle toning, stamina development, and weight loss. It’s also one of the most affordable water resistance rowers at the moment.