| Unit | Size | Supported weight | Product weight | Resistance | Warranty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Velocity CHR-2001 Check Discounted Price | L:80" W:20" H:25" | 275 lbs | 75 lbs | Magnetic | Frame: 5 years Console: 90 days Part: 30 days |
The Velocity Exercise magnetic rower is one of the best magnetic rowing machines that you can get at the moment. It’s actually pretty similar with the Stamina Avari rower, but comes for a better price.
Just like most rowing machines within this price/capability range, the Velocity CHR-2001 offers an excellent aerobic exercise setting, making a great choice for home use. Due to its variety of workout programs and resistance levels, this machine can without a doubt, supply a diversity of workout possibilities. Therefore, if you’re looking for a top-quality fitness machine for your daily cardio, this rower is definitely one to look at. And this post should cover just about every aspect about it.
Technical Details and Specifications
- Assembled dimensions: 80L x 20W x 25H inches (203L x 51W x 63.5H cm)
- Product weight: 75 lbs (34 kg)
- Supported weight: 275 lbs (125 kg)
- Frame: Anodized aluminium
- Footrests: Pivoting, with straps
- Resistance type: Magnetic, 8 levels
- Progress tracking computer: 12 workout programs
- Warranty: Frame 5 years / Console 90 days / Parts 30 days
Frame
The sliding rail and the front base are made of anodized aluminum, this rower being quite sturdy. Even though it’s rated for a maximum user weight of 275 lbs (125 kg), it should be able to sustain users up to 300 lbs with no problem. The rear base is made of hard plastic, giving the sliding rail a slight slope. This particular aspect offers a better workout for the legs.
The cover of the flywheel and motor is made of hard plastic, and comes already attached, protecting the machine’s drive and brake systems. The front base is cylindrical, with plastic caps on its ends, being also equipped with small transport wheels. Although it’s not an extremely heavy piece of 
equipment, it’s not exactly easy to relocate and store after each session, so the wheels may come in handy.
Overall, the frame is pretty long, with an 80″L x 20″W footprint. However it’s foldable, as the gliding rail can be lifted up. This way, the machine will take only 36″ of floor, length-wise.
The footrests on the Velocity Exercise CHR-2001 are wide enough to accommodate feet of all sizes. They’re made of thick, hard plastic, with a ribbed design. They’re also equipped with straps, to prevent slippage of the feet during workouts. But most importantly, the footrests are angle adjustable, so you can tilt them at the angle that you feel most comfortable with. They’re not horizontally adjustable though, in other words cannot be adjusted front-to-back. Also, the length of the rowing strap and the seat’s rail are actually intended for users between 4’10” – 6’1″ (147 – 185 cm).
Last but not least regarding the frame of this rower, its seat is made of polyurethane material. It’s a pretty hard seat, without cushioning, but its contoured design offers enough comfort. If you’re new to rowing and the seat may be too hard for you at first, a gel seat cover should solve the problem, though.
Resistance system
This rowing machine features a drum magnetic control system (DMC). In other words, its resistance system involves a magnetic flywheel, a tension pulley and a small servomotor. The Velocity Exercise CHR-2001 features a rowing strap not a chain, which is connected to a pulley of about the same diameter as the flywheel. The pulley and the flywheel are connected via a high-torque transmision belt. This being said, since there’s no connection between the flywheel and the brake pad, and the “drive” of the machine involves a belt not a chain, there’s virtually no maintenance required to the insides of the machine. On top of that, this rower does not emit too much noise. Basically, the only noise that you will hear as you work out, is the whirring of the seat’s wheels on the gliding rail.
The resistance adjustment is done exclusively through the machine’s incorporated console. The machine is capable of 8 resistance levels. However, you can workout without powering it on, and use the default, level 1 resistance setting. It’s maximum resistance level can be compared to about 3/4 of the maximum resistance setting that a gym-grade air rower can provide. Differently put, you will benefit from more than enough resistance for a consistent workout.
To use the programs on the console and adjust resistance, the machine requires to be plugged into a 110V circuit. The unit comes with an adapter. To be more specific, it’s an AHEAD AC Adaptor, class 2, with an input of AC120V, 60Hz and 14W, and an output of DC 6V, 1000 mA. Evidently, this adapter does not work with a 220V outlet.
Console
The console included with the Velocity Exercise magnetic rower isn’t exactly the most advanced one, but it has much more to offer than a basic rower console. To begin with, this performance 
monitor can track time, distance, strokes per minute, total strokes, calories, pulse and also indicates wattage. It gives you the possibility to set goals for distance and time. Also, it has 12 workout apps, including 6 preloaded workout programs, 1 manual, 1 for heart rate, and 4 user profile programs.
The manual program is best to use if you want to manually adjust resistance as you row. The HR program focuses on providing a cardio-focused workout, while the 6 preset programs will automatically adjust resistance as you row, simulating windy or stronger currents. The user profiles provide a nice function to have in case multiple persons use the machine.
The console is telemetry enabled, and tracks pulse via a heart rate chest strap which is included with the rower. It also features a Pulse Recovery function, which rates your pulse after your workout. To use this function you need to press down the Pulse Recovery button for 1 minute, and via the chest strap, the console will rate your heart rate F1 – F6 (F1-best, F6-worst).
Other than this, the console is pretty easy and straightforward to use. It has a Start/Stop button, two arrow buttons for resistance or scanning through the programse, and Enter button for selecting values and of course, the aforementioned Pulse Recovery button.
Assembly and Maintenance
One of the easiest fitness machines to assemble, this Velocity rower only requires you to attach the front base to the main frame, the gliding rail, the seat and the footrests. The console, along with the “insides” of the machine, are already connected and covered by the plastic shrouds. The manual included with the box offers excellent step-by-step guidance through the whole process. The tools required for the assembly are also included. The whole task shouldn’t take longer than 20 min.
Maintenance doesn’t require too much hassle either. Since it’s a magnetic resistance machine, there’s no wear and tear to the braking system, so you don’t have to worry about replacing brake pads. Basically, the whole maintenance only requires you to keep the seat rail free of any debris that might cause damage to the rollers. Also, if it begins to squeak, some silicone-based lubricant should solve the problem.
The Pros
In case you may have missed any of the positive aspects of this rower, here’s a summary:
- Solid and sturdy frame, with quite an appealing design;
- Space saving, as it has a foldable frame;
- Gliding rail slightly inclined for a better leg workout;
- Angle-adjustable footrests;
- Contoured seat, for optimal ergonomics;
- Adjustable, electric powered, magnetic resistance, with 8 levels;
- 12 workout apps;
- Goal setting functions;
- Includes chest strap for monitoring heart rate;
- Extremely quiet machine;
- Little maintenance required;
The Cons
There isn’t much to be said about this rowing machine, when it comes to drawbacks. There are however a few aspects that may be considered downsides, so it wouldn’t be fair to leave them out:
- Although it has a pretty large footprint, it doesn’t accommodate extra tall users, only up to 6’1″ – 6’2″;
- Resistance doesn’t have such a natural feel such as in air or water rowers, but this doesn’t stop the machine from offering a solid aerobic workout.
Final Word
The Velocity Exercise CHR-2001 magnetic rowing machine provides just about everything you would want from a magnetic rower. Diversity in workout routines, variable resistance, and an excellent setting for a consistent daily cardio workout, are some of the main benefits that this machine will bring into your life. Above all, it comes with an excellent price/quality ratio, and it’s a pretty solid machine.