I have always stood in awe of the type of humans who can wake up in the morning, put on their sneakers, and voluntarily go for a run.
I understand the importance of moving my body, I appreciate the positive effects of cardiovascular effort, but I have never enjoyed running.
It’s challenging on my knees and occasionally my back, but finding an alternative form of cardio has been a challenge.
That is until I discovered the XTERRA FITNESS ERG160 Magnetic Rower.
Things To Consider Before Buying An Exercise Machine
First and foremost, what is your goal behind buying an exercise machine?
There is no shortage of options when it comes to fitness equipment, although most of them work in very different ways.
All forms of exercise are not created equal.
If you are looking for muscle overload or equipment that will assist you in strength training, this is not the piece of machinery for you.
Strength training is where you strategically and systematically overload your muscles.
Working against the opposing force allows you to increase your overall strength, potentially leading to increased muscle mass and overall endurance.
This type of exercise can only be performed with free weights, weighted cable equipment, plate-assisted exercise equipment, or even body-weight workouts.
The more lean muscle you have on your frame, the more calories your system will burn at rest.
If you are interested in increasing your cardiovascular expenditure, then something like a rower, treadmill, or even a jump rope can assist you there.
Cardio is aerobic exercise, and the term can be broadly placed over any type of movement that gets your heartbeat pumping for a significant amount of time.
This type of exercise is efficient in burning calories and can aid in overall fat loss.
A cardio machine allows you to move your body with little risk of injury and creates a positive scenario where you are burning calories and getting your heart rate up.
Your personal fitness needs will ultimately drive what kind of fitness equipment you purchase.
Aim to purchase a piece of machinery that you will use often, won’t be too confusing and aligns well with your long term fitness goals.
XTERRA Fitness ERG160 Magnetic Rower
As its name implies, the XTERRA Fitness ERG160 Magnetic Rower utilizes the resistance of magnets within its compact design, allowing for 8 levels of resistance.
This means anyone from a total novice to an experienced athlete can easily use this machine and reach their fitness goals from home.
The Xterra Fitness ERG160 Magnetic Rower also features a convenient water bottle holder, keeping you hydrated during your workout.
A small accessory tray under the LED display makes it easy to read a book or watch your phone during a workout.
The wheels on the bottom of the machine allow it to be moved with ease and stored upright, and the oversized seat lets just about everyone sit comfortably without falling off.
The Xterra Fitness ERG160 Magnetic Rower can be a great way to start or complement your fitness routine.
Pros
- Easy to use for beginners or experienced athletes
- Gentle on joints; a low-impact form of cardio
- LED display allows user to track distance, calories, and more
- Compact design
- Sturdy Construction
Cons
- Only performs one activity, the user cannot vary the type of exercise
- May be a high price point for some buyers
- Does not aid in strength training or muscle overload
- No Heart Rate Monitor
- No Goal Setting Capability
Features and Benefits of Xterra Fitness ERG160 Magnetic Rower
Magnetic Flywheel Allows For Adjustable Resistance
Being able to adjust your resistance level is crucial to getting a great workout.
Your endurance level when you are first starting a fitness regimen versus when you are several weeks or months into one will vary.
If you want to have a tougher workout, simply adjust the knob to the desired level.
Some rowers utilize water to add resistance, but this can make the rower itself quite cumbersome and much heavier overall.
The magnetic flywheel allows the entire apparatus of the Xterra Fitness ERG160 Magnetic Rower to be 52 pounds when assembled, much lighter than some water rowers that are well over 100 pounds.
Designed With User Comfort In Mind
The Xterra Fitness ERG160 Magnetic Rower features an oversized seat so you don’t have to worry about sliding off the sides while you’re trying to get your sweat on.
This is especially helpful if you plan on being on the rower longer than a few minutes; believe me, it’s no fun if you have to keep adjusting how you’re sitting when you’re trying to concentrate on burning a few hundred calories.
It also comes with adjustable foot straps to keep you safe and secure.
I have personally witnessed several gym-goers try to use a rower without adjusting and tightening the foot straps across the top of their feet; it’s an excellent way to go flying backward off the rower.
Keep your feet secure so you can perform the full motion of the row effectively and safely.
Additionally, there is a paddled handle so your forearms won’t become overly taxed while you exercise.
Compact Frame Accommodates Almost Any Living Space
There are wheels conveniently placed on the front-end of the Xterra Fitness ERG160 Magnetic Rower, allowing you to move the machine where you need to.
It’s also relatively small, 61.4” long. This makes it easy to fit in anywhere, such as a gym garage or even your living room.
When you need to store the rower, you can stand it upright and tuck it against a wall so it’s not in the way.
This is nice when you live in a smaller space, or you don’t want your exercise equipment constantly in the way.
Built With Water Bottle Holder And Accessory Tray
One of the more challenging things about exercise is trying to combine the physical act of working out with the need to stay hydrated.
It’s definitely convenient to have a place to store your water bottle on the rower itself, so all you need to do is take a momentary pause to drink water.
You don’t even have to worry about your heart rate slowing.
Fitness apps are incredibly useful tools when beginning or maintaining a fitness routine.
The small accessory tray is perfect for holding your phone so you can watch a show, stream an online workout class, or listen to music.
It can make the time go by faster when you have something to focus on.
Easy To Read LED Display
It can be very motivating when you can keep track of how many calories you’ve burned during a workout, or how many meters you have rowed.
It also allows you to set tangible goals by knowing what numbers you’re hitting in previous workouts.
The LED display makes it easy to understand approximately how many calories you have burned, the distance rowed, time spent on the rower, or strokes per minute.
The display itself can also be adjusted according to specific user height. This is helpful as it allows for a comfortable workout experience wherein you can easily track your metrics.
What Buyers Are Saying
This fitness machine has just over a 4-star rating in terms of customer reviews. The majority are 5-star reviews, with a couple of reviews coming in at 4 or 3 stars.
Review #1
One customer named P. said it was “good for someone not needing a ton of resistance.”
Review #2
Ally said it was “great for a quick home workout and the setup was easy.”
Review #3
Max indicated he was “impressed with how sturdy this rower is especially for the price.”
Magnetic Rower Alternatives
Fitness Reality 1000 Plus Bluetooth Magnetic Rower
If you are looking for a rower that has more levels of resistance and can connect to your phone via Bluetooth, check out the Fitness Reality 1000 Plus Bluetooth Magnetic Rower.
This rower is similar to the Xterra Fitness ERG160 Magnetic Rower in several ways, including how it forms resistance through the use of magnets.
It also comes with a large seat and a padded handle for user comfort.
In contrast, however, it comes complete with built-in Bluetooth capability which allows you to set various fitness goals.
This rower is also versatile in the kinds of exercises you can do, allowing you to perform various resistance exercises not typically found in a cardio machine.
Pros
- Bluetooth capability allows the user to sync with a free fitness app to set goals for distance, time, and calories burned
- Designed so myriad exercises can be performed on this one piece of equipment, including bicep curls, lateral raises, and tricep extensions.
- Much more social proof, with a 4.5-star rating out of 1,766 reviews on Amazon
- Fourteen different levels of tension as opposed to 8
Cons
- The higher price point may make it a less desirable purchase for some
- Slightly heavier weighs 62 pounds
- Foot pedals are only anchored in one area, making them pivot easily and potentially causing discomfort for some users
JOROTO Magnetic Rower
If you are interested in a rowing machine with a couple more tension adjustments available, you may want to check out the JOROTO Magnetic Rower.
Again, a similar kind of rower in that it uses magnetic resistance as opposed to water.
This rower comes with 10 levels of resistance, so just slightly above the Xterra Fitness rower. It also comes equipped with an accessory tray and a place to stow your water bottle.
Pros
- 10 levels of resistance, making it slightly more versatile
- Weighs only 53 pounds, making it just as easy to move around
- More social proof, 159 reviews on Amazon with a 4.3-star rating
Cons
- Doesn’t measure distance on the LCD display, may make it challenging for users who use distance as a goal-setting device
- The higher price point may make it less desirable for some
- Slightly larger at 71” long, potentially making it not suitable for some smaller spaces
Merax Magnetic Exercise Rower
If you are looking for a rower that has a slightly higher weight capacity and folds to store, check out the Merax Magnetic Exercise Rower.
This rower exactly mimics the Xterra Fitness rower in that it too has 8 levels of magnetic tension to choose from.
Interestingly, this rower has a 15-degree tilt angle, making the return motion of the row a bit easier and noise-free.
This rower does not have an accessory tray or a place to keep your water bottle.
Pros
- The down-angled seat allows for an easier and more efficient seat return
- The display allows user to see time and calories burned
- More social proof, 4.2-star rating out of 146 customer ratings on Amazon
- Slightly higher weight capacity at 264 pounds as opposed to 250 pounds
- Folds for storage
Cons
- No place to stow phone or water bottle during a workout
- Smaller seat cushion may make it uncomfortable for some users
- The higher price point may make it less ideal for some customers
Final Thoughts
Moving your body is important, and cardio equipment can make that task easier.
If you’re in the market for an exercise machine that is quiet, compact, and low-impact, the Xterra Fitness ERG160 Magnetic Rower might be a great choice for you.
With the adjustable tension and beginner-friendly setup, it may be an excellent option to start or maintain your fitness journey.
