For years, I was a die-hard treadmill runner. Every morning I would wake up and immediately hit the running belt for an hour.
As I got older, I found myself getting more fatigued and injured. It was a mystery to me why my back kept giving out and my knees ached when climbing the stairs.
At some point, of course, I put the pieces together. Running had put significant physical strain on my body. And that’s when someone suggested I invest in a magnetic rower.
Magnetic rowers, or ergs, are designed to provide a calorie-burning, low impact workout that decreases the strain on your joints.
Today, I’ll be reviewing the XTERRA Fitness ERG220 magnetic rower. How effective, long-lasting, and feature-rich is this rower? Is it worth the expense? Let’s find out below!
Factors to Consider Before Buying a Magnetic Rower
Even if you’ve never been on the rowing team, you’ve likely heard of a rowing machine. Rowing machines provide a low-impact, full-body workout through simulating the motions that rowers make out on the water.
Equipped with a central sliding rail, users slide up and down the rail by pushing out with their feet against stable pedals and pulling a tension-adjusted dual-sided handle.
Utilizing magnet-based flywheel resistance, a magnetic rower allows users to micro-adjust for their optimal resistance level. Rowing machines primarily work out the upper back, mid-back, quadriceps, hamstrings, abs, obliques, biceps, and forearms.
Unlike other workout devices, rowers are designed to take the strain off of sensitive knees, ankles, and joints. That’s why it’s often the preferred gear for physical rehabilitation patients that need to strengthen their whole body.
Over time, regular rowing can actually decrease your chances of injury during other physical activities. Rowers strengthen the major muscle groups surrounding key sore points, allowing them to avoid some of the most common fatigue injuries.
Essential Questions to Ask
Before you go out and buyer a rower, consider these key questions:
- Am I looking for a low-impact full-body workout, or do I want to target specific muscle groups?
- Am I tall enough to use a standard-sized magnetic rower?
- Do I have enough space in my home to accommodate new workout gear?
- What budget do I have to buy a rower?
You’ll need to consider your goals, priorities, and budget before you opt for a rower. We suggest consulting with your doctor first before investing in any new exercise equipment.
The XTERRA Fitness ERG220 Magnetic Rower
Meant to help you achieve your wildest fitness dreams, the XTERRA Fitness ERG220 magnetic rower is built with a sturdy, compact frame that can fit in any room.
Using the power of smooth and quiet magnetic flywheel resistance, the XTERRA Fitness ERG220 is equipped with eight adjustable resistance levels, a cordless design, and a built-in heart rate receiver.
With a raised seat height of 9.5″, it’s easy for anyone at any physical ability to mount and unmount the rower. The XTERRA Fitness ERG220 provides a low-impact, fat-burning workout that targets all major muscle groups.
Unlike other rowing machines in its price category, the XTERRA Fitness ERG220 is crafted from an all-steel design and full-length dual aluminum rail for the quietest, efficient, and smooth-action workout possible.
Users appreciate the large 3.5″ LCD track, which displays all your favorite workout metrics to keep you motivated. The erg can be folded and wheeled for easy storage and transport, too.
The erg accommodates users under 300 pounds with a height range of 5’1″ to 6’4″. Pivoting slide-on foot pedals and the adjustable seat makes the erg comfortable for almost any rider.
Pros
- Provides low-impact full body workout, regardless of your current fitness level
- Can be folded and wheeled away for easy transport
- Operates very smooth and quietly with a sturdy all-steel frame
Cons
- Heart rate chest strap is sold separately
- Bottom wheels are made from a hard plastic that can be somewhat noisy when moved
- When not plugged in, the LCD monitor may encounter lagging during high-intensity workouts
Features and Benefits of the XTERRA Fitness ERG220 Magnetic Rower
High-Quality Construction
Perhaps most compellingly, the XTERRA Fitness ERG220 Magnetic Rower is built from very sturdy, high-quality components that guarantee it’ll stand the test of time.
The rower is made from all-steel internal gear that can withstand the most regular, high-intensity workouts.
The central slide rail is constructed from aluminum, which provides for a smooth, quiet workout experience.
Foldable Design
The XTERRA Fitness ERG220 magnetic rower folds down for simple transportation and storage. Folded, the dimensions of the rower are 48″ x 18″ x 55.75″ (L x W x H).
The rower also features plastic wheels so that you can stow it in a closet or the corner of a room with ease.
The XTERRA Fitness ERG220 is also comparatively more lightweight than most competitor products at just 62 pounds.
Very Adjustable
The XTERRA Fitness ERG220 Magnetic Rower is designed to accommodate users of a broad range of heights and weights.
Riders between 5’1″ and 6’4″ (155cm – 195cm) and under 300 pounds can use the rower.
Moreover, the foot pedals pivot and provide a large adjustable strap to find the perfect fit. That means you’ll never have to struggle to work with the proper form and movement angle.
Magnetic Resistance
The XTERRA Fitness ERG220 Magnetic Rower utilizes an internal magnetic resistance system that lets you control the intensity of your workout.
More than that, magnetic resistance minimizes the contact between components inside the rower – that means your workout will be consistently smooth and quiet on the downstroke.
Ergonomic Design
Above all else, the XTERRA Fitness ERG220 Magnetic Rower is designed to be comfortable for high-intensity use.
Regardless of your current fitness level, the padded, broad seat and foam-covered handlebars make it easy to use the rower.
The seat is 9.5″ in height, making it more comfortable for physically impaired users to board the rower.
Unlike rowers that are closer to the ground, the ERG220’s raised seat doesn’t put excess strain on your knees.
Moreover, the handlebar is covered in a seat-wicking, padded foam that’s sure to stand the test of time. Even after years of use and abuse, you won’t notice any wear on the handlebar.
What Do Buyers Think?
In my search, I made sure to look at some of the most popular customer reviews of the XTERRA Fitness ERG220 Magnetic Rower.
Review #1
“Functionally, the rower appears to be every bit as good as the rowers I’ve used at the fitness center. The resistance levels are sufficient, the seat is comfortable and glides easily with little noise. The display is light enough and is adequate for my needs,” one reviewer mentioned. “The pedals are comfortable and rotate as needed. And the assembly was very easy.”
Review #2
“The rower is smooth and looks nice in my basement mini-gym. Though, I need to get a mat because it does slide sometimes when in use; however, that’s not evident when in use – it’s only when you’ve finished the workout that you notice.” another commented. “The monitor tracks distance, time, strokes, and more. The tension knob also works very well.”
Review #3
“Love this rower!” another stated. “Prior to purchased I researched rowers for about a week and this was the best one for my needs. I needed something quiet, affordable, easy to assemble, and that wouldn’t take up a lot of space in the house. So glad I purchased this rower! It’s something the whole family can do.”
Overall, buyers are very satisfied with the XTERRA Fitness ERG220 Magnetic Rower. Most buyers mention the smooth, quiet operation and a high degree of customizability of the rower.
Popular Alternatives to the XTERRA Fitness ERG220 Magnetic Rower
Not quite sold on the XTERRA Fitness ERG220 Magnetic Rower?
No worries, I’ve outlined a few of the most customer-loved, effective, and fairly priced magnetic rowers on the market.
Each rower has been selected for its abundance of features and high-quality construction.
Merax Magnetic Rower
Featuring eight levels of adjustable tension resistance, the Merax Magnetic Rower features a 2.2-pound CNC-based flywheel that’s suitable for any athlete.
All workout metrics are displayed on an LED screen that shows time, stroke, distance, calories burned, and more.
An additional device rack allows you to place your smart devices to watch your favorite shows, stream podcasts, or listen to music.
Like the XTERRA Fitness ERG220, the Merax Magnetic Rower features an aluminum rail matched with a commercial-grade plastic sliding mount that ensures the most consistent and smooth sliding action.
This makes the rower quiet enough to prevent disturbing others, no matter the room it’s used in.
At just 80.3″ x 18.9″ x 31.5″, the rower is suitable compact and can accommodate riders up to 6’1″. The rower features transport wheels so you can store it anywhere without breaking your back.
Pros
- Can accommodate riders of virtually any height
- Three-degree angled saddle seat is ergonomically molded to match the curvature of your body
- Adjustable foot pedals hold your feet in place
Cons
- Does not fold up for more compact storage
ShareVgo Smart Magnetic Rower
Designed and tested in-house in Silicon Valley, the ShareVgo Smart Magnetic Rower is one of the most affordable yet feature-rich rowers out there.
Syncing directly with a proprietary app, the ShareVgo Rower supports Bluetooth heart rate monitoring and workout metric syncing.
This easy logging system of your rowing workout includes 500 meter split time per stroke, allowing you to monitor your accomplishments over time an intuitive user interface.
The rower allows for six preset distance-based goals with different challenges: 500 m, 2000 m, 10 km, 5 min, 30 min, and 60 min. You can even view your social rankings with other rowing community members.
Like the XTERRA Fitness ERG220, the ShareVgo Smart Magnetic Rower features a foldable design and can support users up to 300 pounds.
Pros
- Pairs with Bluetooth ShareVgo Fitness App for challenges and workout metrics logging
- Works smooth and quietly with aluminum central slide rail
- Provides more accurate calorie counting method based on gender, age, rowing split, weight, and tension level
Cons
- Assembly instructions are not very intuitive, according to some users
Circuit Fitness Deluxe Magnetic Rower
Built with sturdy components, the Circuit Fitness Deluxe Magnetic Rower is constructed from heavy-duty steel and aluminum to provide increased reliability.
Users can set the intensity and resistance easily with eight different settings.
Users state the Circuit Fitness Rower is very comfortable, owing to the reinforced injection-molded seat that provides great support.
It features foam-covered handlebars and broad foot straps for better stability.
The LCD screen allows users to track their progress and fitness goals, displaying information related to distance, time, calories burned, SPM, date, and ambient temperature.
Above all else, the Circuit Fitness Rower is designed to be both comfortable, compact, and reliable. Transport wheels allow users to store the rower without having to lift it from one location to another.
Pros
- Sturdy design allows for quiet indoor rowing
- Injection-molded seat and foam-covered handles keep rower ergonomic
- Assembly is very easy and most components arrive pre-assembled
Cons
- Somewhat pricier than other rowers on the market
Final Thoughts
Though there are many worthy competitor products out there, it’s hard to beat the XTERRA Fitness ERG220 Magnetic Rower.
Built for smooth and quiet operation, the magnetic flywheel resistance allows for users at any level of fitness to get stronger.
This two-in-one rower provides both a strength-training and calorie-burning workout for athletes. It’s especially recommended for users that suffer from pre-existing physical conditions.
The completely cordless, foldable design makes the rower super easy to transport.
