Back in high school, I used to row. Not well, mind you, but the team captain pitied me enough to let me sit at the back of the bow.
Wanting to relive the glory days and get back in shape, I decided to shell out for an at-home air rower.
Not only do air rowers provide a killer upper-body workout, but they also improve your posture and mitigate back pain over time.
Today, I’ll be reviewing the XTERRA Fitness ERG700 Air Rower: Is it a high-quality piece of equipment? Does it stand the test of time?
Let’s dive in below!
Factors to Consider Before Buying an Air Rower
If you’ve never rowed before, you may be wondering: What is an air rower?
A rowing machine is an on-land piece of exercise equipment that closely mimics the motions a rower makes out on the water.
Using air or internal magnetic system, the rower combines the benefits of resistance training and cardiovascular training all in one.
An air rower consists of a seat, which moves up and down along a central shaft, and a tension-controlled pull bar that the rower hoists in a fluid motion.
Using your arms, the air rower works out your whole body. In addition to the upper body, an air rower engages your calves, quadriceps, glutes, hamstrings, abs, and lats.
Unlike other machines, air rowers are meant for both strength training and cardio. That makes them an excellent way to shed calories, burn fat, and build muscle – all in the same low impact workout!
If you’re interested in air rowing, you should make sure to first properly learn the technique from someone more experienced.
Using an improper form could land you in a whole lot of back and upper-body pain, as the movement requires a lot of practice.
Good rowers feature a hybrid air-magnetic resistance system, broad internal flywheel, and ergonomic row handle for maximum user comfort.
When buying an air rower, make sure you don’t skimp on quality – cheap air rowers are not only flimsy and unstable, they can be unsafe for inexperienced users.
Essential Questions to Ask
Before opting for an air rower, you should ask yourself these important questions:
- What do I hope to achieve from my workout? Strength training, cardio, or both?
- Do I have enough space at home to accommodate a full-size air rower?
- How much am I willing to budget for a good air rower?
- What features can I not live without? Do I prefer a barebones air rower or one equipped with the latest training programs?
As always, make sure to consider your own fitness goals and how an air rower could help you achieve them.
Air rowers are not recommended for those that suffer from serious chronic pain or mobility impairments.
When in doubt, speak to your doctor first before buying an air rower.
The XTERRA Fitness ERG700 Air Rower
Reader, look no further than the XTERRA Fitness ERG700 Air Rower.
Equipped with ten effective programs and 16 micro-adjustable resistance levels, the XTERRA ERG700 is designed to provide a well-rounded, full-body workout in no time.
The XTERRA pairs full-fledged software programs with excellent, high-quality metal components.
A spacious 5.5″ blue-backlit screen, which is adjustable by height and angle, indicates everything you want to know about your workout: time, distances, strokes per minute, count, calories, heart rate, watts, level, and a graphic representation of the current track.
The machine uses a unique combination of both air and magnetic resistance to provide unparalleled smooth action on the up and down motion.
You’ll never get bored on the XTERRA ERG700, owing to the feature-rich, user-customizable programs on the machine.
Unlike other air rowers, the XTERRA Fitness ERG700 is perfect for conscientious space-savers. When not in use, the rower can be folded down to just 52.5″ long and 18″ wide so it won’t eat up the entire room.
Pros
- Uses combo of air and magnetic resistance to achieve smooth, body-friendly motion
- Packed with fitness programs and an intuitive central console
- Folds down for easy storage and transport
Cons
- Some state distance may be slightly inaccurate compared to gym rowers
- May be difficult to get configured upon arrival
Features and Benefits of the XTERRA Fitness ERG700 Air Rower
Below, I’ve rounded up some of the most important features and benefits of the XTERRA Fitness ERG700 Air Rower.
I’ve made sure to highlight the features that are most important to seasoned rowers and newbies alike.
Great Internal Components
The XTERRA Fitness ERG700 Air Rower is equipped with a hybrid air and magnetic resistance system that creates the smoothest, most whisper-quiet operation possible.
The machine utilizes a smooth-action aluminum rail system with flex pedals, industrial strength handle straps, and more.
Moreover, the XTERRA Fitness ERG700 provides up to 16 levels of adjustable resistance to deliver you an unparalleled workout experience.
These durable, high-quality components are certified to last under the heaviest use conditions.
This rowing machine is designed to accommodate most users under 350 pounds (159 kgs).
In the unlikely event that any of the parts fail, you’re covered by a generous five-year warranty – that’s how confident the manufacturers are in their product.
Powerful Central Console
Users love the XTERRA Fitness ERG700 Air Rower performance monitor, which displays all your favorite workout metrics at a glance.
The monitor displays information relating to distance, strokes per minute, heart rate, watts, resistance level, count, and your current track if you’ve selected one of the workout programs.
The machine offers ten highly effective programs well-suited for different fitness goals. The distinct programs are meant to optimize your strength or cardiovascular health, respectively.
Fold-Down Design
Perhaps most compellingly, the XTERRA Fitness ERG700 folds down into a compact unit that can be stored or transported with ease.
Folded down, the machine measures 52.5″ x 18″. This is especially important for those that want to save room in their small homes.
It easily fits against a wall or inside a broader closet, depending on your preference.
Provides Full-Body Workout
While this feature isn’t unique to the XTERRA Fitness ERG700 Air Rower, I’d be remiss not to mention that the machine provides a full-body, low-impact workout.
Used properly, the machine works out your abs, obliques, pecs, biceps, triceps, deltoids, lats, hamstrings, glutes, and quadriceps.
Many athletes use the XTERRA Fitness ERG700 during the off-season to cross-train for competitive events, while others just want to achieve a more well-rounded workout routine.
What Do Buyers Think?
I spent some time looking over the most helpful reviews of the XTERRA Fitness ERG700 Air Rower.
Review #1
“It’s great, it’s beautiful, and it will give you an amazing workout in ten minutes flat. It was easy to put together, too. The machine is large so tall people will have plenty of room.” one reviewer stated. “It’s nicer than the air rower at my local gym!”
Review #2
“Wow! I looked for rowers for a few weeks and finally decided on this one. I had wanted some other much more expensive high-end options – you know the ones – but decided I’d give this one a shot. Though it was hundreds of dollars cheaper, it still has all the features (and more) of the more expensive models,” another claimed.
Review #3
“Awesome rower for an at-home gym. Quiet, smooth, and sturdy for big people (I’m 250 pounds). And good set programs such as 20/10, timed, and customizable. I might not outfit a gym with these, but it’s great for home performance programs,” yet another stated.
Overall, buyers are very pleased with the XTERRA ERG700, stating that it performs deadly-efficient at a cheaper price than other name brand models.
XTERRA Fitness ERG700 Alternatives
Not yet sold on the XTERRA Fitness ERG700 Air Rower?
No worries, I’ve looked into other customer-loved, effective air rowers on the market.
Each air rower has been selected for its high-quality build, extensive customization options, and budget-friendly price.
Sunny Health SF-RW5515
At half the price of competitor models, it’s hard to pass up the Sunny Health SF-RW5515.
Equipped with a large LCD console, the monitor displays all information related to time, count, calories, and scan.
The convenient scan feature displays your progress through a pre-selected track.
Users love the extra-long slide rail, which sits at 48 inches long with a 44-inch inseam length. The rower can accommodate users of virtually any height and size.
With a simple twist, you can increase or decrease with eight levels of magnetic resistance, so your workout can remain challenging at all times.
Unlike the XTERRA Fitness ERG700, the Sunny Health SF-RW5515 features transportation wheels for easy portability. You simply tilt and roll out for storage without requiring any heavy lifting or muscle strain.
Folded down, the Sunny Health air rower measures 37″ x 19″ x 53.5″. Textured, non-slip grip foot pedals ensure you have safe footing during the most vigorous workouts.
Pros
- Foam grip handles prevent calluses with improved comfort
- Transportation wheels make it easy to hoist the rower into storage
- Features extra-long, smooth slide rail for users of most heights
Cons
- Some users complain of component wear and tear after a few months of use
Fitness Reality Magnetic Rower
At a fair price, the Fitness Reality Magnetic Rower provides a full-body workout with full Bluetooth pairing capabilities.
Currently, it’s one of the only rowers on the market that provides additional exercises through the Smart Cloud fitness app.
Using Bluetooth tech, the air rower pairs to any iOS or Android smart device for premium workout tracking.
Users can pre-configure their particular goals based around time, distance, and calories burned for a unique workout.
In addition to great software, the rower provides an extra-wide handlebar with 14 levels of magnetic-adjustable resistance.
The 21.5″ handlebar provides a comfortable grip that allows you to target different muscle groups during a session.
The rower can accommodate users up to 250 pounds between 4’9″ and 6’6″.
Moreover, the patent-pending front stabilizer allows users to engage in unique workouts such as curls, upright rows, bent-over rows, front raises, shrugs, and tricep extensions.
In terms of equipment, the Fitness Reality Magnetic Rower is truly the “all in one” workout device.
Pros
- Accommodates users of broad height and weight groups
- Unique handlebar width and foot stabilizer help user engage in unique workouts
- Provides Bluetooth pairing for monitoring workout metrics
Cons
- Some users complain the Smart Cloud app doesn’t sync properly
ECHANFIT Rowing Machine
Providing 16 levels of silent magnetic resistance, the ECHANFIT Rowing Machine is one of the best budget air rowers you’ll find.
Designed to help you burn calories and build muscle, the rower ensures a comfortable workout through its broad handlebar and spacious padded seat.
The air rower is also equipped with a professional-grade safety folding design, allowing you to pack up the machine without throwing out your back.
The rower also features front-mounted transport wheels, making it easy to tote from room to room.
Moreover, the ECHANFIT Rowing Machine has a customizable central console, which can be adjusted by angle.
The ergonomic handlebar and anti-skid pedals help you relax, sit back, and achieve the best workout possible.
The monitor displays metrics related to distance, count, time, calories, rows per minute, and workout scanning.
Pros
- Provides safe folding design
- Features broad seat for most comfortable use
Cons
- Some state distance tracking is not quite accurate
Final Thoughts
Ultimately, the XTERRA Fitness ERG700 Air Rower is one of the best air rowers you’ll find in its price category.
Equipped with ten customizable workout programs and 16 levels of hybrid-adjustable resistance, the air rowing machine is suitable for both newcomers and seasoned rowers.
Trust me, you can’t go wrong with this machine.
