After starting with a magnetic rowing machine, I decided to switch to a water version. The magnetic machines, while quiet, simple can't provide the resistance needed for me (bigger build, been working out for 15+ years) to get an adequate workout. While air rowers are great, I also want to watch TV while a row, so water was the way to go.
This rower has been great so far. Setup isn't bad, although the directions are awful. You basically get two sets of instructions and have to switch between the two to properly assemble the machine. I ended up with a few extra parts, and had to switch a few screws as I went along and realized I had mis-installed things. It is very sturdy and doesn't wobble when extended/locked and in use. The rubber feet are nice to keep it elevated, although it does tend to slide as I use the machine (again, a 200lb man on a tile floor). This also happened with my magnetic rower and can be fixed by putting a yoga mat, grip material, or similar under the feet.
Initially I experienced a problem with the handle/cable retracting while I rowed. It was smooth on the pull portion of the row, but as I let the handle/cable rewind it was VERY choppy (would alternate between winding quickly then slowly, causing intermittent slack on the cable) and took a lot away from the rowing experience. I contacted Trunk who immediately sent me a video on how to re-wrap the cables to fix it. As far as I can tell the re-wrapped cables had the same setup as the original setup but I did the fix anyway. They even offered to send me replacement parts if I wasn't able to resolve the issue. However, the problem slowly disappeared, which leads me to believe it was more an issue with the machine "breaking-in".
To lower maintenance issues and improve use, I:
- Added water purification tablets to prevent algae (same ones you can by to make water safe to drink)
- Added an additional 2" thick foam seat cushion to help my bum
- Added neoprene grips to the handle to improve feel and absorb some sweat
Pros:
- Looks great! I get tons of comments, especially with the water died blue
- Collapsible
- Great Trunk customer service
- Water provides variable resistance depending on how hard/fast you row
Cons:
- Handle/cable retraction is handled by a bungie cord underneath the machine instead of a spring. I'm concerned this cord will slowly wear out, which would render the machine useless
- There's a squeaking noise as I move forward at the end of each row. I believe this is the footplates rubbing, as tightening those screws fixes the issue. It keeps coming back, so I'm having to re-tighten those screws a lot.
- Needs grips on the handle. The wood looks great but doesn't feel that way after a while
- The footplates don't hold my heels in very well. They DO allow the heel to lift, which is how it should be, but I have to reset my heels every few minutes. To make it better I set my footplates to be extra short and tighten the hell out of the foot straps
- The footplates damage the wood underneath the heel part of the plate, leaving little worn half-moons. Make sure you pick a good length to start as if you go to a shorter length the marks will be visible.
Despite the several cons listed (which are largely minimal) I love this machine, and am very happy with my purchase.
| Brand | TRUNK |
|---|---|
| Special Feature | Foldable |
| Color | Foldable Black Wood |
| Resistance Mechanism | Water |
| Product Dimensions | 84"D x 22"W x 20"H |
| Maximum Weight Recommendation | 330 Pounds |
| Model Name | split |
| Frame Material | Wood |
| Item Weight | 27.5 Kilograms |
| Material | Wood |
| Power Source | Battery Powered |
| Number of Batteries | 2 AA batteries required. |
| Display Type | LCD |
| Package Weight | 39 Kilograms |
| Item Dimensions LxWxH | 84 x 22 x 20 inches |
| Brand Name | TRUNK |
| Manufacturer | TRUNK |
| Included Components | Mobile Phone Stents |
