The BodyCraft VR100 is a mid-priced indoor rowing machine with a solid build and a good value for money ratio. If you want challenging cardio and strength training without leaving the house and without impact on your knees and hips, the VR100 can do that for you.
The parts are high quality, they look and feel durable, and the machine itself is really easy to put together.
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Build and Design
BodyCraft used aircraf-grade aluminum and steel to build the frame for the VR100. The weight capacity is 250 pounds.
The seat is wide and it’s very comfortable even after longer rowing sessions. The glide is smooth. You’ve got 44 inches of travel from the pedals to accomodate people of different heights.
The VR100 is foldable, so it can be easily stored away when you’re not using it, taking very little space.
The odd swivel motion in the foot pedals is kind of annoying.
The Resistance Unit
The VR100 rowing machine features a hybrid resistance unit, air resistance combined with magnetic resistance.
There are 6 resistance levels available. Level 1 is air resistance only. From level 2 through 6 the magnetic resistance kicks in.
The rowing motion is smooth and controlled, but the machine falls a bit short of being able to mimic real-life rowing conditions.
Air from the fan is blown through a vent to keep you cool during intense workouts. The rowing machine tends to get a bit noisy so if you want to watch TV while your training you’ll have to crank up the volume.
The Monitor Display
The display monitor can be adjusted for easy viewing and very simple to use, but the information it gives you isn’t very accurate.
It tracks distance, time, strokes per minute, calories burned and heart rate.
The VR100 rowing machine has a built-in Polar heart rate receiver, but the chest strap is sold separately.
Although it looks very slick, the monitor is way off on the calorie count. According to it, you burn .6 calories every stroke, it doesn’t matter if they’re long and strenuous or short and effortless.
Warranty
BodyCraft offers a lifetime warranty for the frame of the VR100 rowing machine, 1 year on all other parts and 90 days on labor.
Verdict
Being a mid-ranged price rowing machine, don’t expect the VR100 to give you the same workout as the Concept2 Model D rower.
If you’ve never rowed before and want a low budget option to get started, the VR100 might be the rowing machine for you. The VR100 is a good machine for a person who is a non-rower. But if you’re someone who’s been doing rowing workouts for a long time just go get a Concept2, even if it’s a used model.
- the machine is solidly built and it's durable
- it folds for easy storage
- the monitor gives you inaccurate data
- the foot pedal's swivel motion
- the machine mimics real-life rowing conditions poorly