Stroker White Rowing Exercise Machine (Home Gym Use) by Kettler

Overall this is a really good piece of fitness equipment. The whole look and feel is solid. The package arrived and was about the size of a large book case, and felt as heavy as a fully loaded bookcase. But there are not too many separate pieces (most components come pre-assembled) and the parts are neatly packaged and numbered so you can find the nuts and bolts needed for each step when putting it together. Once it was together, it is very sturdy. The computer display is the only weak point IMO. It does a suitable job for keeping track of strokes and rowing time, but the calorie tracker seems too general (no input of user specs, so how does it calculate it?) and the heart rate monitor is lacking. At full extension from the display (when your legs are stretched out) the display loses the signal from the chest transmitter, so the pulse reading goes all over the place (78bpm up to 120bpm back to 60 bpm, etc). Also, there are only a few keys on the display (Set/Recovery/+ and -) so navigating the menus is far from intuitive. But for general use to track a daily workout, it's fine. The action on the rowing machine is smooth and steady. The seat is comfortable, and the handle bar has a rubberized foam cover that is easy on the hands. I've relied mostly on an elliptical machine for exercise, and have used the Kettler for two weeks now, and definitely feel a difference in my arms and back. Great for cardio and strength workouts! UPDATE 4/2/2014: One month later and still going strong. I figured out the heart rate monitor problem. The battery provided with the unit must have been bad. I replaced the battery and now the reading is fine. So now I can use the Recovery feature (hit the button at the end of your workout, and after one minute it gives you a rating of your health based on heart recovery rate). Very cool. Still bummed about the calorie tracker though. I feel like I'm getting twice the workout that I get from my elliptical machine, but the Kettler says I'm only burning about 120 calories in 20 minutes of vigorous rowing. That seems very low compared to the same time on my elliptical that says I burned over 200 calories. Also, the display unit won't keep your settings/preferences when it powers down. It keeps track of usage, so I have a tally of all the distance I've rowed since I got the unit, but I have to reenter data like age and calorie vs kjoules. It's a little annoying. Official Amazon review of Kettler Stroker Rower. Click here for additional reviews.

I bought a demo model, pre-assembled and shipped. I love rowing the concept at the gym, but this is great home alternative, folds up easily and saves space. Few of us have the SPACE or dollars for the concept at home. I think that is was made in China, but it clearly has German quality. A substantial serious machine and FUN Official Amazon review of Kettler Stroker Rower. Click here for additional reviews.

It is so quiet and smooth. Can hear the TV at normal volume. Easy to pull the pin and prop the long part up to get it out of the way. Came fully assembled. As a frame of reference, I'm 5'5 and it is a good size for me. I can fully extend on the pull back. So I can't speak to how it would work for anyone taller. Official Amazon review of Kettler Stroker Rower. Click here for additional reviews.

The Kettler Stroker is a very effective exercise machine. The machine is of very good quality and should last for 20 plus years. The Stroker does a great job of exercising from my legs up. I ride my bicycle almost daily and due to this my legs are in good shape, if not for this I am sure I would notice an improvement in my leg strength. It is nice to have a machine that is designed to be top quality. My behind, abs, shoulders and back are much stronger from using this machine. The only downside is that the seat is not very comfortable, I am using dense foam to make up for this. Official Amazon review of Kettler Stroker Rower. Click here for additional reviews.

It's too early to give it a 5, but my initial reaction is that the Stroker will accomplish exactly what I expect it to do. The quality is robust; it was a cinch to assemble; and it is unobtrusive in my den, in front of the TV. I just want to put a few miles in it before my final eval. Official Amazon review of Kettler Stroker Rower. Click here for additional reviews.