The Lifespan RW1000 seems at first glance to be a pretty standard magnetic rower. Does everything you would expect from such a product, has no real glaring flaws, and is perhaps even a little under-priced for a machine with magnetic resistance. That said, sometimes things aren’t always as they appear, so let’s determine if it is truly a middle-of-the-road option, or whether there are some exciting highs or worrying lows hidden away waiting to be discovered.
- Almost silent rowing
- Quick and easy to fold away
- Sturdy, solid steel frame
- 5 easy to set levels of resistance
- Simple to understand display
- Good value
- Some assembly required
- Time-consuming to take apart
- No warranty included in the purchase price
Resistance Type
The Lifespan RW1000 features the newest type of resistance available on the market, magnetic resistance, which relies on the attraction between pairs of magnets to generate the force you work against.
Much like traditional rowers, magnetic rowers still feature a flywheel, only instead of using it to pull in air and generate resistance that way, it is located in an enclosed case, surrounded by magnets that generate the resistance themselves.
Usually controlled either on the touch screen, with a button or, as is the case here, with a dial, the magnets provide a greater resistance the closer they are together, so to make things easier you simply have to set them further apart.
This gives you the ability to have much more control over the resistance you use and train in a much more specific manner.
The other main selling point this type of resistance offers is the fact that magnetic rowers are virtually silent. This is a far cry from the incredible noise generated by traditional air rowers and gives the user the ability to use them at any point, without disturbing other people or drowning out what they themselves are listening to.
Technical Specifications
- Folded length – 34 Inches
- Folded width – 19 Inches
- Folded height – 64 Inches
- Length when in use – 90 Inches
- Width when in use – 18.5 Inches
- Height when in use – 23 Inches
- Seat- 14 Inch injected foam
- Weight- 80 Pounds
- Frame material- Steel
Display/Monitor
The built-in monitor on the Lifespan RW1000 is extremely basic but also incredibly simple to use and provides the majority of the information most casual rowers will need.
A traditional, single-color LCD screen, is built directly into the body of the rower to avoid having cables that could get caught or it getting in your way as you row.
It shows you calories burned, distance covered, speed, time, stroke count, and strokes per minute. This should be plenty to track what you are doing and ensure you are training to the level you want.
It also comes with the added bonus of being able to be powered completely by batteries, so if you can’t get to a power outlet or simply want to avoid having cables strewn all over the place, this makes the RW1000 incredibly convenient to use.
Build Quality
Being made from a solid steel frame, the core of the Lifespan RW1000 is incredibly sturdy and well built. The flywheel housing, while basic, is also incredibly reliable and its compact nature means there is very little that is at risk of being damaged.
When it comes to some of the more mobile parts of the rower, such as the seat, handles, footrests, etc, they are all designed with comfort in mind first and foremost.
However, they are also made from high-quality, solid materials, so should be more than capable of standing up to anything you have to throw at them.
The joints are all incredibly solid too and, while the lack of quick-release features may be a drawback for some, it ensures a product that is a lot less likely to fall apart with wear and tear.
Comfort And Capacity
The Lifespan RW1000 comes fitted with a 14-inch, ergonomically designed seat, that is injected with foam to make it incredibly comfortable to use, even for extended periods.
While the handle is a little less ergonomic with its dead straight design, it is still padded with rubber which allows it to be relatively soft on the hands.
Where it may be a little divisive is with its capacity of 300lbs. Now, while that should be plenty for the majority of people planning to use a rower, there will be some people, such as bodybuilders and powerlifters, who are still extremely active that would not be able to use this particular rower due to being too heavy.
Assembly
The Lifespan RW1000 comes in two separate boxes and requires quite a bit of assembly. Thankfully, everything is pretty straightforward and all of the tools and fixings you will require are included in the box.
It will, however, take around 30 minutes to fully construct. While this is not a particularly long process, especially as it is intended to be a one-time occurrence, it is still a little more hassle than some other options on the market that operate on a click-and-go system.
It can also be an issue when it comes to storage too, as if you need to take it apart every time you put it away, this could end up being a substantial amount of extra time and work you have to put in before and after every workout.
Storage
The Lifespan RW1000 is specifically designed to be easily folded. By simply removing the locking pin you can fold it in half to stop it from taking up so much space and its rollers allow it to be moved easily to wherever you are planning to store it.
It does however mean that you will need a reasonable amount of vertical space to store it, as it is made to be stored as one piece and doesn’t come apart as easily as other options on the market.
That could prove problematic if you have very limited space to store it in, as even while folded it is still quite a sizeable chunk of machinery.
Warranty
The Lifespan RW1000 comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee to give you peace of mind that you can make your purchase and, if you are not completely satisfied, simply return it and not end up being out of pocket.
It does also come with the option of extended 3-year and 5-year warranties. However, unlike some of the more well-known options on the market, these do come at an additional cost, so there is very limited protection included in the purchase price beyond the initial 30-day guarantee.
While not a deal-breaker, it is certainly something to keep in mind when comparing the overall costs of different rowers and how they stack up against one another.
Price And Value
Considering magnetic rowers tend to be the most expensive form of resistance on the market, due to being a much newer technology, the Lifespan RW1000 comes at a very reasonable price.
While there are certainly cheaper rowers on the market, if you are going out of your way to specifically source a magnetic one, for all of the benefits it provides, then the value provided here is likely to compare favorably to anything else you are going to find.
Final Thoughts
So, now that we have everything broken down, it is much easier to analyze the reasons why you may want to purchase the Lifespan RW1000 Rowing Machine.
For starters, as far as magnetic rowing machines go, it is incredibly well-priced. This value makes it a little more financially viable to enjoy the noise and adjustment perks associated with magnetic rowers than it normally would be.
Then there is the design that makes it incredibly easy to fold away after use, to make it convenient for storage.
Beyond that, you have the sturdy, solid steel frame and ergonomic seat design that make this a comfortable and durable purchase that you can feel confident in.
The lack of a warranty included in the purchase price is certainly a drawback, as is the fact that it is a little more complicated to take apart than some other machines.
However, to achieve value like this on a magnetic rower you are going to have to make some concessions. With that in mind, if you are looking to get a magnetic rowing machine on a tight budget then this is certainly a great option to go for.
Thankfully, you don’t have to take my word for it, as the 30-day money-back guarantee they offer means you can try the Lifespan RW1000 for yourself without any risk, so you can make up your own mind as to just how good it actually is.
The Lifespan RW1000 seems at first glance to be a pretty standard magnetic rower. Does everything you would expect from such a product, has no real glaring flaws, and is perhaps even a little under-priced for a machine with magnetic resistance. That said, sometimes things aren’t always as they appear, so let’s determine if it is truly a middle-of-the-road option, or whether there are some exciting highs or worrying lows hidden away waiting to be discovered.
LifeSpan RW1000 Rower
The Lifespan RW1000 seems at first glance to be a pretty standard magnetic rower. Does everything you would expect from such a product, has no real glaring flaws, and is perhaps even a little under-priced for a machine with magnetic resistance.
Product Brand: Lifespan
Product Currency: USD
Product Price: 599
Product In-Stock: InStock
3.65
