There are lots of different indoor rowers that are designed specifically for home use and one such machine is the Stamina ATS Air Rower 1399 – usually just called the Stamina Air Rower. It’s a much cheaper alternative to other popular air resistance rowers without a huge dip in quality and performance. But can the Stamina 1399 meet your rowing demands? Keep reading to find out.
- Sturdy steel frame - high-end feel
- Good functionality for the price
- Comfortable to use for long periods of time
- Easy to move and store
- Good resistance variability
- Easy to assemble
- No backlight for monitor - can be difficult to see in low light
- No adjustable damper settings
- Creates a lot of noise
Resistance Type
The Stamina ATS Air Rower is, as the name suggests, a rowing machine that uses air resistance rather than springs or hydraulics. It does this with a large semi-open fan which is driven by a nylon rowing strap.
It’s important to note that with this rowing machine it is possible to vary the resistance but not possible to adjust the resistance. You vary the resistance by increasing how hard or how fast you row. The harder/faster you row, the more resistance you will feel.
If you are interested in learning more about how to perform the correct rowing machine technique, check out our ultimate guide on how to use a rowing machine.
Unlike some higher-end air resistance machines such as the Concept2 Model D, the 1399 does not come with adjustable damper resistance settings. There is no lever or dial ranging from 1-10 to change the resistance levels. And while this is a shame, you really can’t complain considering the price and you can still achieve a great workout so I can’t even class this as a true fault.
But if you are a more experienced or competitive rower you may be better served by one of the offerings from Concept2.
As with all air rowers, the ATS 1399 is quite loud and you can expect to hear a constant swooshing sound with each stroke. It’s always funny mentioning this because it is something that has never bothered me but I know it drives a few people crazy. Headphones anyone? Personally, I think it’s quite therapeutic…just me? Okay.
But seriously I understand that using a noisy machine in the house when people are trying to sleep or work is less than ideal. If you are in a similar situation then you’re probably better off going for a magnetic rower, they are much quieter. Can I suggest you start by looking at our review of the Sunny Health & Fitness SF-RW5515 Rower.
Technical Specifications
- Dimensions: 77″ x 18″ x 22″ (L x W x H)
- Folded dimensions: 48″ x 18″ x 28″ (L x W x H)
- LCD Monitor
- Maximum user weight: 250 pounds
- Weight: 55 pounds (25 kg)
Display/ Monitor
The Stamina 1399 comes with a multi-function electronic performance monitor. Sounds fancy right? Well, it isn’t. Nothing wrong with that though. It does everything that you would expect from a rower in this price range and to be honest, the basics are enough for most users.
The electronic performance monitor displays information about your workout and measures your speed, the number of calories burnt, distance traveled, and the duration of your workout.
There is a single ‘MODE’ button that controls all the functions of the monitor. The speed metric is shown constantly on the display while you are given the option to alternate between the rest of the data.
Don’t expect to see any built-in games or workout programs. You’ll have to turn up to your workouts prepared.
To turn the monitor on, push the mode button or simply start rowing. The monitor will turn itself off automatically after a few minutes of inactivity.
You will need 2 AA batteries to power the monitor which does not come included. One last thing worth pointing out is that there is no backlight in the display. This means that the data can be challenging to see in poor lighting conditions. Again, perhaps not a deal-breaker, but worth knowing.
Build Quality
Considering the ATS 1399 Rower is a budget-friendly exercise machine, it offers an impressive number of features, many of which are normally only found on more expensive products. Designed for light commercial and home use, the Stamina Air Rower is built on a strong steel frame designed to be sturdy and long-lasting.
The oversized seat rail is strong and sturdy and supports the smooth sliding of the seat. So if you don’t have to worry about the machine not holding up during bouts of intense exercise.
Some users have reported the strap breaking which definitely should not happen. But it’s more likely that there was a fault or they misused the machine as many others (myself included) have used this rower with no complaints. Still, something to be aware of.
The machine comes with floor protectors. This will help safeguard your workout area and prevent movement during use. If you’re really worried about keeping your floor unscathed then you can always purchase a floor mat to go under your rower.
Comfort and Capacity
The rower comes with a padded sliding seat which is comfortable and engineered to slide easily. The seat is upholstered for comfort and the rail is angled which allows for smoother rowing strokes. This also provides slightly more of a challenge to legs as you have to push up a slight incline as well as have a higher degree of control when you make the return. Don’t worry though, this is ever so slight and once you get going you won’t even notice it unless you are an avid user of another machine.
The footplates are large which is great for those of us with big feet. The plates are long and wide enough to accommodate almost any size user I would say. There are also adjustable nylon foot straps that will hold your feet securely in place without aggravating or rubbing against your feet.
The handles come with textured grips which will keep your hands stable and comfortable while rowing. The handle is attached to the rower via a nylon strap which was chosen for strength.
The rowing machine has a decent capacity with the maximum weight listed as 250 pounds. Though I know many people heavier than this that can use rowing machines with no issue – but hey, the manufacturers have to give some guidance and draw the line somewhere.
The frame of the rower comes up a bit short when compared to other air rowers, however, users as tall as 6’4 have mentioned being able to use the machine with no problems. If you’re much taller than thins then I’d opt for a rower with a longer frame just to be safe.
Assembly
Assembling this rower is pretty easy and should not cause you any trouble. Everything you need to know comes detailed with images in the owner’s manual. All the necessary tools will also be provided though I personally always use my own tool kit.
The rower itself is 77” long, 18” wide, 22” high, and weighs 54 lbs.
Fitted with wheels for easy moving, the Air Rower can also be folded for compact storage and also features a performance monitor to track your workout.
Storage
The frame can be folded which makes storage much simpler and decreases the rower’s footprint by half. To fold, simply remove the pull pin from the frame and bend upwards. Once you have folded it all the way put the pin back into position to make sure the rower is secured.
A nice feature of the Stamina 1399 is that it has built-in wheels that ensure easy portability. So if you need to move it from your workout station to its storage space you can do so easily.
Warranty
The warranty for this rower is not the greatest and you’ll be able to find much better warranties. But with better warranties comes a higher price tag for the machine.
The frame is actually covered by Stamina’s three-year warranty but the parts are only covered for 90 days. All in all, it’s not bad, especially considering that there are higher-end rowers that offer something similar.
Price and value
As mentioned, the Stamina ATS Air Rower 1399 uses the same technology as the very well-known Concept2 brand of rowing machines – air resistance – but costs considerably less. While the Air Rower might not have all the bells and whistles of a Concept2 machine, it represents excellent value for money.
The three-year frame warranty is accompanied by a 90-day parts warranty and, while a little home assembly is required on receipt, for less than one-third of the price of a commercial rower, you could soon be exercising happily in your own home without having to dip too deeply into your savings.
Should you buy the Stamina ATS Air Rower 1399
Budget rowers designed for home use are often flimsy, uncomfortable, or lack many of the features necessary for an enjoyable workout. The Stamina Air 1399 Rower bucks this trend and is surprisingly high quality considering the price. Some users say the Stamina 1399 can be a little noisy in use – especially at high speed – but at this price point that’s a problem that can easily be ignored.
If you’re on a tight budget then this rower is definitely worth considering. If you want to check out the best rowing machines on the market or what to know before you buy, check out our detailed buyer’s guide here.
There are lots of different indoor rowers that are designed specifically for home use and one such machine is the Stamina ATS Air Rower 1399 – usually just called the Stamina Air Rower. It’s a much cheaper alternative to other popular air resistance rowers without a huge dip in quality and performance. But can the Stamina 1399 meet your rowing demands? Keep reading to find out.
Stamina 1399 ATS Air Rower
There are lots of different indoor rowers that are designed specifically for home use and one such machine is the Stamina ATS Air Rower 1399 – usually just called the Stamina Air Rower. It’s a much cheaper alternative to other popular air resistance rowers without a huge dip in quality and performance. But can the Stamina 1399 meet your rowing demands? Keep reading to find out.
Product Brand: Stamina
Product Currency: USD
Product Price: 359.00
Product In-Stock: InStock
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