Assault Fitness is best known for its Assault AirBike, which has kicked my butt — and possibly yours — through many a CrossFit workout. And sure, the Concept2 is one of the best rowing machines out there and is currently the most popular rower seen in CrossFit gyms. But recently, Assault Fitness said, “Wait a gosh-darn second” and got in on the competition with the AssaultRower Pro.

We’ve consulted with two testers, one of whom is a certified personal trainer and a CrossFit Level-1 coach, to get rowing for this AssaultRower Pro review. To provide you with the clearest understanding of our testing, we’ve utilized the BarBend equipment testing methodology, providing scores from 1 (yikes) to 5 (perfecto) in categories such as durability, workout experience, value, and more. While this rower goes toe-to-toe with the Concept2 Row Erg and is an awesome home gym air rower for non-CrossFitters, read on to see where the Rower Pro takes first prize and where it falls behind amongst the two dozen rowers we’ve tested.

Main Takeaways

• Our tester appreciates the weather-resistant powder-coated steel frame, allowing them to tackle workouts from their backyard without fear of corrosion from sweat, sun, or the elements.
• The seat height is 20 inches from the ground (we measured), higher than other rowers we’ve tried, and may be ideal for older adults or those with limited mobility.
• According to our tester, this 109-pound rower is surprisingly easy to tip vertically, move, and store away. 
• Our tester avoids getting their fingers pinched by the sliding seat when stowing this rower vertically, thanks to the ability to lock the seat into place.

AssaultRower Pro Specs

The AssaultRower Pro — rebranded from Assault AirRower just like when Kanye West changed his name to Ye — is one of the best air rowing machines, utilizing air resistance and your own effort to dictate the intensity of your workout. 

It’s built with a corrosion-resistant powder-coated steel frame that makes it a heavy 109 pounds, but this build can withstand chipping and prevent corrosion and rust caused by sweat, sunlight, and other environmental elements. With built-in transport wheels and a dedicated transport handle, you’re all set up to roll this rower out into your backyard for your workout. And no need to run an extension cord, because this rower doesn’t require a power source (besides you and your effort). That makes it plenty eco-friendly to operate, as it’ll be draining your muscles rather than your electricity bill or the planet’s resources.

The dual drive chain is half chain drive and half belt drive, which our tester — a certified personal trainer — has found to provide a reliable stroke. “The pull is smooth and consistent, and there isn’t any shake or wobble even when I push it during high-intensity interval training,” they explain. However, this does add some noise to their workout. “The dual drive chain and fan are loud,” says our tester. “If you want a quiet machine, you’ll want to look at magnetic rowers instead of this one.” However, magnetic rowers can often cost closer to $3,000 and include monthly subscription fees — this machine comes in just under $1,000, so may well be worth the extra sound.

The tech on the AssaultRower Pro is limited to a simple display that provides you with basic training metrics and a few workout programs and targets you can set. There’s also Bluetooth and ANT connectivity, so users can pair wearable heart rate monitors to get real-time feedback or set target heart rate workouts. BarBend tester Josh Hackworth says, “You won’t find a fancy touchscreen here featuring the best rowing apps, but the buttons on the console were easy and intuitive to use. I had no trouble going from one workout to another or finding what I was looking for.”

Who Should Use / Who Shouldn’t Use the AssaultRower Pro

The AssaultRower Pro may be the perfect machine for you, or you may need to continue your search elsewhere. To help you figure out if this machine suits your training, the following are our recommendations for who would and who wouldn’t benefit from bringing this puppy into their home gym.

Recommended for:

• Athletes who want an air rower that’s a little higher off the ground than competitor brands
• Anyone who prioritizes comfort in their fitness equipment
• People looking for the best cardio machines that can withstand loads of use or even multiple users

Not Recommended for:

• Users who want high-tech features with an immersive touchscreen
• CrossFit athletes, since the Concept2 is what’s used in the CrossFit games
• Those with limited space in their garage gym or home

Our Experience Training With the AssaultRower Pro

Training on an air rower like the AssaultRower Pro can utilize nearly every muscle in your body — your hamstrings, calves, triceps, lats, back, glutes, biceps, core, and more. (1)  “Rowing is a fantastic full-body workout. I particularly like rowing because it engages the majority of the body’s muscles and can develop power and explosiveness in the glutes and hamstrings in addition to improving cardiovascular endurance,” explains Amanda Capritto, BarBend expert contributor and certified personal trainer.

Our testers unboxed, built, and took the AssaultRower Pro through all of its paces, completing HIIT and LISS workouts to see how this machine performed at different intensities. We’ve also tested more than 20 different rowers from top brands, allowing us to compare our experience here against the competition. The following are our key takeaways after trying, testing, and training.

Weight and Portability

This rower weighs 109 pounds, so it’s almost twice as heavy as the Concept2. Yikes. However, this is due to the sturdy powder-coated steel construction, which provides some weather resistance and can help keep this rower going for years to come. Hooray! “It’s heavier than other rowers I’ve tried, but I can tell this frame can withstand years of heavy use,” says our tester. Durability scores a 4.5 out of 5 — a welcome score.

While heavier than other options on the market, we appreciate that there’s a dedicated handlebar on the back for when you want to tip it up onto its transport wheels and move it around or store it away. “I didn’t have a problem tipping it up to store it away, and while you can’t take this rower apart so that it splits into two pieces, I think most people will appreciate that it can be stowed upright,” says our tester who gives footprint and portability a 4 out of 5.

“I also love that the seat can lock into place when I go to tip this rower up — this way you don’t get your fingers smashed as the seat goes crashing toward you,” praises our tester. This functionality also allows users to lock the seat into place if they want to work through a certain range of motion on the rower’s rail.

Accessibility and Comfort

A large problem we’ve come across with rowers is that the seat is so low to the ground that it all but prohibits those with limited mobility or flexibility from getting on and off of the rower. However, the AssaultRower’s seat sits higher than other rowers we’ve tried. “I didn’t have to squat as low as I usually do when getting onto something like the Concept2,” says our tester. This attention to seat height allows a wider range of users and skill levels the ability to train. Ergonomics scores a perfect 5 out of 5 with our tester.

Our tester pulled out their handy-dandy tape measure, discovering that this seat sits 20 inches off the ground. That’s about the same seat height as a standard dining room chair. (2) For reference, the average rower’s seat height is closer to 14 inches tall.

“The cushion is grooved and padded, a bit more comfortable than the Concept2’s hard molded seat,” says our tester. You’ll also find the ergonomic handle can be used in a typical shoulder-width grip fashion, but it also features a unique center cut-out so users can row with one hand. Working our way down to our feet, the foot pedals are wide and flexible, so as you push away and pull back in, the foot plate provides some give, which adds some comfort throughout each stroke.

Lastly, should you notice any wobble or wiggle during your row, the four stabilizers under this rower can make sure your workout is level. No need to stuff napkins under the legs like you would when chowing down at the local Subway — all you have to do is twist the four-way stabilizers to dial in the height you need from the base of the rower.

Simple User-Powered Design

Unlike the Hydrow Pro, Peloton Row, or Aviron rower, which cost between $2,000 and $3,300 plus a monthly subscription fee, the AssaultRower is one of the best rowing machines under $1,000 — and you still won’t need a power source to get up and rowing. You are the power source. The harder you pull, the harder it is to pull. The only thing we wish was included was a damper, so that users had the option to adjust how much wind could enter the fan — which is one way to control the resistance on air rowers outside of how hard you’re working.

“If you’re someone who doesn’t know what to set a damper to, then I don’t think it’s a big deal that you don’t have one here. However, if you’re accustomed to using one, you may be more inclined to opt for an air rower that features one like the Concept2,” says our tester, who gives customizations a 4 out of 5.

The fan resistance is controlled by a dual-stage chain, which is fancy talk for what’s basically a hybrid belt and chain drive. We love the durability of chain drives, but belt drives often provide a quieter and smoother workout experience. This hybrid chain drive primarily reminded us of typical chain drives due to the increased audio level experienced on each pull.

Technology

Air rowers don’t typically feature loads of technology, and the AssaultRower Pro is no different. (If tech is what you’re after, consider perusing our list of the best magnetic rowing machines — however, be prepared to pay almost triple the cost of this rower). “This rower monitor breaks down all of your metrics: split-based time, distance, calories, strokes per minute, calories per hour, average 500-meter time, watt, and average watt,” says our tester, who also notes that this console is similar, if not identical, to what we’ve seen on the AssaultRunner Elite, AssaultRunner Pro, and AssaultBike Pro. There also isn’t any storage on this console, so if you want to keep track of your training, you’ll need to do that elsewhere.

This console is adjustable, allowing you to set it for the most ergonomic viewing experience, and can fold down when you want to stow it away. This is one of the main differences between the AssaultRower Pro and AssaultRower Elite.

This console, while simple, is also Bluetooth-compatible and provides ANT connectivity. This allows you to pair a compatible heart rate monitor to this rower, so you can see real-time readings on your effort. Tech capabilities score a 4 out of 5. There’s also an AssaultFitness app, which you can download onto your phone and pair with this rower. The app allows you to track your progress, race against friends, compete in challenges, and access customized workouts. While we appreciate a free app, it currently only has a 1.8 out of 5 rating in the Apple Store.

You also won’t find a wide variety of training programs here. “You have the option to do an interval program, or you can set a target heart rate, distance, time, or split time, but that’s it,” says our tester, who gives dynamic training a 3.75 out of 5.

What to Consider Before Buying the AssaultRower Pro

We are living in a great time for at-home training, with a wide range of options and price ranges for whatever equipment you want. However, before you add this rower to your cart and check out, the following are some areas to consider.

• Programming: Consider if you’re someone who wants built-in programming or trainer-led instruction if you’re unsure how to use a rowing machine — because you won’t find either of those here.
• Type of Rower: “What kind of rowing machine do you want?” asks Amanda Capritto, certified personal trainer and BarBend expert contributor. “The flywheel mechanism dictates the rower type: Air rowers use fan flywheels; water rowers use fan flywheels against the resistance of water in a tank; magnetic rowers use electromagnetic resistance; and hydraulic rowers, which are less expensive but functionally limited compared to the other three types, use hydraulic cylinders in the handles to create resistance.”
• Noise-level: If you plan on rowing while your kids or roomies are asleep, or catching up on your favorite shows, consider that air rowers like the AssaultRower Pro are louder than other types of rowers.
• Footprint and Portability: “Size, weight, and portability are important, as you’ll need to ensure the machine will fit in your space and it’s relatively easy to move if you won’t be able to leave it stationary,” notes Capritto. While the AssaultRower Pro — one of the best rowing machines for apartments — can be stowed vertically, you’ll want to make sure this equipment’s dimensions work in your space.

AssaultRower Pro Vs. Competitors

We’ve rounded up some of the top competition in the world of air rowers, so you can easily cross-check various specs from model to model.

Ordering and Assembling the AssaultRower Pro

Shipping is free from Assault Fitness, and you can expect your new rower to ship within 5 to 7 business days.

“Once delivered, putting together the AssaultRower Pro proved to be a bit of a challenge,” says our tester, a certified personal trainer, who was able to build this rower in about 45 minutes. “The chain goes through the monorail, which made putting it all together a little more of a challenge than when compared to building the Concept2.” Delivery and setup score a 4 out of 5.

Places to Buy AssaultRower Pro

You can purchase the AssaultRower Pro directly from Assault Fitness or on Amazon.

Brand Reputation and Customer Reviews

Assault Fitness is well known in the fitness space for providing fitness products that are built to last. The AssaultBike was previously the CrossFit Games official air bike, thanks to the challenging workout it provides and durability to withstand tough and rigorous competition. And the AssaultRunner — a manual treadmill — while not endorsed or used in the CrossFit games, is wildly popular for its ability to provide road-like running and HIIT workouts.

When perusing customer reviews, it’s interesting to note that many of the lowest ratings are complaints about customer service rather than complaints about the AssaultRower Pro equipment. To get in touch with customer service, you can call them at 1-888-815-5559 between the hours of 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. PST or send them a message through their contact form here. When using their contact form to send a message, you can expect a response within 48 to 72 hours.

Warranties

The AssaultRower Pro comes with comprehensive coverage, which includes a 7-year frame and a 3-year moving parts warranty.

Final Thoughts on the AssaultRower Pro

Whether you’re looking at rowing to build muscle, want to support your cardiovascular health, or are looking to switch up your cardio routine because yes, running is boring, the AssaultRower Pro is a solid option to consider. The elevated seat makes it an ideal choice for anyone who struggles with mobility, and the powder-coated steel build will keep this machine lasting for years to come.

The AssaultRower Pro is often compared with the Concept2, and it’s honestly because both options are solid, sturdy, and worthwhile training tools. If you’re a CrossFit king, queen, or royalty, it may be best to stick with the Concept2, since that’s what you’ll be using in your home CrossFit gym. However, for anyone else looking for a simple air rower to kick their butts, arms, legs, back, core, etc. the AssaultRower Pro may be just the right fit.

AssaultRower Pro FAQs

References

1. Volianitis, S., Yoshiga, C. C., & Secher, N. H. (2020). The physiology of rowing with perspective on training and health. European journal of applied physiology, 120(9), 1943–1963. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-020-04429-y
2. Abbas, A. (2021c, December 15). Standard Sizes for Various Types of Furniture. thespruce.com. https://www.thespruce.com/standard-furniture-measurements-1391374

The post AssaultRower Pro Review (2024): A Rower That Outlasted Our Training appeared first on BarBend.