Are You on A Quest for Integrity?
Written: Dec 31 '04 (Updated Dec 01 '05)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Inexpensive; offers a whole body workout; stable and sturdy.
Cons: None that are not the same as with any rower (knees, no water, etc.)
The Bottom Line: This is a simple, easy to use and effective cardio vascular machine that works your whole body. I like it. Four to five stars.
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| jo.com's Full Review: Fitness Quest Integrity 3000 Air Rower |
Years ago I reviewed the Concept II rower. Since then I have been on others including other models in my new gym. However this is one a friend has and I have been considering it for our basement. At under $200 the Fitness Quest Integrity 3000 Air Rower is considerably less expensive than the Concept II and a model in my opinion great for the home.
Details about the Integrity 3000:
The first thing to note is that this machine uses air resistance just as the Concept II does and perhaps stationary bikes you have been on. The real benefit to air resistance is that you totally control how you want to work. The harder you row, the more difficult the workout. On the flip side of this you have to be disciplined in order to get the most out of the piece of equipment since you are the one deciding. You will not put this on level 3 for example and try to keep up. That is not how air resistance works.
The Integrity Air Rower is made by Fitness Quest. It measures 9.5 inches x 22 inches by 43 and one quarter inches. You can see that this is a smaller piece of equipment than many you will be looking at. It weighs 51 pounds. It is not for someone weighing over 250 pounds. The machine is sturdy and stable I believe but it is lightweight and not a gym quality machine.
It is easily folded. I did fold it up with him because my friend does not have room to keep it open all the time. It was a cinch.
I have heard that it is fairly easy to set up but assembly is required. My friend put it together he said in less than an hour.
Fitness Quest warranties the machine for 90 days.
Features:
The Integrity Rower has some nice features to it. It has a nice seat. It is heavily padded and a decent size. It is contoured making it comfortable to sit on. It is not a flat hard bench seat. It has a computer that is simple to use. You will not be fiddling with programs, hills, interval training or will you need training on how to use this Rower. The monitor is easy to read and it shows speed, distance, time and calories.
Remember what I always say. The average that these computers are off is about 20% so use these numbers with a grain of salt! Having said that I find (since it is all relative and if you use the same machine then you will get a more accurate number) the rower to burn more calories per hour than the stationary bike for example. In my opinion the elliptical machines burn the most calories per hour but this rower is close. I burn about 400 calories per hour on the Integrity Rower which is a respectable number even if it is off 20%. Again remember that this is at my pace but I am comparing it to a similar pace on other equipment.
This personal trainer will tell you more about the Rower and how to use it:
You will sit on the cushioned seat. Your feet are placed on nice sized foot pads with straps to keep them from moving. You will grasp the t-shaped handlebar. I like this bar. It is coated with rubber making it comfortable to use. I do not have to use gloves when using this machine. I find that the rubber also make the bar easy to hold when my hands start to sweat.
The seat glides easily back and forth making rowing easy. It is made with premium ball bearing rollers so that enhances the glide. The machine sits on two bars one in front and one in back. I find that in spite of this being a light machine, it is stable. These bars with rubber bases keep the machine on the floor and not tipping to the side!
Unlike most cardio vascular machines the rower offers a total body workout. There are some machines that work your arms while you are pedaling on an elliptical but not many do this. It really does a great job simulating what it is like to row on water. Since it works my whole body I like using the rower at my gym before I work out as well to warm up. If you buy this for your house I would suggest warming up on this if you are then going to go on to weight training.
There are a couple of pitfalls to rowers. (I realize some disagree with the next statement. Feel free to share your experience with others in the comment section.) It can be hard on your knees. As with any exercise program please check with your doctor first. If you have arthritis in your knees this is not a machine for you. There is a constant bending and straightening out of your legs. If you do this too often for too long a time I am afraid that is not going to be good for you. However I am not a doctor so ask. I will day ditto to any elbow injuries. However remember you can control how fast you go and how hard you work so do slow if you have some problems. This machine if used correctly and you use it without pushing yourself may be good for some people depending on their medical condition. I cannot emphasize enough how important it is to talk with your doctor.
I like to read while on cardio vascular machine and drink a lot of water. Unless (I just thought of this!) I carry my Camelbak with me I cannot drink water. You cannot read since your are moving but you can always listen to music which is better for you on cardio equipment anyway than reading because reading can change your alignment in a negative way.
One reason I like it is also a reason I do not like it. This explanation involves a bit about my weight training philosophy. This was said in my Concept II review and my position has not changed in 5 years.
It is fairly well known that if you are weight training you do not want to work the same muscle group 2 days in a row. There is a simple reason for this. During weight training, assuming you are using heavy enough weights, you are making small tears in your muscles. Your muscles are not getting stronger during your workout, but after your workout during the healing of the tears phase. Thus you must give your muscles a rest and give them a chance to heal and get stronger.
If, for example, you work your biceps on a Monday and again on Tuesday, the small tears you made on Monday have no time to heal. Basically your workout on Tuesday is a waste of time; it is counterproductive and you can end up injured.
If I work my upper body on Monday and work it hard and then Tuesday do a hard workout on the rowing machine, I am using the same muscle group two days in a row. If I work my upper body as hard as I should be, I should not have the energy after weight training to be able to row efficiently. So in either case the rower can be counterproductive if you are a weight trainer.
My final thoughts:
The Integrity Air Rowing machine 3000 is terrific and really priced well. I would use it for warm ups and for days I do not weight train. I am a weight training advocate but I do know many people do not weight train and only do cardio work. In that case this is super because you will get your whole body worked rather than just your lower half while working your heart and lungs.
This is one of the safest cardio vascular machines on the market. You will not fall off like you might the treadmill; you will not get your feet caught on the belt like you might the treadmill: you will not slip off like you might a stepper; it requires no balance like a skier does and it is certainly easier on your bones and joints than running in my opinion.
I highly recommend the Integrity Air Rower 300. It is a fantastic buy.
If I can answer any questions about this product or weight training in general, feel free to e-mail me. Feel free as well to leave a comment or question.
This is an entry in my write off Get Active in 2005. Click the link for information and other participants.
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Recommended:
Yes
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