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MERACH NovaRow R50 Review: A Better Alternative to Concept2 ERG?

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Literally, every top gym and fitness space has the Concept2 ERG for rowing, and the reasons mentioned are usually, ease of use & setup, intuitive controls, no cables, and consistent performance, while not disputing that—the Concept2 ERG is a good one, really—but what if you get to know about a much affordable alternative that delivers even better than the Concept2 ERG? Hard to come by? Not so. Here you have the MERACH NovaRow R50, a top-of-the-class air rowing gadget for home or commercial gym setups.

MERACH is a brand dedicated to manufacturing high-quality, well-crafted, highly efficient fitness gadgets, with a focus mainly on fat-burning gadgets. Of course, the brand produces fitness gadgets that cut across categories – talk about massage guns, treadmills, stationary bikes, elliptical machines, and then, rowing machines. Our focus today is the MERACH NovaRow R50, which appears as a perfect upgrade from the renowned Concept2, and yet, sold for a fraction of the latter.

MERACH NovaRow R50 Overview (A Quick Look)

Rowing is one of the very few highly effective full-body workout exercises, and so, a rower is like a must-have in commercial gyms. Different types of rowing machines exist, the most flexible type is the air-resistance models, of which the MERACH NovaRow R50 is inarguable one of the top choices to consider—you’ll learn about the reasons for this assertion pretty soon, let’s keep going.

The MERACH NovaRow R50 is an air-resistance rower built to deliver a professional-grade rowing experience for the bare minimum cost. It makes you cut the cost of acquiring Concept2 without compromising the results you could get from your customized programs.

Featuring an elegant design that definitely appeals to both beginners and professional athletes, the NovaRow R50 rower delivers perfectly for an air-resistance rowing machine; it offers a blend of performance, comfort, and hi-tech at roughly half the cost of its industry leader.

Technical Specifications

Time To Upgrade From the Concept2?

For a long time now, the Concept2 Model D (also called Concept2 ERG) has been famed as the best air-resistance rower, and truth be told, it’s a good machine. But, the Concept2 rower has some obvious flaws, which could be a deal breaker for many; first, its seat is small-sized—you need a bigger one, you get to purchase it separately, and then it’s pricey.

Then comes the MERACH NovaRow R50, which offers a more convenient seat, operates at a lower noise level, and offers a vastly customizable console. Every feature you could find on the Concept2 rower is on the MERACH NovaRow R50, and they are even better on the latter. This is not particularly a comparison article, but since the MERACH NovaRow R50 looks so much like the Concept2 and many people have seen/used the Concept2, it’d be cool to make relative references between the two rowers.

Why the MERACH NovaRow R50?

For real, everyone could have their individual biases, but when it comes to shopping, the majority wants a budget-friendly product that does not sacrifice any bit of the intended purpose. The features of the MERACH NovaRow R50 rower are its selling points, and you’ll find them worthy, too.

Build Quality and Design

Starting with the build, the R50 is lengthy; a 6.1 person can achieve a full-length stretch. Built with durable alloy steel, the NovaRow R50 is inarguably solid. It is pre-assembled up to 80% (requiring just eight screws during setup), so it’s quick to assemble the machine and get it started. Also, although lengthy, this rower features a compact design, compact in the sense that you can take it apart from the mid-section for vertical storage or carrying.

Professional-Grade Air Resistance

The R50 boosts an advanced air resistance system; equipped with 32 fan blades, the machine supports up to 10 adjustable resistance levels (with a peak tension of up to 110 pounds)—you’re sure to enjoy smooth, scalable workout sessions. The interesting part? You basically do not need to increase the resistance; it increases naturally as you pull harder—mimicking the dynamic resistance you’d experience with water rowers.

Ergonomic Design for Extended Comfort

The overall design of the NovaRow R50 is targeted to provide optimal comfort to any user. It comes with a sizable seat, carefully contoured, and complemented with a coccyx groove to reduce pressure and improve comfort. Also, the NovaRow R50’s seat is practically softer than the seat on Concept2—safe to say that you’ll feel more comfortable rowing on the R50 than the C2. Now, you can achieve more mileage per session.

Plug-Free, Hassle-Free Operation

You don’t need to plug the R50 into a power source before it starts working – it works exactly like the C2—100% manually operated. Could that be a “CON,” well, many rowers don’t consider it as such, instead, this is viewed as a massive “PRO.” Once you have your MERACH NovaRow R50 all unboxed and set up, put the AA batteries into the LCD console, and draw the handrail—there you go! With the absence of cable connections – and the detachable design – the R50 can be used basically anywhere, whether outdoors or indoors.

Mobile App Integration

Yes, the MERACH NovaRow R50 can be paired with the official MERACH app to allow the user to customize their workout plans and track progress. The app also allows 2D and 3D map rowing, integrates gaming modes and challenges to keep you ever-active and competitive and allows you to subscribe to classes and coaching sessions. Oh, there’s more—the app fosters access to Zwift and Kinomap, for more immersive experiences.

Interactive LCD Console

No, it’s not a touchscreen display console, but it does have clearly labeled buttons that let you make inputs seamlessly. The Bluetooth icon activates the BT technology for pairing with the mobile app. There is no power button to turn on the display—you just put the 2 AA batteries in, and sit on the machine, the moment you start rowing, the console will power on. Right on the display, you get to see time, distance, pulse, watt, and other relevant information; you will access the clearer information on the app.

How to Use the MERACH NovaRow R50 

It takes approximately 14 minutes to set up the R50 completely; the user manual provides clear guides on how to get around everything you’d ever want to do with the rower. After the initial setup, to use the R50, first put the AA batteries (included in the box) into the console, then get on the seat and start rowing, surprisingly, that’s just how to use the machine—super easy. Program selection and customization can be made from the app or the console directly.

Pros

  • Softer and more comfortable seat
  • Multi-level adjustable foot pedals with comfy broad straps
  • Easy installation and setup
  • No cable connections, so you can use this outdoors
  • Sold for a fraction of the price of Concept2

Cons

  • The LCD console can be made better, there’s no much available space to put in your tab or phone.

Summary and Verdict 

The main selling point of the MERACH NovaRow R50 is that it offers everything the Concept2 does at a much cheaper price. The design is good, the operation is smooth, easy mobility, and it is more comfortable than any other air rower in the market.

The MERACH NovaRow R50 is highly recommended for home gym enthusiasts and commercial gyms—a perfect buy for the price. If you’re looking for a high-quality air rower without the hefty price tag, the MERACH NovaRow R50 is a solid choice.

Plus, you can get 25% off with code boxrox25 (valid for all rowers, bikes, treadmills, and ellipticals on the official website).

This content is originated from https://www.boxrox.com your Online Magazine for Competitive Fitness.


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