by James - This article may contain affiliate links.
Not everyone wants to spend hundreds or thousands of dollars on a rower. And, not everyone wants to work out like a professional athlete, just want to move a little bit more and burn some fat at the comfort of their home.
If you are among them, the Stamina Body Trac Glider 1050 Rowing Machine is the right choice.
It costs just a fraction of the “big” names like Concept2. Actually, you need to pay a bit more than 100 bucks for this item. And I’m not alone with my opinion that it is the best cheap rowing machine these days.
Ok, using it isn’t the same as if you were using a professional rower at the gym. But, to keep yourself fitter, strengthen your body, and burn calories, it will do for sure. It’s a compact rower, easy to store, and even adjustable to tweak it to your fitness level and goals. What I personally like are the rowing arms that provide a full range of motion, which is vital for effective training.
In a nutshell:
Body Trac Glider is an affordable rower for beginner, light intermediate level rowing workout. In spite of being a cheap item, the rowing motion it provides is pretty good.
But, let’s get into the details below to know it is pros and cons.
- Unique, full-range-of-motion rowing mimics being on the water
- Multi-function electronic monitor to keep you motivated
Contents
The resistance type quality
It’s not a secret that inexpensive rowers are equipped with a hydraulic piston, which is a simple solution. You can adjust the hydraulic cylinder resistance by turning a knob. 12 levels are available. The possibility of adjusting is a handy feature since you can tweak it to your fitness level or make your workout more versatile.
The disadvantage of this type of gas/shock resistance is that when it gets hot, it starts to lose its strength. The heating of the piston happens sooner if the user is heavy or he/she does a very intensive training. So, if you are heavier or want to do a really tough workout, get ready that Body Trac Glider 1050 lost is resistance after 20 minutes.
However, with moderate rowing and average weight, you can use the machine without experiencing any problems at all. You won’t feel the resistance loss even after an hour. So, for longer fat-burning training, it’s the right choice.
Finally, I have to mention that hydraulic resistance isn’t silent. Of course, it isn’t as loud as an air rower, but it creaks and squeaks, which may annoy you. Although the noise isn’t as loud that you couldn’t enjoy watching the TV or listing to music.
The rowing arms
When you use a common rower, you pull the handle almost horizontally. It has two rowing arms. If you are used to the standard strokes may need some time to get used to them. How to use Body Trac Glider 1050.
The mechanism is designed in such a way that it provides good strokes with a full range of motion. The longer the motion, the more muscles are activated.
At the end of arms, there are non-slip handles for a proper grip. Finally, they are folding to save space.
The LCD display
The fitness monitor is a basic one compared to more advanced rowers. It is also rather small, so hard to see. It shows the following information about your performance:
- The distance you take.
- Session duration.
- The number of strokes.
- Your speed.
- Calories burned.
Of course, except for the time and the number of strokes, the other data is just estimated. But, still better than nothing to keep you motivated. Also, there are no inbuilt programs.
The rowing mechanism
I’ve already mentioned before that the arms work well. Now let’s see the other features that are important for a rower.
The sliding seat works well. I mean, it doesn’t snag. But frequently, you should use some lubricant on the aluminum center beam to keep smooth sliding. The molded seat is quite big, but a bit firm and slippery.
And let’s finish with the foot rests, which are the weakest part of the Stamina Body Trac Glider. Even if the plates are textured, and foot straps are included, they don’t fix the feet as they should. Not matter if the user has big or small feet. During moderate exercise, the slipping is acceptable, but not for an intensive workout. Users solve this problem by using shoes with rubber and highly-textured sole or by using Velcro straps instead.
Technical info:
- Max user weight: 250 lbs
- Required space: 6′ x 4′
- Machine weight:39 lbs
- Fold up space: 46″ x 26″ x 19″
Verdict
Benefits
- Affordable home exercise equipment.
- Full range of stroke motion.
- Easy resistance adjustments.
- Simply assembly.
- Compact and folding for easy storage.
Cons
- Limited resistance.
- Bit noisy.
- Insufficient foot holders.
- Limited warranty (1-year on the frame, 90 days on other parts.)
The Stamina Body Trac Glider 1050 rowing machine is entry-level cardio equipment for home. It’s suitable for moderate training and the average weight of men and women. Its price and compact size make it an excellent choice for people on a budget or having little space at home.
Rating:
Note: Stamina came out with an enhanced version. They added bigger footplates, a more comfortable seat, a tablet holder, and other modifications. But, Stamina BodyTrac Glider 1060 still has problems.
Topic: Best home rowing machines
Last update on 2022-10-13 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
