Velocity Exercise is a leader in magnetic rowing, offering a high-end, drum magnetic control system that provides high-end resistance and electronic tension control, too. The CHR-2001 (the official name for this rower), offers a full body workout in the comfort of your home.
And no expense has been spared to ensure that the Velocity is made to last.
Build and Durability
Rowing machine longevity depends on the build and durability of the rower. This unit was developed with an anodized aluminum frame that’s built to withstand years of normal use.
I’ve talked to owners of the CHR-2001 who have used this rower daily without any breakage occurring.
When researching this rowing machine, you’ll also find that it was once called the Proteus PMR 3000. CAP Barbell acquired the original manufacturer of the company and changed the name of the machine.
But the two machines are one in the same.
Engineered with the end user in mind, Velocity ensures that this model will last. Double-bearings reduce the wear and tear on the unit’s bearings, allowing for unsurpassed durability.
And most retailers classify this unit as being for “intense use.”
You’ll find that the quality and durability of the Velocity Rower is on par with commercial rowing machines – minus the price.
Monitoring and Programs
Starting your first rowing session ever is difficult. You don’t know your limits yet, and you’ll need to ease your way into a robust plan to increase your strength, muscle mass and lower your body fat.
But where do you begin?
Velocity designed this rowing machine for a full body workout with a built-in monitor and LCD display that includes:
- Functions to monitor distance, pulse, time, calories and strokes per minute.
- Programs to boost your fitness right out of the box.
There are twelve total programs offered with six pre-set options and manual options, too.
Simply set your unit on one of the pre-set options and you’ll be rowing to success. The unit’s programs are broken down into:
- 6 pre-set workouts
- 1 heart rate program
- 4 customization slots
- 1 manual option
The manual option doesn’t put restrictions on the user and allows for a complete workout without worrying about adjustments along the way.
I really like that this rowing machine comes with a built-in heart rate receiver and an optional chest belt. When you’re trying to boost your cardiovascular health or lose weight, it’s important to keep your heart rate high.
You can’t guarantee that you’ll exceed these thresholds unless you have a proper monitor to track your heart rate.
If you want to check your pulse recovery rate, you can click the button after your workout ends to determine how long it takes your heart rate to go back to normal after you stop exercising. The monitor plugs into the wall using an AC adapter in the front of the machine to eliminate the need for batteries.
The monitor will track activity and shut off on its own after a few minutes of being inactive.
Precision Resistance Control
Resistance is key if you want to build muscle and lose fat. High resistance levels allow you to exert more energy during a rowing session. Velocity’s own pre-set programs will have the resistance level built into the program.
You won’t be able to adjust the resistance levels on the pre-set programs.
You can make your own customized setting to create your own exercise routine, or you can choose the manual option and adjust the resistance using the Drum Magnetic Control (DCS). This magnetic system will apply pressure to the flywheel to add resistance when rowing.
This is a very taxing form of resistance.
What I like about this form of magnetic resistance is that there’s no excess noise production. When rowing at the highest resistance level, this rowing machine will stay virtually silent.
And when it comes time to adjust the resistance, you’ll be able to:
- Use the LCD monitor to adjust the resistance
- Press up or down to increase or decrease resistance
You’ll have eight resistance levels to choose from, and if you’re in the middle of a program, the unit will adjust the resistance without you lifting a finger.
Low-end resistance is easy, while the higher-end resistance does get taxing and will cause maximum time under tension for the muscles.
Storage
Rowing machines are bulky. When you have limited space as-is, it can be difficult to leave a rowing machine fully open in the middle of the living room. But Velocity has made is super easy to fold this rowing machine up for easy storage.
Small wheels in the front of the unit make positioning this rower a breeze.
The unit folds where the beam meets the flywheel and is easy to roll into the corner. Perfect for small spaces, you’ll be able to pull out and fold up the unit quickly for your next workout.
When folded, this unit is just 43.3″ in length, 20.1″ in width and 54.3″ in height.
For small spaces, this is the perfect rowing machine. You’ll have a space-saving unit that’s easy to extend and easy to fold, too.
Weight Limits
Exercise equipment is meant to be able to accommodate people wanting to lose weight . A skinny person will have no issue getting on this machine, but a heavier person will need to make sure that they’re within the maximum weight limit.
The anodized aluminum rail can accommodate users up to 275 pounds.
So, if you’re within this range, you can be confident that you can sit on the rowing machine without fear of it breaking.
Some users state that they’ve exceeded the maximum weight limit without any issues along the way.
For me, it’s always better to be safe than sorry – no one wants to break their rowing machine.
Dimensions and Weight
Fully assembled and extended, the Velocity Exercise rowing machine spans:
- 80 inches in length
- 20 inches in width
- 29 inches in height
The unit’s weight is 75 pounds, so it’s light enough to assemble alone and very easy to transport from room-to-room thanks to the accompanying front wheels.
Keep in mind that the rail length of the rowing machine will dictate how comfortable a tall user will be when rowing. There are users that are 6’2″ – 6’3″ rowing on this rower without feeling too cramped or uncomfortable.
Assembly
Speaking of assembly, you’ll need to assemble your rowing machine. It comes mostly assembled, with you only needing to spend maybe 20 – 30 minutes on the assembly process. You’ll find that the unit comes with everything you need to get started, including:
- Instruction manual
- Tools for assembly
If you don’t have a bunch of tools already, this is a great rowing machine to purchase. I’ve never heard of an easier rowing machine to assemble.
Most users assemble this unit in 20 minutes solo, so if you have someone who can help with the assembly process, you might be up and rowing in even less time.
Comfort
I almost forgot one of the most important features of all: comfort. When you sit on any seat for a long period of time, you’ll find that it gets uncomfortable. It’s not uncommon for your bum to get sore after a long workout.
But Velocity’s polyurethane seat allows for hours of comfort.
The seat is extra-large to accommodate users of all sizes, and the footrests have straps that allow you to secure your feet in place when rowing.
Every catch and release is fluid and smooth.
You won’t find a rowing machine more comfortable than this.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Pre-set workouts for maximum muscle gain and fat burning
- Includes a built-in heart rate monitor
- Durable frame can hold up to 275 pounds
- Front wheels allow for easy transport
- Folds small enough to fit in the corner
- 8 resistance levels provide added difficulty to your workout
Cons
- Warranty is disappointing (more on that below)
- Resistance levels could be more challenging
The resistance levels more than suffice for most users, but if you’re an avid gym-goer, don’t expect to look like Arnold just from rowing. The resistance does add difficulty to your rowing, but it’s not the highest resistance rowing machine on the market.
Customer Reviews
Thousands and thousands of consumers have purchased this rowing machine, and it’s highly rated. When you look through real customer reviews, you’ll find consumers stating:
- Everything I’ve wanted in a rowing machine
- Been using this unit for over a year and everything works great
- He loves this rowing machine and uses it all the time
People just like you have been able to enhance their lifestyle, burn calories and build muscle thanks to the Velocity Exercise rowing machine.
Warranty and Price
Price wise, this is one of the top rowing machines in this price range. Robust, durable and long-lasting, this rowing machine has it all. And with such a high quality, it’s really a bargain. The warranty is lackluster, though. Some consumers say that the warranty is just 90 days, while some websites state the warranty is for an entire year.
Even the company’s website doesn’t clarify the issue.
In either case, the warranty doesn’t compare to the competition, which is a shame.
But with a high-end durability, there’s not much that can go wrong with the Velocity Exercise rower. It’s a high-end unit priced in the mid-range and has lasted users for years without breaking.
When you consider the different pre-set programs and resistance levels, this is a great buy and one I highly recommend.
If this model is slightly out of your price range then it may be worth considering the Soozier Magentic Rower.
