We’ve got some information we want to share with you if you’re an owner of the Concept 2 Model D and it relates to a metal fatigue product notice.

If applies to all purchasers of the Concept 2 Model D rowers between 1st August 2006 and 19th April 2007. The serial numbers of the affected rowers range between 073106 and 073106. These numbers correspond to the above dates.

The Problem with Concept 2 Model D Metal Fatigue

It has been discovered that some of the Concept 2 Model D rowers shipped in the above time-frame have developed metal fatigue. Metal fatigue causes a weakening of the metal resulting from prolonged stress. The metal fatigue has caused a fine crack to develop in the frame below the foot stretchers of some of these rowers.

The solution for the Concept 2 Model D Metal Fatigue problem

• The construction of all new machines has been modified to include a steel plate between the box arm and the foot stretchers to overcome the issue of metal fatigue.
• These same steel plates are available in kit form to all owners of rowers with serial numbers between 073106 and 073106.

They are:

• Free of charge
• Easy to install between the foot stretchers and the box frame
• The kit includes the two steel plates and all the necessary tools and materials for the installation.

You can safely continue to use your rower in the meantime, unless you see a crack forming. Safety is of utmost importance to the manufacturers. They are therefore wanting to provide kits to all of the owners of the affected rowers (serial numbers 073106 to 073106).

This proactive measure is to prevent the problem occurring in your rower in the future. The manufacturers have apologized for the inconvenience and requested that all owners of the Concept 2 Model D rowers with serial numbers between 073106 and 073106, should contact the company urgently for their reinforcement kit. There is no reason why your rower should not provide you with many years of efficient use in the future once you have installed the reinforcements.

Please check on the Concept 2 website for confirmation on these issues, and before you do anything to your rower.

We are still very impressed with the Model D. If you want any more information on it, please click here to view our Concept 2 Mode D review and for the best price we’ve been able to find.

The assembly of your LifeSpan RW1000 is really simple and should literally only take minutes to complete. You will then want to jump on and begin working out. But you really need to sit down and decide what your physical fitness goals are before you jump in and start.

Check On Your Fitness Levels

Always go to your family physician for a medical check before beginning to exercise. This will give you the peace of mind to know that you can start an exercise program with very little risk to your health.

Rowing Benefits

It has long been known that rowing is an excellent choice when it comes to making your fitter and healthier. Rowing can improve the efficiency of your cardiovascular system and increase the oxygen absorption within your body. All of your body’s main muscle groups also benefit from the full-body workout that your LifeSpan Fitness RW1000 rowing machine provides.

Get The Intensity Right

Determining the most beneficial workout intensity is of the utmost importance when deciding on your training strategy. This intensity level is based on a percentage of your maximum heart rate. The range of 65-80% of your maximum pulse rate is generally considered a good position for most aerobic and cardio workouts. You can refer to charts or tables to find out more precise heart rate details, but as a general rule of thumb 180 minus your age will give you an approximate value that you want your heart rate to stay around during your exercising sessions.

For instance, a forty year old (who has been checked by a physician and deemed healthy enough to exercise) would want to keep his or her heart rate around 140 beats per minute while exercising.

Once you know the heart rate level that you are aiming for then you can begin gently with your workout program on your LifeSpan RW1000. It is important to always begin by warming up before increasing the workout intensity and then end by spending time cooling down and even doing some stretches. Keep in mind that it is best to gradually increase your heart rate and the intensity of your workouts over time, rather than suddenly.

Further Information

Please check your manual to confirm the information provided here. You can also check out our full LifeSpan RW1000 review and pricing info here.

It is important that you get the most out of your LifeSpan RW1000 after assembling it and beginning your exercising program. Hence there are a few points to keep in mind that will allow you to continue to gain the most enjoyment and benefit from this home rowing machine.

Safety Tips

Ensure that you have a medical check up with your physician before starting your workout program. Also if you are exercising and experience chest pain or shortness of breath then stop right away, go, and see your doctor before continuing to work out.

Before jumping eagerly onto your LifeSpan RW1000 to begin rowing you need to consider what you are wearing. Ensure that you do not wear excessively loose fitting clothing as it may get caught under the roller wheels.

It is important that you keep your hands and fingers away from the roller wheels under the seat while exercising.

Keep young children away from the LifeSpan RW1000 so that they do not become injured. This is relevant while you are training and also while the rower is sitting unattended.

When your LifeSpan RW1000 is folded and put away ensure that it is positioned in such a way that it will not fall over. Never hang items on the rower or lean on it as this may cause it to topple.

General Maintenance Tips

To allow for continued smooth gliding motion along the track it is important to keep the track clean. A product, such as WD40, sprayed onto a clean cloth and then wiped along the track can assist in keeping it clean and smooth for the rollers to move along.

Perspiration can cause corrosion problems with the frame of the LifeSpan RW1000. Hence it is a good idea to wipe the rower down with a soft, clean cloth after each rowing session.

Please do check in your manual to confirm the points made here, and contact LifeSpan if in any doubt. You can also read a full review of the LifeSpan RW1000 here.

Unlike other rowers that use a mechanical system to emulate the natural scenario of rowing on water, your WaterRower Natural rowing machine uses the physical dynamics of rowing through water in its innovative design. By following some workout guidelines you will be able to maximize your enjoyment while using the WaterRower Natural to achieve your own specific physical goals.

Know Your Fitness Goals

Begin by setting your own physical fitness goals. These goals should be specific, realistic and also flexible, if the need arises to make some adjustments.

Do your goals focus on weight management, or aerobic training? If you want to lose weight then you will need to design your exercise routine around low intensity workouts. Whereas when you are focusing on aerobic exercise then you will want to exercise at a higher intensity where your heart rate is between 65-80% of the maximum for your age and gender.

General Workout Tips

Ensure that you have a check up with your family doctor before beginning your exercise program. This will allow you to have the peace of mind knowing that you are safe to proceed.

Wear a heart rate monitor so that you know what the most beneficial intensity level is for your workouts. It is important that you do not work out above 80% of your maximum heart rate, as this will not achieve the best results.

Allow time at the beginning of each workout to warm up and then again time to cool down when you are finishing up for the day. This is an important part of a well-planned exercise program and should not be overlooked.

Stretching is also beneficial at the beginning of a workout and definitely at the end of your rowing session. So allow time for stretching all your major muscle groups.

It is helpful if you can record data from each of your workouts. The information that is displayed on the LCD monitor is all useful to record now and then look back on, at a later date, to see your progress.

Remember to drink water before, during and after each workout. Staying well hydrated is an important part of any workout plan.

As you become fitter you will want to gradually increase the duration, frequency and intensity of each workout. Do not rush this, but rather make gradual changes.

If you can keep all of these points in mind then you will soon be reaping the benefits in your own life and body. We do recommend you reference your owner’s manual before starting any exercise program. You may also like to check out our full WaterRower Natural review here.

It is important that you look after your WaterRower Natural rowing machine in order to ensure you can continue to work out on your rower for many years into the future. The tips below will assist you in maintaining your WaterRower Natural in peak condition.

The first step in ensuring a long life for your WaterRower Natural is to assemble it exactly as you are instructed in the assembly manual. It really is best to follow the instructions rather than just going by a gut feeling of how you think it should be assembled.

Initial Maintenance

For the first weeks after assembly the timber in your WaterRower Natural rowing machine will become acclimatized to the surrounding humidity and temperature. This may result in the connecting bolts having some movement and becoming slightly loose. Hence it is recommended during the first few weeks that you use the Allen key, which you will find under the rear spacer, to gently tighten each of these bolts. Do not over tighten them!

Be sure that you do not tighten the footboard lock-plate bolts or the bungee pod bolt that is found on the rear spacer.

Preventative Maintenance

It is recommended that you use town water that contains chlorine to fill the water tank on your WaterRower Natural rowing machine. This water will assist in maintaining bacteria free water in your rower. From time to time you will need to replenish the chlorine supply in the tank water. Adding in a water purification tablet around twice a year can easily do this.

If you notice the water become discolored then it is essential that you immediately add a water purification tablet. The water should then return to being clear. If this does not occur then you should empty the water tank and flush it out to clean all residue of the bacteria and algae filled water. Then refill with fresh, clean water and add a purification tablet immediately.

Ensure that you never add chlorine bleach to the tank, as this will cause severe damage to the polycarbonate water tank material.

Please refer to your manual for confirmation on all these points, and contact WaterRower if in any doubt. You can read a full WaterRower Natural review here too, where we also list the best prices out there.

There are few tips that you should keep in mind when assembling and using your Kettler Favorit rowing machine. These few pointers will allow you to get the most benefit and enjoyment out of this quality piece of fitness equipment.

Assembly

It is important to follow the instructions that are provided in the manual when you are assembling your Kettler Favorit. These instructions are written in several languages so just take a moment to find your language and then follow along to ensure that you assemble your Kettler Favorit correctly. You will also find it handy to have two adults available to make the assembly process easier. It should definitely not take you more than an hour or so as it is quite straightforward.

Adjusting Resistance Settings On Pistons

The trick is to make the adjustments to the resistance setting when the rowing oars are in the vertical (upright) position. If you attempt to adjust the position of the clamps when the rowing bars are more horizontal (parallel to the floor) then you are likely to strike problems and be unable to move the clamps easily.

Hence when you want to adjust the resistance to a higher or lower setting you need to begin by slowly pulling the rowing bars towards the back of the machine until they are in an upright position. It should then be quite easy to slide the clamp up and down to the knurl mark that you require. You will then tighten the clamp in the spot that you want and it will remain in that position, until the next time you want to adjust the resistance level.

For A Great Workout

The Kettler Favorit rowing machine allows you to build up your core body strength and upper body muscle groups. You will find it especially good for building up your back and shoulder muscles. It is good too for strengthening your cardiovascular system and increasing the oxygen absorption within your body.

Also invest a little time to find out the correct technique and body posture to use during rowing. This way you are sure to not only enjoy your workouts, but also see great benefits to your body tone and overall health.

Please check your manual for confirmation on all these points. You may also like to read our Kettler Favorit rowing machine review for more info and pricing.

In order to get the most out of your Kettler Favorit rowing machine, and to keep it working well for many years to come, you will want to keep the following helpful maintenance tips in mind.

Assembly

Begin by investing the necessary time to assemble your Kettler Favorit rower correctly. This will ensure that everything is in the correct position and that all knobs and screws have been tightened securely.

Location

Select the location for your Kettler Favorit thoughtfully. You will want to use it inside the house in a room that it nice and dry. It is essential that the rower not be stored or used in a damp area, as this will cause the frame to rust.

Ensure that all liquids are kept away from your Kettler Favorit as these may damage the rower’s computer and electronics if they enter inside.

Basic Cleaning

Perspiration is a normal part of working out, but it is important to wipe the perspiration off the rower at the end of each workout. If this is not done the perspiration will cause the rower frame to corrode. So keep a soft, clean cloth handy and be sure to give your Kettler Favorit a quick wipe down at the completion of each training session.

Lubrication

Periodically you should place a few drops of a good quality viscous oil on to the bearing sleeves on the hydraulic cylinders. This will allow friction free operation. Be careful not to spill any oil onto the floor, as it can become a slipping hazard.

If you do notice any damaged or worn parts on your rower then be sure to have these replaced as soon as possible to reduce the likelihood of further damage.

Servicing

In order to keep your Kettler Favorit rowing machine in peak condition it is a good idea to have it serviced once a year. This will ensure that it operates trouble free for you for a long period of time.

Please check your manual before starting any maintenance of your machine, and contact Kettler if in any doubt. You can also read a full Kettler Favorit rowing machine review here, including where to get the best prices.

Before you jump onto your Kettler Kadett and begin working out it is important that you understand how rowing can assist you in achieving your fitness goals. It is also essential that you keep your health and safety in mind each time you slip into the rower’s seat.

Ensure that you consult your doctor before beginning an exercise routine. This will allow you to maximize the benefits and minimize the dangers of working out.

Advantages Of Rowing

There are many different options when it comes to exercising and so why is rowing such a good choice?

It is widely agreed that rowing improves your cardiovascular health and endurance. By using your Kettler Kadett rower regularly you will improve your body’s ability to absorb oxygen, which is highly beneficial. As you consistently exercise you will also be able to burn fat and move towards achieving your weight loss goals.

When you row, on a regular basis, you are able to strengthen a wide range of your body’s major muscle groups. Especially important is the benefit that your back and shoulder muscles gain from consistent rowing workouts.

If you combine the benefits of increased endurance, improved strength, muscle tone, fat burning, weight loss, improved orthopedic strength and low impact workouts then using a rower is a great fitness choice.

Workout Intensity

It is important not to exceed the maximum heart rate for your particular age group and fitness level. In fact, exercising at around 60-80% of your maximum pulse rate is recommended. There are tables that you can refer to for exact details, but as a rough guide you want to exercise at an intensity level that gives you a pulse rate of around 180 beats per minute less your age. If you use this as a guide then you will ensure that you always reap the maximum benefit every time you exercise.

This advice is based on information provided by Kettle in relation to the Kadett, but of course it largely applies in a more general sense too. Whichever rower you’re using, please do refer to the manual before starting any exercise program. If you do want more info on this model, please see our Kettler Kadett review here.

Your Kettler Kadett has been designed and built with strong and durable materials to ensure that you enjoy many years of fun workouts, but you do need to do your part to prolong the equipments life as much as you can.

If you keep the points below in mind when you are using your Kettler Kadett rower then you are sure to have it to use for a good period to come.

Assembly

It is important that you invest the time initially to ensure correct assembly of your Kettler Kadett. This will help to minimize any problems later on as you use the rower.

Location

Always position your Kettler Kadett inside in a dry location. If it is placed in a damp room or outside then corrosion may occur on the frame causing it to rust.

Avoid having liquids near the Kettler Kadett’s computer and electronics as these may cause damage if they enter in to the equipment.

Cleaning

Perspiration is especially known to cause corrosion to exercise equipment; hence it is good to get into the habit of wiping the rower down after each workout so that it is clean and dry. Be sure to use a soft, clean, dry cloth to do the cleaning as abrasives may also cause damage.

Noise While Rowing

A small amount of noise while working out is a normal part of operation. If the noise becomes excessive then you will need to check if there is any obvious reason. If you cannot find any reason for the noise then it may be time to contact the authorized dealer for assistance.

Maintenance

From time to time you may need to add a few drops of viscous oil carefully on to the bearing sleeves for lubrication. Take care that oil does not drip on to the floor, as it will be quite slippery and may present a hazard.

It is a good idea to have your Kettler Kadett rower serviced by an authorized dealer once a year in order to maintain all of the components and wearing parts in an optimum condition.

Further Information

Always read the manual before commencing any maintenance and contact Kettler is in doubt. For further information, please see our full Kettler Kadett review here.

Once you bring your Lifecore R100 home you will be all motivated to assemble the rower and to begin working out.

It is important though that you have an understanding of the correct way to row before just jumping in and starting. This will allow you to develop good technique that will offer you the most benefit from each workout.

Below are some poor techniques that rowers display and also the solution to prevent you from getting into the same bad habits.

Locking Knees

It is important that you do not lock your knees at the end of each stroke. Rather you want to keep your legs slightly bent and never straightened out totally when your body is in the fully extended position.

Over Reaching

It is easy to think that you should bend forward as far as you can when rowing, but this is a misnomer. You want to maintain your body in a comfortable position by tilting forward slightly. Ensure that your arms are fully extended and relaxed.

Bent Arms While Rowing

It is important to begin each stroke by pushing with your legs rather than pulling with your arms. Thus ensure that you keep your arms straight as you begin the stroke, brace your back and push with your legs.

Bending Wrists

During the entire stroke you want to maintain your wrists in a flat position rather than bending your wrists.

Elbows Sticking Outwards

You do not want to run through the stroke with your elbows sticking out from your body and the handle at your chest. Rather a good technique is to maintain flat wrists and to allow your elbows to stay close to your body as they pass and extend behind you. The handle should finish each stroke at waist level.

Pulling Body To The Handle

It is poor technique to pull your body to the handle. Rather you want to push with your legs and use your upper body to pull the handle to your waist.

Please refer to your manual before starting any exercise program, and contact Lifecore if you’ve any queries at all. You may also wish to view our full review on the Lifecore R100 here.