Home Rowing Machine Reviews 2023
  • Home
  • Reviews
  • Benefits
    • weightloss
    • Rowing Machine Technique
    • rower verses exercise bike
    • rower verses treadmill
    • rower verses elliptical cross trainer
    • Injuries
    • Setting Goals
  • Brands
  • Buyers Guide
    • Compare
    • Types
    • used
    • Dropshippers
    • terminology
    • retailer strategies
    • Buy from store or web
    • Help
  • UK Rowers
  • Workouts
    • Example Workouts
    • Tabata Rowing Workouts
    • Time Trial Workouts
    • Duration Workout
    • Heart Rate Training Programs
    • Rowing Machine Workout Program
    • Training Apps
    • Bad Workout Habits
  • Concept2
    • Model D vs Model E
  • WaterRower
  • Blog
  • The zone
    • Awareness and Focus
    • Peak Performance Zone
  • Fitness Tests
    • Cardio Vascular Fitness Test
    • Balance Test
    • Coordination Test
  • Maintenance
    • mats
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Sitemap
    • Your Privacy
    • Disclaimer

Velocity Fitness CHR-301 Rowing Machine Review


The Velocity Fitness Magnetic CHR-301 is either a sleek-looking rowing machine, or one they've skimped on the raw materials in production - it's all in the eye of the beholder! But we felt it does look a little on the skinny side :0)

This is the third rower from Velocity we've reviewed to date, and so far we've been pretty impressed with them. This model is at the lower end of their range - so what do you get? In short, a pretty reasonable machine with some good features for the price tag. We'll look at the features in more detail later, for now we'll start with the assembly and basics.

The assembly is fairly easy taking around thirty minutes and doesn't require a degree in mechanical engineering like some we've tried in the past. The instructions for assembly are easy to follow with each part clearly marked in the diagrams. Note, while the instructions show every component, most of the machine comes pre-assembled so you don't have to do half of what's in the manual :0)

Once put together, the rowing position is good and the seat is very comfortable. The height of the seat is okay we guess, but it would have been better if it had been a few inches higher. Commercial machines such as Concept2 Model E have high seats making it easier to get on and off if your knees are little dodgy - but then you pay twice as much for the pleasure.

The seat slides smoothly (and quietly) up and down the beam that is long and would suit rowers up to 6' 4" easily. The handle fits nicely into the palms and feels good in the hands. The height of the monitor/ display can be adjusted and if you're tall it's a good idea to put it in the top setting as the handle will bump against it at the catch - the first position of the stroke.

The footrests are also adjustable and wide enough with good straps to keep your feet anchored and prevent slipping when rowing.

So onto the resistance mechanism. The CHR-301 uses both air and magnets to give your muscles something to pull against. The air helps to replicate something close to real rowing, that is, the harder you pull the more resistance you'll feel (just like the water fighting back!)

The magnetic component allows the pre-set programs to change the resistance level whilst you row by moving powerful magnets closer to the flywheel. This adds the benefit of varying the level you're working at during a session without having to stop to adjust the machine. There's more on the programs below.

This is a folded model so once you've finished it can be folded up and wheel out of the way - see photo bottom right-hand side.

One downer, while the warranty covers the frame for five years, the three month period for the display and just thirty days on parts is too short. An extended warranty of three years is available for $75 that includes the components and electronics, but it would have been better if they had a little more faith in their product and provide a better basic warranty in the first place.
Check current price on Amazon...
The Console/ Display
Quite an unexpected bonus in our view. The console is very good for the price you pay. The back lit LCD screen is a good size and easy to read. It displays the usual workout data including 500 meter split times - which many in this price bracket don't.

Another big plus is that is comes supplied with a heart rate strap that's compatible with a receiver in the monitor. We found our heart rate monitor to be accurate but know of other users who reported problems with theirs. ​
Your pulse is displayed, but note there aren't specific heart rate training programs that would adjust the resistance level or goals to keep you in the optimum fat-burning zone. There are 12 use programs including variations on interval training, plus a recovery one to test your fitness after each workout. 
Summary:
The Velocity Fitness CHR-301 is a very commendable rowing machine for the price asked. The addition of a heart rate monitor and user programs give it a feel of a model costing at least $200 more. 

UPDATE: MAY 21 - Recent experience from users report customer service is poor and finding spare parts is very difficult. We appreciate the company claim Covid-19 Lockdowns are the reason, but other rowing machine brands such as Sunny have continued to provide good service during this pandemic.

UPDATE: NOV 19 - We've downgraded our score based on a number of reports from users about poor quality components. This may be because they've changed supplier but unfortunately it has effected user experience.

​Note: This website is an associate of Amazon and a number of other retailers. We earn a commission from sales generated via these links, ​but this does not influence how we rate the rowing machines we review.
Velocity CHR-301: 5.5/ 10 5.5 Stars Reviewer: R. Palmer

check best online price >>

  

rowing machine review likes
We Like...
  • Air / magnetic resistance quiet (but chain adds noise)
  • Heart rate strap included
  • 12 user programs - including recovery
  • Programs automatically control resistance levels
  • Good value for money with useful features
  • Easy-to-use monitor
  • Solid model
  • Good build quality
  • Chain driven - durable (but also see 'we don't like' below)
  • Fan cools when rowing
  • Long beam - suitable for the taller user
Picture
We Don't Like...
  • Warranty is short for display and parts
  • ​The chain adds extra noise - also requires maintenance
  • Velocity Customer Service are not the quickest to respond to queries
  • Display requires power source (not battery operated)
  • Poor customer service
 
rowing machine review specification
Technical specification: 
Resistance type:
Max user weight:
Dimensions:
Machine weight:
Air/Magnetic
275 lbs

99" x 40" x 23"
76 lbs


Picture
Warranty:
5 years frame.
3 months display
1 month on parts

QUICK REFERENCE

Click image to enlarge
Velocity Fitness CHR-301 Rowing Machine in silver
Velocity Fitness CHR-301 Rowing Machine
Veloity Fitness CHR-301 rowing machine seat
A great seat!
Foot rests on Velocity Fitness rowing machine
Solid foot rests
Velocity Fitness CHR-301 rower display and programmable console
Informative display
 

Velocity CHR-301 folding rowing machine
A folding rower
Also worth a look:
The Schwinn Crewmaster is around $80 less and offers much the same. Velocity's next model up includes heart rate training programs for just a little extra - see CHR-2001 review. Other machines with similar features include the Conquer Magnetic - these cost more but they come with better warranties for peace of mind.

Owners comments


Do you own one? Please share your views below:-

You are here: Home | Rowing Machine Reviews | Velocity Fitness CHR-301

 
Please read our Disclaimer
Copyright 2010 - 2023 RowingMachine-Guide.com
  • Home
  • Reviews
  • Benefits
    • weightloss
    • Rowing Machine Technique
    • rower verses exercise bike
    • rower verses treadmill
    • rower verses elliptical cross trainer
    • Injuries
    • Setting Goals
  • Brands
  • Buyers Guide
    • Compare
    • Types
    • used
    • Dropshippers
    • terminology
    • retailer strategies
    • Buy from store or web
    • Help
  • UK Rowers
  • Workouts
    • Example Workouts
    • Tabata Rowing Workouts
    • Time Trial Workouts
    • Duration Workout
    • Heart Rate Training Programs
    • Rowing Machine Workout Program
    • Training Apps
    • Bad Workout Habits
  • Concept2
    • Model D vs Model E
  • WaterRower
  • Blog
  • The zone
    • Awareness and Focus
    • Peak Performance Zone
  • Fitness Tests
    • Cardio Vascular Fitness Test
    • Balance Test
    • Coordination Test
  • Maintenance
    • mats
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Sitemap
    • Your Privacy
    • Disclaimer