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Xebex Air Rowing Machine Review


The Xebex AR-2 Air Rower came as a pleasant surprise for the price they ask. BTW, we've heard it pronounced 'zeebex' and 'zebex' so take your pick which on you prefer :0)

So why have you not heard of this rower before? Well maybe you have, but while Xebex have been on the scene for some twenty years now, they are better known for their air bikes. But note. Xebex are not one of those brands that buy off-the-shelf and stick their badge on - they do the research and development, and also make their machines. That's a big, big plus in our view.

So enough of the history, what about the rowing machine? If you're short on time we'll tell you now - it's very good!

Now for the nuts and bolts. First the rowing position. The first thing you'll notice is the height of the seat. At around 22" off the floor it has the feel of a commercial rower and definitely an bonus for you knees and back when getting off after a tough workout.
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The contoured, padded seat is very comfortable and should suit most but the largest butts even when rowing for long periods. The seat runs smoothly and quietly, up and down the stainless steel beam and has a quality, sturdy feel. In fact, even when the biggest guy on our team (6' 2") is going at it hammer and tongs, the machine stays rock solid.
Check current price on GetRxd.com...

The handle is satisfyingly thick and well-padded meaning you shouldn't have to worry about using gloves to avoid hand blisters.

And last but not least in the all-important rowing position and comfort stakes, the Xebex scores highly with the footrests. They're very easy to adjust with a one-touch button (see orange tabs on the photo lower right) With good width and length, even those with very big feet will find them held securely in place. And if you're intending to share your machine, the one-touch adjustment is a useful feature.

Not surprisingly, the AR-1 use air to provide the resistance. As with all air rowers it can get a little noisy, so if noise is an issue where you'll be using your rowing machine, you may want to consider a magnetic model. With some air machines it can take a few pulls to find the resistance, but with the first pull on the Xebex you can feel the resistance immediately.

The damper has 10 settings and the difference between the lowest and highest is wide enough to give you the variation for different types of workout - but note, setting the damper at 10 isn't always going to give you the best workout (see how to use the damper).

The AR-1 is a folding rower and, depending on how and where you use your machine, may be a positive or negative. First, it's very easy to fold - just pull the pin behind the hinge and it will fold with a nudge at the middle. The machine weighs in at 95 lbs, but the transport wheels make it easy to push or pull to where you want to store it. But here's the point to consider, when folded it has a relatively larger footprint, but on the plus side, it doesn't require much height so could be stored under a shelf in your garage or home gym.
Display/ Console
So on to the monitor. For some, this may determine whether you buy this one, or go for the ever-dominant Concept2.

The display consists of a large LCD screen that is very easy to read, use and understand. It uses batteries but does seem to be quite power-hungry and you may find you get through them quickly - although it does have an auto-timed power down.

The screen tilts to suit the tall and the short.
It has a good selection of workouts, including pre-set targets for distance or calories, or intervals, and is compatible with a chest-strap to display your heart rate. The newer Smart Connect model has, not surprisingly, connectivity functions for 3rd-party apps so you can track your performance over time. 
Summary:
This is a great rower that will take all the punishment you can throw at it. It has a quality feel, it's sturdy, very comfortable to use, with the feel of a Concept2 but at a lower price. It's also very good value for the money you'll pay.​
Xebex AR-2: 8.5/ 10 8.5 Stars Reviewer: R. Palmer

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rowing machine review likes
​We Like...
  • Great value for money
  • Good selections of pre-set programs
  • Suits user up to 500 lbs
  • Good build-quality
  • High seat - easy to get on and off
  • One-touch footrest adjustment
  • Uses a chain for the pull for durability
  • Very sturdy - solid when rowing hard
  • Easy to fold, unfold and move - has transport wheels
  • Well-padded handle 
Picture
We Don't Like...
  • Large footprint when folded - but see 'Likes' above
  • Looks a little dated - personal tastes may vary
  • Monitor is battery-hungry
  • Some may find it noisy if used in a small room
 
rowing machine review specification
Technical specification:  
Resistance type:
Max user weight:
Dimensions:
Machine weight:

Air
500 lbs

96" L x 13" W x 47" H
95 lbs


Picture
Home Warranty:
5 years on frame
2 years on parts

QUICK REFERENCE
XebexRef
Click image to enlarge
  
Xebex AR-1 Air Rower side view
Xebex AR-1 Air Rower

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Xebex Air Rower seat
Wide seat and adjustable footrests

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Xebex AR-1 rowing machine console and display
Large easy-to-use display

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Xebex air resistance damper
Air resistance with 10 damper settings


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Xebex AR-1 folded for storage
Xebex is a folding rower
Also worth a look:
As with all rowing machines in this price range we have to recommend you check out the Concept2 - it's not the top-selling rower for nothing!

Other Xebex owner's comments

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  • 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