I've had the VR100 for a little over a week now. I've used it for thirty minutes every day. I'm very satisfied with it. I had used a Concept II Model D owned by a friend on several occassions and had originally thought that I would buy one of those. However, the Concept II is more than two feet longer than the VR100 and that was an issue for me. The VR100 is a solid machine. The only reservations I have is the pull mechanizim. Whereas the Concept II uses a chain, the VR100 uses a nylon strap about an inch or so wide. I just wonder if it is as durable in this application as a chain. I know that a chain can wear out too especially if it is not lubricated periodically. Time will tell.
The only weakness in the VR100 is the computer. It's very basic, but it does the job for me. I find that if I just monitor the "strokes per minute", I can use that to control my effort while watching my heart rate. The VR100 computer can monitor the heart rate if you buy the optional chest strap. I didn't because it is suppose to be compatible with the "Polar" straps. It is compatible, but if you get too far away from the computer, it can't pick it up. I called BodyCraft customer service. They told me the Polar unit I have (T-31) is only good up to three feet. While you are rowing, you tend to get further than three feet from the computer so it doesn't work well. That's not a big issue for me because I'm still wearing my watch and it picks up the heart rate just fine. (It has many more features related to monitoring the heart rate.)
Bottom line, I'm glad I bought it instead of the Concept II. It's much more compact and it gives me the kind of work out that I wanted.
Get more detail about BodyCraft VR100 Rowing Machine.
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