BodyCraft Rowers
BodyCraft was founded in 1994 and is headquartered in central Ohio. This company is known for producing affordable yet good quality fitness products for light commercial and residential use. In addition to several hybrid air/magnetic rowing machines, the BodyCraft brand features treadmills, stationary bikes, free weights and other fitness equipment. Their customer service department is based in the USA. In our experience BodyCraft’s customer service representatives have been friendly and easy to reach.
Top BodyCraft Rowing Machines
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BodyCraft Rowing Machines
BodyCraft currently offers three rowing machines designed for light commercial fitness centers and home workout rooms. Each rower uses a combination of air and magnetic resistance, and each comes with a dependable heart rate receiver.
The most expensive BodyCraft indoor rower is the light commercial VR500 Pro rowing machine, which has a sale price of $1499. Its frame design is the most structurally stable of the pack, as the center-point of its folding mechanism has contact with the ground. It boasts some pretty solid premium features, including 32 levels of variable resistance, and wireless controls built into the rowing handle that allow users to change resistance levels on the fly. The VR500 has a weight capacity of 350 lbs, can accommodate rowers as tall as 6’8″, and has 12 programmable profiles that can be saved for users that want to create their own style of training sessions. This is in addition to the 5 built-in race modes.
The Bodycraft VR400 rowing machine is the brand’s mid-tier model, landing right in between the VR500 and VR200. This model is designed with 16 resistance levels, and recently the brand added a tablet holder to its frame to allow users to either stream rowing classes or watch their favorite TV shows as they power through their workouts. Like the VR500, it comes loaded with 5 preset race programs, and has a very respectable 7-year parts warranty. Its retail price is $1,199.
The most affordable model on offer is the VR200, which is a more compact rower with eight levels of variable resistance, selling for $899. Unlike its more expensive counterparts, the VR200 rower is good for a weight capacity of 300 lbs—still higher than the more standard 250 seen across most entry-level rowing machines. At this price point the parts warranty is reduced to 5 years rather than 7, but this is still a much longer term than industry standard.
The Great:
- Energy-Conscious Monitor: The BodyCraft monitor is a backlit LCD. It has an adjustable arm and can pivot for a perfect view at any user’s height. Data readouts are: Time, Time per 500 Meters, Date, Distance, Calories, Pulse, Strokes, Strokes Per Minute, Total Strokes, Watts, Resistance, and Recovery Profile. To save power the monitor automatically shuts off after 75 seconds of inactivity.
- Program Profiles: The VR400 and VR500 have the most engaging workouts, including a motivational boat race. Trainees can also choose from goal programs for distance, time and pulse. A recovery program assesses heart rate change over 60 seconds.
- Quiet Operation: Hybrid rowers are designed to operate especially quietly.
- Durable Components: These indoor rowers feature long-lasting parts such as extruded aluminum beams and sealed ball bearings.
- Comfort: BodyCraft rowers have lightweight aluminum handlebars with ergonomically correct grips. Their seats are contoured and can travel up to 38” from the pedals, depending on the model. They are also capable of handling larger and taller users better than many machines in their respective categories.
- Frame Warranty & Parts Warranty: Bodycraft delivers some of the best warranties across the board in the rowing category, at a level that puts many other brands to shame.
The Not-So-Great:
- Large Size: Some but not all BodyCraft indoor rowers are very large. The unfolded dimensions of the VR400 and VR500 are 98.5” long x 20” wide x 38.5” high. Still, a saving grace is that BodyCraft rowing machines can be folded very quickly and easily roll into place for storage.
OUR CONCLUSION:
BodyCraft offers some good values on quiet hybrid (air/magnetic) rowers. The light commercial VR500 is a favorite by far, offering many advantages over the less expensive models. BodyCraft’s cheaper units aren’t as exciting — they have limited programming and use manual resistance controls — but might be a good fit for shoppers who prefer simplicity.
1. BodyCraft VR500 Rower
The VR500 is BodyCraft’s top-of-the-line indoor rower. It fuses essentially infinite air resistance with 32 levels of magnetic resistance. Highlights include a smooth aluminum track, 12 preset workouts and wireless heart-rate control. The VR500’s 19″ seat level makes it easier to access than lower profile rowing machines, so it can accommodate a wider variety of trainees. And with 38.5″ of seat travel, the VR500 can accommodate users up to 6’8″. Although it has a relatively large footprint when assembled, its easily foldable design makes it suitable for most home gyms as you can pack it away after use.
Read the Full BodyCraft VR500 Rower Review
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Cons
2. BodyCraft VR400 Rower
The VR400 is BodyCraft’s mid-range rower. It fuses basically unlimited air resistance with 15 additional levels of magnetic resistance. Level 1 is air resistance only, and levels 2-16 combine wind and Eddy Current Technology. Centered on a sleek aluminum track that would complement any workout room, its highlights include several preset workouts, wireless heart-rate monitoring, and 16 levels of resistance. Its 18” seat height is easier to access than lower profile rowers, so it can accommodate a wider variety of trainees. With 38.5″ of seat travel, the VR400 can accommodate users up to 6’8″. Although this rower has a relatively large footprint when in use, it is easy to fold.
Read the Full BodyCraft VR400 Rower Review
Pros
Cons
3. BodyCraft VR200 Rower
The VR200 is BodyCraft’s entry-level rower. Like the other models, it’s an air and magnetic resistance rower. Although it’s a simpler and more compact version of the VR400 PRO rowing machine, it can still comfortably accommodate trainees up to 6’4″. The VR200 features 8 levels of resistance, combining wind and Eddy Current Technology. The fan provides a cooling breeze. Although the monitor displays all your basic exercise data, it doesn’t display watts, level or pulse like the higher-spec BodyCraft rowers do. You can’t use a heart-rate strap with this machine. It’s also limited to manual mode; unlike the brand’s other rowers, there are no preset workouts for you to enjoy. Although the VR200 is the most compact model in the BodyCraft rower series, it has limited levels of resistance and by far the simplest features.
Read the Full BodyCraft VR200 Rower Review