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The AssaultRower Pro is an air rower with unlimited resistance and a dual-stage belt and chain drive. My review of the AssaultRower Pro Rowing Machine takes a closer look at this rower’s specs and performances, so continue reading to learn more.
Updated: April 29, 2024
The AssaultRower Pro is a rowing machine designed for a garage gym. It’s powerful, but it is also loud, so you will want to keep this rower somewhere that you won’t disturb others. Fortunately, the AssaultRower Pro is quite portable and easy to store despite its robust steel frame. Air resistance allows the AssaultRower Pro to provide unlimited resistance, so you are only ever limited by your own fitness level. Because rowing provides a full-body workout, the AssaultRower Pro is great for conditioning, warming up for other activities, or a primary workout. The AssaultRower Pro is a more affordable alternative to the AssaultRower Elite, and the difference is so minimal that it won’t impact your workout much. This review of the AssaultRower Pro excitingly reports back on one of AssaultFitness’s most intriguing cardio machines.
A durable steel frame makes the AssaultRower Pro very sturdy while training. The rower has a black powder coating with white AssaultRower branding. The powder coating protects the frame from corrosion. The rower weighs 109 lbs, so it is a bit heavy, but one person should be able to lift it on their own. The warranty is nearly identical to the AssaultRower Elite but does not provide coverage for the labor.
The AssaultRower Pro uses a fan to generate air resistance. The AssaultRower Pro is most different from the Elite when it comes to the fan. The Pro has only three fan blades compared to the Elite’s six. Because the Pro uses a fan, there is no limit to the amount of resistance the rower can generate. The harder you row, the harder the air resists you. There is no fan damper to restrict airflow and change the resistance you feel when rowing at a certain speed. The fan is pretty loud and increases in noise level when you row harder. I suggest keeping the AssaultRower Pro in an area where you can exercise without disturbing others.
The handle measures about five inches at each grip (right, center, and left) and has a total length of about twenty inches. The AssaultRower Pro has a unique center grip to allow users to row single-handed for a less traditional way to train.
The AssaultRower Pro has a dual-stage belt and chain drive. A chain is attached to the handle. It creates a grittier feel when you are training. The chain clanks against the frame around it as you row. It’s quite loud, maybe even louder than the fan. Together, they are a loud combo.
The steel monorail sits about 17 inches off the ground. The rail has a slight slope to improve the recovery phase. The rail is about an inch taller at the back of the rail compared to the front. The rail measures about 45 inches long, so exercisers should have plenty of space to fully extend their legs.
The seat is about 20 inches off of the ground. This height is about chair height, so it should be convenient for most users to sit down or get up. The seat is one of my favorite features on the AssaultRower Pro. It is the same seat found on the AssaultRower Elite. It’s very comfortable and is very user-friendly.
The footboards measure about 13 inches long and 4 inches wide. They sit about 5 inches apart, which may be more comfortable for new users compared to a narrow gap. The foot stretchers use a traditional pegboard-style adjustment. There are seven levels of adjustment, which should provide a decent range for most users’ foot sizes.
The AssaultRower Pro can be stored upright. It is a little harder to lift thanks to its solid steel construction. The grab bar at the rear of the rower makes it easier to lift. The Pro has two transport wheels, so you can easily roll it around. The rower is pretty long, so you’ll need at least an 8-foot ceiling height to comfortably store the rower.
The AssaultRower Pro is pretty light on features. The console is pretty minimal. It doesn’t have the spiffy smart features you will find from Hydrow, Aviron, and Ergatta rowers. The lack of smart features means the Pro does not need power. The console it has is battery-powered.
AssaultFitness’s typical console gets an update on the AssaultRower Pro. It has a glossy finish compared to the matte finish that AssaultFitness’s other equipment has. Still, the same onboard programs are available. The buttons are clearly labeled with words and graphics, so the interface is very user-friendly. You won’t need to study the user manual to find your way around the AssaultRower Pro. The LCD screen displays your time, heart rate, pace, distance, and calories. You can press the toggle button to view additional metrics.
The console is one of the few differences the AssaultRower Pro has from the Elite. The console folds down for compact storage. It makes a minimal difference, but it is a convenient feature. The console also tilts slightly to help you get the right viewing angle.
The AssaultRower Pro has Bluetooth and ANT+ connectivity. This allows the console to pair with a compatible heart rate monitor. I paired my Garmin Forerunner 245 for heart rate-based training.
The AssaultRower Pro is an effective rower for power and endurance training. When you get the fan started, it is a little harder than subsequent rowing strokes. No matter how hard you row, the rower provides plenty of resistance. I tested the rower for power efforts and trained for longer bouts. Besides the noise, I had no issue with the rower. If you are going to train for longer efforts, I recommend using noise-canceling headphones to improve your training experience. The AssaultRower Pro has a wind guard, so you won’t be blasted with air every time you row. The seat and handle remained comfortable while I rowed. The overall training experience is very good but does not have the high-tech features some rowers may be looking for.
The console has buttons for interval, target, and heart rate programs. The interval workouts are Tabata, reverse Tabata, or user-determined. It’s easy to program the rower with your preferred training. You can set up to 20 work intervals. The target programs work for time, distance, and calories. The heart rate training programs, of course, require you to wear a heart rate monitor.
AssaultFitness does not require any subscription to be used with the Pro. There is an AssaultFitness app, AssaultFit. This app is free to use and can be paired via Bluetooth to the rower. There are training basic workout ideas and instructions. The app is fairly basic but provides some social aspects.
The AssaultRower Pro is a more affordable alternative to the AssaultRower Elite. It has many of the same features. The construction is very durable, boasting a commercial-grade design. The Pro uses air resistance generated by a three-bladed fan. Paired with a dual-stage chain and belt drive, the air resistance is very loud. The AssaultRower Pro is a great addition to a garage gym. The AssaultRower Pro has a glossy console, which is slightly different from AssaultFitness’s other consoles, but it offers the same onboard training content. The console is also adjustable to create a more compact stored footprint. The AssaultRower Pro is a great rower for athletes who like rugged training and need a sturdy machine.
