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For rowers who want the gritty feel of a solid steel construction and powerful air resistance, we present this review of the AssaultRower Elite Rowing Machine. Read on to learn more about this rower’s pros, cons, and performance.
Updated: April 29, 2024
The AssaultRower Elite is a sturdy rower that generates a lot of tension for a difficult drive phase and a passive recovery phase. The rower has comfortable details, such as a soft, molded seat, multiple grip options, and nice geometry. It might just be enough to ignore the loud noise generated by the fan. The AssaultRower Elite is a low-tech rower with a basic console and a great construction that will hold up even in a commercial setting.
The AssaultRower has an all steel frame with a durable commercial-grade build. This rower is heavier than others at 143 lbs, but the added weight lends it a very stable feeling. Larger users will feel secure on this rower, as it is not going anywhere. It feels built to last.
The AssaultRower has a six-bladed fan. For added style, the fan blades are red. It feels really powerful and smooth, though there is a considerable amount of noise generated by the fan. The noise is pretty standard as far as air resistance rowers go, but it may not be the best for exercisers needing a quiet, not disruptive machine. There is a wind guard on the front of the machine, so you can avoid being blasted by air with every stroke.
The handle on the AssaultRower is round with a thin rubbery coating that makes it a bit softer. It is very comfortable. It has a center grip option for single-arm rowing. Of course, this is untraditional for a rowing machine, but exercisers using AssaultRower for strength will appreciate it. It makes a decent replacement for a cable rowing machine like you would find at a gym. It adds versatility to the AssaultRower not found on other rowers.
The only downside to this center grip is that it takes up some of the space on the handle, so the regular grip is not as roomy as some users may want. The handles measure 5 inches for the center grip and about 5 ½ inches for each side grip. It should be plenty of space for most users; there are just not a lot of options for narrowing or widening your grip.
The handle connects to a chain, but the chain actually connects to a belt, giving the AssaultRower Elite a belt drive. The belt drive makes the AssaultRower Elite more durable as it will require less maintenance.
The chain is plenty long. It does rattle on the recovery, creating more noise. Again, the AssaultRower Elite is not the quietest of machines. It didn’t annoy me while I was using it, but it could be a nuisance for others around you. This rower is, therefore, best used in a dedicated exercise space or a more isolated room.
The AssaultRower Elite has a steel monorail. The seat is soft and molded. It is probably my favorite seat on a rower thus far. It measures 12 x 10 ¼”, oversized compared to other rowers. I appreciate this extra room a lot. I felt much more secure on it without feeling like the extra material was getting in my way.
The AssaultRower Elite has tall stabilizers, situating the monorail up pretty high. This gives the seat a comfortable height of 18 ½” to 20” from front to back. This height is a good choice for users who have concerns about sitting low on the floor. It helps with limited mobility and may just feel generally more comfortable.
The foot stretchers are roomy. The pedals measure 12 ½” x 5” and are spaced about 4” inches apart. The foot stretchers are pretty standard with buckle-style straps. I was able to get a decent fit, so my feet felt comfortable and did not move around.
The AssaultRower Elite can be stored upright or horizontally. When in its vertical position, the seat can be fixed into place with the red knob beneath it. There are several holes along the back end of the rower for securing the seat into place. This way, it doesn’t slide around while you transport it.
There are two transport wheels on the front of the rower. These wheels are pretty large, so you have a larger range at which the wheels engage. You can lift the rower from its rear stabilizer to wheel it around.
The AssaultRower Elite does not have a damper. It relies solely on air resistance. You can vary your intensity by rowing harder or faster. I don’t mind this setup, but other rowers may want more variability. The air resistance feels great and will provide a challenge regardless of whether you are a beginner or a seasoned rower. Perhaps, AssaultFitness could consider adding a damper to give those who prefer it the option.
The AssaultRower Elite does not have the most features. It is low-tech compared to many rowers on the market, like those from Hydrow, Ergatta, or Aviron. The Elite is a quality, durable rower. Its lack of a touchscreen and high-tech features decreases the likelihood of something going wrong. The AssaultRower is best for the user who wants to avoid subscriptions and focus only on their workout. The low-tech design removes this rower’s reliance on electricity. It does not need to be plugged in, so it can be placed almost anywhere. Many athletes will appreciate the simplistic features of the AssaultRower Elite.
The AssaultRower Elite has a basic console that consists of an LED screen and rubbery push buttons. The LED screen has windows for metrics: time, rate, distance, pace, and calories. The ‘toggle’ button displays watts when pressed.
There are three workout program buttons: interval, target, and heart rate. Users can scroll through the program options, using the + or - and enter buttons to assist their selection. The ‘Start’ and ‘Stop’ buttons begin or end a workout. There are three other buttons. The Bluetooth/ANT+ button puts the console in pairing mode and gives the necessary information for pairing a heart rate monitor or smart device. The ‘Split’ button records the metrics for the interval you have completed. Lastly, the ‘Speaker’ button turns the beeping of the console on or off. Overall, the console is easy to navigate.
The Bluetooth/ANT+ connectivity of the console allows users to pair a compatible heart rate monitor. I paired my Garmin Forerunner 245 for my workouts. It was easy to do and displayed my heart rate during my activity. This is useful for performing heart rate training programs..
The AssaultRower Elite provides comfort and stability to every rowing session. The seat and handles are perfect for rowing long distances. I never felt any irritation from either contact point, which is really important for getting an enjoyable and effective workout in. AssaultFitness states that the AssaultRower Elite is a commercial-grade product suitable for gym settings. I agree. It feels like it would last a long time, even under heavy use. I am a smaller user at only 5’4”, but the AssaultRower Elite should be equally suited to larger and taller users. It is versatile in its appeal and training options.
This rower can do a lot. It can be used for strength and power training. The center handle grip even lets you row one-handed. It doesn’t feel awkward. Thus, the rower is a good option for adding to your strength routine to replace a cable rower. It also is comfortable enough for long efforts. The built-in training programs can help you reach endurance or speed goals with simple but effective structures.
The AssaultRower has a sloped monorail and continuous tension during the recovery phase. This combo makes the recovery phase very passive, so you truly recover. It is great for traditional rowing. The only disadvantage is for athletes who were hoping to get a little more hamstring activation with a more active recovery phase may be disappointed. Fortunately, this aligns more with standard rowing form and will encourage proper rowing mechanics.
The AssaultRower Elite is not for users looking for a high-tech, guided experience. This rower has a few simple programs built into its console. These are great starter programs. AssaultFitness also has an app with form and workout ideas, including a workout of the day. The AssaultRower is great for athletes following their own training plans or incorporating their rower into a larger workout routine.
The AssaultRower Elite is a commercial-grade rower that is powered by you. The air resistance creates a difficult challenge determined completely by the force and speed with which you row. The rower encourages good form with a passive recovery phase created by the constant tension and gently sloping monorail. The seat has a height of up to 20 inches to be more accessible to a range of users. The AssaultRower Elite is for beginners or experienced rowers with meters and meters of rowing ahead of them.
