Get ready for a bargain-priced, compact rowing machine that will fit in any workout space!
The Lanos Hydraulic Rowing Machine retails at one of the lowest prices I’ve ever seen!
Plus, it offers intriguingly good quality, reliable operation, and a great full-body workout.
Sure, it’s got a couple of issues that make it less-than-perfect, but it’s on par with other budget rowers.
Beginner rowers will find it delivers on everything they need and provides a solid choice for an exercise machine.
Join us as we take a deep dive into the Lanos Hydraulic Rower and find out everything there is to know about this low-cost rowing machine.
I also have some great alternatives listed in my ‘Final Review’ section!
Resistance Type
As always, I want to start off the Lanos Hydraulic Rowing Machine review by talking about resistance. After all, the type of resistance plays a huge role in the quality of your workout and the performance of the machine as you row.
The Lanos Hydraulic Rower’s name makes it clear what type of resistance it uses: hydraulic pistons.
The single hydraulic piston mounted beneath the rowing machine’s seat provides the resistance.
To explain it simply: the fluid within the hydraulic piston determines the level of resistance. The dial or knob adjusts how much hydraulic fluid moves in and out of the piston, which in turn raises or increases the level of resistance.
I’ve got an in-depth explanation of how hydraulic piston resistance works in this article. I highly recommend checking it out to learn more!
Resistance Benefits
Hydraulic pistons are typically cheaper to manufacture than magnetic flywheels, air wheels, or water tanks. This means hydraulic piston rowers cost significantly less than other types of rowers—as you’ll see reflected in the rock-bottom price tag on the Lanos Hydraulic Rower.
Because the only mechanism required to generate resistance is the single-piston mounted beneath the seat, hydraulic rowing machines are also usually more compact and occupy less space than other types of rowers. (You can find out more in our “Storage” section below.)
Hydraulic piston rowing machines offer adjustable resistance, which you can increase or decrease using the provided knob or dial.
Best of all, they’re typically very quiet, generating far less noise than water, air, or even magnetic rowers. This makes them ideal for using next door to a sleeping child. The low noise level also allows you to watch TV or listen to music while you work out.
Resistance Downsides
One of the biggest drawbacks of hydraulic piston resistance is that you can only adjust it before you start rowing. Or, if you want to adjust it mid-workout, you’ll have to stop rowing completely and give the hydraulic fluid some time to settle before you can increase or decrease the difficulty.
What single-piston machines like the Lanos Hydraulic Rower gain in size efficiency, they lose in intensity. They’re small and provide only very low difficulty levels, so you won’t get a high-intensity, elite-level workout. Essentially, this makes them great for beginners, but less so for professional athletes or competitive rowers.
Also, the rowing stroke isn’t as natural as with other rowing machines. The arms move independently of each other, similar to the movement of oars, but your upper body ends up doing most of the work, with very little effort required of your lower body. It’s a smooth rowing stroke, but much more focused on your arms and shoulders with minimal leg muscle engagement.
The pistons themselves can also overheat. Really, any workout longer than 20 or 25 minutes is likely too long for a hydraulic piston machine. And if you’re not careful, you can accidentally burn yourself if you touch the piston before it cools down.
One final drawback that’s often experienced with hydraulic piston rowers: the fluid within the piston can get very hot after a long period of working out, and it may actually leak out.
It is rare, but it is known to happen. For this reason, I recommend keeping the Fold-to-Fit Folding Exercise Equipment Mat underneath the rower, just in case.
Resistance Overall
Hydraulic pistons offer adjustable, light-intensity resistance in a machine far more compact than other resistance types.
They’re great for beginners, but more advanced rowers may want to consider an air or water rowing machine.
Monitor/Control Panel
The Lanos Hydraulic Rowing Machine comes with a simple built-in LCD monitor that displays the basic workout metrics:
- Scan
- Time
- Count
- Calories
- Total Count
The monitor itself is very basic, with none of the more complex functions you might want out of an advanced interface (pre-set workout programs, SPM, distance, etc.).
However, this is pretty standard for rowing machines on the low-end of the price range.
The numbers are large and easily visible, so you’ll always be able to see your workout progress at a glance. And, with the Scan button, you can set the monitor to auto-cycle between various data points.
The screen is small enough that it only requires one AA battery to power it (though the battery isn’t provided). You can row away without worrying about plugging it in or being close to an electrical outlet
One thing to know: like most low-cost rowing machines, the calorie tracker isn’t going to be highly accurate. It’s based on the “average” user (height, weight, heart rate, BMI, etc.), so it won’t give you an exact count of how many calories you specifically burn.
But you can use the calorie counter to compare your various workouts. The more calories the machine registers as burned, the higher the intensity of your training session. It’s a workaround of sorts that makes up for the lack of complex data tracking.
At the end of the day, the Lanos Hydraulic Rowing Machine’s built-in monitor is exactly what you’d expect for the price.
If you want a rowing machine with more advanced workout tracking capabilities, check out my recommendations in the final section.
Build Quality
The Lanos Hydraulic Rower is built with a solid steel frame, two sturdy bases, and durable steel arms. Most low-end rowing machines are built with a tough-and-rugged frame—it’s usually the ancillary components that tend to break more quickly.
Unfortunately, looking at the user reviews posted, this seems to be the case with the plastic nut that connects the hydraulic piston to the frame. Using a plastic nut rather than a metal nut certainly seems an odd choice, given that it’s supposed to hold one of the most critical components. One user actually had to bend back the yoke and buy a new metal nut in order to rebuild the machine after it broke.
A reviewer claimed that “Second use and a piece (of the foot straps) snapped off”, while another found the foot pedal arrived defective and had to be replaced before they could use it.
So, as expected, the Lanos Hydralic Rowing Machine may have some quality control issues with the plastic components.
Otherwise, the reviewers posted mostly positive comments about the build quality. Those who didn’t receive defective products were overall satisfied by the durability of the frame and the additional components.
Check out this video to see it in action!
Comfort
The Lanos Hydraulic Rower is built with maximum comfort in mind.
First off, it features an extra-large seat with contoured padding that keeps your butt firmly planted in place as you row. For larger users, the oversized seat is an absolute win comfort-wise.
Second, the footrests are actually designed to pivot. This is great for anyone who has reduced mobility in their hips, knees, or ankles. The two strap positions will let you choose where exactly on your foot you want to clamp it down tight, and it’s great for feet of any size.
The arm bars are also designed to bend and pivot smoothly. You’ll find you get a surprisingly comfortable, natural-feeling movement.
Finally, the easy-grip padding on the handles will reduce wrist strain and protect against carpal tunnel syndrome. The handles are also sized just right to be easy and comfortable to grip throughout your full range of rowing motion.
Of course, the quietness of the hydraulic piston rowing machine is great if you want to watch TV, listen to music, or carry on a conversation while you’re rowing. The only sound you’ll hear is the glide of the seat sliding back and forth along the rail.
Comfort Overall
Aside from the one minor quibble I mentioned above, I’m satisfied that the Lanos Hydraulic Rowing Machine delivers adequate comfort for most rowers.
Storage
Storage is where single-piston machines like the Lanos always shine.
Because the piston is mounted directly beneath the seat, there are no bulky mechanisms (magnetic flywheel or water tank) to accommodate on the front of the frame. This means the front of the frame is as compact as the back (with the seat and base).
If you look at the images below, you’ll see how small the Lanos Hydraulic Rowing Machine can fold up.
It takes a bit of practice to get the hang of folding down the arms, but once you master it, it’s a pretty simple task that takes just a few seconds.
It will stand up on the front base and stay firmly in an upright position. It’s safe and stable and won’t tip over, making it suitable for rooms where kids play or pets run around.
When folded up, the Lanos Hydraulic Rower is just 23 inches wide, 20 inches deep, and 49 inches tall. Small enough to fit in a closet or tucked out of sight behind your furniture. It’s a great choice if you only have limited space for your workout machines.
The whole machine weighs just 34 pounds. Sadly, it doesn’t include caster wheels to let you roll it around, but it’s light enough that you can move it by hand without struggling.
Capacity
Despite being a compact, lightweight machine, the Lanos Hydraulic Rowing Machine has a surprisingly good weight capacity: up to 330 pounds!
Heavier rowers will find that the extra-wide seat accommodates their weight and size with ease, making for a more comfortable rowing workout.
Taller rowers will also want to give this hydraulic rowing machine a try. The manufacturer states that it’s sized for users up to 6’7”, which is rare for any rowing machine.
Smaller users, of course, will also be able to fit. According to the manufacturer, anyone over 4’2” will be able to comfortably use it.
This height range is in reference to the seat, but the arms are where taller or shorter users may struggle a bit more.
For very short rowers, the independently moving arms may be too long. And, as expected, very tall users may find the arms are too short.
One extra-tall reviewer said that they swapped out the arms from their old rowing machine because the arms provided with the Lanos were too short. The mounting hardware is compatible with a wide range of hydraulic piston rowing machines, so that may be an option to consider if you want a machine that can accommodate your height.
Dimensions
- Assembled Dimensions (L x W x H):
- 50 x 36.22 x 20 inches
- Storage Dimensions (L x W x H):
- 49 x 23 x 29 inches
- Assembled Weight:
- 34 pounds
- Shipping Weight:
- 38.5 pounds
Assembly
The vast majority of reviews regarding the Lanos Rowing Machine’s assembly commented on just how easy it was to put it together right out of the box.
The majority of the components arrive pre-assembled, so all you have to do is lay out the various pieces, then put them together in what the manufacturer claims is a simple four-step process:
Assembly time on average was between 15 and 30 minutes from the moment users opened the box.
Based on the reviews, I can safely conclude that the Lanos Hydraulic Rower is a good option even for those who are less-than-handy with tools. All of the pieces fit together easily, the process is simple, and the provided instructions make the process beautifully simple.
Assembly Downsides:
A lot of the negative reviews about the Lanos rowing machine spoke of parts arriving broken, defective, or simply missing.
One user had to request a replacement frame because it was bent and couldn’t attach to the front base. Another had to send for another LCD monitor. Some users spoke of hardware not provided or plastic components arriving cracked.
Quality control is always an issue with low-budget rowing machines, something to be aware of if you’re considering the Lanos Hydralic Rower.
Overall, though, based on the ease of assembly and the build quality (as I talked about above), the Lanos is still a good option to consider.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Beautifully easy to assemble
- Solid alloy steel frame
- Simple but reliable monitor
- Quiet operation
- Compact, stores very small
- Lightweight but sturdy
Cons:
- Suffers quality control issues
- LCD screen may be too simple for more advanced rowers
- Resistance is light, not suitable for competitive athletes
Consumer Reviews
Looking at the 1,000+ reviews posted on the Lanos Hydraulic Rowing Machine, it’s clear to see that the sentiment is mostly positive. Reviewers seem to agree that it’s a great machine for the price. Aside from a few issues that we’ve already discussed, it appears the Lanos rowing machine delivers decent quality compared to most models in the extremely low-end range.
Reviewers who were unhappy either received a defective or broken part or found the resistance was just too light for their fitness level.
You can research more in-depth about the Lanos Hydraulic Rowing Machine by reading user reviews here.
Average Rating: 4.4
Warranty
Unlike all the other rowing machines I’ve reviewed, I can’t find any information from the manufacturer on the warranty for the Lanos Hydraulic Rowing Machine.
The only mentions of warranty are in reviews (where one user complained that the product broke quickly after the “short warranty period” ended) and in third-party review sites (which mentioned that the “machine warranty is not valid in Canada”).
Even after doing a deep-dive through Google, I can find no warranty information for the parts, frame, or labor. I believe there is a warranty (likely 90-day for frame and parts only, like most competing machines in this low-end range), but there is no information available online about it.
Lanos Hydraulic Rowing Machine Price
Price is where the Lanos Hydraulic Rowing Machine really shines. It’s one of the lowest-priced models that I’ve seen on the market, and users appear to love that it’s such an affordable option.
All the research I’ve done makes it clear that it’s not the rowing machine for elite athletes or competitive rowers. But for beginners or anyone looking for a compact rowing machine, the Lanos is priced very well and makes for a good first machine.
The Lanos is only available through Amazon—there’s no manufacturer’s website to search for information or match prices. I do like how Amazon’s customer service department offers me extra consumer protection and a simple, streamlined way to return or get replacement parts as needed.
Overall Review
After all my research, it’s clear that the Lanos Hydraulic Rowing Machine is a decent option for anyone who wants a budget-priced, simple machine.
It’s sized right (great for apartments or small homes), folds up small, offers moderate-intensity workouts, and is totally affordable for anyone. Sure, it’s got a few issues, but that’s common with most rowing machines, even those in the mid-to-high price ranges.
If you want to check out some other hydraulic-piston options, I would look at the Stamina 1215 Orbital Rower and the Stamina BodyTrac Glider 1052.
If you are interested in an air rower the read my Stamina 1399 Rower review or my Sunny SF-RW5515 Magnetic Rower review for magnetic resistance.
I hope you found my Lanos Hydraulic Rowing Machine review helpful! If you have any thoughts, questions, or feedback, feel free to leave them in the comments below.
