Interested in the Stamina Avari Easy Glide Rower?
Want a hydraulic-piston rower but don’t like the normal, free-motion handles?
The Easy Glide Rower is the only hydraulic-piston rower to provide a “handle & strap” pull mechanism!
Truly a one of a kind design.
Enjoy the benefits of a full-body workout that will have your heart racing and raise your metabolism for hours after you are finished!
The Avari Easy Glide Rower has adjustable resistance to match any fitness level and a smooth, realistic rowing stroke.
While there are a ton of benefits for this low cost rowing machine, there are also a few issues.
Please read my full Stamina Avari Easy Glide Rowing Machine review below for the full list of pros & cons!
Resistance Type
The Stamina Avari Easy Glide Rower is a hydraulic-piston resistance rowing machine.
The resistance is provided by a single hydraulic-piston located beneath the seat rail.
There are single and double hydraulic-piston rowing machines depending on the style of the arm/handle used.
The Avari Easy Glide uses a “Handle & Strap”, which utilizes a single piston.
There are many pros and cons to using one piston vs. two pistons and also pros and cons for hydraulic pistons in general.
To find out more about the differences in resistance types check out my comparison article here.
Hydraulic piston rowing machines are well liked because they are very quiet, lightweight, provide adjustable resistance, and are inexpensive to manufacture.
The Avari Easy Glide Rower provides all of these features!
Resistance Benefits
The single hydraulic piston provides 12 levels of adjustable resistance that can be easily switched by twisting the adjustment knob at the top of the piston.
Each level provides a smooth, even rowing stroke and can be adjusted from level 1 (beginner) to level 12 (advanced).
The provided resistance is extremely quiet and most users watch TV while rowing or use it while their child is sleeping.
The angled seat rail allows for a little added resistance by having the user push themselves up a slight incline and then forces them to control themselves on the way back down.
I also like the Stamina Avari Easy Glide Rower because unlike most hydraulic piston rowers that have “two arms” or a “fixed handle” this rower uses a “Handle & Strap”.
An example of a “two arm” rower would be the Stamina 1215 Rower but has two hydraulic-pistons.
An example of a “fixed handle” rower would be the Sunny Health & Fitness Rowing Machine.
I like the “handle & strap” model because it allows you to choose what height to pull pack the handle to on your chest unlike the other versions where it is fixed.
While there are many pros to the Stamina Avari Easy Glide Rower I will mention the cons below.
Resistance Complaints
There was a discrepancy among users as to how strong the resistance is when using. Some people say level 1 is too hard and some people say level 12 is too easy!
I think there are a few problems here and one of them is with the expectations of this rower. Many younger individuals, who are in shape, seemed to think the rower lacked resistance strength and said it did not compare to the rowing machine at their gym.
My response would be, “of course not!” This rower is probably 1/8 the cost and not made for that type of user.
This rowing machine was well received by women of all ages and older men who are just looking to get more active throughout the day.
There could be a few reasons to explain why some people thought it was too difficult:
- They may be out of shape and just need a few sessions to build up their strength.
- The pistons have more resistance the first few minutes and need time to “warm up” to match the resistance level.
- Sometimes when the adjustment knob is set to level 1 it is actually on 12 and you must move it to between 1 and 2.
Another issue that occurs with hydraulic piston rowing machines is the pistons heat up after about 20 minutes and become very hot. So do not touch! They can also sometimes leak oil which is why you should use a rowing machine mat or towel beneath the piston.
1 Piston vs. 2 Pistons (Pros & Cons)
As I mentioned above, there are one-piston and two-piston hydraulic rowing machines.
The main benefit of having one piston over two pistons is that the rowing stroke is more consistent and smooth.
There is no chance of the pistons wearing out unevenly because there is only one piston. When you have two pistons, one arm may become easier to use than the other, although this doesn’t always happen
The Kettler Favorit is an example of a 2-Piston Hydraulic Resistance Rowing Machine.
Another benefit is that they are cheaper to manufacture because there is only one piston!
However, due to there only being 1 piston, the overall resistance strength may be less than 2 piston machines.
Overall
The resistance on the Stamina Avari Easy Glide Rowing Machine is well liked by people who understood what they were buying.
There are many positives to hydraulic-piston rowing machines and unfortunately a few negatives.
If you are an older individual or someone who is just looking to get more movement in during the day and burn some calories, then this resistance can provide just that.
Monitor/Control Panel
The Stamina Avari Easy Glide Rower comes with a basic multi-function performance monitor.
The monitor tracks the following fitness data:
- Time
- Total Count (all-time accumulated # of strokes)
- Count (# of strokes)
- Calories
You can choose to display one of these features the whole time or choose to scan between each function every 6 seconds.
The monitor turns on by moving the seat or pressing the button and will turn off after four minutes of inactivity.
The calorie calculator is not extremely accurate and does not record specifically for the user rowing. The reading is based off an average user so you should only use it to compare which workouts were more strenuous and better at burning calories.
It is also a letdown that the monitor doesn’t track distance because this is a key metric used in rowing. However, I will say that no monitor in this price range will track distance so I can’t hold it against them.
Overall, the monitor is a bit basic but it will track enough fitness data for you to get a good workout.
Build Quality
The build quality section on the Stamina Avari Easy Glide Rower may be the most important section of them all. With so many mixed reviews it is hard to sort through the whole mess.
I will start by saying that the Easy Glide Rower has a sturdy aluminum seat rail and is built with good quality parts for a rowing machine in this price range.
Floor protectors help keep the rower grounded and the braided nylon rowing strap would be perfect if there didn’t seem to be a design flaw.
Most users felt that as a whole the rowing machine felt well built and many buyers never encountered any problems. There were however users who received rowers that ran into some common issues.
Complaints
One of the main complaints dealt with the nylon rowing strap that connects the handle to piston kept breaking.
While people had a few reasons why this may happen, it is definitely a build quality issue that Stamina needs to resolve.
Users can order a cheap replacement part ($10) or Stamina will cover it under their warranty but still a pain in the butt to deal with. Some people who were handy enough even replaced the nylon strap themselves.
Other consumers had problems with their monitor being faulty and not working after some period of time. Most were able to get Stamina to send them a replacement for free but still just another hassle.
There were other complaints of odds and ends breaking here and there. It seems that there is just a small risk that one of these will happen on your rower and you will need to ask Stamina Customer Service to send you replacement parts. Hopefully the issues will be worked out before your warranty period is up.
I will mention that many people experienced none of these issues and love their rower.
Overall
The build quality on the Stamina Avari Easy Glide Rower is questionable and seems to have some quality control issues. Some people receive a flawless rower while others get a lemon.
Check out the Easy Glide Rowing Machine in action below:
Comfort
The Avari Easy Glide Rower is a fairly comfortable rowing machine that comes with a comfortable, molded, easy-gliding seat.
The seat slides smoothly up and down the seat rail but there were a few incidences where the wheels began wearing unevenly which cause for a rougher rowing stroke.
There are large foot-pedals with adjustable straps that will fit big and small shoe sizes. The pivoting foot pedals also allows for a smoother rowing stroke.
The rower comes equipped with floor protectors that stabilize the machine and reduces any noise.
The handle has a comfortable grip that prevents hand fatigue and blisters from forming.
Overall the Easy Glide Rower is a comfortable and enjoyable rowing experience.
Storage
The Stamina Avari Easy Glide Rower is super light and can be stored by simply standing it up vertical.
While the overall footprint is not reduced, it does allow for you to store the rower in the corner of a room or inside a coat closet.
Unfortunately the rowing machine does not have wheels but it is light enough to pick up and move around without any problems.
Capacity
There are some limitations on capacity for the Avari Easy Glide Rower, especially taller rowers.
While a Stamina Representative told me a person who is 6’6″ has rowed using this rowing machine, I had a very hard time believing them.
Many users commented that 6’0″ is cutting it close. While there was one person who said they were 6’1″ and could fully extend their legs, there was another user who said they were 6’0″ and could just barely perform a full stroke.
I would say that anyone over 6’0″ should consider looking into another rower.
There are no limitations for shorter users and there have been small children who have used the Stamina Avari Easy Glide Rower.
The manufacturer recommended weight limit is 250 lbs.
Dimensions
- Assembled Dimensions ( L x W x H):
- 53.0″ x 23.0″ x 26.0″
- Stored/ Upright Dimensions (L x W x H):
- 23.0″ x 26.0″ x 53.0″
- Product Weight:
- 29 lbs. (Stamina website)
Assembly
The Stamina Avari Easy Glide Rowing Machine is very easy to assemble and can be done in 20-30 minutes.
Everything needed for assembly is included except for 2AA batteries needed for the monitor.
The instructions are easy to follow and one 74 year old woman said she put it together herself in 15 minutes!
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Inexpensive
- “Handle & Strap” resistance style
- Great customer service
- Easy to assemble and store
- Light weight
- Smooth rowing stroke
Cons:
- Basic monitor
- Build quality issues
- Limited capacity
- Short warranty
Consumer Reviews
Consumer sentiment was extremely mixed on the Stamina Avari Easy Glide Rowing Machine. Some people loved the rowing machine and highly recommended it, while others downright despised it.
I think if you read this review and understand what you are buying you will be happy.
This is not a rowing machine for someone looking to row intensely for one hour everyday and build muscle. It will also not compare to a rowing machine in a gym that costs over $1,000.
It is however, great for people looking to get in a light exercise everyday and get a good low-impact workout. I noticed that women with average fitness levels and men over 55 seemed to be the happiest with their purchase. It is also great for anyone rehabilitating an injury.
One thing I did notice was a large portion of negative reviews came from people who purchased the rower using a Groupon discount promotion. I’m not sure if this was because the advertisement promised something more than what they got or if they were just uninformed buyers.
Anyway, you can see more Stamina Avari Easy Glide Rower Reviews here.
Average Rating: 3.4
Warranty
Frame: 1-Year
Parts: 90-Days
While the warranty on parts is fairly short, this is the same warranty on all of Stamina’s lower cost rowing machines.
Just make sure to keep all the packaging and paperwork so you can receive any warranty parts. Also make sure to register your new Stamina Avari Easy Glide Rower at register.staminaproducts.com.
There have been reports of many consumers taking advantage of the warranty on this rower so just keep an eye on the warranty time and call Stamina Customer Care at 1-800-375-7520. They have excellent customer service staff.
Be sure to reference Model #: A350-600
Stamina Avari Easy Glide Rower Price
The Stamina Avari Easy Glide Rower is very inexpensive and one of the least expensive rowers with a “Handle & Strap” pull mechanism. It is in line with the prices of other hydraulic piston rowers.
It is available from many online retailers, which is why there is some popularity surrounding this rowing machine.
I think Amazon has competitive pricing and they are also the best online retailer for rowing machines. They have great service, an added layer of consumer protection, free shipping n qualified orders, and offer inexpensive 2 or 3 year protection plans.
Overall Review
The Stamina Avari Easy Glide Rowing Machine has its fair share of ups and downs in its reviews. While some people love it, others just hate it.
It is a decently built rowing machine at a good price point but you just have to hope for no part defects.
I would consider looking at the Stamina BodyTrac Glider 1060 which is a good hydraulic-piston alternative.
or the Sunny Health & Fitness SF-RW5515 Magnetic Rower is a great quiet rowing machine that is magnetic resistance and utilizes a “handle & strap”.
They offer better build quality in the same price range.
I hope you enjoyed my Stamina Avari Easy Glide Rower review! Please say hello or leave a comment below.
