With how technical rowing is as an exercise, I didn’t think I could be comfortable on a rower until I used an AssaultRower. The AssaultRower Pro has a sleek and rather rugged design, but its versatile and round handle, excellently cushioned, lockable seat, and comfortably spaced footboards make this rower one that I actually want to stay on for a while, that is until I start rowing.
The thing about rowers is that you control the intensity. The harder you row on an air rower, the more resistance you’ll get, and with unlimited resistance, things get pretty sweaty quickly. Every time I hop on the Pro, I’m breathless in minutes. It’s challenging, and every bit is worth its decent price tag.
Before you go get a Concept2, hear me out on why the AssaultRower Pro might be a better pick for you.
AssaultRower Pro Review: Bottom Line
AssaultRower Pro vs. Similar Rowing Machines
Here is a quick overview of how the Pro compares to other popular rowers.
 AssaultRower Pro |  Concept2 RowErg |  AssaultRower Elite |  Aviron Strong |  NordicTrack RW900 | |
| Price (MSRP) | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Star Rating | |||||
| Bottom Line | This high-quality rower is well-priced, comfortable, and durable. | The Concept2 is regarded as the best rower with the most accurate monitor and competition-level performance. | The AssaultRower Elite is one of the most comfortable air rowing machines on the market, but it still packs a punch with its unlimited air resistance for a difficult workout. | The Aviron Strong Rower turns your workout into a game, entertains you with streaming apps, and guides you with trainer-led workouts. | A quiet, interactive magnetic rower that streams trainer-led workouts and automatically adjusts the resistance with an iFIT subscription on the large touchscreen. |
| Awards Earned | |||||
| Check Price | Check Price | Check Price | Check Price | Check Price | Check Price |
| Product | AssaultRower Pro | Concept2 RowErg | AssaultRower Elite | Aviron Strong | NordicTrack RW900 |
| Workout Experience | 8 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 7 |
| Specs / Features | 7 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 8 |
| Dimensions / Storability | 7 | 8 | 6 | 7 | 5 |
| On-Board Workouts & Apps | 5 | 6 | 5 | 8 | 8 |
| Build Quality | 8 | 10 | 9 | 8 | 7 |
| Overall Score | 85 | 92 | 87 | 82 | 83 |
| # of Onboard Workouts | 8 | 12 | 8 | 1 | 2 |
| Paid Programming - Cost | N/A | N/A | N/A | $29/month | $39/month |
| Netflix / 3rd Party Apps | N/A | N/A | N/A | YouTube, Max, Disney+, Hulu, Prime, Spotify, Paramount+, Netflix | Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Spotify, PlutoTV, iHeart Radio, Audible, and Amazon Music |
| Display | Battery-powered digital console | PM5 Console | Battery-powered digital console | 22” HD touchscreen | 24” HD pivoting touchscreen |
| Dimensions (In Use) | 92” L x 22” W x 45” H | 96” L x 24” W x 14” H | 92" x 20" x 49" | 84” L x 27” W x 48” H | 80.1" L x 21.8" W x 52.7" H |
| Storage | Upright | Vertical, horizontal, in two pieces | Horizontal, vertical | Vertical, horizontal | Horizontal, vertical |
| Rower Weight | 109 lbs | 57 lbs | 157 lbs | 114 lbs | 158 lbs (in box) |
| Weight Capacity | 350 lbs | 500 lbs | 350 lbs | 507 lbs | 300 lbs |
| Resistance Type | air | Air | air | Hybrid magnet & air | magnetic |
| Max Resistance | unlimited | Unlimited | unlimited | 16 magnetic resistance levels | 26 levels |
| Height Limit | N/A | 38” (inseam) | 6’5”+ | 6’8” | 6’5”+ |
| Warranty | 7-year frame, 3-year non-wear parts | 5 years on frame; 2 years on moving parts and console | 5-year frame, 3-year parts, 1-year labor | 10-year frame, 1-year parts | 10-year frame; 2-year parts, 1-year labor |
| Additional Features | Versatile handle, locking seat, rear transport handle | 10-level damper, chain drive, device holder | Comfortable seat, single-handed grip option, Bluetooth | Belt drive, air ventilation, tall seat | SmartAdjust, Bluetooth speakers, belt drive |
Dimensions/Storability
Rowers are long pieces of equipment. The AssaultRower Pro is 92” L x 22” W x 45” H. You’ll need to factor in these measurements, along with some extra space surrounding the rower, to comfortably use it.
When you’re done using the AssaultRower Pro, it stores upright so it rests on the fan and stays in place.
This requires a tall enough ceiling, but it really helps save some space. The rear-mounted handle lets you tip up the backend to store it and also engage the front transport wheels to move it. Even though this is a solid rower, it isn’t too hard to move or store.
A really nice feature of the seat is that it has a pin-locking system that locks it into place to keep it from slamming down to the footboards when storing it upright. There are several notches, so as soon as you’re done rowing, you can set it to the length that works for you when you’re in the finish.
So, once you get the rower out, you can just hop on the seat, pull the pin-lock handle, and start rowing.
Onboard Workouts & Apps
You’ll find the following on the AssaultRower Pro console.
Onboard Workouts
Even though this console is simple, it still includes the option to customize your workouts for structured training. The “Programs” buttons allow you to do interval training, targeted training, and heart rate training.
There are preprogrammed Tabata and inverted Tabata settings, as well as a custom setting to create your own intervals. When using one of these settings, the words “Work” and “Rest” pop up on the screen below your time for each interval so you know when to work and when to rest.
The targeted programs allow you to set goals for distance, time, and calories. You can also set a target heart rate to stay at while you use the AssaultRower Pro.
The console is also Bluetooth enabled, which is how you pair a compatible monitor with it for heart rate tracking. It also connects to the Assault Fitness App to save your workouts, participate in challenges, and join workout programs. The App has options for all of Assault’s equipment.
Console
One thing about most air rowers is that they don’t require electricity to use. This means that you can use the AssaultRower Pro pretty much anywhere without worrying about being near a wall outlet. The console is battery-powered, and it turns on and begins tracking your workout metrics once you start rowing.
The console is like a smaller, square version of the consoles on the AssaultRunners and AssaultBikes.
It has the same functionality and layout as the AssaultRower Elite. As far as metrics, this console tracks pretty much everything you need. It records your time, distance, strokes per minute, pace, distance in meters, watts, and estimated calories. It can also track your heart rate with a compatible monitor.
The Assault Fitness app doesn’t offer a lot of options, and the console doesn’t have as many features and connectivity as the Concept2’s PM5 monitor, so keep this in mind. There isn’t a place to hold your phone or water anywhere on the rower.
The console is adjustable so you can position it to a good level for your height, and it can collapse back when storing this rower to help keep it tucked out of the way.
Build Quality
The AssaultRower Pro is a commercial-grade air rower that’s a great alternative to Assault’s higher-end model. It’s at a lower price point while still being appropriate for home and commercial use. It also handles users up to 350 lbs, so it works for most.
One aspect that we really like about AssaultRowers is that they’re rugged in design but comfortable to use.
Assault has done a great job at creating well-built rowing machines and including them with comfortable, thoughtful features that make them great for most people.
Frame
The steel frame resembles the AssaultRower Elite. Assault has done a great job with how durable their rowers are. The Pro is also lighter in weight at 109 lbs, so it’s fairly light but still hearty. Under the two stabilizers are adjustable leveling feet to prevent any rocking, which we appreciate.
The steel monorail is tall at 17” high, so it’s actually pretty easy to get on and off. If you have mobility issues that limit you from sitting low on the floor, then this rower is one to consider. Water rowers, in comparison, sit very low and can be more limiting for some people to get on and off.
The seat mounted on the rail is 21” high, so even compared to other rowers that are relatively easy to get on and off of, like the Concept2, the Rower Pro is easier.
Geometry/Dimensions
- Footprint: Footprint: 92” L x 22” W x 45” H
- Pedal Footboards: 12” L
- Pedal Width: 15” W
- Monorail: 17” H
- Seat: 12” W x 10” D x 21” H
Footboard & Pedals
They are 12” long to provide a good amount of surface to push off, too. On each is an adjustable plastic pedal to hold your feet in place. These adjust like most rowers with numbered notches so you can get a good fit for your shoe size.
The footboards are two separate steel plates mounted on either side of the rail for you to push off from in the drive.
The plastic heel clip at the bottom allows for some ankle flexion in the catch position, and these pedals work with athletic shoes. The nylon straps adjust to fit over the tops of your feet to hold them in place. They’re not as easy as velcro straps to adjust, but they work just fine.
The pedals have a nice amount of space between them to help you not feel cramped, especially if you’re a beginner or a larger person. For home rowers, most people like to see wider pedals. Narrow pedals, typically found on water rowers, tend to work better for advanced rowers by resembling foot positioning on a rowing shell.
Seeing as I’m currently pregnant with a growing belly, I appreciate and need wider-placed pedals like these.
The brand Aviron has implemented pedals that have adjustable spacing on their Strong Series Rower, which I think makes this rower more inclusive for a wider range of people and abilities.
You can also make the pedals a little narrower to work better for advanced users. While this is nit-picky because, ultimately, we don’t have any complaints about the AssaultRower Pro’s pedals, it is just a suggestion to Assault and more brands to include.
Handle
The handle is very conveniently placed when you’re not using it. It clips into the hook above the pedals, so it doesn’t get in your way while adjusting the pedals like some other rowers do. We really like this handle. It is the same as the Rower Elite. It’s round and versatile. The cut-out in the middle is for single-arm rowing.
Other air rowers like the Bells Of Steel Blitz and Concept2 RowErg have individual cut-outs or finger-webbing, which does the same job. I think the large cut-out on the Rower Pro is better for those with larger and smaller hands, though.
The texture has a smooth coating that doesn’t feel slippery.
The handle also is wide enough for those with broader shoulders. It feels a little thick, but I can still comfortably wrap my hands around it.
Seat
This seat is a favorite of ours. It’s on the Elite as well as the Blitz Rower, so we’re familiar with it already. The combination of contouring for your legs and tailbone, paired with the forgiving cushioning, makes it comfortable to use. It’s definitely a step up from the Concept2’s seat and especially the Ergatta and NordicTrack Rowers’ seats.
FlyWheel
The flywheel on the AssaultRower Pro Rower is a fan with vents that suck in air as you row. Inside the fan are three fan blades that create tension on the handle when you’re rowing.
The drive system that connects the flywheel to the handle to provide resistance is a dual-stage chain and belt system. A chain still connects directly to the handle, but with the belt included in the flywheel, the stroke feels a bit smoother than rowers with only chain drives. You still feel the grittiness of the chain, but it isn’t as pronounced as rowers like the Concept2 and Blitz.
The drive system also provides a good amount of tension throughout the entire stroke, so you don’t get any slack like some magnetic rowers with belt drive systems.
Resistance
What is nice about the fan is that it provides an unlimited amount of resistance. When Assault says that it is “athlete-powered,” this isn’t an exaggeration. Air rowers, like the Pro, adapt to your effort. So, when you work harder, more air gets sucked into the flywheel to create more resistance.
You can’t out-row this rower!
Something to keep in mind is that the fan doesn’t include a damper to allow you to adjust the amount of air that gets sucked into the flywheel. Dampers, like the one on the Concept2, have numbers that show the damper setting.
The lowest number on the C2 means the least amount of air goes into the fan, while the highest level allows the most to be let in. A damper lets you get a little more range with the resistance and changes the feel of the stroke.
You can achieve this on the AssaultRower Pro by adjusting your effort level while rowing, but if you like the option to change the settings for the airflow, keep this in mind.
Warranty
Assault Fitness includes a 7-year frame warranty and a 3-year non-wear parts warranty. The setup is pretty straightforward, but you might want another person to help give you a hand.
Should You Buy The AssaultRower Pro?
The AssaultRower Pro is a new and welcome addition to Assault Fitness’s lineup of solid and durable cardio fitness equipment. This is the lower-end, more affordable alternative to the AssaultRower Elite, but it still maintains a well-built design and rugged steel frame.
Along with its price point, we really like that this is a powerful, versatile, and comfortable air rower. The fan creates an unlimited amount of resistance to pull against, so even the strongest of athletes will tire themselves out. The seat is well-cushioned to be one of our favorites on rowers, and it locks into place to help make storing it a breeze.
Speaking of storing, the Rower Pro can be tipped upright to save you a lot of floor space when you’re not using it. The AssaultRower Pro is pretty loud to use, like other air rowers, so keep this in mind. However, it would make a great addition to a residential or commercial gym.
AssaultRower Pro Q&A / FAQ
Is the AssaultRower Pro loud?
The AssaultRower Pro is an air rower; therefore, it’s pretty loud to use. As you row, the air is sucked into the fan, which generates noise as you row. Keep this in mind if you need a quiet rower.
Is the AssaultRower Pro worth it?
The construction, thoughtful features like the comfortable seat, and versatile handle, all for the price, make the Pro worth it. It can be used in residential and commercial settings.
Is this a paid review?
This review is not paid. Assault Fitness sent us the Pro to test, but we weren’t paid. Instead, we receive a small commission through our affiliate link. If you’re ready to purchase, we’d appreciate you using our link. This allows us to create these reviews.
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