Last Updated on April 7, 2020 by Jeff

Let’s Get Started:

The Kettler Favorit Rower is designed for an all-body workout while maximizing toning and fat loss on the hips, arms and thighs. The Favorit (yep, no “e” at the end) rowing machine comes fully equipped with a plethora of features including a LCD digital display, wide comfortable seat and durable rails. It also measures your pulse and has an optional heart rate monitor that links to the computer in order to track your progress from workout to workout. The Favorit Rower is German engineering at its finest and comes with a lifetime warranty on its frame and three (3) years for its parts.

Since 1994, Kettler, a German company, has gained a reputation as being one of the most reliable manufacturers on the market. They have an extensive line of reliable fitness equipment including rowers, treadmills, constrainers and exercise bikes. The Favorit Rower is one of their top products.

Click here to check the price of the Kettler Favorit Rowing Machine on Amazon.

Technical info:

Packaging dimensions:

Height: 9 inches
Width: 16 inches
Length: 51 inches
Weight: 52 lbs

Assembled dimensions:

Height: 10 inches
Width: 32 inches
Length: 52 inches
Weight: 44 lbs

Features:

High resolution LCD digital display.
Infrared earlobe clip sensor measures pulse rate electronically.
Polar T34 chest strap heart rate monitor that transmits wirelessly to the computer (Optional).
Hydraulic pistons for resistance adjustment from 1-50 knurl marks on each oar.
Biomechanically correct footplates.
Carbon steel frame and powder coated.
Thick padded seat with sealed ball bearings to eliminate lubrication.
LCD Console.
Maximum User Weight: 285 lbs.

Computer Features:

Recovery feature that provides a cardio wellness grading indexed 1-6 to track improvement.
Scan function enabling it to rotate workout information to the large readout in the center of the display.
Workout data includes:
- Time
- Distance
- Energy Consumed
- Strokes
- Pulse Rate
- Frequency

Warranty:

The frame has a lifetime warranty against breakage. It also has a three (3) year parts warranty.

Shipping and Assembly:

The Kettler Favorit Rower ships in one (1) box and they provide an instruction manual and some basic tools for assembly. The manufacturer also provides the assembly manual in multiple languages. Note that additional tools are needed to complete the assembly. The instruction manual states that assembly should take about 35 minutes. They also include a manual for the Favorit Rower computer.

What We Love About the Kettler Favorit Rower:

The Favorit Rower is a great mid-range rower specifically designed for a full body, in-home workout. The German design ensures it is a well-designed, durable product and comes with an extensive warranty. It has many features that you don’t typically find in this price range, which allows you to optimize your workouts and track your progress. This rowing machine is designed with the user in mind with many ergonomically-friendly features.

German Engineering & Great Warranty

Kettler is becoming well known for building strong, durable products. The Favorit Rower is no exception. Among reviews, there currently is not a single complaint against this product’s frame. The powder coated carbon steel frame is nearly indestructible and provides exception protection against normal wear and tear, and just about anything else. It’s obviously that Kettler believes it too. How often do you see a manufacturer provide a lifetime warranty on the backbone of a piece of exercise equipment? It’s rare.

Heart Rate Monitoring

The Kettler Favorit Rower provides a pulse rate reader that clips to the earlobe and transmits the information to its computer. This is a unique feature in itself. This machine may be the cheapest rowing machine that you’ll find anywhere that will measure your pulse! Even better, you can purchase the optional Polar T34 chest strap heart rate monitor that will wirelessly transmit the data to the computer for even more accurate readings.

Comfortable, Quiet & Lightweight

The Favorit Rower provides a number of comfort features you won’t find in other rowing machines. The most apparent feature is the thick padded seat. The seat is extremely comfortable and allows for extended workouts. Additionally, the seat is slightly raised for added comfort and resistance. Second the foot plates are ergonomically designed and pivot for perfect positioning throughout the rowing motions. The sealed ball-bearings allow for an extremely smooth and very quiet movement. Many reviewers commented that they could easily lighten to the television and movies because the Favorit Rower is nearly soundless in motion. Finally, at 44 lbs, this rower is easily folded down and stored with little effort.

What Isn’t So Great:

Assembly

Though the manufacturer states that assembly only takes 35 minutes, many people said it took at least an hour and in some cases up to 2½ hours. Again states that the assembly manual comes in many different languages, the manual from the product’s website is in German. The manual provides pictures for every step of the assembly, but even with that, assembly can be difficult. Additionally, some reviews commented about difficulty in assembling the hydraulic pistons that resulted in increased resistance until the problem was realized and corrected.

Lack of Height Versatility

While the Favorit Rower is designed with a number of ergonomic features like the seat and foot plates, the machine doesn’t seem to be designed for people outside the average height range. For people over 72” in height, you may not be able to get a full extension while rowing. Even when talking to the manufacturer, a definitive answer could not be given about the suggested height for the user.

Hydraulic Resistance

As with most hydraulic resistance rowing machines, there is always the worry that once you get into the workout, the resistance may drop out and not allow you to get the exertion that you are looking for. The Favorit Rower is no different. There were a few users have said that after about 20 minutes the resistance did start to become less difficult. The good thing with this rower is that there are 50 different resistance settings that are easily changeable.

Final Word on the Kettler Favorit Rower:

At around $400, the Kettler Favorit Rower is a great buy. The ergonomic features alone make this a comfortable rowing machine and allows you to extend your workouts for an optimal experience. Additionally, the heart rate feature and computer functions allow you to regulate your exertion and track your progress from workout to workout. Finally, the durable construction and lifetime manufacturer warranty ensures you will have a perfectly function rower for a long time.

Click here to check the price of the Kettler Favorit Rowing Machine on Amazon: