Last Updated on March 6, 2018 by Jeff
Overview:
With its outrigger design the Kettler Kadett Rowing Machine provides a very realistic rowing motion while providing intense full-body workouts. This rower comes fully equipped with some nice features including a LCD digital display, wide comfortable seat and durable rails. It includes an earlobe heart rate monitor and the capability to upgrade to a chest strap monitor. Overall, the Kettler Kadett Rower is German engineering at its finest and comes with a lifetime warranty on its frame and three (3) years on parts.
Click here to see the price of the Kettler Kadett Rowing Machine on Amazon.
Technical info:
Assembled dimensions:
- Height: 18 inches (45cm)
- Width: 67 inches (170cm)
- Length: 59 inches (150cm)
- Weight: 51 lbs (130cm)
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 with 12 adjustment settings for varied resistance during workouts.
- Biomechanically correct footplates.
- Carbon steel frame and powder coated.
- Thick padded seat with sealed ball bearings to eliminate lubrication.
- 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 Kadett Rower ships in one (1) box. They provide some basic tools for assembly. Additional tools are needed to complete the assembly. The manufacturer also provides the assembly manual in multiple languages. The instruction manual states that assembly of this Kettler Rowing Machine should take about 45 minutes. They also provide a manual for the computer.
Packaged dimensions:
- Height: 9 inches
- Width: 21 inches
- Length: 45 inches
- Weight: 66 lbs
Company Info:
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.
What We Love About the Kettler Kadett Rowing Machine:
This Kettler Rowing Machine is a good mid-range rower specifically designed for a full body, in-home workout. The German-engineered outrigger design provides one of the most realistic rowing motions for a rowing machine. It has many features that are hard to find in this price range. Nice elements like the ergonomic features and the computer allow you to optimize your workouts and track your progress along the way.
German Engineering & Great Warranty
With quality German engineering, Kettler is fast becoming well known for its strong, durable products. The Kettler Kadett Rowing Machine comes with a strong powder coated carbon steel frame with a lifetime 
warranty. This rower will stand up against your toughest workouts. Another great thing about the Kettler Kadett is its outrigger style rowing. This design provides a very realistic sculling motion that nearly every reviewer commented on. Kettler knows how to make great exercise equipment and they did it again with the Kadett Rower.
Heart Rate Monitoring
The Kettler Kadett Rowing Machine comes with an earlobe pulse rate reader that transmits the information to its computer. Having the ability to track your heart rate is a great benefit to you. It allows you to train within your optimal heart rate zone for the most intense workouts. Even better, the Kadett Rower has the capability to use the Polar T34 chest strap heart rate monitor. For another $89, you can purchase the heart strap monitor, which will wirelessly transmit the data to the computer, instead of being connected. The T34 also provides more accurate readings to track your heart rate.
Comfortable, Quiet & Lightweight
The Kadett Rower provides a number of comfort features that will help extend your workouts. The thickly padded seat is extremely comfortable and is big enough to accommodate all users. Additionally, the seat on the Kadett is slightly raised for added comfort and resistance. Second the foot plates are ergonomically designed and pivot for perfect positioning throughout the realistic rowing motions. The sealed ball-bearings allow for an extremely smooth and very quiet movement. The Kettler Kadett Rower also folds down for more compact storage.
What Isn’t So Great:
Assembly
The manufacturer states that assembly of the Kadett Rowing Machine should only take 45 minutes. However, many users comment that it took them up to two hours and sometimes longer. While Kettler states that the assembly manual comes in many different languages, the one on their website is only in German. The manual provides pictures for every step of the assembly, but even with that, assembly may be difficult for some. Additionally, some users report difficulty in assembling the hydraulic pistons of the outrigger arms.
Monitor
Kettler provides the same console on the Kadett Rowing Machine that they offer on the cheaper Favorit Rower. Monitors on rowers tend to be pretty basic. This monitor is centered at the user’s feet and has a good size display. However, some users complain about the lack of advanced features. As a side note, the monitor also displays metric readings.
Hydraulic Resistance
The biggest complaint with the hydraulic resistance on the Kadett Rowing Machine is that some people have problems getting consistent resistance out of both outriggers. It should be noted that this doesn’t seem to be a common problem with everyone, and may be an assembly issue with the user. As with most hydraulic resistance rowing machines, you will also have to deal with the resistance drop off after starting your workout. With 12 individual resistance settings on each outrigger, you will be able to adjust your intensity when this does occur.
Final Word on the Kettler Kadett Rowing Machine:
At around $600, the Kettler Kadett Rowing Machine is a good buy. The outrigger handles providing a realistic sculling motion are the best feature in this rowing machine. Add in the heart rate monitoring and optional chest strap capability and these features alone make this a good purchasing decision. What seals the deal is Kettler’s quality and durable construction, along with its lifetime manufacturer warranty. With the Kettler Kadett Rowing Machine you’ll be getting a great workout in comfort for a long time to come.
Its been 10 plus years since we first purchased our Kadett rower and it is still going strong with no issues! My husband and daughter have used it in the past 5 years more than myself though because I had a back reconstruction done. I never thought I would be able to use this equipment again and could not while my pedicle screws were in my hips. Once those were removed I slowly but surely have been able to use this now and couldn’t be happier. I need to keep my back muscles and core strong as can be and this is really such a help! Its a heavy and durable piece of equipment that has stood test of time and much usage! I wish there was a before and after photos section to post our results though, that would be great!
Hi Tessa, thanks for your report! Great to hear the Kadett is working well for you. We’ll reach out and see if we can get your before-and-after photos to post.