MERACH NovaRow R50 Pro Review: Can It Compete With Concept2?

A Concept2 Rival at Half the Price?

Concept2 clone, is it? That’s what a lot of people are thinking about the Merach NovaRow R50, and they’re kind of right.

The R50 has that appealing old-school rower design. It certainly looks the part: that heavy-duty frame, 32-blade fan, long rail, and noisy but durable chain drive. If you saw it in a commercial gym, it wouldn’t look out of place sitting next to the Concept2.

A Surprisingly Heavy-Duty Build

Still, the surprising difference here is the weight. The NovaRow R50 is more heavy duty than it looks, and that’s a good thing. It weighs 73lb compared to just 57lb for the Concept2.

It’s a beast of an air rower, really, and all that weight not only helps with stability, but it’s also a sign of the high quality parts used in the build.

And that’s what I’m really liking at the start of this Merach NovaRow R50 Review. The heavy-duty, sturdy build is what shines through, which, of course, is what we want.

I’ve heard a few horror stories about the monitor, so let’s not get too excited yet, but at first glance, it certainly looks like a lot of rower for your money.

There really aren’t many decent budget air rowers around these days, so it’s always nice to see a company like Merach come along with something that looks capable of challenging the more expensive machines.

And that’s why I feel the NovaRow R50 Pro deserves a closer look. We’ll go through everything it offers, including the drawbacks, and see just how good this rower really is.

Towards the end, we’ll also put the NovaRow head to head with the Concept2. That’s where we’ll really find out just how close Merach has managed to get with its $500 offering.

But first, a quick look at the NovaRow R50’s specs, pros and cons!

Specs

Why We Like It

Obviously, one of the biggest reasons I’m loving the NovaRow R50 Pro is the price. It’s around half the price of the current best air rower on the market, the Concept2, and really, there isn’t a huge difference between them when it comes to the basics.

I’ve been reviewing Merach fitness gear for many years. I was around reviewing fitness equipment when they first started, and even back then, these guys were impressive.

They were making budget equipment that was well made and honestly deserved a higher price tag than what they were asking. And the good thing is, this is a company that’s stayed true to what it set out to do: make well made gym gear and keep the price low.

They’ve only gotten more impressive over the years, and the R50 Pro is a good example of that.

It’s a proper heavy duty air rower. It’s sturdy, all the essentials are there, and most importantly, they’ve kept an eye on the price tag. As I mentioned in the intro, it’s a lot of rower for the money.

Okay, the engineering isn’t quite up to the premium levels of a $1,000+ rowing machine, but it really isn’t that far off. You’re getting a 73lb steel frame air rower with a long rail, 32 blade fan, damper system, chain drive and Bluetooth monitor with a free app. For around $500, that’s more than impressive.

The Best Bit: That Rowing on Water Feel

And something that’s always sold me on air and water rowers is the resistance system. It’s dynamic, which basically means the harder and faster you row, the stronger the resistance you feel at the handle, just like rowing on water.

It’s something you don’t get in quite the same way from a magnetic rowing machine, which uses a more constant resistance system. If you really want that rowing on water feel, or as close as possible at home, an air or water rower is the way to go.

And what’s nice about the R50 Pro is that they’ve included a damper system, something you don’t find on every air rower.

The R50 Pro has 10 damper settings, but don’t mistake these for resistance levels. The damper controls how much air enters the fan housing, which changes how heavy or light the rowing stroke feels. At level 10, it takes more effort to get the flywheel moving than at level 1.

It’s a useful system that serious rowers often use to adjust the feel of the stroke and simulate different rowing conditions. You don’t have to mess around with it, but it’s a nice option to have.

Click here to check price of the Merach R50 Pro on Amazon

Impressive Long Rail & I’m Liking the Seat

Something a lot of rowing machines struggle with is getting the seat to slide almost effortlessly along the rail. And it’s important because a seat that doesn’t slide smoothly can affect your rowing stroke.

The good news is there’s no such problem with the Merach R50 Pro. They’ve used quality rollers, and as owners have mentioned, the seat glides smoothly along that wide rail, which is exactly what you want to hear.

A wide rail is important too. It adds an extra level of stability to the whole movement of the stroke, so you feel more confident when rowing hard.

And the rail is surprisingly long, with 47 inches of usable travel. Merach claims a maximum user height of 6’10”, which is impressive. One owner who’s 6’3″ even mentioned he still had a ton of room behind him.

The seat itself is pretty wide, and I like that it’s nicely contoured. There’s enough support to help keep you in place during the drive phase of the stroke, even when you’re rowing hard.

So overall, for the money, I’m more than impressed with the rail design and seat. This is a proper long rail air rower, and you don’t see many of these around at this price. Not unless you want to pay twice as much.

A Much Better Monitor, and the App Is Free!

I’m actually quite liking the updated monitor on the NovaRow R50 Pro. It’s a 5.3-inch backlit LCD, so you’ve got all your important workout numbers right in front of you, including time, distance, stroke rate and pace. Nothing too fancy, but it does what a rowing monitor should do.

Now, I know some owners have had a headache getting to grips with the controls, especially when setting up workout programs. And yes, the instructions could be better. But I wouldn’t write this monitor off just because it takes a little time to figure out.

What I’m more impressed with is the Bluetooth support. You can connect to apps like Kinomap, and Merach also advertises compatibility with Apple Health and Google Fit.

And You Don’t Have to Pay for the Fun Stuff!

This is where Merach deserves some praise. Their own app is free, and there’s actually quite a lot going on in there.

You’ve got guided workouts, training plans, programmed exercises, workout tracking and even rowing games. And I love that they’ve included the games. Sometimes you just want something to take your mind off the fact you’ve still got another 20 minutes of rowing to do!

The best bit? You’re not being asked to pay a monthly subscription just to access the basic training features and have a bit of fun.

Okay, the app isn’t perfect. Some owners have mentioned issues with workout tracking and setting up certain sessions, so there’s room for improvement.

But come on, a free app with rowing games, tons of workouts and training plans, all included with a $500 rowing machine, is nothing to be sniffed at!

Drawbacks of the MERACH NovaRow R50 Pro

There’s a lot I’m liking about the NovaRow R50 Pro, but it’s not perfect. A few things are worth knowing before you buy, although none of them would put me off recommending this rower.

• Fiddly monitor controls: Some owners have struggled with setting up workouts, and the instructions aren’t much help.
• Not the quietest rower: That air fan and chain drive make some noise, especially when you’re rowing hard.
• Long-term reliability: It’s still a relatively new machine, so we don’t know how well it’ll hold up after years of heavy use.
• Customer support: One owner reported a frustrating experience trying to resolve an issue with the seat rollers.

Storage: Takes Apart in Two Pieces

One thing you need to remember about the NovaRow R50 Pro is that it’s a big rowing machine. That long rail is great when you’re rowing, but it does mean you’ll need a fair bit of floor space.

Thankfully, Merach has made storage pretty straightforward. Just like the Concept2, the NovaRow separates into two pieces, so you can store the rail and main unit upright when you’re finished rowing.

It’s not quite as convenient as a folding rower, but the good news is you don’t need any tools to separate the two sections. And they’ve included transport wheels, so moving this 73lb beast around shouldn’t be too much trouble.

I actually prefer this type of storage to folding designs. There’s no complicated folding mechanism to worry about, and once you’ve separated the two sections, the rower takes up much less floor space.

So yeah, it’s a large machine when you’re using it, but Merach has done a decent job of making it manageable when you’re not.

Assembly: Nice and Straightforward

• Allow around 20–30 minutes to get the NovaRow R50 Pro assembled. Some owners have managed it in just 20 minutes.
• Most of the hard work is already done. You’re mainly putting together the larger sections and attaching the remaining parts.
• The instructions could be clearer. A few owners have mentioned this, so take your time and double-check everything.
• It’s a heavy beast at 73lb, so having someone give you a hand when unpacking and positioning it isn’t a bad idea.

Final Verdict

I was more than impressed with the Merach R50 Pro. This is a seriously good air rower. Nothing really holds it back. I wouldn’t say it’s commercial grade, but then, with a 73lb steel frame and nothing feeling cheaply made, it’s certainly a long way from your typical budget model, too. It’s sort of in between mid-range and high-end, and for $500, you really can’t go wrong.

And honestly, guys, there just aren’t that many companies making air rowers anymore. Magnetic rowers have become the most popular choice for home gyms, mainly because they’re so much quieter.

Still, if you don’t mind a bit of noise, I think an air rower is the better choice because of that dynamic resistance system, which does such a good job of mimicking the rowing on water feel.

So yes, no major drawbacks and almost all positives for the Merach R50 Pro. Not quite up there with the Concept2, but considering it’s around half the price, it’s well worth some serious consideration. I’d happily own one.

How Does The Merach R50 Pro Compare To The Concept 2?

Merach NovaRow R50 Pro vs Concept2 RowErg

We’ve already covered quite a few similarities between these two rowers, so I won’t go over everything again.

The Concept2 is still the better rowing machine overall. Its PM5 monitor is excellent, the engineering is top-notch, and it has a proven track record for durability. It’s the sort of rower you can buy and expect to be using for many years.

But here’s where the Merach R50 Pro gets interesting. You’re getting a similarly sturdy air rower with a long rail, chain drive, 10-setting damper and smooth rowing action, all for considerably less money.

Okay, the monitor isn’t quite up to Concept2 standards, and we don’t yet know how well the Merach will hold up over the years. But when it comes to the actual rowing, there’s not a huge amount separating them on paper.

My choice? If money isn’t an issue, I’d go with the Concept2. But if you’re looking for a proper air rower without spending a fortune, the Merach R50 Pro would be very high on my list.

Still comparing rowing machines? Read Next: Best Air Rowing Machines

Merach NovaRow R50 Pro FAQ’s