Proteus PAR-5500 Rowing Machine

Description

I’ve had this Proteus PAR-5500 rowing machine for a couple of years now, and it’s been one of my go-to pieces of fitness gear—mostly because it’s actually built like a pro, not just a fancy-looking home machine.

It’s got both air and magnetic resistance, which gives you that smooth, water-like feel when rowing, plus the strength and consistency of magnetic resistance. The seat design is a bit of a clever bit of engineering—rollers run underneath the rail so no dust or grime gets in, and it glides really smoothly. The foot pedals are adjustable too, so I can tweak my stance depending on how I’m feeling.

I use it a lot, but not constantly—mostly on days when I’m trying to stay active or do a bit of endurance training. The LCD screen is big and bright, especially when you’re in a program, and it shows all sorts of feedback: time, stroke rate, calories, distance, heart rate, and even splits. The programs are solid—16 resistance levels, 15 preset ones (including heart rate control, race pacing, and user programs), and I’ve actually made a few custom ones to match my training goals.

It folds up neatly and fits in two parts: one is 35 inches high and 40 inches long, the other is 60 inches long—so it’s easy to move around, and I’ve actually had it stored in a garage space that’s not too big. The frame is made from aircraft-grade aluminum, which feels solid and sturdy. I’ve never had any issues with it, and it’s been through a few sessions of regular use, but still looks like it hasn’t seen much wear.

It’s from billingham, Stockton-on-Tees, and I’m happy to collect it from there if you’re local. I’ve been meaning to part with it for a while now—just not sure if it’d be right to keep it sitting around.

It’s worth £539.10, which is what I ended up paying when I bought it originally. I’ve kept it in good shape and haven’t had any issues with it, so it’s a solid piece for someone who wants a reliable, no-nonsense rower.

If you’re into rowing or just want a machine that doesn’t feel like it’s trying too hard—this one’s a real workhorse.