Stamina 35-1052 Rowing Machine Review

4.3 (6,900) Amazon rating$192.99

Our verdict

The Stamina 35-1052 is a lightweight hydraulic-resistance rower at $192.99 weighing only 39 pounds with a 250-pound user weight limit, backed by 6,900 reviews at 4.3 stars. It is the most affordable rower in this batch with a substantial owner history.

Check price on Amazon

Best for

Small-space and budget buyers who want a lightweight, easy-to-store rower with thousands of real owner reviews confirming its fitness for casual to moderate home use.

Skip if

Competitive rowers, athletes seeking performance metrics, or anyone over 250 pounds. Also skip if you want the smoother feel of water or air resistance; hydraulic resistance has a different stroke character that dedicated rowers often find less satisfying.

  • Weight 39 Pounds
  • Max User Weight 250 Pounds
  • Resistance Hydraulic
  • Color Blue / Gray
  • Priced 23% below the category median ($249.99 across 23 tracked models)

Our scorecard

4.3/5 overall
  • Owner rating4.3/5

    4.3 average across 6,900 owner ratings

  • Popularity4.1/5

    6,900 owner reviews, more than most models here

The overall score is owner satisfaction weighted by how many reviews back it, so a high rating from few reviews counts for less. The bars below show where this model stands against the other home gym and fitness equipment we track in this category on price, popularity and size. Context, not marks against it, and our read of the data, not a lab test.

Overview

The Stamina 35-1052 solves a specific problem: it delivers a rowing experience at $192.99 in a machine that weighs 39 pounds and fits in tight spaces. Hydraulic resistance uses pistons rather than a flywheel, which eliminates the need for a long monorail track. That makes the footprint compact enough for apartments and spare rooms where a full-length rower cannot fit. Dimensions are not published in the available data; verify on the product page.

With 6,900 reviews at 4.3 stars, it has far more owner feedback than most budget rowers. A 4.3-star average across that many reviews is a dependable signal: the machine works as advertised for light to moderate use, but a portion of buyers find limitations they did not expect, which explains why the rating lands at 4.3 rather than 4.7 or higher. Hydraulic resistance is the most common source of mixed feedback, as the stroke feel and resistance buildup differ from what flywheel-based rowers provide.

Zero monthly buyers recorded does not mean it is unavailable; it means the data window shows no recent spike in purchasing activity. The 6,900 reviews confirm this machine has a long, active sales history. If you want a lightweight, inexpensive rower and can accept hydraulic resistance's trade-offs, the 35-1052 is a well-documented choice.

Pros

  • 6,900 reviews at 4.3 stars is the second deepest review pool in the rowing machine category
  • 39-pound machine weight is one of the lightest rowers in this batch
  • Compact hydraulic design does not require a long monorail; better for tight spaces
  • $192.99 is the lowest price among rowers in this group with verified owner depth

Cons

  • Hydraulic resistance feels less smooth than water or air and is not suited for structured rowing workouts
  • 250-pound weight limit is the joint-lowest in this rower batch
  • Footprint dimensions are not published in the available data; verify before ordering

Specifications

Weight39 Pounds
Max User Weight250 Pounds
ResistanceHydraulic
ColorBlue / Gray

Performance notes

Hydraulic rowing machines use piston resistance, which means the resistance can vary between the left and right arms depending on piston condition and positioning. The stroke is shorter and more constrained than a full-rail air or water rower. At 39 pounds with a compact frame, it is easy to move and store. For casual cardio sessions of 10 to 20 minutes, these trade-offs matter less. For athletes who train rowing-specific fitness or want to track split times and power, the hydraulic system is not the right tool.

What buyers say

Six thousand nine hundred reviews at 4.3 stars is a large, honest dataset. The rating reflects that the machine delivers value for casual users while showing some friction with buyers who expected a more premium rowing experience. Zero recorded monthly buyers in the current data window is not alarming given the product's long review history. Gymso earns from qualifying purchases as an Amazon Associate and does not lab-test equipment; we research specs and verified owner feedback.

Check price on Amazon

Similar home gym and fitness equipment to consider

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between hydraulic and air rowing resistance?

Hydraulic rowers use pistons that create resistance when compressed. Air rowers spin a flywheel in open air, with resistance scaling naturally with stroke power. Air rowers (like the Concept2 2712) give a smoother, more consistent stroke and are preferred for performance training. Hydraulic rowers like the Stamina 35-1052 are lighter, more compact, and less expensive.

What is the weight capacity of the Stamina 35-1052?

The published maximum user weight is 250 pounds. If you are close to or above that limit, consider the Concept2 2712 at 227-kilogram (approximately 500-pound) capacity instead.

Have a question? Email hello@gymso.com.

The Gymso team is glad to help with rower comparisons or specific questions about this model.

Check price on Amazon