WHMH 1678 Dual Handle Rower | Oar-Based Rowing System

Enjoy your in-home workout with the Women’s Health Men’s Health (WHMH) 1678 Dual Handle Rower. Get an intense workout without ever leaving the comfort of your own home. The 14 Level Dual Transmission fan and magnetic resistance make for an easy or more challenging workout. Then, you decide how hard you want to train that day.

This rower measures how HARD you pull, what DISTANCE you pull, and what RESISTANCE Level you use. Combining these three things will have accurate training metrics for calories burned, Speed, Distance, Split Times, etc.

Follow trainer-led classes, enjoy scenic routes, track your workouts, and more with the MyCloudFitness app, accessible free for 30 days. Then, the Premium version requires a paid subscription to use the app. So train hard and get the WHMH 1678 Dual Handle Rower results with the MyCloudFitness app. You need one machine to get your whole body fit and toned!

Learn more in my complete review below!

Product: WHMH 1678 Dual Handle Rower

Price: For a great deal on this rower, merely go here on Amazon

Warranty: Frame 5 years / Parts 3 years / Electronics 2 years

My rating: is 8/10

Affiliate Disclosure: As an Amazon Affiliate Program participant, I earn commissions on purchases made through links in this post. Full disclosure

Details and Specifications

• Assembled dimensions: 72L x 25W x 51.5H inches (183L x 63W x 131H cm)
• Assembled weight: 116.4 lbs (52.8 kg)
• Supported weight: 250 lbs (113.3 kg)
• Footrests: Adjustable, non-pivoting
• Resistance: Air & magnetic, 14 resistance levels
• Fitness Monitor: Time, split/time, strokes, strokes per minute (SPM), distance, calories, watts, goals
• Warranty: Frame 5 years / Parts 3 years / Electronics 2 years

1678 Frame construction

The WHMH 1678 dual-handle rower features a durable steel frame double-coated with a corrosion-resistant black paint finish. The only exception is the metal sheet covering the machine’s rail, either stainless steel or extruded aluminum, so it doesn’t have a paint finish.

The fully assembled machine is relatively large. It is approximately 72″ (183 cm) long and 25″ (63 cm) wide. Therefore, leaving at least two feet of clearance at the unit’s rear and on each side is advisable for easy access and safe usage.

The rower is also pretty heavy, weighing 116.4 lbs (52.8 kg). Therefore, it provides superior stability, but on the other hand, two people will have to transport the packaged unit. However, once assembled, one person can move the rower as its front base has transport wheels.

The unit’s rail system is foldable. By folding it up, its footprint becomes approximately 45″L x 25″W (114 x 63 cm), while its height will reach approx—59″ (150 cm). In addition, when in usage position, the rower also rests on three bases, each with adjustable levelers. It rests on the front and middle stabilizers when in the folded position.

The rower’s rail system is rectangular. It is approximately 38″ (96.5 cm) long, and the maximum inseam length is 41″ (104 cm). Therefore, the rower should comfortably accommodate users between 5’0″ and 6’5″ (153 – 196 cm), allowing a complete leg extension. It also has a maximum user weight limit of 250 lbs (113 kg).

Seat and other parts

The WHMH 1678 rowing machine comes with a reasonably large seat. It is approximately 13.5″ (34 cm) wide and 10″ (25 cm) long, so it provides plenty of contact surface. Its top is high-density foam for improved comfort. Furthermore, it comes contoured with elevated edges for better positioning.

The base frame of the seat is steel-made. It integrates three sets of rollers—two slides on top of the rail and the third slide under it for improved stability. In addition, the rollers integrate sealed bearings for a smooth motion and have a rubber layer outside to reduce noise.

The machine’s rail is slanted, and compared with other rowers, the seat of the WHMH 1678 model is pretty high for easy entry and exit. It is approximately 21″ (53 cm) high when at the front of the rail and 22.5″ (57 cm) at the rear.

Unlike many other rowers, the WHMH 1678 comes equipped with a set of oars rather than a pulling handle. Instead, they have extended, curved grips with ball grips at the top and attach to the machine’s resistance cables and the frame’s middle base.

They have a tilt-and-swivel system. Therefore, you can move the oars forward and backward as you row, but you can also move them laterally to simulate the motion of rowing a real boat.

Along with the oars, two standard D-handles come with the machine. You can attach these to the trainer’s resistance cables to perform a different type of workout.

The rower comes equipped with a set of oversized footrests. Their bases are metallic, while their top section is durable and flexible thermoplastic. In addition, they are size-adjustable to accommodate athletic footwear of all sizes. Furthermore, they also have heel guards and adjustable straps to secure your feet perfectly.

The footrests connect to the frame’s front section and are stationary (they do not pivot). Their angle is approximately 45°, so they deliver a comfortable foot positioning.

1678 Resistance system

The WHMH 1678 dual-handle rower combines air and magnetic resistance elements. The main resistance generator is the extensive fan system at the front of the unit. When the cables are pulled, the fan spins in its casing, generating resistance. In addition, the resistance provided by the fan is dynamic. Thus, pulling faster will offer more resistance, similar to rowing a real boat through the water.

It’s important to note that the two resistance cords can pull independently. Therefore, you can use only one or attach them to only one oar. You can also perform other exercises rather than rowing, such as standing rows, resistance punching, and even front presses.

The machine’s air resistance system is a magnetic brake and a small internal flywheel. The magnetic brake connects to the tension knob on the machine’s front unit through a steel cable.

Therefore, when you turn the knob clockwise, the brake moves closer to the metallic flywheel, adding resistance to the ride. Conversely, if you turn the knob to the left, the magnets move away from the flywheel, which reduces the workout load.

The rower makes available 14 resistance levels. The first one delivers a relatively light difficulty. You will work only with the resistance generated by the fan system if you select level 1. Conversely, the 13-14 levels provide considerably more resistance, allowing for a consistent, full-body cardio workout.

Fitness monitor

The WHMH 1678 rower has the same fitness monitor as the WHMH 1638 model. In addition, it features an LCD divided into six windows that indicate time, spit/time, strokes, strokes per minute (SPM), distance, calories, and watts. The strokes per minute (SPM) and the distance functions share the same window and display alternatively.

Unfortunately, the fitness monitor does not have a pulse reading function, nor does it has any workout programs. However, it does have target settings for time, distance, strokes, and calories. Thus, if you select a target for these metrics, the monitor will count down from the chosen target until the value reaches zero.

The battery-operated fitness monitor uses four AA batteries that come included. In addition, it starts when you begin rowing and automatically shuts off after several minutes of inactivity on the rower.

MyCloudFitness app

An important feature to note here is Bluetooth connectivity. This allows you to sync your exercise bike with your smartphone or tablet, track your progress online, or view your workout history via the MyCloudFitness app for iOS and Android. Try it free for 30 days, then $14.99 a month. The 30-day free membership gives you access to the following:

• Hundreds of coaching videos led by top trainers
• Bike scenic routes in Paris, Central Park, and more with World Tour Maps
• Row with an Olympic champion on the water in beautiful San Diego
• New Content is added monthly

The MyCloudFitness app is reshaping wellness with personalized workout programs, award-winning trainers, workout tracking, on-demand fitness classes, world tour maps for cycling and rowing, and live fitness reports.

With a MyCloudFitness subscription (free for 30 days), you can view hundreds of workouts with top trainers, get personalized programs, and World Tour Solo allows you to work out in Paris, Central Park, and more. Take a day trip or ride at night, and with Scenic workout videos, you can transport anywhere, anytime you want, without ever leaving the comfort of your home.

1678 Assembly and Maintenance

The front unit of the machine with the fan and the other resistance elements comes pre-assembled. However, the rest of the parts do require user assembly. You will have to connect the front stabilizer, insert the seat on the rail, connect the rail, and add the rear stabilizer, the footrests, the oars, and the fitness monitor.

The task is pretty straightforward and shouldn’t take more than one hour of your time. The manual provides clear assembly instructions and all the necessary tools for the rower.

The machine’s maintenance doesn’t require much. You only have to keep it clean, especially the rail, to prevent damage to the seat rollers. The internal parts shouldn’t require maintenance or lubrication for a long time, and the fan casing can be vacuumed from the outside if it accumulates dust.

Pros

• Sturdy frame construction;
• Long rail – 41″ applicable inseam length;
• Folding design;
• Transport wheels integrated into the front base;

  

• Adjustable stabilizers on all base stabilizers;
• Padded and contoured seat for optimal comfort;
• Independent oar action, which simulates the rowing of a real boat;
• D-handles for cable exercises included;
• Large, adjustable footrests with straps for maximum foot stability;
• Dual chain drive system for extra rowing motion stability;
• Air resistance for a dynamic response;
• Magnetic resistance with 14 levels of difficulty;
• Fitness monitor included – it tracks time, split/time, strokes, strokes per minute (SPM), distance, calories, and watts;
• Goal functions for time, distance, calories, and strokes;
• Bluetooth connectivity;
• Compatible with the MyCloudFitness app for online workout history tracking;
• Device holder included;
• Batteries for the fitness monitor included;
• Easy to assemble;
• Little maintenance is required;
• Excellent warranty.

Cons

• The fitness monitor doesn’t have a pulse reading function;
• The fitness monitor does not have any preset workout programs.

WHMH 1678 Dual Handle Rower Summary

The Women’s Health Men’s Health (WHMH) 1678 is an air & magnetic resistance rower. It features a dual-action oar-based rowing system for a natural feel and a dynamic response. Furthermore, it has a pretty sturdy construction, a 38-inch long rail, adjustable footrests, and a fitness monitor that tracks essential workout metrics.

In addition, the fitness monitor is also compatible with the MyCloudFitness app for online workout history tracking. Moreover, it is an excellent machine for a full-body cardio workout, muscle toning, stamina and strength development, and weight loss.

I hope you found this article helpful and informative. Would you please speak up if you have anything you’d like to share on the topic or any opinions about my website? I look forward to your comments, questions, and the sharing of ideas.

Please remember to consult your physician to determine if you have any medical or physical conditions that could risk your health and safety or prevent you from using the equipment properly. In addition, your physician’s advice is essential if you are taking medication that affects your heart rate, blood pressure, or cholesterol level.