Stamina Conversion II Recumbent Exercise Bike/Rower Review

We purchased the Stamina Conversion II Recumbent Exercise Bike/Rower so our reviewer could put it to the test. Keep reading for our full product review.

If you’re a frequent gym-goer or regular fitness class attendee, you might not be familiar with multi-use exercise machines like the Stamina Conversion II Exercise Bike/Rower. Machines like this one basically combine two or more machines like the ones you would use at a fitness center into one. The Stamina Conversion rower marries a recumbent bike and rowing machine and takes up half the space of two separate machines but has double the value. 

The Stamina brand has been making high-quality studio and in-home fitness machines since the 1980s and is known for its well-built machines and for bringing to market smarter ways to get and stay fit. There's no surprise, then, that this model made it to the list of best rowing machines. We tested the Stamina Conversion II Exercise Bike/Rower, which can be used for cardio, strength, arm, and leg workouts, to see if it's worth its high price. Read on to see what we found after almost a month with it as our primary in-home exercise machine.

Setup Process: Complicated instructions but an easy setup

The first time our Stamina Conversion II Recumbent Exercise Bike/Rower arrived, we noticed there was significant impact damage to the wheel part of the machine. While it could have been the fault of the shipper, we dealt directly with Stamina and organized an exchange for a new machine. We didn’t have any issues with the company’s customer service, and our second shipment arrived on time and without damage. 

Unpacking and assembling the machine took us about an hour and a half with two people. The instructions were a little difficult to follow, but as we moved through the setup, most of what we had to do was straightforward and easy. We’re fairly familiar with assembling workout equipment, but you don’t need to be handy to put together this rower. All the tools and hardware we needed were included in the box except for the two AA lithium batteries, which we needed for the monitor.

Design/Comfort: Sturdy frame but not built for adjustments

This Stamina machine is built to operate primarily as a rower and recumbent exercise bike, but it can also be used as a leg press or resistance strength machine for a full arm and shoulder workout. The top handle retracts to perform upper body exercises like bicep curls and tricep kickbacks. To convert from a rower to a bike, you simply slide the seat forward and push the key into an available hole under the seat to lock it into position. There are a few different holes depending on your height. The frame itself is made of steel and aluminum, and it has a padded rowing handle, molded, padded seat, pivoting rowing footplates, and pedal foot straps to hold your feet securely in place. We didn’t love that we could not really adjust the seat or pedals for our comfort while biking. There’s no option for different seat angle or pedal placement and the leaned back style of the seat took time to get used to while biking.

We liked how easy it was to move and store since it has built-in wheels and a foldable frame. As far as rowing goes, the machine has an adjustable magnetic resistance system that’s very quiet and smooth. It has eight levels of resistance, and the tension is strong and stays the same no matter how fast or slow you row. To increase resistance, you must adjust the level. The built-in monitor displays and tracks speed, distance, time, and calories burned; it’s easy to see as you row. It also reads and displays pulse, but only when using the handles for the recumbent bike.

Performance: Strong, smooth, and sturdy 

We didn’t have any real complaints while using the Conversion II bike-rower combo during testing, but we do feel it lacks some of the functionality of a more advanced rower (like the ones we use in our gym) and wouldn’t recommend it to a serious rower. The recumbent bike is also pretty basic. In an ideal world, we would have liked more pre-programmed workouts to get us motivated.

That said, the machine did provide a nice combination of cardio and resistance workouts and was quiet and easy to use. You’ll really like this machine if you’re just looking to boost your cardio and tone your body without investing in a ton of at-home fitness equipment. 

Price: High for the category, but offers value as a combo machine

The retail price of the Stamina Conversion II Recumbent Exercise Bike/Rower is a bit high for the category, especially since it doesn’t have an air or water flywheel like a professional rowing machine and lacks some of the features that a more specific machine would have. This rower/bike may be worth it for you if you’re limited on space or aren’t going to put it through the wringer with everyday use. Although it won't offer a full-body workout, to save even more space and money, consider the brand's under desk strider, which is one of the best ellipticals on the market.

Competition: There are better options if you only want a rowing machine

A more experienced rower might opt for the Concept2 Indoor Rowing Machine (Model D or Model E—we tested both), which retails for slightly less than the Stamina Conversion II and has adjustable footrests, a connected heart rate belt, and an air-resistance flywheel. 

If budget is your concern, you might go for the Sunny Health & Fitness Magnetic Rowing Machine. Similar to the Stamina Conversion II, the Sunny rower has a comfortable seat and foot pedals, an LCD digital display, and adjustable resistance. While the Sunny lacks the versatility of the Stamina Conversion bike/rower, it makes up for what it lacks in price.