I was a bit daunted by the instructions but I made it through. For others who are frustrated here is an easy “follow along for assembly”. I’m not mechanical. All the nuts and bolts came shrink wrapped - divide them into a muffin tray, labeling each muffin cup. step 1: Duh, you have to remove the steel piece that has two bolts where you’re placing #2. (who knew!!). Step 2: The front post goes in at an angle - hint, pull wire through it using a hemostat or slim tongs. Step 3: Put the two top screws in first - just is easier. Step 4: Grrr - why don’t they label things. I set the end (by where feet go) of the rower up on the Styrofoam to make it easier to get to. The pedal support tube is already attached to the foot pedals (I thought I had to do that) The pedal support tube kinda angles into the bottom of the main frame. Using the Styrofoam really made a huge difference for me. Step 5: Before putting bolts in, use the Philips head screwdriver to ream out the holes a bit. Step 6: Skip and do step 7 first. Step 7 I tightened my bolts as I went and then the last two bolts wouldn"t “seat”. My husband suggested loosening them and wriggle the bolts and the other two bolts “seated”. Hmm who knew. Step 6: Just attach with the rollers on the bottom. Step 10 - I did need to have sweet husband lift from the middle so that I could insert the locking pin. I hope this helps anyone frustrated with the paper instructions.
Previously I owned an old Concept 2 rower and kept hurting myself - pain in neck and scapula so I sold it. I now have a Dr. who can work out any problems that I develop. I always loved the rower but after about 2 weeks I would hurt myself and quit. But, I’m ready to try again. I REALLY like that this is much quieter than the Concept 2. The C2 had a chain and fan. This one has a material type pull attached to the handlebar. this made me nervous - what if it ripped and I fell backwards. My husband suggested that I would probably not be that rigorous. Hmmm. The seat really is sooo comfortable. I’ll purchase a gel pad if I find that I need it. I’m 69, female and wanting to increase my endurance. My husband has Parkinson’s and is going to need my help in the future and I want to be healthy enough to do that. Good luck with the assembly - I hope this helped anyone who is not very mechanical like me.
I’m glad that I purchased the rower, the box was pretty beat up when it came. I tipped it end over end to get it into the house. (I’m only 5 foot). Everything was in the box. I also found a rectangular steel box, with the ends off but never found what it was used for. I used all of my nuts and bolts, etc except the two bolts that were on the steel protective frame that I removed. Good luck