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Domyos Initial Rower 100 vs. Domyos Rudergerät 500B compared
Rowing Machine
At a glance
The key numbers for both devices side by side.
Overall rating
7070Solide
7171Solide
Value for money
76Fair
58Okay
Best price
€249.99
€449.99
Price advantage
€200.00 cheaper
—
Offers
1 shop
1 shop
Rank in category
Rank 41 of 62
Rank 40 of 62
Rating
Sub-ratings compared
Domyos Initial Rower 100Overall rating 70Domyos Rudergerät 500BOverall rating 71
Domyos Initial Rower 100Domyos Rudergerät 500B
Stroke feel & resistance62/10068/100
Ergonomics & stability66/10066/100
Console & app72/10066/100
Noise level82/10090/100
Footprint & handling84/10084/100
Build quality & ease of use76/10063/100
Stroke feel & resistance
62
68
Ergonomics & stability
66
66
Console & app
72
66
Noise level
82
90
Footprint & handling
84
84
Build quality & ease of use
76
63
Specs
Specs compared
Key specs
Brand
Model
Initial Rower 100
500B
Resistance systemBraking system according to the manufacturer; for combination models, select the hybrid option.
Magnetic brake
Magnetic brake
Max. loadMaximum user weight according to the manufacturer, not the unit’s own weight.
110 kg (245 lb)
130 kg (285 lb)
Max. user heightRecommended maximum user height according to the manufacturer.
180 cm (5 ft 11 in)
195 cm (6 ft 5 in)
FoldableAccording to the manufacturer, the rowing machine can be folded or stored upright; transport wheels alone don’t count.
Yes
Yes
App connectivityAccording to the manufacturer, the rowing machine pairs with at least one training app (manufacturer app or third-party app such as Kinomap).
Yes
Yes
Resistance & drive
Resistance adjustmentType of resistance adjustment according to the manufacturer; air or water rowing machines without a damper or magnet count as speed-dependent.
Electronic, stepped
Electronic, stepped
Pull mechanismType of power transmission according to the manufacturer; list center pull with chain or strap separately.
Strap
Strap
Flywheel weightWeight of the flywheel according to the manufacturer, not the effective flywheel mass.
3.5 kg (7.7 lb)
6.2 kg (14 lb)
FootrestsFootplate design according to the manufacturer; this refers to the adjustability of the heel support.
Height-adjustable
Fixed
Resistance levelEditorial assessment of the maximum resistance reached in reviews, not the number of levels.
Medium
Resistance levelsNumber of adjustable resistance levels according to the manufacturer; enter 0 for purely speed-dependent resistance.
10 levels
15 levels
Dimensions & installation
Dimensions (L × W × H)Set up ready for training in cm, length × width × height – e.g. “210 × 55 × 50 cm”
184 × 40 × 53 cm (72 × 16 × 21 in)
198.3 × 89.5 × 66.3 cm (78 × 35 × 26 in)
Dimensions (stored)Folded or stood upright in cm, length × width × height – only for foldable models
Höhe 184 cm (senkrecht aufgestellt)
80 × 60 × 145 cm (31 × 24 × 57 in)
Transport wheelsAccording to the manufacturer, the rowing machine has wheels for moving it when set up or folded.
Yes
Yes
Unladen weightWeight of the assembled rowing machine without packaging and without water, according to the manufacturer.
26 kg (57 lb)
37 kg (82 lb)
Frame materialMaterial of the load-bearing frame according to the manufacturer, not the housing.
Steel
Steel
Console
DisplayType of built-in monitor according to the manufacturer; a tablet holder alone doesn’t count as a display.
LED display
LCD display
Backlit displayAccording to the manufacturer, the display is backlit.
Yes
Displayed metricsValues the console shows directly according to the spec sheet, not only in the app.
Heart rate
Strokes per minuteDistanceCaloriesTimeTotal strokesPace (time/500 m)Heart rate
Power supplyPower supply of the console according to the manufacturer.
Batteries
Self-powered (generator)
Adjustable consoleAccording to the manufacturer, the monitor’s tilt or height can be adjusted.
Yes
Tablet holderHolder for a tablet or smartphone according to the manufacturer; mark optional accessories separately.
Integrated
Integrated
Programs & connectivity
Workout programsNumber of preinstalled workout programs according to the manufacturer, excluding app workouts.
0 programs
9 programs
Program typesTypes of preinstalled programs according to the spec sheet.
ManualInterval
Compatible appsWhich apps can control or record the rowing machine, according to the manufacturer; the manufacturer app counts too
Manufacturer appKinomap
Manufacturer appKinomapQZ Fitness (qdomyos-zwift)
Bluetooth FTMSOpen Bluetooth protocol for fitness equipment – lets apps outside our list connect too
Yes
Yes
Wireless interfacesWireless connections of the console according to the manufacturer, not those of the chest strap.
Bluetooth
Bluetooth
Heart rate monitoringHow heart rate is measured; empty = no heart rate monitoring
Bluetooth chest strap
Chest strap includedBluetooth chest strap
SubscriptionWhether workouts and screen are fully usable without a subscription (Hydrow, iFit)
optional
Subscription costRegular monthly price of the subscription; empty if there is no subscription
11.99 €/month
Data storage / interfaceType of workout data storage according to the manufacturer, not just the app display.
No storage
Standards & classification
Usage classUsage class under DIN EN ISO 20957 according to the manufacturer.
H – Home use
H – Home use
Product classClassification according to the manufacturer or our editors, based on construction and continuous load capacity.
Entry level
Entry level
General
Warranty
5 years
2 years
Price segment
Budget
Budget
Model year
2025
2021
In the box
Rudergerät, Konsole, Batterien, Montageanleitung, Montagewerkzeug
Rudergerät, Trainingscomputer, Herzfrequenz-Brustgurt, Werkzeug & Schrauben, Bedienungs- und Montageanleitung
Prices
Offers
Verdict
Pros & cons
Der Domyos Initial Rower 100 ist ein leises Magnet-Rudergerät für gelegentliches Einsteigertraining zu Hause. Kinomap per Bluetooth FTMS, Pulsempfang per Gurt oder Uhr und senkrechtes Verstauen bringen mehr, als die Budgetklasse sonst bietet. Der Haken: Zum Schlagende hin lässt der Zug deutlich nach, und geprüft ist er nur bis 110 kg und 1,80 m. Für kräftige oder erfahrene Ruderer halten wir ihn für zu schwach.
Pros
- Magnetbremse mit Gurtzug läuft leise und braucht kein Öl
- Kinomap per Bluetooth FTMS, Puls per Brustgurt oder Sportuhr
- Widerstand in 10 Stufen per Tasten direkt am Griff verstellbar
- Senkrecht verstaubar mit Transportrollen, im Einsatz 184 x 40 cm
- 5 Jahre Garantie, Ersatzteile bis 10 Jahre nach Verkaufsende
- Aufbau in rund 20 Minuten mit sortiertem Werkzeug
Cons
- Zug lässt zum Ende des Ruderschlags deutlich nach
- Nur bis 110 kg und 1,80 m Körpergröße geprüft
- Widerstand für kräftige Ruderer und Oberkörpertraining zu gering
- Keine eigenen Trainingsprogramme, Kalorien nur geschätzt
- Kopplung mit dem Smartphone gelingt vereinzelt nicht auf Anhieb
Das Domyos Rudergerät 500B ist ein leises Einsteigergerät ohne Steckdose, das Kinomap per Bluetooth FTMS den Widerstand selbst verstellen lässt. Es passt für dich, wenn du in der Wohnung regelmäßig Fitness ruderst, aber nicht auf Leistung trainierst. Der Haken: Pulsanzeige und Kalorien sind unzuverlässig, die Fußstützen sind dürftig, und ab etwa 185 cm wird es nach vorn knapp.
Pros
- In Tests sehr leise, Training abends in der Wohnung möglich
- Konsole läuft per Generator ohne Steckdose und Batterien
- Bluetooth FTMS: Kinomap verstellt den Widerstand automatisch
- Herzfrequenz-Brustgurt im Lieferumfang
- Klappbar auf 80 x 60 cm, große Transportrollen rollen auch über Teppich
- Steht auch bei kräftigen Zügen stabil
Cons
- Pulsanzeige in Tests unzuverlässig, dadurch auch Kalorienwerte zu hoch
- Feste Fußstützen mit dünnen Kunststoffschlaufen, Ferse rutscht heraus
- Bewegungsraum nach vorn ab etwa 185 cm knapp
- Konsole startet erst ab etwa 22 Zügen pro Minute, kein Datenspeicher
- Schrauben lösen sich im Dauerbetrieb und müssen regelmäßig nachgezogen werden
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