Select and compare
Domyos Initial Rower 100 vs. Merach R15B4 Rudergerät compared
Rowing Machine
At a glance
The key numbers for both devices side by side.
Overall rating
7070Solide
7272Solide
Value for money
76Fair
73Fair
Best price
€249.99
€229.49€269.99−15 %
Price advantage
—
€20.50 cheaper
Offers
1 shop
3 shops
Rank in category
Rank 41 of 62
Rank 38 of 62
Rating
Sub-ratings compared
Domyos Initial Rower 100Overall rating 70Merach R15B4 RudergerätOverall rating 72
Domyos Initial Rower 100Merach R15B4 Rudergerät
Stroke feel & resistance62/10072/100
Ergonomics & stability66/10077/100
Console & app72/10064/100
Noise level82/10088/100
Footprint & handling84/10075/100
Build quality & ease of use76/10076/100
Stroke feel & resistance
62
72
Ergonomics & stability
66
77
Console & app
72
64
Noise level
82
88
Footprint & handling
84
75
Build quality & ease of use
76
76
Specs
Specs compared
Key specs
Brand
Model
Initial Rower 100
R15B4
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)
158 kg (350 lb)
Max. user heightRecommended maximum user height according to the manufacturer.
180 cm (5 ft 11 in)
193 cm (6 ft 4 in)
Rail lengthUsable length of the rail according to the manufacturer, not the overall length of the rowing machine.
130 cm (51 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
Flywheel weightWeight of the flywheel according to the manufacturer, not the effective flywheel mass.
3.5 kg (7.7 lb)
Operating noise (normal pace)Noise level when rowing steadily at medium resistance, measured or according to the manufacturer, not when sprinting.
20 dB
FootrestsFootplate design according to the manufacturer; this refers to the adjustability of the heel support.
Height-adjustable
Resistance levelsNumber of adjustable resistance levels according to the manufacturer; enter 0 for purely speed-dependent resistance.
10 levels
16 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)
187.2 × 46.7 × 75.4 cm (74 × 18 × 30 in)
Dimensions (stored)Folded or stood upright in cm, length × width × height – only for foldable models
Höhe 184 cm (senkrecht aufgestellt)
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)
24 kg (53 lb)
Frame materialMaterial of the load-bearing frame according to the manufacturer, not the housing.
Steel
Console
DisplayType of built-in monitor according to the manufacturer; a tablet holder alone doesn’t count as a display.
LED display
LED 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
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
Compatible appsWhich apps can control or record the rowing machine, according to the manufacturer; the manufacturer app counts too
Manufacturer appKinomap
Manufacturer appKinomap
Bluetooth FTMSOpen Bluetooth protocol for fitness equipment – lets apps outside our list connect too
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
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
General
Warranty
5 years
2 years
Price segment
Budget
Model year
2025
In the box
Rudergerät, Konsole, Batterien, Montageanleitung, Montagewerkzeug
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 Merach R15B4 ist ein leises, klappbares Magnet-Rudergerät, das seinen Strom per Generator selbst erzeugt und deshalb keine Steckdose braucht. Für Einsteiger und Hobbysportler in Mietwohnungen halten wir es für eine stimmige Wahl, auch die 130 cm lange Schiene gibt großen Nutzern Platz. Der Haken: Fortgeschrittenen reicht der Widerstand nicht, und die App-Automatik hängt an einer in Tests fehleranfälligen App.
Pros
- Magnetbremse kaum hörbar, laut Hersteller unter 20 dB
- Kein Netzteil nötig dank Generator im Schwungrad
- 130 cm lange Schiene, laut Hersteller für Nutzer bis 193 cm
- Widerstand in 16 Stufen am Griff oder per App verstellbar
- Klappbar und mit Transportrollen leicht zu verstauen
- Beleuchtetes Display und integrierte Tablethalterung
Cons
- Spitzenwiderstand von laut Hersteller 40 kg für Fortgeschrittene zu gering
- Merach-App in mehreren Tests fehleranfällig und unausgereift
- Kalorien- und Leistungswerte nur geschätzt, keine Genauigkeitsklasse
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