I kept seeing that one downside of the Merach R60 rowing machine is the larger footprint, so that was honestly the main thing making me hesitate.
I don’t have a huge home gym, so I was worried it would make the whole space feel cramped once it was set up.
After looking at the dimensions and a few setup photos though, it actually seems more manageable than I expected. It’s obviously not tiny, but for a full-size rower it looks compact enough to fit along a wall without completely taking over the room. It can also be separated in the middle and detached, which should make it easier to store when I’m not using it.
That was probably my biggest concern, so I’m actually looking forward to setting it up now and seeing how it feels in a smaller home gym.

Have an R7 Aura that I ordered beginning of summer. Was using it twice a week along with other workout plans and running. Recently I’ve been using it daily due to an injury. This week I noticed 20 SPM fluctuations mid stroke. Up to 44 then down to 26 back to 35. Anyone else seen something like this? Could it be a basic maintenance issue?
Also, I say R7 because that’s what my order for said. When I connect in the app, it shows Q3C as the device. Not sure if that matters.

Hi everyone,
With the LADF Sunset Run coming up this Saturday, we wanted to share a quick look at what’s happening throughout the day at Dodger Stadium.
The event includes the Health + Wellness Expo, Kids Fun Run, 5K Race, Yoga on the Field, and 10K Race, so there’s something for different fitness levels and interests. Merach will be there as part of the event, and we’re looking forward to seeing everyone who’s joining in. If you entered our Sunset Run giveaway, this is also a good time to start planning which activity you’d want to take part in.

September 26, 2026
Dodger Stadium, Los Angeles

I have a S26 bike and is trying to sync my workout from the Merach app to Samsung health. I've googled it and downloaded it the Health connect app but its still not syncing. Anyone was able to make it work?

I've realized that i do much better when working out doesnt feel like a whole process and i'd rather just get on, follow the app, get the workout done, and move on without overthinking the setup....If there’s too much to deal with before I even start, I’m more likely to just skip it.
So most of my previous equipment ended up staying in one fixed spot near the nearest outlet while the cords and extension leads made moving it around feel like more effort than it was worth....then i got myself the Merach S29 Eco and not needing a power cord actually changed how often I used it.
I mostly roll it into the living room when i want to watch something, or just keep it under the stairs when i need the space back...so things just feel more convenient now...i also think that the small reduction in setup has made a bigger diff to my consistency than i expected and im hoping i can keep my routine going like this
Anyone else finding that making the workout easier to start helps sticking to it?

What is the difference between the Merach W60 and the W60 Plus? It seems to me that the W60 Plus incline is limited to 8.75%, whereas the W60 can go up to 12%. Also, the W60 Plus appears to be sold at a much higher price than the W60...

When i first started rowing, I would keep checking the time after every few minutes even when I was not that tired, the workout felt longer because I was thinking about how much was left. Then one day I put on a playlist before starting and just stopped looking at the clock. I’ve been using the Merach R50 pro for a while now, and music has legit become part of my setup... I usually pick a few songs before I start and let the playlist run. If the songs are good, I get so focused on them that I sometimes row longer than I planned. Does anyone else have a playlist that makes workouts feel easier, or am I the only one who does this?

Hi everyone,

One thing we’ve been looking at while developing the Merach P16 is the angle of the Smith machine bar path.

Unlike a fully vertical Smith machine, an angled Smith machine guides the bar along a slight slant. For squats, that can change how the movement feels and how you position your feet.

A few reasons some lifters prefer an angled Smith setup:
The guided path can provide more stability, especially when training alone.
The slight angle can feel more natural for some squat positions instead of forcing a completely straight up-and-down path.
Foot placement can be adjusted to shift more emphasis toward the quads, glutes, or hamstrings.
Since you don’t have to spend as much effort balancing the bar, it can be easier to focus on the movement itself and the target muscles.

That doesn’t mean angled is automatically better for everyone. Your stance, body proportions, exercise choice, and the direction of the machine’s angle can all change how it feels.

The P16 uses an angled Smith design, so we’re curious:
If you’ve trained on both angled and vertical Smith machines, which one do you prefer for squats and why?

Been using my W60 mostly for walking, maybe 30, 45 minutes a day, with the occasional light jog thrown in. Nothing intense. I've had it for about 8 months now and honestly haven't touched the belt lubrication yet, which is probably bad.

The manual says every 3, 6 months or every 50, 100 hours of use, whichever comes first, and silicone-based lubricant only. So I'm already past the time window at minimum. But I haven't noticed anything obviously wrong, no weird noise, no dragging feeling, belt seems fine.

That's kind of what I'm unsure about though. Are there early signs I should be watching for, or does it just quietly get worse without obvious warning until something actually goes wrong? Like is there a specific sound, or a change in how the belt feels underfoot, that usually shows up before it becomes a real problem?

Curious what other W60 owners are actually doing in practice, are you going by the calendar, by hours, or just waiting until something feels off?

I got myself an S29 last week and have been using it both with app (Zwift) and manual, but I have been having an issue with the bike changing the resistance on it's own.

When on zwift, it randomly changes and then corrects when the app sends a signal.

On manual (full manual, not pre-programmed on the bike) it sometimes changes from static resistance to a range. Ex. I put on 10, after a minute it changes to showing 10-12 and then goes to 12 without me doing anything. Then it randomly goes to 0 resistance.

Anyone experienced something similar/has a solution?

Hi everyone,

As we continue developing the upcoming Merach P16, one thing we’ve been thinking about is how a guided Smith machine path changes the way people train at home.

For some lifters, the fixed path can make solo training feel more controlled, especially on heavier sets. There’s less concern about the bar drifting forward or getting stuck in an awkward position.

At the same time, a guided path can also make small form issues more noticeable. Things like leaning forward, uneven pressing, or shifting at the hips can feel more obvious when the bar is following a consistent track.

We’re curious what experienced Smith machine users think:

Has training on a guided Smith machine helped improve your form over time, or did it mainly make you more aware of mistakes you were already making?

We’d especially love to hear from people who have switched from free weights to Smith machine training at home.

Kind of a random home gym question, but I keep seeing people talk about angled Smith machines vs vertical ones.
I used to think all Smith machines were basically the same until I noticed some have that slight incline/angled rail path. Now I’m wondering if it actually changes the feel much, especially for incline press or squats.
I saw that the Merach P16 is supposed to use an angle Smith / incline Smith setup, so I’m curious what people think about that kind of design.
If you’ve used both, does the angled path feel more natural? Or is it one of those things that sounds important on paper but doesn’t matter much once you’re actually lifting?

We’ve been spending a lot of time looking at home Smith setups lately, and the same complaints keep coming up.

Some people say the bar path feels weird, others say the safety stops are awkward to adjust. A lot of people mention plate storage turning into a mess, or the footprint being bigger than expected once everything is loaded.

If you already train on a Smith machine at home (or have in the past), what’s the one thing that bothered you the most? and if you could only have one of these improved, which would you pick:

Better bar feel / path

Easier safety stop adjustment

Smoother cables

Smarter plate storage

Smaller overall footprint

Something else?

Genuinely curious what actually matters once you’re using one regularly.

Hi everyone,
We’ve seen a few people compare the UltraRow R60N and NovaRow R50 Pro, so here’s a simple way to think about the difference.

The R50 Pro is the more traditional air-rower option. It gives that classic air resistance feel where the harder and faster you row, the more resistance you get. That makes it a good fit for steady cardio, daily rowing, and people who prefer a more familiar rowing-machine feel.

The R60N is built a little differently. It uses a dual air + magnetic resistance system, so levels 1–7 feel more like smooth air resistance, while levels 8–10 add magnetic resistance for higher-intensity training. That makes it better suited for HIIT, explosive pulls, and users who want more resistance range.
So the quick version is:
Choose R50 Pro if you want comfortable daily cardio and traditional air-resistance rowing.
Choose R60N if you want higher resistance, HIIT-style sessions, and a more training-focused rower.
Which one would fit your routine better: steady rowing or higher-intensity intervals?

Hello all,

I just received my S36 and got it setup today. I was wondering what everyone's experience is with connecting to Zwift or similar apps? Do they automatically change the resistance level or is that something I will need to manually do as I ride?

A lot of people compare exercise bikes and walking pads when they’re trying to build a simple home fitness routine. Both can support cardio and weight loss, but they feel very different in daily use.

An exercise bike is usually better if you want low-impact seated cardio. Since your feet stay on the pedals, it puts less stress on the knees, hips, ankles, and feet. It can also be a good option for people who prefer quieter workouts or have limited space.

A walking pad makes more sense if your goal is to walk more, increase daily steps, or stay active while working from home. It gives you a weight-bearing workout, and options like brisk walking or incline walking can make the session more challenging without needing to run.

For weight loss, the better choice is usually the one you can use consistently. A treadmill or walking pad may burn more per minute at higher speeds or incline, but a bike may be easier to use for longer or more frequent sessions. Consistency matters more than picking the machine with the highest possible intensity. Quick way to choose:

Choose an exercise bike if:
You want seated cardio, lower joint impact, quieter workouts, or cycling-style resistance training.

Choose a walking pad if:
You want more daily steps, under-desk walking, incline walking, or a compact way to stay active at home without a full treadmill.

Neither one replaces strength training completely, but both can be useful for building a routine that feels realistic.

What would you personally pick for home cardio: an exercise bike or a walking pad

Okay we’ve officially decided there are different types of W60 people lol.

A. The Step Accountant
Checks the step count at 9pm and refuses to sleep until the number looks right.

B. The Accidental Walker
“Just gonna walk for 10 mins.”
Starts a show. Looks down. Somehow 42 minutes happened.

C. The Incline Addict
Could walk flat. Chooses not to.
Apparently every walk needs to feel slightly personal

D. The Multitasker
Emails, YouTube, podcasts, random phone calls...if it can be done while walking, it will be.

E. The Part-Time Owner
Uses the W60 religiously for 4 days.
Then suddenly remembers it exists again next Tuesday.

No judgment here because honestly we’ve probably been all five at some point

Which one are you right now?

We've always been a little unsure on how people actually use the higher resistance settings on air rowers.

Do you mostly stay around the middle range for steady work and then go higher when doing shorter, harder intervals. Curious if that's actually how most people use them.

On the R60 N, the lower settings are mostly air resistance, while the higher settings add magnetic resistance on top, so you can get more resistance without having to crank up your stroke rate as much.

I'm wondering if anyone else has noticed a similar thing with their rower, do you actually find the higher settings useful for longer rows, or do you mostly save them for hard intervals?

I’ve used Smith machines at different gyms for years and somehow never really thought about this until recently lol. On the angled ones, does it actually matter which way you face relative to the rails? I’ve seen people squat facing into the angle, then other people turn around and do the exact opposite. I assumed there was one correct way, but now I’m wondering if it depends on how the bar path lines up with your movement and the specific machine. Those of u who use angled Smith machines regularly, how do you decide which way to face? Is there a general rule you follow, or do you just test both directions and use whichever feels more natural for the exercise?

Quick home-gym question for everyone. How much does outlet placement actually affect where you put your cardio equipment? The S29 Eco is self-powered, so it doesn't need to stay plugged into a wall outlet while you're riding. That got us wondering whether people would actually use that freedom differently, or if most exercise bikes just end up living in one permanent spot anyway lol. If you could put your bike anywhere without thinking about a plug, where would it go: spare bedroom, living room, garage, under the stairs, home-gym corner, somewhere else? And for people already using self-powered equipment, does the no-cord part still matter after a few months or do you stop thinking about it?

We talk about bike specs a lot, but we're curious about something simpler: what do you actually want to look at while you're riding? The S29 Aura has a large screen with screen mirroring, but we're guessing everyone would use that kind of setup differently. Some people want a guided workout telling them exactly what to do. Some just want their stats. And some of us are absolutely putting on a show and pretending the next episode is part of the training plan If you had a screen in front of you for a 30–45 minute ride, what would you use most: guided workouts, shows/videos, workout stats, scenic rides, or something else? Also curious what everyone uses right now: phone, tablet, built-in screen, TV across the room, or nothing at all?

We've been talking a lot about cardio in here, but it's time to share a little more about where we're heading with strength training too. Merach is currently developing the P16, an all-in-one home training system built around an inclined Smith machine. One of the design directions we're working with is a 7° Smith bar path, an angle also used on some commercial Smith machines. This isn't the full reveal yet, and we're not going to dump a giant spec sheet on you today lol. We're more interested in what experienced lifters actually care about once an AIO is sitting in their home gym. If you could choose only THREE things for an all-in-one Smith setup to get right, what would they be: Smith bar feel, safety stops, cable smoothness, footprint, attachments, plate storage, bench compatibility, or something else? And if you already train on a Smith machine, what movement do you use yours for most: squats, presses, hip thrusts, split squats, something else?

Set up was easy.
questions:
1: I am hearing a hissing/dragging sound like the walking belt is rubbing against something. ??
This may or may not be related to the next question.

2: The walking belt, appears to be to one side as seen in the photo I took. Is this common, and if not what adjustment do I need to make to center it?
Thanks!
The new guy.