First Degree Fitness PacificChallenge AR User manual

Owners Manual

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1. The Fluid Rower can stand vertically for storage. Make sure a secure
location is chosen, such as in the corner of a room.
2. Keep hands and fingers away from moving parts, as indicated by the
warning sticker on the mainframe of your machine.
CAUTION
Training with the Fluid Rower
1. As with any piece of fitness equipment, consult a physician before
beginning your Fluid Rower Exercise Program.
2. Follow instructions provided in this manual for correct foot position
and basic rowing techniques.
3. For detailed rowing techniques refer to our international website at
www.firstdegreefitness.com

3
Contents
Fluid Rower Box Contents
Installing the Seat and Rear Leg to Seat Rail
Installing the Seat Rail to Mainframe
Installing the Vertical Seat Rail Tensioning Bolt
Fine Tuning the Fluid Rower
Adjustable Resistance (AR)Tank
Getting Started
Developing Your Routine
Note on Filling the AR Tank
Tank Filling and Water Treatment
Removing/Changing Tank Water
Slider Footplate
How to Row?
How Often?
Fluid Rower Computer
Using the First Degree Fitness USB Interface
Detaching the Fluid Rower Belt
Reattaching the Fluid Rower Belt
Removing the Bungee Shock Cord
Replacing the Bungee Shock Cord
Troubleshooting
Warranty
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6
8
9
9
11
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12
13
14
15
16
16
17
18
19
19
20
21
22
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Fluid Rower Box Contents
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Item Description Item Description
1 Main Frame 14 6mm Allen key
2 Seat Rail (boxed separately) 15 AA batteries (x2)
3 Fluid Rower Seat 16 Vertical Seat Rail Bolt Dampener
4 M10x95mm Bolt 17 Multi-tool
5 M10 Washer 18
Water Treatment Conditioner(4x
tablets)
6 M10 Washer 19 Siphon
7 M10 Dome Nut 20 Rear Leg
8 M10 Nylock Nut 21 Internal Seat Rail Bracket
9 M10 Washer 22 Rear Rubber Bumpstop
10 Plastic Dome cap 23 Rubber End Cap
11 M10x180mm Seat Rail Bolt 24 M8x15mm Rear Leg Bolts (x2)
12 Owners Manual 25 M6x10 Countersink Bolts (x2)
13 8mm Allen Key 26 M8 Washer (x2)

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Installing the Seat and Rear Leg to Seat Rail
Indentation
Fluid Rower
Seat Rail
Fluid Rower
Underside of
Seat Rail
Beveled edge
M6x10mm Bolts
Rubber
Bumpstop
Install the Fluid Rower Seat[3] onto the
Seat Rail[2] as shown, with seat inden-
tation facing rearward.
Next, install Rear Bumpstop[22] on un-
derside of Seat Rail using 2x M6x10mm
bolts[25]. Beveled edge must face for-
ward.
Rear Leg Assembly:
Rear Leg[20]
Internal Seat Rail Bracket[21]
M8x15mm Bolt[24]
M8 Washer[26]

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Internal Seat Rail Bracket
Rear Leg
M8x15mm bolts/washers
Install front M8x15mm bolt[24] and M8
washer[26] first.
Tip:
Mount Rear Leg as shown, aligning the
M8x15mm bolts[24] and M8 washers
[26] up through the Rear Leg, the bottom
of the Seat Rail and threading into the
Internal Seat Rail Bracket as illustrated.
Install Rubber End Cap[23]once Rear
Leg assembly is completed.

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Installing the Seat Rail to Mainframe
Tank
M10x95mm bolt[4] and 2xM10 washer
[5][6]
Align Seat Rail and Mainframe here.
Insert the Seat Rail until it just slightly protrudes behind the Footplate. Shown here
is the installation/alignment point for the M10x95mm Horizontal Seat Rail Bolt, M10
Washer and Dome Nut. Install and secure.
M10x95mm Bolt[4], M10 Washer[9]
and Dome Nut[7].

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The Vertical Seat Rail Tensioning Bolt is designed to hold the mid leg 3-5mm off the
ground when the Fluid Rower is un-weighted, and just slightly touch the ground dur-
ing a rowing stroke.
Tighten the assembly until the Mid Leg begins to lift off of the ground as shown be-
low.
If excessive head shaking/hopping occurs during rowing, the likely cause is the Ver-
tical Seat Rail Tensioning Bolt being out of adjustment.
Mid Leg
Fine Tuning the Fluid Rower:
Installing the Vertical Seat Rail Tensioning Bolt
Install the Vertical Seat Rail Tensioning
Bolt through the Seat Rail as shown,
then fit the Vertical Seat Rail bolt Damp-
ener onto the bolt between the bottom of
the Seat Rail and the lower frame (not
shown) before securing bolt with M10
Nylock Nut and Washer
Do not tighten. See following page for
correct height adjustment.
180mm Vertical Seat Rail Tensioning
Bolt[11], Plastic Dome Cap[10], Vertical
seat rail bolt dampener[16],M10 Ny-
lock[8] and M10 Washer[9].
See page-10
3-5mm off the floor is ideal

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Close up view of the Vertical Seat Rail
Tensioning Bolt M10 Nylock location.
Tension the Vertical Seat Rail Tensioning
Bolt as shown here.

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The Adjustable Resistance (AR) Tank, developed and patented by First Degree Fit-
ness, offers a true multi-level experience. Water is moved between the "storage"
and "active" chambers of the AR Tank. Your new Rowing Ergometer can adapt at
the turn of a dial to the resistance preferred by each user in the home environment.
Adjustable Resistance (AR) Tank
Getting Started 
To achieve minimum resistance, select "MIN" on the tank adjuster. It takes 10
strokes to fill the central (storage) tank, leaving a minimal amount of water in the
outer (active) tank. This process is always required if minimum resistance is desired.
Row hard at a steady pace (20 to 25 strokes per minute [SPM]) and put some effort
into the stroke, ensuring that good form is maintained. You can make adjustments to
the resistance level while you row. Your Rowing Ergometer will adapt almost instant-
ly to increases in resistance but will take up to 10 strokes to reduce the effort re-
quired, as the central (storage) tank fills up.
Developing Your Routine
Once you have found a level that gives you the exercise required, changes can be
made to SPM and to stroke intensity to further vary your energy input. Interval
training is used by most Fluid Rowers, where a period of low intensity is combined
with short intervals of high intensity. Your FDF Rowing Ergometer allows for chang-
es 'on the fly', to achieve multi-level resistance profiles during a single workout. For
more information on exercise routines, please visit our website at
www.firstdegreefitness.com
MAX: This setting allows the maximum
amount of water to reach the fly-
wheel for heaviest resistance
———
———
MIN: Keeps a portion of the water in
reserve creating light resistance.

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Note on Filling the AR Tank
Important: Please Read Before Filling Tank:
When filling the AR tank, the adjuster handle must be set to the “MAX” position
as shown to allow accurate fill levels.
Using any other setting other than “MAX” will result in inaccurate fill levels and in
extreme cases could cause leakage to occur during use or when stored in the
standing position.
DO NOT overfill the tank beyond the maximum indicated level of 17 litres. Refer to
the Tank Level Decal on the lower side of the tank.
Caution:

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Water Treatment Procedures:
Add Water Treatment Conditioner.
Note: The amount of water treatment can vary widely depending on the Fluid
Rower’s location and exposure to sunlight. DO NOT, UNDER AN CIRCUMSTANC-
ES USE ANY TREATMENT TABLETS OTHER THAN THOSE SUPPLIED WITH
YOUR ROWER. Your Fluid Rower box contents include 4x Water Treatment Con-
ditioner, which is sufficient for several years of water treatment. Treat when water
becomes discolored or shows signs of Algae/Bacterial growth. To purchase addi-
tional Water Treatment Conditioner, please consult your nearest regional
dealer/distributor or check our website at www.firstdegreefitness.com
Tank Filling and Water Treatment
1. Remove Rubber Fill Plug from the top of the tank.
2. Place a large bucket of water next to the Fluid Rower and position siphon with
the rigid hose in the bucket and the flexible hose into the tank as shown. Note:
Make sure small breather valve on the top of the siphon is closed before filling.
Note: Where water quality is known to be poor, FDF recommends the use of
distilled water.
3. Begin filling tank by squeezing siphon. Use Level Gauge Decal on side of tank to
measure volume of water in tank. Important: Do not overfill tank!
4. After filling tank to the desired water level, open the valve on the top of the
siphon to allow excess water to escape.
5. Ensure that Tank Plug is replaced once filling and water treatment procedures
are complete.
Tips on Siphon use: Putting the fill bucket higher than the tank will allow the
siphon to "self-pump" when adding water to the tank.
Tank plug
Siphon
Fill tank
with
adjuster
handle set
to “MAX”
only.
Tank Filling and Water Treatment Pro-
cedures
Note: 17 liters of water is required for
maximum filling.
Caution:
Use a drop cloth under the tank when filling the tank to avoid
staining floor or carpet.

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1. Set Adjuster handle to “MIN”
2. Row at least ten strokes to fill the storage reservoir as completely as possible.
3. Remove Tank Plug.
4. Insert rigid end of siphon into the tank, and flexible hose into a large bucket.
5. Drain tank (approx. 40% of water will remain) and then refill following directions
for Tank filling as described in the Tank Filling section of this manual.
Note: The valve on top of the siphon must be closed to allow proper drain age.
Note: Water treatment will preclude the need to change tank water if the treatment
schedule is maintained. Additional chlorine is required only when discolora-
tion appears in the water.
Note: Exposure to sunlight affects the water. Moving the Fluid Rower away from
direct sunlight.
Set Adjuster handle to “MIN”
Row a minimum of ten complete strokes before commenc-
ing tank draining. Remove tank plug, insert rigid end of
siphon into tank and begin draining.
NOTE: Approximately 40% of tank water will remain. It is
not possible to completely drain the A/R tank without disas-
sembly.
Removing/Changing Tank Water:

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Slider Footplate
Never operate this Fluid Rower without feet properly secured in Footstraps, or with-
out the sliding portion of the Slider Footplate locked into position!
To adjust, lift and slide
Mounting pegs
Footstrap
The Slider Footplate is designed to fit a wide range of foot sizes, and is very simple
to use.
To adjust, lift the top of the sliding portion of the footplate and slide up or down.
The numbers 1-6 represent a guideline from which the proper length can be deter-
mined. Secure the plate onto the mounting pegs and push down firmly to lock into
position.
Tighten the Footstraps securely and begin your workout.
WARNING:

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1. Begin the stroke comfortably forward and push strongly back with your legs while
keeping your arms and back straight.
2. Begin to pull your arms back as they pass over your knees and continue the
stroke through to completion rocking slightly back over your pelvis.
3. Return to the starting position and repeat.
4. For further details regarding rowing technique please refer to our international
website at www.firstdegreefitness.com
How to Row?
Catch
Comfortably for-
ward with
straight back and
arms.
Drive
Push with the
legs while arms
remain straight.
Finish
Pull through with arms
and legs rocking
slightly back on your
pelvis.
Recovery
Upper body tips
forward over
your pelvis and
move forward.
Catch
Catch and begin
again.
How Often?
Begin with 5 minute training sessions once a day and aim for around 2:30 to 2:45
for 500m time. Row at a pace that keeps the water circulating continuously be-
tween strokes.
Progress a few minutes more each day until you are comfortable with 30-45
minutes training time 3 or 4 times a week.
This will provide aerobic endurance benefits, muscle toning and sufficient calorie
burning to form part of a weight loss program.
CAUTION
Always consult a doctor before beginning an exercise program.
Stop immediately if you feel faint or dizzy.

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Fluid Rower Computer
Options:
Auto Start: Commence rowing to activate.
Reset all values: Hold button down for 3 second first to RESET.
Distance: Add 100m distance, up to 1000m then add 500m, each button push to
accumulate required distance then begin rowing to initiate distance
count down
Auto-Pause: A temporary halt in exercise will result in the following:
For over 5 seconds and under 5 minutes:
SPM/500METER/WATT to zero.
Distance/TIME values are saved.
CAL per hour defaults to Total CAL.
A Resumption in exercise in less than 5 minutes will resume Dis-
tance/TIME/ from saved values automatically.
Auto Power Down: Over 5 minutes. All values revert to zero after restart.
Computer Instructions:
TIME: Auto start elapsed time.
500M TIME: Time to row 500 meters, up-
dated at the completion of
each stroke.
PULSE: Requires optional receiver and
chest strap (sold separately).
SPM: Strokes per minute updated each
stroke.
WATT: Unit of power updated per rowing
stroke.
CAL HOUR: Updated each stroke.
Use the LEVEL UP/ DOWN buttons in
conjunction with the Fluid Tank Resistance
Adjuster handle for accurate 500M/
Distance/CAL/WATTS.
MAX:
——
——
MIN:

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Description:
The USB connectivity now built in to all new models of FDF Console and IPM allow
you to enhance your exercise experience by connecting to your home PC or Laptop.
Using FDF's own sample applications you can exercise while enjoying your favorite
movies. NetAthlon 2 XF for Fluid Rowers lets you race with other Internet connected
Fluid Rowers in a Virtual Reality 3D environment or train solo.

Setting up USB connectivity
1.Download and Install the USB Device Driver (CDM2xxxx_Setup.exe for 32 and
64 bit Windows 7/Vista/XP) from the FDF Website.

2.Download and Install the Sample USB Applications from the FDF Website
(www.firstdegreefitness.com).
Download and Install NetAthlon 2 XF for Fluid Rowers from
http://www.webracing.org/downloads.htm
Connecting your console
- The USB Connector is located on a flying lead at the rear of the IPM, along with
the Sensor and Heart Rate Monitor Connectors.
- Connect to a Laptop or PC using a standard USB cable, you may need to wait
while Windows starts the USB Device Driver.
Using the First Degree Fitness USB Interface
Note: Please refer to computer manual where applicable or for further
information refer to our website at www.firstdegreefitness.com

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Detaching the Fluid Rower Belt
Reattaching the Fluid Rower Belt
Idle Wheel
Velcro facing
upward
Fluid Rower
Handle
Belt/Bungee Pulley
Bungee Shock Cord
Bungee Attachment Point
1. To detach belt, simply pull beyond the
range of the normal rowing stroke un-
til the belt detaches from the Belt
Bungee Pulley.
Tip: You’ll hear the Velcro separating
just before the belt detaches.
2. Cut plastic tie holding bungee at the
Bungee Attachment Point, pull the
Cord through all three pulleys and
leave excess on top of the tank for
now.
1. Begin reattaching the Fluid Rower
Belt by threading around the Fluid
Rower Belt Pulley with the Velcro side
facing upward as illustrated.
2. Next, thread the Belt around the Idle
Wheel as shown. Once around the
Idle Wheel, attach the Fluid Rower
Belt to the Belt/Bungee Pulley. There
is an obvious “lip” at the attachment
point.
3. Wind the Fluid Rower Belt onto the
Belt/Bungee Pulley until the Fluid
Rower Handle is as it’s furthest for-
ward position.

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Bungee Shock Cord
Bungee Pulley
Removing the Bungee Shock Cord
4.Rethread the Bungee Shock Cord (on
opposite side of the Idle Wheel) back
through the Bungee Pulleys and tie off
at the Attachment Point.
Bungee
Shock Cord
Bungee Attachment
Upper Frame
Upper Frame Hole
Belt/ Bungee Pulley
First, move the Rowing Handle to it’s far-
thest forward point on the Mainframe,
then cut the plastic end tie and follow the
drawing above for bungee removal.
Next, remove the Upper Frame Plug to
allow the Bungee Shock Cord to be
threaded through the top of the frame.
Note: You will need to rotate the Belt/
Bungee Pulley to align the holes proper-
ly. Should the belt drop off of during the
bungee change, please refer to the previ-
ous pages for “Attaching/Reattaching
the Fluid Rower Belt”.
Once Bungee Cord and Upper Frame
Hole are aligned, push the Bungee Cord
up and through the frame as shown.
Hint
If Bungee Shock Cords previous tension seemed
correct (a good way to judge is if the Fluid Rower
Handle can make it to the furthest point forward
on the top of the Mainframe under bungee ten-
sion alone) then simply tie off at previous posi-
tion. If the return is too slack, experiment by
the tension in small increments and testing until the correct tension is achieved. If
the Fluid Rower Handle cannot reach the end of the seat rail during a rowing
stroke, then the Bungee Shock Cord is over-tensioned.