First Degree Fitness Viking 2 AR User manual

1
Owners Manual
Featuring Patented Adjustable
Fluid Resistance Technology

2
Congratulations on your purchase of the Viking 2AR Rower. First
Degree Fitness is proud to present the Viking 2AR Rower as part
of our exclusive range of commercial and home use products
featuring patented Adjustable Resistance.
Our solid wood frames incorporate only the highest quality
American Ash which is collected using the latest technology in
sustainable harvesting from renewable plantations.
Note that slight variations of colour are normal and part of Mother
nature’s artistry. The wood grain patterns and subtle hues of each
Viking 2 AR Rower makes every unit highly individual and designed
to compliment any environment.
Follow all instructions carefully for correct assembly, tank filling,
water treatment, service and safety.
Access to our world-wide distributor and service network is
available at www.firstdegreefitness.com
Check contents of Box 1 and 2 to assure all parts are present and
correct prior to assembly.

3
Training with the Viking 2 AR Rower
1. As with any piece of fitness equipment, consult a physician before
beginning your Viking AR Rower exercise program.
2. Follow instructions provided in this manual for correct foot position
and basic rowing techniques.
Contents
1. Contents of Viking 2 AR Rower Pack.
2. Assembly.
3. Tank Filling and Water Treatment.
4. Operational Instructions.
5. The Viking 2 AR Rower Computer with Optional USB function
6. Replacing Rower Belt.
7. Maintenance and Troubleshooting.
8. Parts List.
9. Warranty.
1. The Viking 2AR Rower can stand vertically for storage. Make sure
a secure location is chosen, such as the corner of a room or against
a wall.
2. Keep hands and fingers away from moving parts, as indicated in this
manual
CAUTION

4
Viking 2 AR Rower Box Contents
Transport Wheel
Assembly
1x Left Side Rail
1x Right Side Rail
Owners
Manual (1x)
Rear Brace
Siphon
Footboard
Footplate 2x
Rower Seat
Bungee hook
mount
4x Water Treatment Tablet
Mainframe
Rower handle
bar catch
1x 5mm
Allen Key 1x 6mm
Allen Key 16x M8
Washer M8 Standard
Nut 8x M8
Nylock Nut
8x
M8x45mmbolt
1x 13mm
Spanner
4x M6x15mm
bolt 2x M6x45mm
bolt
2x AA
Duracell Battery

5
Side Rail/Rear Brace/Transport Wheel assembly:
Start with the Rear brace and and on the underside you will find a pre-installed bolt. From the hardware
kit, take the Bungee hook mount and install it onto the Rear brace as shown. Note the orientation of the
brace and hook must be correct in order to hold the end of the bungee shock cord as depicted by the
arrow in the illustration, which points toward the front of rower.
Re
a
Transport wheel axle
Transport wheel
Nylock Nut
Washer
Once the Rear brace and Side rails
are assembled, mount the Transport
wheel assembly onto the Left/Right
Side Rails.
Note: One washer on outside and one
washer on the inside of the side rail.
Do not over tighten the Transport
wheel axle as it may inhibit Transport
wheel rotation.
Tip: Bumpstops facing inside of rail
for correct assembly orientation.
Side Rail
Right
Transport wheel assembly
Bungee
Hook mount
M6 x 15mm bolts
Rear brace
(Underside)
Rear brace
M6 x 15mm bolts
Next, connect the Side Rail Left and Side Rail Right using 4x
M6x15mm bolts and Rear Brace. Do not tighten.
Pre-installed bolt
Side Rail Left
Side Rail Right
Side Rail Assembly
Transport wheel
assembly
Towards Front
of Rower
Rotate Rear Brace to correct orienta-
tion before assembly onto Side rails
Note transport wheels
must be mounted on
the outside of Side
Rails as pictured
above.
Bumpstop

6
Mounting Rower Seat and Upper mainframe:
Seat Indentation
To install the rower seat, spread the
Left/Right side rails slightly and drop
the seat into the track.
Note Seat indentation must face
rearward.
Rower Seat
Next, install the Main upper frame onto the Side rail
assembly as shown. You will need 4x M8x45mm
bolts, 8x M8 washers, 4x M8 standard nuts and 4x
M8 Nylock nuts.
Secure but do not tighten. You will find that the
lower bracket bolts can be difficult to access. You
can tighten these bolts completely with the rower
standing in the vertical position easily once the foot-
board has been mounted, so for the moment, simply
align and loosely thread lower bolts/nuts.
M8x45mm bolt
M8 Washer
M8 Washer
M8 Standard nut
M8 Nylock
nut

7
Next, install footplates
onto the Footboard by
sliding under the foot-
plate frames.
TIP: when inserting
footplates, lift the front
of the footplate slightly.
First, undo the rower handle and move forward. Then, install the footboard onto the
main frame using the handle bar catch, 2x M8x65mm bolts for the top of the footboard,
and 4x M8x45mm bolts, 8x M8 washers, 4x M8 standard nuts, 4x M8 nylock nuts for the
lower footboard to side rail assembly. Tighten all assembly bolts once footboard has
been installed. Note the lower bolts are much easier to tighten with the rower standing
in the vertical position.
Attaching Footboard to Mainframe
M8x45mm bolt
M8 Washer
M8 Washer
M8 Standard nut
M8 Nylock
nut
Handle bar
catch
M8x65mm
bolts
Lift slightly here

8
Completing The Viking 2 AR assembly:
Do not cut
Bungee tie wrap
before Bungee
cord is attached
to rear of rower
as shown here.
Pull Bungee Cord and hook Bungee end
onto the Bungee hook mount as shown.
Once the Bungee cord is attached to the
Rear Brace, tighten the bolts holding the
Footboard, the Mainframe to Side rail
bolts as they are easier to access from the
vertical position.
Lower the V2 back to the Horizontal posi-
tion and test for proper bungee recoil.
Check Seat rollers/running boards for dirt
or debris before sitting on the rower seat.
Small objects captured between the seat
rollers and runners can damage the
wheels or running surface. Check runners
for debris prior to each use and clean
regularly.
Note: The V2’s frame bolts require
periodic checking for tightness. Do this at
the end of the first month of use and again
after every 12 months
Choose a suitable location when standing
the product for storage.
The V2 frame can be polished with any
high grade furniture polish to further high-
light the rich luster of the wood finish.
Install supplied 2x AA Duracell batteries
and check computer function. Details
regarding can be found in the Computer
section of this manual.
Choose a flat, level surface on which to
use your Viking Rower, to avoid rocking
and potential premature wear.
Cut Bungee tie wrap ONLY
after Bungee hook is prop-
erly connected to Rear
Brace.

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MAX: This setting allows
the maximum amount of
water to reach the Impeller
for heaviest resistance
———
———
MIN: Keeps a portion of
the water in reserve creat-
ing light resistance.
Adjustable Resistance (AR) Tank:
The Adjustable Resistance (AR) Tank, developed and patented by First Degree Fitness, 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.
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 instantly to increases in resistance but will take up to 10 strokes
to reduce the effort required, as the central (storage) tank fills up.
GETTING STARTED
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 Rowers, where a period of low intensity is combined with short intervals of high inten-
sity. Your FDF Rowing Ergometer allows for changes 'on the fly', to achieve multi-level resis-
tance profiles during a single workout. For more information on exercise routines, please
visit our website at www.firstdegreefitness.com
DEVELOPING YOUR ROUTINE

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Note on Filling the A/R Tank:
Important: Please Read Before Filling Tank:
Set adjuster knob to “MAX”
prior to filling
Caution:
When filling the A/R 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. Refer to the Tank Level Decal
on the lower side of the tank

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1. Remove Rubber Fill Plug from the top of the tank.
2. Place a large bucket of water next to the 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 vol-
ume 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 ex-
cess 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 filling and Water Treatment:
Water Treatment Procedures:
Add Chlorine tablet.
● Note: The amount of water treatment can vary widely depending on the Rower’s lo-
cation and exposure to sunlight. DO NOT, UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES USE
OTHER TREATMET TABLETS OTHER THAN THOSE SUPPLIED WITH YOUR
ROWER. Your rower box contents include 4x water treatment tablets, which is suffi-
cient for several years of water treatment. Treat when water becomes discolored or
shows signs of Algae/Bacterial growth.
●
Tank plug
Siphon
Note: 17 liters of water are required for filling.
DO NOT, UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES
USE ANY OTHER FLUID THEN PURE WATER
TO FILLYOUR FLUID TANK.
Fill tank
with
adjuster
handle set
to “MAX”
only.
Use a drop cloth under the tank when filling or emptying the
tank to avoid staining floor or carpet
Caution:

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Removing/Changing Tank Water:
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 drainage.
Note: Water treatment will preclude the need to change tank water if the treatment schedule is
maintained. Additional chlorine is required only when discoloration appears in the water.
Note: Exposure to sunlight accelerates the breakdown of the Water treatment chemical.
Moving the rower away from direct sunlight will extend the period between water treatments.
Rigid end of Siphon in tank
To Change Tank Water
Set Adjuster handle
to “MIN”
Row a minimum of ten complete strokes before com-
mencing 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 disassembly.

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WARNING: Never operate this rower without feet properly secured in Footstraps,
or without the sliding portion of the Slider Footplate locked into position!
Slider Footplate
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 determined.
Secure the plate onto the mounting pegs and push down firmly to lock into position.
Tighten the Footstraps securely and begin your workout.

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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 between 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.
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 rock-
ing slightly back on
your pelvis.
Recovery
Upper body tips for-
ward over your pelvis
and move forward.
Catch
Catch and begin
again.
How to Row?
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.

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Computer Instructions:
The Viking AR Rower Computer:
TIME: Auto start elapsed time.
500M TIME: Time to row 500 meters, updated at the completion of each stroke.
PULSE: Requires optional receiver and chest strap (sold separately).
SPM: Strokes per minute updated each stroke.
CAL HOUR: Updated each stroke.
WATT: Unit of power updated per rowing stroke.
LEVEL UP/DOWN:
Options:
Auto Start: Commence rowing to activate.
Hold button down for 3 second first to RESET.
Add 1000m distance each button push to ac-
cumulate required distance then begin rowing
to initiate count-back.
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 min-
utes will resume Distance/TIME/ from saved
values automatically.
Auto Power Down: Over 5 minutes.
All values revert to zero after restart.
Use the LEVEL UP/ DOWN buttons
in conjunction with the Fluid Tank
Resistance Adjuster handle for accu-
rate 500M/Distance/CAL/WATTS.
MAX: Level 4
——
——
MIN: Level 1

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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 Rowers lets you race with other Internet connected rowers in a Virtual
Reality 3D environment or train solo.
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 Rowers from
http://www.webracing.org/downloads.htm
- 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
Description:
Setting up USB connectivity
Connecting your console
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 Rower Belt:
1. To detach belt, simply pull beyond the range of the normal rowing stroke until the belt
detaches from the belt bungee pulley.
Tip: You’ll hear the Velcro separating just before the belt detaches.
Reattaching the Rower Belt:
2. Next, thread the Belt around the Idle Wheel as shown. Once around the Idle Wheel, attach the Rower
Belt to the Belt/Bungee Pulley. There is an obvious “lip” at the attachment point.
Velcrofacing upward
Idle Wheel
1. Begin reattaching the Rower Belt by threading around the Rower Belt Pulley with the Velcro side
facing upward as illustrated.
Bungee Hook End Frame
Inner Clip
2. Unhook the Bungee Shock Cord from the Rear Leg.
Then, push out the Inner Clip from the Bungee Hook End
Frame. Pull the Bungee through the Inner Clip until free.
This will allow for the Bungee Shock Cord to be threaded
completely out of the Main Frame and up to the Belt
Bungee Pulley where it will be re-attached once the
Rower Belt is in the proper position.

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3. Wind the Rower Belt onto the Belt/Bungee
Pulley until the Rower Handle is as it’s fur-
thest forward position.
Rower Handle
Belt/Bungee Pulley
4. Rethread the Bungee Shock Cord (on op-
posite side of the Idle Wheel) back through
the Bungee Pulleys, the Mid Leg, reattach
Bungee Hook End Frame and Clip onto
Rear Leg.
Bungee Shock Cord
Bungee Pulley
Recoil tension can be simply adjusted to suit each user. To adjust, simply push the Inner Clip
out of the Bungee Hook End Frame from behind, pull the required amount of bungee through
the Inner Clip and replace the Inner Clip into the Bungee Hook End Frame.
Inner Clip
Bungee Hook End Frame
Hint: Before reattaching the Inner Clip/
Bungee Hook End Frame, tie a slip knot un-
der slight tension at the lower bungee pulley.
This will keep the bungee under tension
while reassembling the Bungee Hook End
Frame.

19
Fault Probable Cause Solution
Water changes colour or
becomes cloudy. Rower is in direct sunlight or has not had
water treatment.
Local tap water is of
poor quality.
Change rower location to reduce
direct exposure to sunlight. Add wa-
ter treatment or change tank water
as directed in the water treatment
section of this manual.
Rower belt slipping off
belt/ bungee pulley. Bungee not under enough tension.
Recoil not strong
enough
Tighten bungee cord following the
instructions in "reattaching the
rower belt" section of this manual.
Inconsistent readings on
the Viking 2 AR Computer
for 500meter split time and
SPM (strokes per minute).
Sensor gap
Faulty Sensor
Sensor has moved out
of position
Wiring harness
Use the back cover of the computer
as a “Gap tool” to check the gap
between sensor head and Magnetic
ring, or see if the Sensor head has
moved out of position.
Please contact your nearest FDF
customer service center for details
The Viking 2 AR Rower
computer does not illumi-
nate after battery installa-
tion.
Batteries installed in-
correctly or need re-
placing.
Replace/reinstall batteries in correct
position and try again. If the LCD
screen fails to illuminate, try rotating
the batteries slightly in the com-
puter. If this fails, contact your local
service center.
The Viking 2 AR Rower
Computer screen illumi-
nates, but does not regis-
ter when rowing.
Loose or failed con-
nection. Check that the computer lead is connected properly. If it is con-
nected then contact your local ser-
vice center.
Troubleshooting:

20
Exploded Diagram
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66066
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11409
10176
62817
62820
65971
65992
62811
64141
62819
66046 62816
65989
62809 65900
66037
65108
66042
65988
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66045
66044
10036
60150
60143
60113
66043 66074
63118