Yeah, if I went flat-out, I'd end up moving fast with no resistance, and I would spend more effort pulling myself back towards the machine to begin my next row

Yeah, if I went flat-out, I'd end up moving fast with no resistance, and I would spend more effort pulling myself back towards the machine to begin my next row than actually rowing. Based on a sibling comment, there probably wasn't enough water in it, but I seem to remember a fill line being on it, and it was up to that line, but it's also been two years, so shrug.