Sunny SF-RW5508 Rowing Machine Review
RW5508 BACKGROUNDTo give it it's full name, the Sunny Health & Fitness SF-RW5508 Ultra Tension Magnetic Pro Rower, pause to take a breath, is at the top end of the range for this budget brand. You can't turn your back without Sunny bringing another new rowing machine onto the market - we can't keep up :0)
So what do you get for your dollars? Well it's not the most elegant looking machine, but you won't get fit just admiring it's looks. But you should get pretty fit if you use this quiet, smooth running rower - and not for too great a price. ASSEMBLY It's easy to assemble and took our guy just over 20 minutes. But right up, please note this is NOT a folding model. It is possible to fold but requires removing two bolts and a pin and is a bit of a pain compared to models that are designed to be folded. If you have limited space and you need a folding machine, take a look at the 'Also worth a look' below.
THE HARDWARE The rowing position will be comfortable for most, unless you're close to the 300 pound user maximum, then you'll find the seat a little on the small side. The handle has a good diameter and is well-padded for long use without blistering your hands. But beware, if you suffer from back or knee problems you may struggle to get on the low seat - or slide it up the angled beam before getting on.
The footrests are well-placed and have wide velcro straps. But if you have small feet you may have to wear your trainers for the straps to hold them firm. The magnetic resistance mechanism is very quiet - much quieter than an air rower so if using in an apartment or small room this could be the model for you. In some budget magnetic models, the quiet mechanism is ruined by noisy rollers under the seat - but fear not, the seat slides up and down the beam with barely a sound. This model has 10 levels of resistance selected by turning the knob on the central console - see photo on the right. This means to change resistance you have to stop rowing to turn the knob, but if you want a rowing machine that can automatically change levels to keep you at a rate to maintain fat-burning optimum effort, you'll have to be spend roughly double this price. And lastly, the steel and aluminum frame is light yet sturdy and is easy to lift and move due to the transport wheels built into the front feet. But as mentioned earlier, this is not a folding rowing machine. DISPLAY/CONSOLE The LCD screen is easy to read... if you're not rowing. But the angle can make it a little difficult when you're up and down the beam. It displays time, strokes, your strokes per minute, calories burned (well estimated) and pulse rate.
This is one of the cheaper rowers that has a built-in pulse receiver so you can monitor you heart rate, but note this doesn't come with heart rate training programs - but you'll have to pay another $250 or more to get this feature. Also note, a chest strap is not included but this is a budget model after all.
RW5508 REVIEW SUMMARY:All in all, this is a good magnetic rower offered at a very reasonable price. Obviously it doesn't have the level of features of machines costing twice as much, but it will give you a good, no-nonsense workout without annoying your housemates or neighbors thanks to the quiet action.
Note: This website is an associate of Amazon and a number of other retailers. We earn a commission from sales generated via these links, but this does not influence how we rate the rowing machines we review.
Sunny Mag Pro Rower:
5.5/
10
Reviewer: R. Palmer
RW5508 PROS:
RW5508 CONS:
SPECIFICATION
ALTERNATIVES |
|