Sunny SF-RW5941 SMART Rowing Machine Review
RW5941 BACKGROUND
The Smart rower is the 22nd rowing machine we've tried from this budget brand. And we have to say the majority of them have impressed. Yes, the range is mostly low-priced models so you can't expect them to compete with the big boys, but they sure as heck can hold their heads up against any machine under $500.
So what about this one. Sunny called it a Smart rower, and use capitals! So is it? And can it really be smart for such a low price?
So what about this one. Sunny called it a Smart rower, and use capitals! So is it? And can it really be smart for such a low price?
Sunny Health & Fitness SF-RW5941 SMART Rower
This site is an Amazon Associate and we earn a small commision on each sale. This does not influence how we rate rowing machines. We are also a partner with Sunny Health & Fitness, but again this does change how we compile our unbiased reviews. We love some... others, not so much :0)
THE HARDWARE
This is a lightweight model but has a sturdy feel. It's alloy steel frame can support a user of up to 285 lbs - so it's pretty solid. The frame is also covered by a 3-year warranty which is good for a budget rower. The seat is comfortable enough, but a word of caution. If you suffer with your back or knees (and who doesn't at some time in their life!), be wary the seat is quite low. For most this might not be a problem, but if you've just spent 30 minutes working out, you might find it a struggle to get up and off the machine.
The build quality is good for a budget model and seems capable of giving a few years service. But if you're looking for a rower to punish day-in, day-out for 45 minutes at a time, then you'll need to be prepared to spend more. This model probably won't be enough for you. But if you're on a limited budget and you're a novice rower, then this is well worth a look.
The beam is long so it's suitable for tall users. It's a folding model so can be easily stored away when you're finished and space in the home is limited. But note, its footprint when folded is only half it's length so it requires 40" x 22.6".
The resistance mechanism is magnetic which means it's quiet - much quieter than an air rower, and smoother than a hydraulic model - see types of rowing machines for more information. It has 16 levels of resistance that can be selected by a knob beneath the display on the console.
The beam is long so it's suitable for tall users. It's a folding model so can be easily stored away when you're finished and space in the home is limited. But note, its footprint when folded is only half it's length so it requires 40" x 22.6".
The resistance mechanism is magnetic which means it's quiet - much quieter than an air rower, and smoother than a hydraulic model - see types of rowing machines for more information. It has 16 levels of resistance that can be selected by a knob beneath the display on the console.
You can also use the handle for bicep curls and other standing exercises if you wish. So you can add some strength workouts to your cardio - but it's no substitute for dumbells.
Oh, and it also has a bottle holder which can be handy :0)
The warranty is 3 years on the frame, and six months on all other parts and components, which is quite reasonable for a budget machine.
One thing that really p****s people off is after-sales support. Now you might expect a brand selling literally hundreds of low-priced fitness machine would be somewhat lacking in this department. But you couldn't be more wrong. In the 12 years we've been running this site we get a lot of emails from users of all makes and brands. And you might be surprised to hear Sunny Health & Fitness actually have a good reputation for customer service. In fact, they often perform better in customer satisfaction than other brands costing much more.
Oh, and it also has a bottle holder which can be handy :0)
The warranty is 3 years on the frame, and six months on all other parts and components, which is quite reasonable for a budget machine.
One thing that really p****s people off is after-sales support. Now you might expect a brand selling literally hundreds of low-priced fitness machine would be somewhat lacking in this department. But you couldn't be more wrong. In the 12 years we've been running this site we get a lot of emails from users of all makes and brands. And you might be surprised to hear Sunny Health & Fitness actually have a good reputation for customer service. In fact, they often perform better in customer satisfaction than other brands costing much more.
 Basic console but see text re App |
 Device holder for use with Sunny's Fitness App |
DISPLAY CONSOLE
As consoles go it's a pretty basic one. It display calories, stroke count, elaspsed time, and total stroke count, plus it has a scan mode (this means the display runs through the data every few seconds). The LCD is quite small and not that easy to read when you're going flat out. And like most fitness equipment (including much more pricey ones) the calorie count really is just a luck guess. It doesn't take into account your weight, of the resistance level you're using. But it is a constant, so you can use it to compare your sessions.
But to be honest, you'd be really missing out if you rely solely on the built-in display. It's Bluetooth enable and has a device holder so you can connect with the excellent SunnyFit(R) App. Or to put it another way, it's like having an HD TV and watching it in black & white.
So here we come to the SMART bit. And for a machine costing only a couple of hundred bucks, it's actually pretty smart. The SunnyFit(R) App comes a quite a surprise. There are 1000s of workout videos for on and off your rowing machine, plus also bike, treadmill and elliptical trainers. They also include one of our favorties which is real river and lake rows - and again, there's a wide range of rows from all over the world to choose from. These can make your workouts more enjoyable and perhaps motivate you to use it when a dull, LCD screen full of numbers wouldn't :0)
And one more positive... the app is FREE! More expensive models may have more sophisticated apps and live workouts with a real trainer yelling at you - but for that you can pay up to $50 a month!
But to be honest, you'd be really missing out if you rely solely on the built-in display. It's Bluetooth enable and has a device holder so you can connect with the excellent SunnyFit(R) App. Or to put it another way, it's like having an HD TV and watching it in black & white.
So here we come to the SMART bit. And for a machine costing only a couple of hundred bucks, it's actually pretty smart. The SunnyFit(R) App comes a quite a surprise. There are 1000s of workout videos for on and off your rowing machine, plus also bike, treadmill and elliptical trainers. They also include one of our favorties which is real river and lake rows - and again, there's a wide range of rows from all over the world to choose from. These can make your workouts more enjoyable and perhaps motivate you to use it when a dull, LCD screen full of numbers wouldn't :0)
And one more positive... the app is FREE! More expensive models may have more sophisticated apps and live workouts with a real trainer yelling at you - but for that you can pay up to $50 a month!
REVIEW SUMMARY:
It's a very low-priced machine so don't expect a gym quality rower. Without the app it doesn't have an awful lot going for it - it's really quite dull to be honest. But pop your device in the holder and connect to the app, and suddenly it's a whole new ball game... well, rowing machine to be exact.
Is it for you?
YES: If you can pull out your pocket linings and there's nothing there, and you're a little out of shape and you don't have limited space.
NO: If you're fit and looking for a machine for regular, hi-intensity training.
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.
Is it for you?
YES: If you can pull out your pocket linings and there's nothing there, and you're a little out of shape and you don't have limited space.
NO: If you're fit and looking for a machine for regular, hi-intensity training.
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 SF-RW5941:
6.5/
10
Reviewer: R. Palmer
Reviewer: R. Palmer
PROS:
- Good build quality
- Sturdy for a lightweight model
- SunnyFit(R) App has a very wide range of workouts - and it's FREE!
- Worldwide river and lake rows online
- Easy and light to move
- It's a folding model
- 16 magnetic resistance levels
- Bluetooth enabled
- Very quiet in operation
- Comfortable seat
- Can be used off rower for alternative exercises
CONS:
- Very basic monitor (but SunnyFit(R) App more than makes up for it)
- Not heart rate strap compatible
- Low seat position - can be difficult if you issues with your back and knees
SPECIFICATION
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Resistance type:
Max user weight: Dimensions: Machine weight: |
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ALTERNATIVES
For the price, there are too many that can match it when it comes to the app. You could check out the Echanfit R42 or Dripex Magnetic, or if you have a little more to spend, the Joroto Magnetic is worth a look.
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