Sunny Health & Fitness SF-RW5515
Editor’s Conclusion
Looking for a great cardio machine on a budget? The Sunny Health & Fitness SF-RW5515 is a great piece of equipment for your home gym to help shed calories without draining your bank account. It utilizes magnetic resistance to make your easy morning workouts virtually silent, and surprisingly comfortable features that will allow you to row for longer periods of time.
One of the things that users love most about this design is the super comfortable seat. It boasts an ergonomic design that contours the shape of your body while wicking away sweat and moisture. Plus, it boasts a very long frame that is ideal for users that have legs for days. This machine provides users with up to 8 levels of magnetic resistance that is a cinch to adjust on the base of the unit. The LCD monitor is simple and tracks calories burned, time, as well as distance.
Below, I wanted to take a deep dive into all of the features that make this budget-friendly rowing machine a great addition to any home gym.
One of the things that users love most about this design is the super comfortable seat. It boasts an ergonomic design that contours the shape of your body while wicking away sweat and moisture. Plus, it boasts a very long frame that is ideal for users that have legs for days. This machine provides users with up to 8 levels of magnetic resistance that is a cinch to adjust on the base of the unit. The LCD monitor is simple and tracks calories burned, time, as well as distance.
Below, I wanted to take a deep dive into all of the features that make this budget-friendly rowing machine a great addition to any home gym.
Sunny Health & Fitness SF-RW5515 Review Facts
Editor's Pros & Cons
Pros
The slim frame folds up compactly
Very comfortable seat and handlebars
Easy to make tension adjustments
Runs very quietly
Easy to assemble
Affordable
Cons
Can get a little creaky over time
Weak resistance
Key Features
PERFORMANCE
Overall, I find that this little machine performs quite well under the pressure. It may have a slimmer frame than other designs out there on the market, but it is really made to move. I love that it has a long glider track and a shocking comfortable seat. Plus, it is come on the more compact designs out there on the market. It’s a great machine to help burn calories, but it does have one misstep in its overall design that is worth mentioning.
To really get the most out of rowing, it is important that you are able to engage in a full range of motion to get the full-body workout experience. One issue that I found with this machine is that the cable is a little short, and the pedals prevent you from pulling your knees at a 90-degree angle. While you will still get a killer workout and really burn calories with this machine, the shallow range of motion won’t dig into those deep muscle groups the same way some of the higher-end designs can.
RESISTANCE
This rowing machine uses a magnetic resistance system that runs virtually silently. Unlike water or air-propelled machines that tend to be a little noisy, this machine is super quiet. Some users have indicated that the frame can sometimes be a little creaky, but that may boil down to some bolts not being tightened enough.
Users have the option of dialing up the resistance to up to 8 different levels. One of the downsides to this style of resistance is that many users feel that the resistance offered is a little on the weak side. If you are looking to build muscle, you may find this machine to be a little underwhelming.
However, if you just want a great cardio machine to work up a sweat and elevate your heart rate, this machine will get the job done!
SIZE
When fully extended, this machine measures to be 78 inches long, 19 inches wide, and just over 23 inches tall. To really dig into the rowing motion, you need a machine that is long enough to accommodate a wide variety of users. Often, rowers that are a little on the short side may help to keep the overall footprint low, but shortchange users with long legs in engaging in a full range of motion.
One of the most notable features of this design is that it has a very long slide rail that works for just about anyone. Whether you are just shy of 5 feet, or well over 6 feet tall, the very long inseam of this design will allow you to fully extend your long legs without getting caught on the catch bar.
ADDITIONAL FEATURES
Additional features on this rower are fairly limited. When you opt for a more budget-friendly design, you are opting for a machine that doesn’t have all of those extra bells and whistles. Most machines with complex digital displays and connectivity features do not row any better or worse, they just provide a better quality-of-life workout.
This machine comes with a very modest LCD display in the center of the rowing chamber. This small LCD display is easy to use, and shows you your time spent rowing, calories burned, and also counts your strokes.
What I also like about this machine is that it has velcro foot straps on the pedals. Simply place your feet in the pedals, and tighten the straps over your training shoes. These straps will allow you to really engage in the movements without worrying about your feet slipping off of the pedals as you pick up the pace.
COMFORT
Budget-friendly cardio machines often have a reputation for skimping when it comes to comfort features such as seats and handles. This design, however, has surprisingly comfortable features that rival even some of the higher-end rowers out there on the market!
The seat is composed of compressed EVA foam that is ergonomically designed to contour to the shape of your body for a more comfortable ride. When the ride is more comfortable, you will be able to push yourself further than when riding on hard and unforgiving seats.
Users also appreciate the padded grip on the handles. While other machines boast handles that are composed of hard plastic that can cause blisters over time, the handles on this design are composed of soft EVA foam that makes it easy on your paws. Even after a long workout session on this rower, the comfortable foam grip holds up really well and helps to fight bacteria and wick away moisture as you work out.
PORTABILITY
One of the things that I like about this machine is that while the frame is low and compact, it still offers up some impressive portability options. It has a set of wheels along the base that allow you to easily move it from location to location as needed. Plus, the entire unit weighs just over 60 pounds, which makes it a little bit easier to move when compared to some of the heavier water-propelled rowers that find a spot in your home gym and refused to be moved.
What I also like about this design is that it also is able to be folded compactly to free up precious floor space as needed. The rower frame is able to be folded on top of the central rowing chamber.
When completely folded, this machine measures to be just over 53 inches high, and 34 inches long. Rowers demand quite a bit of floor space, which is why the foldable features make this design a great option for those working with limited floor space in their home gym.
ASSEMBLY
Overall, assembly is fairly simple and straightforward. The main housing unit of the cable comes completely assembled, so all you need to do is assemble the frame to the main machine. Sunny Health & Fitness includes very easy-to-read instructions as well as all of the tools needed to expertly assemble your machine. From start to finish, it takes most users around an hour to completely assemble their unit. With the cable mechanisms completely assembled before shipping, the assembly process is fairly simple and easy for those that aren’t very handy.
Of course, if you feel uneasy about putting your machine together yourself, you can always call on the pros! It may cost you a little bit more, but you can feel confident that your machine will be properly assembled to reduce the risk of causing damage to the frame.
PRICE
The best feature of this rower is the very approached price point. It is important to note that this isn’t the most affordable design out there on the market, but you will get the biggest bang for your buck. The lower end of the price spectrum often includes machines that don’t hold up well over the years, or just flat out don’t provide a full range of motion for an effective cardio workout.
The Sunny Health & Fitness SF-RW5515 hits that sweet spot between an affordable price point and quality materials that hold up well over the years.
Overall, I find that this little machine performs quite well under the pressure. It may have a slimmer frame than other designs out there on the market, but it is really made to move. I love that it has a long glider track and a shocking comfortable seat. Plus, it is come on the more compact designs out there on the market. It’s a great machine to help burn calories, but it does have one misstep in its overall design that is worth mentioning.
To really get the most out of rowing, it is important that you are able to engage in a full range of motion to get the full-body workout experience. One issue that I found with this machine is that the cable is a little short, and the pedals prevent you from pulling your knees at a 90-degree angle. While you will still get a killer workout and really burn calories with this machine, the shallow range of motion won’t dig into those deep muscle groups the same way some of the higher-end designs can.
RESISTANCE
This rowing machine uses a magnetic resistance system that runs virtually silently. Unlike water or air-propelled machines that tend to be a little noisy, this machine is super quiet. Some users have indicated that the frame can sometimes be a little creaky, but that may boil down to some bolts not being tightened enough.
Users have the option of dialing up the resistance to up to 8 different levels. One of the downsides to this style of resistance is that many users feel that the resistance offered is a little on the weak side. If you are looking to build muscle, you may find this machine to be a little underwhelming.
However, if you just want a great cardio machine to work up a sweat and elevate your heart rate, this machine will get the job done!
SIZE
When fully extended, this machine measures to be 78 inches long, 19 inches wide, and just over 23 inches tall. To really dig into the rowing motion, you need a machine that is long enough to accommodate a wide variety of users. Often, rowers that are a little on the short side may help to keep the overall footprint low, but shortchange users with long legs in engaging in a full range of motion.
One of the most notable features of this design is that it has a very long slide rail that works for just about anyone. Whether you are just shy of 5 feet, or well over 6 feet tall, the very long inseam of this design will allow you to fully extend your long legs without getting caught on the catch bar.
ADDITIONAL FEATURES
Additional features on this rower are fairly limited. When you opt for a more budget-friendly design, you are opting for a machine that doesn’t have all of those extra bells and whistles. Most machines with complex digital displays and connectivity features do not row any better or worse, they just provide a better quality-of-life workout.
This machine comes with a very modest LCD display in the center of the rowing chamber. This small LCD display is easy to use, and shows you your time spent rowing, calories burned, and also counts your strokes.
What I also like about this machine is that it has velcro foot straps on the pedals. Simply place your feet in the pedals, and tighten the straps over your training shoes. These straps will allow you to really engage in the movements without worrying about your feet slipping off of the pedals as you pick up the pace.
COMFORT
Budget-friendly cardio machines often have a reputation for skimping when it comes to comfort features such as seats and handles. This design, however, has surprisingly comfortable features that rival even some of the higher-end rowers out there on the market!
The seat is composed of compressed EVA foam that is ergonomically designed to contour to the shape of your body for a more comfortable ride. When the ride is more comfortable, you will be able to push yourself further than when riding on hard and unforgiving seats.
Users also appreciate the padded grip on the handles. While other machines boast handles that are composed of hard plastic that can cause blisters over time, the handles on this design are composed of soft EVA foam that makes it easy on your paws. Even after a long workout session on this rower, the comfortable foam grip holds up really well and helps to fight bacteria and wick away moisture as you work out.
PORTABILITY
One of the things that I like about this machine is that while the frame is low and compact, it still offers up some impressive portability options. It has a set of wheels along the base that allow you to easily move it from location to location as needed. Plus, the entire unit weighs just over 60 pounds, which makes it a little bit easier to move when compared to some of the heavier water-propelled rowers that find a spot in your home gym and refused to be moved.
What I also like about this design is that it also is able to be folded compactly to free up precious floor space as needed. The rower frame is able to be folded on top of the central rowing chamber.
When completely folded, this machine measures to be just over 53 inches high, and 34 inches long. Rowers demand quite a bit of floor space, which is why the foldable features make this design a great option for those working with limited floor space in their home gym.
ASSEMBLY
Overall, assembly is fairly simple and straightforward. The main housing unit of the cable comes completely assembled, so all you need to do is assemble the frame to the main machine. Sunny Health & Fitness includes very easy-to-read instructions as well as all of the tools needed to expertly assemble your machine. From start to finish, it takes most users around an hour to completely assemble their unit. With the cable mechanisms completely assembled before shipping, the assembly process is fairly simple and easy for those that aren’t very handy.
Of course, if you feel uneasy about putting your machine together yourself, you can always call on the pros! It may cost you a little bit more, but you can feel confident that your machine will be properly assembled to reduce the risk of causing damage to the frame.
PRICE
The best feature of this rower is the very approached price point. It is important to note that this isn’t the most affordable design out there on the market, but you will get the biggest bang for your buck. The lower end of the price spectrum often includes machines that don’t hold up well over the years, or just flat out don’t provide a full range of motion for an effective cardio workout.
The Sunny Health & Fitness SF-RW5515 hits that sweet spot between an affordable price point and quality materials that hold up well over the years.
Verdict
For the price, the Sunny Health & Fitness SF-RW5515 is a really great rowing machine that will help you elevate your heart rate and help you shed pounds. It has a few minor missteps in terms of the overall design, such as the shallow range of motion, but I feel that the good far outshines the bad.
What I found surprising about this machine is that Sunny Health & Fitness didn’t skimp on the comfort. The ergonomically designed seat is surprisingly comfortable for a budget rower, and the handlebars have a thoughtful design to help protect your hands.
This option has a small footprint that won’t take up that much space in your home gym, and it also folds compactly to free up floor space as needed. If you are working on a strict budget and need a good cardio machine, the Sunny Health & Fitness SF-RW5515 is a really great option.
What I found surprising about this machine is that Sunny Health & Fitness didn’t skimp on the comfort. The ergonomically designed seat is surprisingly comfortable for a budget rower, and the handlebars have a thoughtful design to help protect your hands.
This option has a small footprint that won’t take up that much space in your home gym, and it also folds compactly to free up floor space as needed. If you are working on a strict budget and need a good cardio machine, the Sunny Health & Fitness SF-RW5515 is a really great option.
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