Sunny Fitness Magnetic Rower "Is It Worth Buying"? 

Nice to see a real review of one of the less expensive rowers.

This is the exact rower I have. I don't even use the monitor I just put my phone over it and follow along with your workouts and try to keep up. I just moved my resistance up to 5. The weight has been coming off though so I'm happy with it

This is the row I have. I just started using it to get back in shape and lose some weight. I don't really care about performances, I just need to burn fat and get fitter. I think so far its perfect for me. However I completely agree with the pros and cons on the video.

I have this machine and I can't wait to "outgrow it". I am glad that you put in the pros of the machine as well as the cons. I bought it used for $30 bucks! Thanks for the vid! It will help me to know when I'm ready for a step up.

Good video! Exactly the reasons why I switched from a Kettler magnetic rower to Concept2 8 years ago - I "outstronged" the magnetic one. Never regreted the money I spent on the Concept2.

Absolutely excellent review. Thank you for highlighting the shortcomings: the footplate pivot, the inability to do a full row, the ability to break through the magnet's resistance, everything. 10/10; just gained a fan. Thank you.

Sculled in college 50 years ago and have used Concept 2 intermittently since. Got one of these for less than a third of the price of a Concept 2 and have been more pleased than I thought I would be . Agree that the monitor is useless. Not bad for a retirement machine.

I'm 67. Bought this rower about a year ago. For the $183 it's been one of the better purchases I've made. Get a decent workout, doesn't take up much space and no subscription required.

Thanks for a super comprehensive and straight to the point review!

Due to the covid house confinement I have purchased a senior bike trainer and am now going to acquire a rowing machine to maintain body movement and fitness, thanks for your helpful clips

Really really well put together review. Excellent job

Just ordered this from Amazon and given what you have to say about it I suspect I'll treat it as a beginner rowing machine with a likelihood I'll sell it and pick up a better one once it's clear I'll be continuing rowing. Thanks for the review.

Bro, I just watched this video, you know all. Amazing review. Thanks

Was delivered three days ago and it is great for what I was looking for a great work out low resistance it you like dial it up and giver so smooth. Four days in still in love... never need a mat underneath at all/ seat is good/ love the single bar easy to move it around mid row// I put a comfy platform Ugg slipper in the foot slot strapped in so I got it all going on : D

Thanks for your honest review! I decided to buy this since I've never tried rowing.

Thank u for your honest review on a lower end rower. I got one for $299 and works great

Great review. Thorough and engaging. Good job!

Thank you for an HONEST review - warts and all.

I got this a year ago from someone who was moving and could not being it with them. I'm pretty much use it as you say, as a supplement to Cross Fit and running. I don't use the monitor, but I usually row with a heart rate monitor and I will either row for time or I will use the heart rate monitor estimate of calories.

This was a brilliant review, helped me a lot thanks

Great review! To track intensity I measure my heart rate for a given time to monitor progress.

Thanks, I am so glad I saw your video prior to getting one.

Wow. Seems they could resolve a lot of issues all in the foot rest. 1) Move it back 6 inches. 2) Make it less flimsy, and also immobile. 3) If it won't adjust, then add straps to accommodate different foot sizes.

This is an amazing review.. thank you!

I ordered this just got it today, I'm sending it back tomorrow No resistance. My kids 7 and 11 think it's too easy and a toy. Going to try and find something else.💪

I got mine like new for $125 and already assembled, can't beat that. I'm 65 and 5' 11", so it works perfectly for me. I usually do a 20 minute rowing workout every other day to complement my 11K daily walk. I think for the price it is excellent quality for a beginner and maybe someday I will outgrow into a more professional machine or just use the ones available at the gym. Of course I would love to have a Concept 2 like some people mention, but you're looking at 6-7X the price, which is not what this review is about.

Thank you very much for this review! I totally understand the pros and cons of this particular machine I almost bought this in Amazon. I will find something else that suits my needs.

Awesome review! Very authentic and honest.

This is the rower that I have. I am over a foot shorter than you are so I find that I can get a full stroke. On the higher resistance settings I have not achieved the breakthrough feeling. lol. Thank you for helping me feel that I didn't buy a dud.

Followed one of your other videos here. Seems like you could utilize that "extra 7 inches" in the rear to mount some fixed footplates 4 inches behind the ones provided which would stretch your stroke and fix the rotation issue without hitting the rear stop. Not a project for everyone, but doable for those on a budget.

It is quiet, works great, and was super easy to install!!! What a great deal!!! I absolutely love it!!! I highly recommend it!!!

Great. a sensible, consise review...thanks!

Just bought this rower and I can agree with all the pros and cons. I'd add that the way the seat is designed that the back lip of the seat rubs the base of my spine pretty badly and has resulted in some "row rash".

Brand new to rowing, I snagged one of these right at the beginning of the stay-at-home measures. I just needed something to keep me moving every day cooped up at home. I’m 6’4” and agree with everything except strangely I find the seat super uncomfortable and can only take it for about 25 minutes at a time. Definitely planning to upgrade to a better one eventually.

Thank you for this review! New Subscriber!!

What a quality review. This is the content we want.

Good review. I just bought this rower and am putting together while I'm watching your video. From what your saying, this rower is just right for me. I'm 70 yrs. old, so I just need to get my butt moving and not interested in any fancy monitors or bells and whistles. The price was right and it's seems to be of solid construction.

I don't feel the burn in my shoulders or my arms with this machine. I feel it more in my legs. I definitely need to upgrade and I had mine on 12 resistance number the highest one.... I have an older model. Thank you for the pros and cons

Hey again!! You did it! Thanks for getting your hands on this rowing machine & sharing this review! I'm quite an amateur, but I absolutely agree with you on many things: comfty seat, silent mechanism, compact model, but also, the monitor is not the best (I need watts!!), steady resistance, yet I would add something else: In my case, being quite shortie, I DID get blisters in my hands!!! :( and as you mentioned, it's rather difficult to get to a full extension or break your own records..keep progressing. Last comment: there's a version with 'foot plates', a double function that allows you to exercise arms and back only...so that gives it a thumb up, I guess! Thanks so much!! =]

Just got this for 180 dollars on amazon. Thanks of the review... if this ends up failing for me, I think my kids will probably have fun on the number 1 setting.

Great vid dude!

Do you have a video on the best budget rower? I miss rowing and would do join your 20 day thing but without access to one I can't. Unless concept 2 does a payment plan.

A very nice review! It's almost perfect!

Thanks for the review ☺ I'm 55 and have a bum knee and tricky back. I'm looking for low impact cardio and if one day can out muscle this machine, I owe you a smoothie or beer lol

Very well done review.

Thanks for explaining! I couldn’t figure out my magnetic rower for the loft of me

Wow fantastic video. Was thinking about buying this but think I would be regretting not getting the Concept 2.

Thank you!

Thanks for your advice and expertise. I got this model as a gift from my children, so I will keep it and use it. It will be an addition to my daily fitness regimen, which includes a weight workout and rucksacking. My goal is overall fitness, so this rower will be just fine. You've helped me use it as best as possible. Dana San Diego

Hi! @Training Tall, which rower do you think could be great to help doing really good abs and to tone and strengthen arms and legs? Does this Sunny you are showing on this video could work fine for that? (I'm not tall at all).... I want to take the correct decision as they are really expensive in Mexico, and if I'm going to spend good money I really want to get one that really works. Thank you!

I'm 6-3 and I like this rower. I use it every night.

This is incredibly useful. What do you think of the Schwinn Crewmaster? I'm wondering if it has this issue of not allowing for a full stroke.

Thanks for this review. I got one of these as a Christmas gift in 2019 and it's been a good intro to rowing for me. I enjoy rowing and I intend to use this machine until I can justify an upgrade (mainly just proving that I'll stick with it in the longer-term). What would you suggest for a higher-quality but still inexpensive machine? My guess is that by the end of the year, there will be a bunch of people selling lightly used equipment that they got during the lockdown and then didn't really use, so I might look to upgrade fall/winter 2020. Just found your channel last week and the content is excellent. Thank you.

Thanks for the review. Just ordered one to get some exercise during quarantine. From my research, this was the best for the price. Most people buy exercise equipment, use it a few times and that's it. I'm willing to gamble a couple of hundred bucks on my ephemeral good intentions, but not more than that.

Is this easy on the knees? I tried bikes and elliptical and my right knee just cannot take it. Figured the rower would be even lower impact with with high cardio.

What a great review! I’m a rowing newbie and have been using your 30 min workout (20, 22 ... 28 and down from there) for a bit now (perfect for me!). I’m 5’8” and noticed I couldn’t bend forward as far as you do in your video as I row along with you. Your arms went way further out than mine do. As I was watching this review it all made sense! No wonder my wrists curl at the start of each pull! I don’t feel as if I get the whole stretch. Other than that I love this thing. I’m a mom of teen boys, busy but not working out until I looked down after 6 months in quarantine (well, kind’a) and had excess around my waist. Aargh ... hate it. I love the body that rowing supposedly gives you, so I bought this one and here I go! Wish me luck 😆. I hope I can get enough of a workout with a 3/4 stroke 🤨. Thanks for doin’ this!

Thank you for your thorough review. I had ordered one but after watching your video, I have canceled my order. Thank you very much.

The one I got has a diff set of slots for the foot straps for smaller feet.

Thanks for the review! Got a Stamina Air Rower but with similar features. Now I wish I had gone with Concept2. Not getting the full strokes with mine.

Do you think that this rowing machine can be 'worth it' if we somehow find a way to block the foot plates so they can't move ? Btw thank you for the very good review of this product.

Keeping me fit and saving me money 🤑 🔥

Thanks!

Hi, I was thinking of buying this Sunny rower but changed my mind after watching this video. Which rower do you recommend for under $400? Thanks. Happy New Year!

You recommended spending a little more and getting a better machine. I'd appreciate recommendations. Thank you!

I've got one, was ok for a few weeks but quickly out grew it. Upgraded to a water rower after a about a month. Definitely save a bit more and get a better rower. Was a waste of money buying this then having to upgrade nearly straight away.

Excellent review, thanks. I'm a novice at rowing, 6' 2" tall. Unfortunately, I bought this rower before seeing this review. As I studied videos on good rowing form, I encountered the compression limitations, and then found this video which confirmed the problem. Also, I didn't think the limited computer would be a problem, but I am finding it to be a minor nuisance -- and it is quite hard to read it while rowing. Otherwise, I am impressed with the build quality for the price. I'll keep it for now, but if I stick with rowing, I'll definitely look at an upgrade down the line.

I'm as beginner as they get, and I've tried to sit on a bunch of rowers, not just this one. I'm 6'1". The truly biggest problem is, like mentioned, the extension at the end of the stroke. I started off on a Concept2 at my work gym, and nothing else feels right. It's the one biggest issue, like I'm cheating myself with that 3/4 stroke.

This convinced me to go with a water rower that would allow me to have proper form, ended up with a MaxKare water rower that was $359 (mid January 2020). It has the 500m split, spm, and all that. We'll see if I made the right choice.

Good video. You gave every reason why not to buy this particular magnetic rower.

Have you used the Hydrow?!? I’m REALLY interested in it because of the fact it could give me the similar feeling of rowing with people and on a team again. I used to row competitively in college and it’s been a year. I just came across Hydrow so I’d like to know your opinion and thoughts on it. Thank you!

Wondering if you could place something underneath the footplates to help perform a longer stroke?

I am shorter than you. If I am to make a new set of footrests and place it close to the end of the track, does it mean I can get full stroke? Thanks.

Thanks

Hmmm. I was actually going to buy this off Amazon and now I'm more reluctant then ever. I used to row all the time at the gym, but well, that's not happening. You said that for a couple hundred dollars more you'd get a better machine. I'm wondering what that would be, and is it quiet. I'm the one you spoke for in the video, I live in an apt, want something that doesn't take up a HUGE amount of space, and is quiet. What would you suggest? Thanks.

Thanks for the honest review. I'm getting fat during quarantine but this video has taught me that I need to spend a little bit more for a better rowing machine. Sub and Like added!

Any initial thoughts on the Echelon Rower?

Anyone familiar with interchangeable parts for this product?? I got this same machine but need to replace the volute spring and sunnyhealth has not been responsive.

If you have access to an angle grinder plus a mig welder you could rectify the obvious design faults or just save time and buy a good second hand Concept2 ModelC or newer? 😎

Is doing dumbbell dead lifts similar to the rowing movement?

I cant figure out how to make the screen work, any ideas?

What about reviewing a First Degree Fitness Newport Rower? Have you ever got on one? I’m curious your thoughts

edit: long story short -- A plastic wheel guiding the belt broke in just months of moderate use with my sunny machine. I tried a concept 2 at the gym today and I was blown away. Feels like a much more even pull and better on my joints I knew there must be a fairly significant difference from how people talked about it but it's night and day. -- old thoughts below I will say I got a SF-RW5801 model (not sure how many differences there are, main I can identify is 16 resistance levels instead of 8) and at 6' I feel like I'm getting a full range of motion. Hower my hips are a little tight still so I'm not reaching crazy far at my pelvis and my legs are long for my height so I that might make my upper body reach more like 5'9 person than 6'. The foot straps still are not adjustable which is questionable for sure but I've been rowing without straps per your core work suggestions and shoeless which might help with foot positioning on the pedal as well (per the rotation). The higher resistances I doubt average people would have to worry about out muscling (my back has always been my only confident muscle group and while the rower works the legs it seems like connecting your hands to your feet through your back is the hardest part) The poor info is very sad though I will admit. I can still tell I'm making beginner gains just from stroke count at higher intensity and just feel but I definitely think I'll want to borrow other rowers to set real bench marks for myself. It's also possible it's very hard for an experienced rower to go to this from other machines. I haven't really rowed before so while I identified the sticking point it didn't jump out at this problematic annoying thing for me. Basically just echoing your thoughts, if someone is going to be a very serious rower they probably don't want a magnet machine but just adding in that 6' people can get full strokes on a similar model, shoeless can help with the pedals, and they have other cheap models that might have more resistance (not sure if it's just the same max resistance but more sliding options) thanks for all the videos

I need to strengthen my middle back to help lift my shoulders back. Do you think this rower would help me do that? I'm torn between getting this one to save money and getting the Concept 2, which will take some of my savings.

greettings from Costa rica Hello Training Tall, Is the Proform Rower 750R worth it (male 5.11 / 180pounds). Appreciate your your guide and help as we do not have many options down here. Best regards

What model is this? Have u reviewed Sunny Health SF-RW5606? I'm 5'4.

So, would anyone say that it would be useful at all for something like rowing X amount of calories, and then jumping into burpees? Like a crossfit style interval workout?

Am I doing something wrong? The highest resistance feels like nothing, it's definitely more than the first few levels but it still doesn't feel hard at all. Is it because it's magnetic? What type do I want for more of an actual strength work out?

Great review. Once I saw you could not get over your ankles, that was all I needed to see. No sense in getting a rower that only lets you do 3/4 of a stroke.

@training tall, Do you think this rower is good for someone who just wants the benefits of rowing exercise? Like instead of an exercise bike. But not for training whatsoever.

I recently ordered a magnetic rower similar to this, the on sale price was impossible for me to pass up. After seeing this video I'm concerned about the 3/4 stroke problem. I'm short at 5'1" so I wonder if I might get closer to a full stroke? The last thing I want is to put in time working out and not get the full benefit. I'm mostly a beginner rower so I'm not worried about resistance. (used the c2 at the gym at most 30min maybe once a month) I plan to use this to supplement maybe a circuit to my treadmill and spin bike which get heavy daily use. Will be giving the new mag rower try when I get it all set up and find out.

a 45 degree cut piece of wood could possibly fix the foot pedal issue. Just wedge it behind the foot plate.

Not being able to get to OTF these days has me dying to row again; was really honing in my 2000m technique for Dri-Tri. I would love to drop a grand for a Concept 2 but that price is a little rich for my blood. Do you have any other recommendations for something comparable but a little less expensive?

This one was on my radar, but I was concerned about durability and lack of distance count, so I spent the $$$ and bought the Concept 2 instead.

Which model of the sunny is this?

Which one Is better betwen this AND XTerra ERG200... I'm begining

I love mine

Which model is this?

I paid $20 for it off of Facebook marketplace, so as far as I'm concerned, it's the best rower I could buy! 🤣🤣

Hey Austin, I'm having trouble finding info on elastic rowers. Are they that bad for the price? As a beginner would it be a good budget option? Thanks

I was looking into a stamina 1060 rower. Do you think the independent arms hinder the rowing form? I'm absolutely a newbie to rowing and honestly any cardio at this point is better then none. I'm into weight training and it's just not enough to get the fat loss results I'm looking for. Anyways any thoughts and opinions on that particular set up would be greatly appreciated.