Sunny Rowing Machine Review

This site contains affiliate links to products. We may receive a commission for purchases made through these links.

Pros:

  • Smooth and quiet handle pull
  • Has compact footprint
  • Offers low-impact exercise
  • Straightforward assembly
  • Comfortable and easy to use

Cons:

  • Bulky
  • Foot plates pivot unexpectedly

This SF-RW5515 model from Sunny Health and Fitness is a top-of-the-line magnetic rowing machine offered within the standard price range.

It will give you all the support and convenience needed for an energetic but enjoyable home workout program.

For over 20 years, the company has believed anyone and everyone should have easy access to a healthy lifestyle and quality workouts.

Let us dig deeper and see what else we can find about this model through this Sunny Rowing Machine review.

Sunny Rowing Machine Review

The Sunny Health and Fitness magnetic rowing machine is an exercise and fitness device initially released on the market on 2015.

It’s a high-quality product backed up by a premier brand, aiming to provide the best fitness experience for those who need it.

The company has dedicated fitness instructors and trained support representatives able and willing to assist customers.

Who Is This Product For?

This Sunny Health and Fitness rower is perfect for people who want to feel the challenge of outdoor rowing in the comfort of their homes.

Its overall footprint is sufficient for most users, allowing them to extend their rowing movement fully.

Beginners and experts can easily find the perfect rowing intensity from its eight adjustable tension levels.

No storage space? The Sunny rowing machine has built-in transportation wheels and a foldable design for easy stashing.

Its small footprint makes it perfect for those with small spaces who don’t want to miss out on their workout.

What’s Included?

Upon receipt of your order, you will receive the main frame, the seat, pedals, and the front and rear stabilizers.

Also included in the package are the hardware package, necessary tools, and its user manual.

Overview of the Features

Check out the following features of the Sunny SF-RW5515 rower and see how it could help your body workout.

  • 8-Level Adjustable Resistance

Increase or decrease the intensity of your entire body workout with a simple turn of the resistance dial.

This Sunny rower comes with eight challenging but adequate levels of resistance to help you reach your fitness goals.

The difference between the low and high settings is quite noticeable, making it an ideal beginner-intermediate entry-level machine.

  • Digital Monitor

Easily monitor your progress while rowing through the digital display on the LCD screen of the Sunny Health and Fitness rower.

It helps keep track of your stroke count, rowing time, total count, and estimated calories burned.

You can also use the scan mode to continuously repeat and calculate these features, switching the display every six seconds.

The easy-to-read LCD monitor comes in a reasonable size for a budget machine.

  • Non-Slip Foot Pedals

These non-slip large and textured pedals come with adjustable foot straps, ensuring the feet stay in place during your workout.

They can accommodate all foot sizes, securely keeping them saddled while you are in the rowing position.

  • Foldable Design

This fitness equipment is a space saver as it allows you to put up the alloy steel rail when not in use.

The fold-up version of this budget model from Sunny Health and Fitness is easy to store, even in tight spaces.

  • Floor Stabilizers

Another nice feature of the RW5515 rowing machine is the front and rear floor stabilizers.

They help create balance and avoid rocking, swaying, or tipping on uneven surfaces.

You turn on the knob until you reach your desired balanced level.

  • Anti-Slip Handlebar

The slip-resistant handlebars of this Sunny Health & Fitness rowing machine have a soft padded foam grip.

It will not only prevent calluses but will give you the comfort and support you need for a safer and easier fitness journey.

  • Extra-Long Slide Rail

This well-built steel slide rail measuring 48 inches in length with 44 inches inseam can accommodate most users comfortably.

It is one of the market’s longest and most affordable rowers, preventing movement restrictions.

You can get a full-body, effective workout targeting major muscle groups, including abdominals, arms, back, glutes, and legs.

  • Transport Wheels

This budget-friendly rowing machine also features front transportation wheels for ease of movement.

Just tilt the machine and roll it out if you need to use it or put it away for storage.

  • Wide Padded Seat

The SF-RW5515 magnetic rowing machine from Sunny Health and Fitness is known for its comfortable seat.

Its firm cushioned seat has ample padding, allowing intense workout sessions without feeling sore.

This padded ergonomic seat is large enough to accommodate users of up to 250 pounds.

  • Package Inclusions

Upon receipt of this inexpensive rower, you will receive the main mechanical drum with the built-in timer and pull bar.

Also found inside the box is the slide rail, the extra-wide and padded seat, stabilizers, and foot pedals.

To complete the easy assembly, you will have the instruction booklet, assembly too, and two packs of bolts, knobs, and washers.

How To Get the Most Out of the Sunny Rowing Machine

The Sunny magnetic resistance rowing machine is a good buy if you are a beginner and on a tight budget.

Rowing is an excellent way to get your heart pumping as it uses different muscle groups in your body.

It’s a low-impact full-body workout, making it a great exercise option for people with joint issues.

Proper timing and technique are essential elements to maximize the benefits of the actual rowing machine.

Here are some valuable tips to make the best of these budget rowing machines.

1. Check the Resistance

This budget rower has eight resistance levels, allowing you to choose from low to high resistance according to your preference.

2. Keep a Good Posture

A good posture while working out will give you more energy to perform and avoid strains and injuries.

3. Properly Strap Your Feet In

Ensure the strap is across the foot’s widest part while the ball pushes against the pad’s platform.

4. Strokes and Rhythm

Maintain smooth and consistent strokes, ensuring you cover each row’s total distance.

5. Power With Your Legs

Contrary to what others believe, 60% of the leg muscles and 20% each of the arms and core power any rowing technique.

6. Choose Between Time and Distance

You have two options to focus on when doing a rowing workout – time or distance.

Focusing on time increases your speed, while distance is for building endurance.

Alternatives

Not quite sure if the Sunny Rowing Machine can give you what you need? Here are some alternatives.

1. Niceday Rowing Machine

Check out the Niceday Rowing Machine. Niceday is an emerging brand with over 20 years of experience manufacturing various fitness equipment.

This hyper-quiet magnetic rower is an excellent choice for home use with its 350 pounds maximum loading capacity and 16 resistance levels.

It has a tension resource that uses an advanced non-touching ultra-quiet magnetic control technology, reducing the sound as you pull the belt. 

The Niceday rower comes with 16 magnetic resistance options combined with high-density magnets, doublings the tension for each level, letting you sweat more.

Instead of a powder-coated rail, Niceday uses wear-resistant aluminum oxide that will not scratch for years.

Its multi-pulley and dual-side rail system help distribute the loading weight evenly for smoother and more durable operation.

The large polypropylene seat with its 3D surface allows you to stay seated during your workout, providing excellent comfort even for long periods.

Niceday uses a thicker rowing belt with a tighter weaving process than the typical variety found on most rowing machines, maintaining its shape for years.

Its digital monitor displays your calories, distance, speed per minute, and rowing count and time.

You can also set an exercise goal for each and delete the previous data using the SET and RESET buttons, respectively.

The base provides absolute stability, while the soft rubber on each foot offers slip resistance and prevents floor scratches.

2. ProForm 440R Rowing Machine

Another possible alternative is the ProForm 440R Rowing Machine recommended for newbies and intermediate-level rowers.

The brand is known for producing budget-friendly home fitness equipment, including its lone rowing machine model. 

This foldable and lightweight rowing machine has a small footprint, requiring less storage space.

It has a similar load capacity to the SF-RW5515 at 250 pounds and takes less than an hour to assemble.

Like the Sunny rower, the ProForm machine has eight resistance-level choices.

It has a small but well-padded seat which more enormous individuals may find uncomfortable.

However, the latter has a shorter length but with taller height measurements than Sunny’s.

The LCD monitor shows the same basic information as the other two previous rowing machines, but ProForm has a significant screen.

Regarding warranty coverage, ProForm offers five years for the frame and 90 days for parts and labor.

Is The Sunny Rowing Machine Right For You?

After completing this Sunny rowing machine review and comparing it with two other brands, we can say that the SF-RW5515 tops the list.

Although the alternative machines are great rowers, the overall package of Sunny SF-RW5515 is still the best.

It is a budget-friendly rower with basic features suitable for the cardiovascular workout of the average person.

It may not be able to handle long training sessions, but it works well for newbies and intermediate-level rowers.

With multiple resistance level options, you can choose which will suit your needs well.

Moreover, it does not consume too much space, making it the perfect home fitness equipment.

It is a sturdy and reliable rowing machine suited for various users.

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Special offer for our visitors

Get your Free Strength Training Guide

We will never send you spam. By signing up for this you agree with our privacy policy and to receive regular updates via email in regards to industry news and promotions