Sunny Health and Fitness SF-RW5515 Rower Review
SF-RW5515 Rower Overview
Looking for a good quality, indoor magnetic rower under 500 that is easy to store and perfect for those with smaller living spaces? Let us introduce you to the Sunny Health and Fitness Magnetic Rower SF-RW5515, one of the most popular options in the entry-level home rower market. If you feel like you don’t need all of the bells and whistles of the latest connected fitness machines, then the Sunny Health and Fitness Magnetic Rower may be the perfect model for you. It is constructed from a sturdy steel alloy that gives you a frame solid enough to hold a maximum suggested user weight capacity of 250 lbs. The SF-RW5515 comes equipped with a wide-cushioned seat and non-slip foot pedals so that you can feel in total control during your workout. Another plus? This model is a foldable rower, so even if you do not have a lot of space, you can tuck the magnetic rower away into a closet or storage room when it is not in use.
As with most home magnetic rowers, the Sunny Health and Fitness SF-RW5515 home rower has a fairly large footprint in comparison to other home fitness machines. The dimensions of the rower are 78” L x 19.1 “ W x 23.2” H when in use, so you should reasonably expect to need a space of about seven feet cleared out. When folded, the SF-RW5515 measures in at only 37.4” L x 19.1” W x 53.5” H, so it is quite a bit more compact than when it is being operated. Compared to other rowing machines, the SF-RW5515 is actually quite light at only 60.9 lbs unboxed and 70.8 lbs when it is shipped in the box. This model is also obviously a magnetic resistance rowing machine so there will not be any added weight from adding water or an air resistance fan.
The SF-RW5515 offers Sunny Health and Fitness’ newly improved smooth and silent magnetic tension system that comes with eight levels of adjustable magnetic resistance. The easy to use tension knob just requires a quick turn from the user, and the magnetic resistance will increase or decrease with minimal effort. Like with most home magnetic rowers, the SF-RW5515 offers a quiet and soothing workout experience, perfect for users who are worried about bothering their neighbors or other members of their household. A magnetic rower will never have the sloshing of the tank that replicates being on the actual water, but it does provide the quietest rowing experience of all the resistance types.
The entry-level price tag does come with some deficiencies though, the most glaring of which is the lack of technology and a substantial monitor. The SF-RW5515 does not come with any of the functionality of the connected fitness machines that are so popular these days, so do not expect to be able to use WiFi or Bluetooth here. The digital LCD monitor is also quite basic and only provides users with a way to track the time, count, calories, total count, and does come with a handy scan function that cycles through these options. There are no integrated smart phone apps or forms of entertainment that can be added on though, which may suit users who are simply looking for a pure rowing experience.
The SF-RW5515 is straightforward to assemble and conveniently arrives in only one box, compared to other budget indoor rowing machines which may ship in multiple boxes. Assembly will take the average person about an hour or so, and Sunny Health and Fitness does provide clear instructions that are also available to download off of the website. As with most magnetic rowing machines, the SF-RW5515 has minimal maintenance aside from keeping the machine clean and dust free. Users can purchase the machine directly from the Sunny Health and Fitness website, or through a third party distributor like WalMart or online marketplace like Amazon. Sunny Health and Fitness does offer free shipping for any order over $99 within the 48 continental states. Products from Sunny Health and Fitness are delivered via economy shipping and takes an average of 6-7 business days from when the order is processed.
The price of the SF-RW5515 is what is really going to get the attention of users who are not looking to spend a lot on their home rowing machine. At only about $300, it represents one of the best values in the entry-level home rower market, and is a fraction of the cost of some of the other machines available. Sunny Health and Fitness does accept all major credit cards as well as PayPal, but does not have a financing option available on their site. To be frank, the warranty is not at all impressive, but Sunny Health and Fitness provides the same warranty for all rowing machines, indoor cycles, ellipticals, treadmills, and recumbent bikes: 3-years for the structural frame and only 180 days for other parts and components.
Sunny Health and Fitness SF-RW5515 Magnetic Rower Pros
- The price tag is a tremendous value
- Smooth and silent magnetic tension system
- Foldable frame makes storing it easy and convenient
- Solid alloy steel frame
- Eight levels of adjustable magnetic resistance
- Lightweight and easy to move around
- Built-in transport wheels
- Wide cushioned seat
- Foam grip handlebars
- Non-slip pedals
- Easy to assemble
Sunny Health and Fitness SF-RW5515 Magnetic Rower Cons
- Lack of any technology or integration
- Digital LCD monitor is extremely basic
- Adjustable magnetic resistance is manual
- Warranty is not great at all
- No Bluetooth or WiFi connectivity
Sunny Health and Fitness SF-RW5515 Rower Final Verdict
For a lot of people, money talks, and the price you pay for the SF-RW5515 is hard to beat in the home rowing machine market. At a bare-bones price of $300, users need to know that this model does not come with any technology or bells and whistles, or even automated resistance levels. The warranty is not great which can often be indicative of a company that just does not believe too strongly in their products. Who the SF-RW5515 model is perfect for are people who have small living spaces since it is foldable and lightweight, as well as quiet to your neighbors. If you do not need the latest technology or tons of options, then it is hard to go wrong with a $300 home rowing machine. For those who are serious about their rowing, just a couple hundred dollars more can get you into the class of a Mr. Right Water Rower with a Bluetooth digital monitor that integrates with your smartphone.
Sayed Hamed Hosseiny
Hi, my name is Sayed Hamed Hosseiny. I am a professional health and fitness trainer with nearly 20 years of experience using ellipticals, rowing machines, and spin bikes. I also have my own EU-based Rock Fitness Pro fitness brand where I design, import and sell exercise equipment such as rowing machines and spin bikes. I and writers on my team also often receive fitness equipment to review and evaluate their functionalities and performance from tens of different exercise machines manufacturers. Fitness equipment tips, guides, reviews, and comparisons on this website are my opinion (and opinions of my fitness expert colleagues) based on tens of criteria. I never accept payment to write reviews of products or say positive things about fitness equipment products. If brands are interested to have me review their rowers, ellipticals, or spin bikes, they can get in touch with me via email provided on the contact page and send a sample of their product.
