PooBoo Rowing Machine Review: A Better Budget Rower Than Ever

A Budget Rower That Keeps Getting Better

I first reviewed the PooBoo Rowing Machine around 5 years ago. I was even impressed back then. It was well-made, and I remember thinking what a sturdy bit of kit it was.

The updated version we’re reviewing today takes everything that was good about the previous version and fixes what wasn’t. The rail is longer, resistance is a little stronger in the upper levels, and you now have a monitor that includes Bluetooth so you can connect the rower with apps like Kinomap.

Almost Silent in Use

Also, the upgraded PooBoo Rowing Machine is surprisingly quiet, at just 20 dBs, it’s one of the quietest I’ve reviewed in a long time.

The combination of the new belt drive system and frictionless magnetic resistance system really helps keep noise levels to an absolute minimum.

I’m liking the new PooBoo Rowing Machine, it’s also a little heavier than it used to be, which gives it that sturdy and, as users have mentioned, premium feel, which is rare for a budget rower.

It’s certainly a rowing machine I feel deserves a second, much closer look, so in today’s PooBoo Rowing Machine Review, I want to take a close look at everything this impressive machine has to offer, including any drawbacks.

At the end of the review, I’ll also compare it to a fav of mine in this price range, the Yosuda Pro Rowing Machine, as it will be interesting to see how these two match up.

First, let’s take a quick look at the PooBoo Rowing Machine specs, pros, and cons!

Specs

Why Do We Like The PooBoo Rowing Machine?

Once you’ve unboxed and assembled the PooBoo Rower, I think most people will be impressed by the build quality.

As I mentioned in the intro, it’s heavy for a budget machine, weighing 60lb is impressive; most budget rowing machines weigh around 40lb. The PooBoo Rowing Machine has a much more solid feel.

That extra weight is a telling sign of the quality of the parts used in the build, and the heavier, the better, when it comes to rowing machines. You want a rowing machine that feels sturdy and premium, and that’s what you get with the PooBoo, which really is rare at this price point.

It’s All in the Design

Also, I love that PooBoo has really thought about the design of their rowing machine. Those wide front and rear stabilizing feet really help keep the rowing machine stable.

The feet are also adjustable, so you can level the rower on uneven floors, which is a really handy feature that most budget rowing machines don’t include.

Also, the rail is wide, and the contoured seat is another feature that adds to the overall stability of this rowing machine.

What I really like about the seat is that they’ve raised the back lip of the seat even higher, which helps stop your butt from sliding too far back during the drive phase of the rowing stroke, and that’s important.

Big thumbs up to PooBoo for build quality and design.

Click here to check price of the PooBoo Rowing Machine on Amazon

Smooth Magnetic Resistance, but is it Strong Enough?

The rowing stroke is really smooth with this rower, and that’s because you have a belt-drive system, which is quieter and smoother than noisy chain drives, and a frictionless magnetic resistance system, which is basically the quietest and smoothest combination possible.

Still, the strength of the resistance in the upper levels isn’t strong enough for serious rowers.

Yeah, there are 14 levels, but there really isn’t a huge difference from level 8 to 14. That’s because it’s not a heavy-duty rowing machine, and it doesn’t have the sort of resistance you’d expect from a much more expensive rower.

Where’s the Flywheel Weight?

And what’s slightly disappointing is that PooBoo doesn’t mention the flywheel’s weight anywhere in their listings, which isn’t a good sign. If it had a really impressive flywheel, I’d expect them to tell people about it.

So yes, it’s really quiet, and the rowing stroke is smooth. But the downside is that the resistance just isn’t strong enough for seasoned rowers or anyone looking for a tougher workout.

Easy To Use but Basic Monitor

In this price range, monitors lack the high-end features, there’s no built-in workout programs, there’s no wireless heart rate monitoring, or a large pivoting HD screen, you really are just left with the essentials.

Still, I don’t mind basic monitors, they’re so easy to use and set up, you can just jump on the rower and get rowing. There’s no need to spend half an hour scrolling through menus trying to figure out how to work the thing.

Also, I’d rather they cut on monitor specs than the build quality of the rower. It’s a low cost rower, so they have to save money somewhere.

And really, it isn’t too bad for a basic monitor, it tracks all your essential workout data such as time, distance, total count, even calories, and they’re easy to read thanks to the large backlit LCD.

And for those of you who need a little more, the monitor has been updated to include Bluetooth, so it’s compatible with apps such as Kinomap, which is a big plus.

One last thing worth noting is that you can’t adjust resistance strength through the monitor, you need to manually adjust it using the tension knob that’s situated on the front flywheel housing just under the monitor.

Wide Smooth Slide Rail

One of the best features of the PooBoo Magnetic Rowing Machine is its slide rail. I like it because it’s wide, it lets the seat slide smoothly across it, and that extra width adds stability.

And it’s inclined. I always like to see an inclined rail, it’s just a slight incline, but it still adds that something extra to the push phase of the stroke. The large muscles of your legs are forced to work a little harder on an inclined rail. Not only does that burn extra calories, but it also strengthens and builds those muscles.

Will You Need a Rowing Mat?

A lot of people will choose to buy a rowing mat to protect their polished floors from scratches, but really, it depends on where you’re going to use your rower.

It won’t matter much in a garage, but in a house, you may need a mat. Also, remember the stabilizing feet of the PooBoo rower are not capped in rubber like some rowers, so there’s nothing really built in to prevent it from scratching floors.

Another reason you may need a rowing mat is to prevent slippage. Rowing machines like the PooBoo, which don’t include those capped feet, will move slightly on hard floors. A mat is an excellent way to add a little extra stability.

And lastly, if you live in an apartment or shared housing, a rowing mat can be very useful, as it will absorb up to 80% of the vibrations from your workouts. A good idea if you want to keep your neighbors happy.

I’ve found that Sunny Health & Fitness make the best low-cost equipment mats. Here’s the link if you’re interested: Sunny Health Equipment Mat

Drawbacks of The PooBoo Rowing Machine

I couldn’t really find any major drawbacks with the PooBoo Rowing Machine. For the money, I feel you get a lot of rower. Still, I found it disappointing they chose not to disclose the flwyheel weight.

Also, as a few users have noted, resistance at the upper levels isn’t that strong, which could be due to the flywheel weight or the quality of the magnets in the braking system.

And also, at $300, it’s not strictly a budget rower. I’d expect a few workout programs with the monitor, which is very basic for a $300 rower. It’s the same monitor found on sub-$200 magnetic rowing machines, so at least a few built-in workout programs and a way to measure pulse rate would have been nice. Still, I like that they finally added Bluetooth.

So just a couple of minor ones, nothing major there, overall a decent rower for the price point.

Storage – Single Pin

I was hoping the upgraded PooBoo Rowing machine might use vertical storage, as it takes up less room than a folding rower, but it seems that PooBoo kept their folding system for this rower. Actually, it’s one of the better folding systems, it’s not fiddly, and it’s very easy to do, with just a pin to remove.

Once folded, the rowers’ overall footprint is more than halved, so it’s still an excellent space saver and a good choice for those of you tight on space.

Lastly, there are built-in transport wheels, so to move the rower, just tilt and roll.

Final Verdict

I was impressed with the build quality, but then at $299, it should impress. It’s $100 more expensive than my favorite budget rowers and doesn’t really boast any extra features. 

Still, what it does give you for those extra bucks, that makes it a step up from the budget machines, is that premnium feel, it weighs 60lb, it’s 20lb heavier than the top-rated budget rowers, the PooBoo is a more solid machine. It’s a rowing machine that’s going to last.

The monitor is basic yes, and some of you are going to wish reistnace was a little stronger, however, I think you’ll be impressed with the overall quality of the rowing machine, most of the essnetails are there with the PooBoo and thats whats most important.

How Does The PooBoo Rowing Machine Compare To The Yosuda Pro?

Yosuda Pro Rowing Machine

Yosuda has been around for over a decade now, and these guys have really made a mark in the low-cost market. I’ve reviewed a lot of their gear over the years, and I’m always impressed.

Bang for your buck, their rowing machines are some of the best out there, with the Yosuda Pro being one of my favorites.

The reason I like this rowing machine so much is that it seems to get all the essentials right and still comes with a price tag well under $300, which is so impressive.

The rowing stroke of the Pro is smooth, and resistance is strong in those upper levels, and that’s thanks to the 14lb flywheel. That’s a heavy flywheel for the price point and a real selling point of this rowing machine.

And the rail is impressive too, it’s wide, inclined, and 49″ long, which allows a max user height of 6’3″, which again is excellent for a rower that costs right now below $250.

The monitor of the Yosuda Pro, just like the PooBoo, is pretty basic, it tracks all your workout data and comes with Bluetooth, so just like the PooBoo rower, it can be connected with apps like Kinomap, but yeah, nothing special with the monitor, which, to be expected at this price. As I mentioned before, they have to cut somewhere to keep prices low.

Overall, the Yosuda Pro offers excellent value for money. It’s well made, sturdy, and weighs well over 50lb, so we know the quality is there. The rowing stroke is smooth, and that heavy flywheel provides enough resistance for most people’s needs, not just beginners.

Is it better than the PooBoo? Firstly, they’re both very similar, both are a step up from the budget rowers, they have that more sturdy premium feel about them, both use the same whisper quiet magnetic reistnace system and belt drive systems, both boast wide, long, inclined rails, and smooth rowing strokes.

Still, the Pro has that heavy-duty 14lb flywheel, which is what really sells it for me, and it has the 16 levels of resistance giving you a bit more choice, plus it stores vertically, which saves more space.

The Pro a slightly more impressive rower than the PooBoo, not by much, but if it were my money, the Yosuda Pro would be at the top of my list. Also, the Pro costs $50 less.

Still comparing rowing machines? Read Next: Best Magnetic Rowing Machines

PooBoo Magnetic Rowing Machine FAQs