SOLE SR550 Review: A Premium Hybrid Rower Built to Last

A Worthy Upgrade

The SOLE SR550 is the latest version of SOLE’s only rowing machine, replacing the older SR500. The biggest upgrade is the new 10.1-inch touchscreen, but SOLE has kept everything that made the SR500 such a solid rowing machine.

No Monthly Subscriptions

Okay, the tech can sometimes feel a little behind companies like NordicTrack, but then you’re not paying a monthly subscription with SOLE.

You’re not forced to spend $30–$50 a month just to unlock the best features of your rower, like you are with Hydrow or NordicTrack. With SOLE, you get access to the SOLE+ app for free, and it’s actually pretty good.

Like all their gear, the SR550 is heavy-duty, durable, and comes with a lifetime frame warranty, and it feels built to last. It’s a rowing machine that has always impressed me, and it’s certainly one I feel deserves a much closer look.

I’m really liking the updated SOLE SR550, especially the new 10.1-inch touchscreen. It’s a big improvement over what the old SOLE SR500 had to offer. SOLE has taken everything that was impressive about the SR500 and improved what wasn’t.

So in today’s SOLE SR550 review, we’re going to take a close look at everything it has to offer, including any drawbacks.

At the end of the review, we’ll also compare the SOLE SR550 with another favorite of mine in this price range, the NordicTrack RW700. It’ll be interesting to see how these two impressive best sellers stack up against each other.

But first, let’s take a quick look at the SOLE SR550’s specs, pros, and cons!

Specs

Why Do We Like The Sole SR550 Rower?

What I like most about the SR550 is that old school feel. It’s not trying to be ultra sleek or futuristic like some of the newer tech focused rowers.

Instead, with the SOLE rower, it’s usability and build quality that come first. It’s much more like the rowers you’ll find in hard training gyms.

It’s not trying to sell itself through fancy apps. It’s a rowing machine that’s there to give you a full body cardio workout, and that’s exactly what it’s been built for.

And I love how stable this thing is, the wide front and rear stabilizing feet really add stability and are height adjustable, which helps keep the rower stable on uneven surfaces. Plus, it’s a heavy rower too; that extra weight keeps the machine planted to the floor.

A Higher Seat Makes a Difference

And I’m liking the seat height. At 19 inches from the floor to the top of the seat padding, it puts you in a great position to view the screen while rowing, and makes it much easier to get on and off the machine.

Another thing I like is the seat design. The back lip has been raised enough that it stops your butt from sliding too far back in the drive phase of the rowing stroke. It’s only a small detail, but it does make the seat feel that bit more secure.

39″ Seat Travel – long Slide Rail – Max user Height 6’5″

I’m also a fan of the slide rail. Not only is it positioned quite high, making it easier to get on and off the seat, but it also offers an impressive 39 inches of seat travel, making it a great choice for taller users.

Click here to check price of the Sole SR550 on SoleFitness.com

Smooth Stroke, Strong Resistance

The rowing stroke is nice and smooth. You have a belt drive system and a magnetic resistance system, and this combination really helps keep each stroke feeling smooth. The seat also glides effortlessly along the rail thanks to those ball bearing wheels, which only adds to that smoothness.

Still, because this is a hybrid rower, it uses both air and magnetic resistance, which changes the feel of the stroke slightly.

Handlebar Adjustments

Also being able to adjust reistnace levels from the handlebar is a nice touch as well, as it saves you having to reach up to the monitor in the middle of a session. A cool featuire which I’ve only seen used on the Sole.

What Does a Hybrid Rower Feel Like?

You’ll notice the air resistance first. It gives the start of each stroke a stronger, more positive feel as you get the flywheel moving, much like rowing on water. The magnetic resistance then kicks in, providing that smooth, constant resistance throughout the rest of the stroke.

That’s why hybrid rowers always feel a little different. They combine the natural feel of an air rower with the smooth, controlled resistance of a magnetic rower, giving you a bit of both in every stroke.

There are 16 levels of resistance and, yes, the upper levels are pretty tough. They’re strong enough for an intense workout, but maybe not quite enough for seasoned rowers in training. If you’re training several times a week seriously, I’d probably still recommend the Concept 2.

Upgraded 10″ Touchscreen Monitor & Free SOLE+ App

With Sole, the tech normally lags a little behind the competition, it’s not outdated or anything. Their gear just doesn’t come with quite as many app features as the Hydro or NordicTrack rowers, but as I mentioned, you’re not paying an extra $300 – $500 a year for their app like the other rowers; the Sole+ app is free.

The Sole+ app comes with a ton of workouts and tracks all your essential workout data; the monitor also comes with Netflix and a few other built-in apps. Plus I know many people even use the monitor to link up the rower with the Peloton app as well.

The upgraded monitor now features a full 10″ pivoting HD screen, which is crystal clear and easily large enough to view all your workouts and stats while you row.

There’s also built-in wireless heart rate monitoring, although the chest strap isn’t included.

Overall, I was impressed with the upgraded monitor, and of course I love that Sole doesn’t charge you a ton of cash to use their app. No monthly subscription is a big selling point of this rower from Sole.

Wide, Long Slide Rail

The slide rail is a decent length, not as long as something like the Concept 2, but it’s not far off. You have a seat travel distance of 39″, which gives you a max user height of around 6’5″, which is about what I’d expect in this price range.

Also, it’s a nice wide rail, which gives you some extra stability, and it’s at a slight incline. I prefer an inclined rail, I find it adds something a little extra to the workout. Incline rowing works the leg muscles harder, which in turn burns even more calories.

And the seat isn’t too hard, which is always a good thing; you can row for long sessions without feeling uncomfortable, and it’s not too soft either, so it doesn’t cause any stability problems; it’s just right for a rowing machine.

Drawbacks of The Sole SR550 Rowing Machine

For the price, you get a lot of rower for your money with the SOLE SR550. Bang for your buck, this one is a winner. I’ve been reviewing SOLE’s gear for many years, and they always seem to come up trumps when it comes to build quality and value for money. Still, if I were being really picky, there are a few minor drawbacks worth a mention:

• The hybrid resistance takes a little getting used to if you’re coming from a traditional air or magnetic rower
• SOLE+ is good, but it’s not as polished or content-rich as iFIT or Hydrow
• It’s a large, heavy rowing machine that isn’t ideal if you’re tight on space.

Will You Need a Rowing Mat?

Most people probably won’t need a rowing mat for the Sole SR550 because it already has rubber-capped feet, which will protect your polished floors from scratches.

Also, those rubber-capped feet will prevent any unwanted slippages on hard floors, so you wouldn’t need a mat to prevent slippage either.

The only time I reccomend buying a mat for this rower is if you live in an apartment or shared housing, as an equipment mat will help soak up over 80% of the vibrations from your workouts, a good idea if you want to keep your neighbors happy.

JStorage

For a large, heavy rower, it isn’t that difficult to move. Just tilt and roll on the built-in transport wheels. Once you move it to where you want it to be stored, simply remove a pin to fold. Once folded, the rower’s overall footprint is more than halved.

So yes, no real problems with storing the rower, and the folding system is very easy to use; it’s not a fiddly folding system, like many rowers I’ve reviewed.

However, assembly will take an hour or two. You’ll still need to attach the rail to the flywheel housing, attach the monitor, seat, and foot pedals; tools are provided. I recommend two people for the job; it makes things a lot easier and faster.

Final Verdict

I was impressed with the Sole SR550 Rowing machine; the build quality sells it. I love the old-school design. It feels like a proper rowing machine, and I like that it doesn’t try to sell itself through a high-end app. It’s a rowing machine that’s going to last years of use, and it’s suitable for everyone except maybe serious, seasoned rowers in training.

Another major selling point is that you’re not forced into paying a monthly subscription just to use the rower’s best features. With the Sole SR550, there are no extra costs. You pay for the rower, and the app comes free, which is what you want. I didn’t find any major drawbacks; it’s an impressive machine that won’t disappoint.

How Does The Sole SR550 Compare To The NordicTrack SR550?

NordicTrack RW700 Rower

I think the main difference between the RW700 and the SOLE SR550 is just how quiet and smooth the rowing stroke of the RW700 is. It’s a full magnetic rowing machine, which means there’s no noisy fan from an air resistance system.

Instead, you get a whisper quiet magnetic resistance system with a belt drive and a heavy 15 lb flywheel. This combination is about as quiet and smooth as you’ll find on any rowing machine, which is why the RW700 is almost silent in operation and feels so silky smooth when rowing.

The build quality of both the RW700 and the SR550 is very similar. Both are heavy duty machines, weighing just over 100 lb. They’re solid, well built rowers with long, wide slide rails and front and rear stabilizing feet that keep them stable on almost any surface.

They also both have 10 inch touchscreens with wireless heart rate monitoring, and both come with their own fitness apps. With NordicTrack, you get iFIT, arguably the best fitness app around. With SOLE, you get the free SOLE+ app.

iFIT is awesome, with over 10,000 workouts and a ton of features like SmartAdjust and AI Coach. The downside is the price. It’s around $300 a year, and the RW700 is really built around the app. Without it, you’re missing out on many of the rower’s best features.

With SOLE, the app is free. Yeah, it’s not as polished as iFIT, but it’s good enough, and you don’t have to worry about another yearly subscription hanging over your head.

Overall, the build quality is very similar. Both are well made, high end rowers that feel solid and durable. They’re also straightforward to set up and should last for many years.

The biggest decision really comes down to whether you want iFIT. If you love interactive workouts and think you’ll get plenty of use from the app, then the RW700 is probably the better choice. But if you prefer a more old school rowing machine that isn’t all about apps and subscriptions, while saving yourself a few bucks along the way, I’d go for the SOLE SR550. Whichever one you choose, I don’t think you’ll be disappointed.

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

Sole SR550 FAQs