Is The Sunny Health & Fitness SF-RW5634 Magnetic Rower a Smart Buy? (Review)

You might be wondering why there isnt that many rowers in this price bracket? It’s because it’s hard to produce anything of real quality for under $200.

Out of the 5 or 6 rowing machines in this price bracket, only a couple of companies, the ‘larger ones,’ have managed to produce good quality rowers, and the Sunny Health SF-RW5634 is thankfully one of them.

Sunny Health & Fitness are the company to look to first when choosing low-cost cardio gear. They have over 20 years of experience in the lower price ranges, and bang for buck are usually unbeatable.

Smooth Rowing Stroke, Long Rail & Whisper Quiet Resistance System.

The Sunny Health SF-RW5634 rower boasts a few impressive features such as a long rail to accommodate taller users, a smooth whisper quiet resistance system, and a belt drive keeping noise to a minimum.

The Sunny Health & Fitness SF-RW5624 is certainly worth some serious consideration which is why we’re going to take a close look at all of its Pros and its drawbacks in this review.

First, a quick look at the product specs!

Why Do We Like The Sunny Health SF-RW5634 Rowing Machine?

The reason I like this rower so much is what it offers for the price point. There’s no other cardio machine out there for under $200 that can work 86% of your muscles and give you a pro cardio workout at the same time other than a rowing machine.

Sunny are offering you a well-built rowing machine for under $200; a few years ago, there were no budget rowers on the market. Even if you wanted a half-decent one, you’d be looking at spending $500+. The only other option was to pay for an expensive gym membership.

What Sunny has done with this rowing machine is stripped it of all its bells and whistles and what you’re left with is a well-built but basic rower, which is a good place for anyone to start.

All the essentials are there with the Sunny SF-RW5634. They’ve spent the money on the important features that ensure you get a smooth rowing stroke and a budget rower that will last.

Click here to check price of Sunny SF-RW5634 Rower on Amazon

8 Levels of Smooth Quiet Magnetic Resistance

For home use, magnetic resistance is usually the preferred choice. Why? Because it’s almost silent in operation, the magnets of the resistance system dont make contact with the flywheel. Thus it’s frictionless, making no noise and requiring little maintnace.

The Sunny Health SF-RW5634 includes eight levels of magnetic resistance, which is more than enough for most fitness levels. Many users say they can really feel the resistance strength from levels five and upwards and dont need anything stronger, which is good to hear as weak resistance is a common complaint with budget rowers.

Still, resistance strength will not be strong enough for serious rowers, even in the upper levels. You’d need to spend a few hundred more if you’re a seasoned rower in training for competitions etc.

Adjustable Resistance System

Something people dont realize when buying a magnetic rowing machine is that the resistance is adjustable. It’s not dynamic/variable like an air rower.

Magnetic resistance is a constant resistance system. The resistance strength only gets stronger or weaker when you can change it manually via the tension knob. It is not determined by how fast you row.

Content resistance (magnetic) does have its advantages. It allows you to row at a slow pace on a high resistance setting, something thats impossible with an air rower, and constant resistance systems are cheaper to produce, so it brings down the cost of the rower, which is always a good thing.

Still dynamic resistance (air rowers) where the resistance strength is determined by how fast you row are more realistic as they mimic the feel of actual rowing more closely than a rower that utilizes constant resistance.

But the main drawback with air rowers is that they use a fan to create the resistance, making them loud and not ideal for home use.

It’s really a personal choice as to which resistance system you prefer. Something more realistic but loud? or a quiet smooth resistance system such as magnetic, which the Sunny Health SF-RW 5634 includes.

Belt Drive System – No Maintenance

Another benefit of magnetic rowing machines is that a belt drive system usually accompanies them, belt drive systems are much quieter than the chain drive system we usually see featured with air rowers, plus they dont need to be lubricated often like a chain drive system, so require little maintenance and again are the best choice for a home rower.

Basic Monitor – Tracks All The Essential Workout Data

It’s not just the Sunny that suffers from a basic monitor in this price range, they all do.

Still, basic monitors do track all the essential stuff such as time, strokes per minute, and calories burned, etc. You won’t find workout programs, Bluetooth, or large color screens.

I like basic monitors they are easy to use and set up, plus you save yourself a ton of cash. Most people never use all the features of advanced monitors, and they end up wasting their money. A monitor like the one featured on the Sunny rower tracks all the workout data you need.

The only downside to this monitor is that it doesn’t include a tablet or phone holder, which is disappointing. However, it’s one of the quietest rowers you’ll find, so you can watch tv or listen to music while you row without being disturbed by the sound of the machine.

Stability Light Weight Rowers Can Be Unstable

This is a lightweight rowing machine at 45lb, which is great for moving the thing but not so good when it comes to stability. Weight is usually a deciding factor in the overall stability of cardio machines, and while 45lb isnt super light, it’s not going to help much.

Thankfully Sunny designed the stabilizer bars to be nice and wide which will help with wobble, but they didn’t include any adjustable levelers.

Adjustable levelers are handy for keeping the rower stable on uneven surfaces, and it’s a shame not to see them featured. Overall this rower doesn’t have much going for it when it comes to stability which is why id advise you to get hold of a cheap rubber floor mat to prevent any slips.

Anything Else Worth a Mention?

There are a few other minor features worth a mention. I liked the folding system on this rower. It is easy to fold and not fiddley like so many of them, taking just a few seconds to fold.

Also, there are transport wheels built-in to the stabilizer bars, making moving the machine relatively easy just tilt and roll.

And lastly, the Sunny SF-RW5634 includes a surprisingly long rail of 40″ thats the length the seat can slide. A rail this length will allow users up to 6’5″ to active full leg extension.

To Sum Up

I liked the Sunny Health & Fitness SF-RW5634 Magnetic Rowing Machine because Sunny managed to deliver a rowing machine capable of providing a smooth rowing experience with strong resistance for under $200, which is impressive.

Users have praised this rowing machine for the strength of resistance in its upper levels, and thats surprising for a rower in this price range.

If you dont mind a basic monitor and are looking for a well-built, affordable machine for full-body workouts at home? The Sunny is well worth checking out.