Urevo are a fairly new company specializing in low-cost cardio gear. Their cardio gear is designed for beginners and intermediates, and the Urevo Folding Rowing Machine is an impressive example of a budget magnetic rowing machine.

You can’t expect gym quality from these guys, and they don’t pretend their machines are anywhere near it, but the quality is surprisingly good for the price point, and their new magnetic rower is one of the best I’ve across in a while. 

They Got All The Essentials Right.

At first glance, this is a well-built machine from Urevo. The build quality is there with a 65lb build, the rowing stroke is smooth thanks to the high-quality resistance and drives systems, plus the Urevo has one of the longest rails I’ve seen in this price range. Yes, the monitor is basic, but they have to cut somewhere, and it’s better it’s the monitor rather than the build.

man rowing on urevo folding rowing machine

It’s certainly one of the more impressive budget magnetic rowers out there, which is why I want to take a close look at everything it has to offer, including its drawbacks. But first, let’s take a quick look at the Urevo’s product specs!

Product Specifications

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Product dimensions – 70.8*13.4*22.4 inches

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Weight – 68lb

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Max user height – 6’5″

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Folds for storage

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LCD multi-function monitor –  time, count, calories, total count with Scan mode 

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Weight capacity – 330lb

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Resistance system – magnetic

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Frame – alloy steel

Why Do We Like The Urevo Folding Rowing Machine?

What you have to love about this rower is its whisper-quiet resistance system. Magnetic resistance is quickly becoming the go-to resistance type for home rowing machines. Even commercial gyms are replacing their air rowers with Magnetic. Why? It’s a frictionless resistance system, so it’s quieter in motion than any other resistance system out there.

Also, because it’s frictionless, it doesn’t require any maintenance. Something I know many people find appealing about this type of system

Belt Drive System

Another good thing about the Urevo and most magnetic rowers is that they include belt drive systems; they dont with come with a noisy chain drive like most air rowers. Belt drives are quiet in use and unlike a chain drive, they dont require any maintenance.

A magnetic resistance system and belt drive system is the quietest combination you’ll find for any rowing machine. If you want to avoid disturbing anyone with the sound of your workouts? A magnetic rower such as the Urevo is the ideal choice for a home rowing machine.

Constant Resistance

Magnetic resistance is constant and by that, I mean it doesnt get stronger the faster you row. Instead, you determine resistance strength by selecting a stronger level via a tension knob.

Because it is constant, you can row at a slow pace on a high resistance setting ‘great for building the legs’ and something thats impossible with air resistance because it’s dynamic.

8 Levels of Resistance

Theres no heavy flywheels in this price bracket, and none are premier weighted, still the stength of resistance in the upper levels is strong enough for calorie-burning workouts, and unless you’re a seasoned rower, the strength of resistance should be strong enough for most people.

Eight levels can be selected via the tension knob on the flywheel housing.

Stability  & Build Quality

This is a $250 rowing machine, so dont expect it to feel like something you’ve used in a local gym. Those things cost $1000+. However, for a budget rower, this thing is quite heavy. Most rowers in this price bracket weigh around 50lb, so the extra weight of the Urevo tells us this machine is made from quality materials.

Also, that extra weight will help keep the Ureveo planted to the floor, which is what we want.

There are a few other important stability features worth mentioning, and one of those is the adjustable levelers. Adjustable levelers are a really handy feature because they can be adjusted independently to keep the rower stable on uneven surfaces.

Also, we have the nice wide stabilizing feet on either end of the rower, which is another feature thats going to help prevent wobbles.

And lastly, the seat is contoured not just for comfort, but it’s contoured perfectly to stop your butt slipping in the push phase of the rowing stroke, a minor design feature, I know, but it’s crucial if you want to keep the correct rowing form.

urevo rowing machine monitor

6 Section Monitor

There’s nothing special about the Urevo monitor, but don’t worry, there’s nothing special about any budget monitors. Still, all is not lost if your rower has a basic monitor because they track all the essential workout data such as time, distance, stroke, and calories, which is all most of us need.

And something I liked about the Urevo monitor is that the screen is large and is divided into six sections so that you can see all your workout stats at once.

Sadly these are no workout programs or a BlueTooth option, but we do have a phone holder so you can download an app if you wish to help with the monotony of long workout sessions.

And remember, this is an almost silent rowing machine so you can watch TV or listen to music while you row without being disturbed by the sound of the rower.

urevo rower folding system

Anything Else Worth a Mention?

Something worth mentioning and perhaps one of this rower’s best features is that it folds for storage. It’s not hard to do, or annoying fiddley like so many folding systems as the Urevo uses a pull pin system that takes just a few seconds to fold. And once folded, the overall footprint of the rowing machine is more than halved.

Another useful feature are the transport wheels. These are built into the front stabilizing bar and make moving the rower a breeze, just tilt and roll to move.

Long Rail

Most budget rowers can only accommodate users up to 6’3″ at full leg extension, which is still impressive for a low-cost rower, but the Urevo takes it one step further and provides one of the longest rails I’ve seen in this price bracket, with an inseam of 44″. It can accommodate users up to 6’5″, and dont worry, if you’re petite as the minimum height limit, is around 4’10”.

High-Density Foam Padded Seat

And lastly, we have the seat. I already mentioned it’s great to see the seat has been contoured for comfort and stability, but something else worth mentioning about the seat is its padding.

The padding is made from high-density foam; this is the good stuff and great to see on a low-cost rower, this type of padding isnt too soft to cause stability issues nor too hard to be off-putting; it’s just right.

Easy 30 Minute Assembly

All the complicated stuff comes pre-assembled, such as the drive and magnetic resistance systems. Once this rower is delivered, all you’ll need to do is connect the rail to the front of the machine and attach the seat to the rail. attach the stabalizer bars the footrest and install the monitor. Shouldnt take longer than 30 minutes.

Detailed illustrated instructions are provided, so too are the basic tools for the job. If you get stuck, you can always return to the setup video we featured earlier in the review.

The Good

Sturdy build can handle up to 330lb

Whisper quiet magnetic resistance system

Maintenance free belt drive system

Smooth rowing stroke

Long rail – can accommodate users up to 6’5″ 

Contoured seat prevents slips in leg push phase of the rowing stroke

Space-saving design folds to half its original footprint

Easy to move – just tilt and roll on built-in transport wheels

30 minute assembly

The Bad

Monitor isnt backlit making it difficult to read in low light conditions

No way to measure pulse

No workout programs

                                                                                         

Alternative

sunny health sf-rw5115 rowing machine

Sunny Health & Fitness SF-RW5155 Magnetic Rower

Sunny Health & Fitness has been around for over 20 years, and when it comes to affordable cardio gear, these guys are king. They build some of the best budget rowers out there, and the SF-RW5155 is their flagship low-cost rowing machine.

The Sunny SF-RW5155 has been outselling everything else in this price bracket for years, and thats one of the best things about the SF-RW5155. People who have owned this rower are still praising it years after use, and there really aren’t many budget rowers that can boast that sort of feedback. It’s stood the test of time.

Also, users mentioned how to strong the resistance in the upper levels of the Sunny was, comparing it to machines they have used in their local gyms, which is almost unheard of in this price range.

But how does the Ureveo compare with Sunnys best seller? Surprisingly well as both machines boast whisper-quiet resistance and drive systems, both include long rails, study builds, and easy-to-use fold systems. There really isnt too much between these two.

I actually prefer the monitor of the Ureveo. It’s larger, and it’s helpful to see all your workout stats at once. And the Ureveo is slightly heavier, which is always a good thing, especially when it comes to stability.

Still, the Sunny has a ton of feedback that goes back years, and there’s a reason it’s stayed no.1 ? It’s well built, provides strong resistance, and is made by a company with a ton of experience in this space. It’s certainly worth some seroius consideration, and a great alternative to the Urevo if you want a rower made by a company with a lot of history.

                                                                                         

To Sum Up

Great to see another well-built budget magnetic rower on the market. The Urevo Folding Rowing Machine impressed with its silky smooth resistance system and sturdy build. It’s an excellent choice for both beginners and intermediates. There arent many decent rowers in this price bracket, just a few really good ones, and by the looks of it, the Urveo is easily up there with the best.