Yosuda Magnetic Rowing Machine Review: Well built budget rower for home

Magnetic rowers have been around for a while now. They used to be expensive, but thankfully, prices have come down in the last few years. Companies like Yosuda, which specializes in building high qulaity affordable cardio gear, are building impressive ones. Yes, the Yosuda magnetic rowing machine is a long way off commercial grade, but for a home rower, it’s well made, and by the looks of things, has got all the essentials right.

It’s undoubtedly a rower worthy of some serious consideration, which is why today I’m going to look at all of its pros and drawbacks. Also, at the end of the review, I’ll compare the Yosuda to the best seller in this price range, the Sunny SF-RW5155, as it will be interesting to see how they match up.

First, a quick look at the Yosuda product specs!

Why Do We Like The Yosuda Magnetic Rowing Machine?

The best feature of this rower has to be its resistance system. Why? It’s so quiet in motion, and thats the best thing about magnetic resistance, it’s a frictionless resistance system. The magnetics of the system never have to make contact with the flywheel.

It doesnt make any noise, and because it’s frictionless, there’s no maintenance either. You can watch TV listen to music without being disturbed by the sound of the machine.

Constnat Resisistnace

Magnetic resistance is constant, and by that, I mean it doesn’t matter how fast you row. The resistance strength doesnt change. You can only change resistance strength via the tension knob situated on the flywheel housing.

Constant resistance does have its advantages, such as being able to row on a strong resistance setting but at a slow pace, something that’s impossible with air resistance because it’s dynamic.

8 Levels

We need to remember this is a budget rower. Dont expect the resistance strength of a pro magnetic rowing machine. The Yosuda Magnetic rower includes eight resistance levels; this is what we’d expect to find in this price bracket. Still, resistance strength in the upper levels is easily strong enough for calorie-burning workouts, and with eight levels of resistance, there’s enough choice there for most fitness levels.

Great To See a 10lb Flywheel.

I was impressed that Yosuda included a 10lb flywheel with this rower. Thats heavier than most, even the Fitness Reality 1000 rower, one of the best you’ll find in this price range, can only boast a 6.6lb flywheel.

A heavier flywheel doesn’t necessarily mean stronger resistance, but a heavier flywheel will ensure a smooth, consistent rowing stroke, exactly what we want from a home rower.

Click here to check price of Yosuda Rowing Machine on Amazon

Stability – Adjustable Levelers – Wide Stabilizers

Usually, the weight of any cardio machine is the determining factor in its overall stability. Heavy machines are sturdy because the extra weight keeps them planted to the floor. And at 70lb, the Yosuda isnt heavy-duty but it is reasonably heavy for the price point, which will help with stability, and it’s a telling sign Yosuda used quality materials in the build.

It’s not a lightweight, cheaply made rower. Anything over 60lb is good going in this price range.

There are a few other important stability features we can look for with rowing machines apart from the weight. One handy feature is adjustable levelers, these are great for keeping the rower stable on uneven surfaces, and I’m happy to say the Yosuda includes 4. Also, the Yosuda includes nice wide stabilizers to prevent wobbles.

Contoured Seat

And the seat you might be surprised is something else that can affect stability. Many cheap rowers do not include a contoured seat. Thus, there’s nothing to prevent your butt from slipping in the push phase of the rowing stroke. Great to see Yosuda included this vital feature. It doesnt sound much, but a contoured seat is essential if you want to keep the correct rowing form.

Monitor – Its Basic but Tracks All Your Essential Workout Stats

Budget rowers have to cut somewhere, and it’s better they cut on monitor features rather than the build of the machine, which is what Yosuda has done, and it’s the right thing to do.

Basic monitors are not a deal killer by a long way, they are nice and easy to set up, and they dont take half an hour to figure out how to use. They track all your essential workout stats such as time, distance, strokes, and calories.

Sadly there aren’t any workout programs or a color screen, but this is a magnetic rower, so it’s almost silent in operation, which means you can watch Tv while you row or listen without being disturbed by the sound of your workouts. Plus, we have a tablet holder to download a fitness app, etc., if you need some extra motivation.

Anything Else Worth a Mention?

The Yosuda Rower folds for storage, its a useful space-saving system as it almost halves this rower’s overall footprint, and it’s not a fiddley system like so many I’ve seen lately. Instead, the Yosuda uses a pull pin type fold system which takes just a few seconds to fold.

Also, we have transport wheels built into the stabilizer bar, so it’s easy to move just tilt the rower and roll.

Another feature worth mentioning is its belt drive system. As I said earlier, a belt drive is much quieter than a chain drive system. Also, it doesn’t require regular lubrication like a chain drive and, when combined with a magnetic resistnace system, is the quiet combination you’ll find for any rowing machine.

And lastly, the angled rail. Some rowers love angled rails; others dont. I like them because they intensify the leg push phase of the rowing stroke (great for the legs) and speed up the recovery phase. Plus they put you in the best position to row from. So a thumbs up from me!

Easy Assembly – 20 Minutes

Most of the complicated stuff, such as the drive and resistance systems, comes pre-assembled. All you’ll have to do is connect the rail to the front of the machine, attach the seat to the rail, attach the stabilizers, footrests, and monitor. Ten screws in total. (20 minutes)

Instructions and basic tools for the job are provided.

Alternative

Sunny Health & Fitness SF-RW5155 Magnetic Rowing Machine

Sunny Health & Fitness are well known for building high-quality cardio gear. These guys, just like Yosuda, specialize in low-cost cardio equipment, except Sunny has been at the top of their game for over two decades and their low-cost rowers are some of the best on the market.

The Sunny SF-RW5155 is their flagship low-cost magnetic rowing machine. It’s the most popular budget magnet rower out there, and for a good reason, it shines for around $250. It has one of the longest rails in the price bracket, accommodating users up to 6’6″, a quiet belt drive, and eight levels of magnetic resistance.

But what sets this rower apart from most budget magnetic rowers is the strength of its reistnace in the upper levels. Users have compared it to rowing machines in their local gyms, which is unheard of for a rower in this price category.

Also, this rower has stood the test of time, it’s been around for years, and it’s selling just as well today as it was five years ago, and there are not many budget rowing machines that can boast that.

Still, the Yosuda is just as impressive with its long rail and high qulaity build for the price point. Plus the Yosuda has a heavier flywheel and overall build but has a slightly higher price tag. Which everyone you choose out of these two you wont be disappointed. Bang for buck, they are two of the best on the market.

To Sum Up

I was impressed with the Yosuda Magnetic Rowing Machine; this thing is right up there with the Sunny and Fitness Reality rowers. Yosuda has done well. They have built a rowing machine that can accommodate larger users, which is rare for a budget rower and a machine that delivers a smooth rowing stroke. Great news for people who dont want to spend a ton of cash on a home rowing machine but still want something that feels close to a rowing machine they have used in a local gym.

Yes, resistance strength isnt strong enough for serious rowers, and you wouldn’t expect it to be in the price bracket, but the build quality is there, and thats what’s important. It’s a study rower thats built well and is going to last.

I like fuss-free rowers like the Yosuda. There is nothing too complicated about them. You can unbox it, set it up in twenty minutes, and get rowing. And thanks to its magnetic resistance and belt drive systems, the Yosuda delivers a quiet, smooth rowing stroke, just what you want from a home rower.

If you’re a beginner or intermediate the Yosuda is an excellent choice