Yosuda Rowing Machine Review – Is It Still Worth Buying?

Yosuda is right up there now with Sunny Health & Fitness when it comes to affordable rowing machines. Sunny used to dominate this part of the market, but over the past few years, Yosuda has really closed the gap.

A Company With History

I’ve been reviewing Yosuda gear for years. I first reviewed the Yosuda Rowing Machine over five years ago and was impressed. It’s gone through a few updates since then, and this latest version is even better.

The flywheel is heavier, the seat is more contoured (a big improvement), and, thankfully, they finally added Bluetooth to the console.

You get a lot of rowing machines for under $200. Yes, it’s still aimed at beginners rather than serious rowers in training, but if you’re looking for an affordable way to get fit at home, it’s still one of the best choices out there.

Normally, I’m not a huge fan of budget rowers, a lot of them are unstable, the flywheels are too light, which means resistance is weak, but with the Yosuda Rowing Machine, it’s a sub $200 rower that I feel actually deserves some serious consideration.

And in today’s Yosuda Rowing Machine Review, I want to take a close look at everything it has to offer, including any drawbacks.

Also, at the end of the review, I’m going to compare it with a fav of mine, Sunny Health and Fitness’s flagship best-selling low-cost rower, the SF-RW5515 Rowing Machine, as it will be really interesting to see how these two impressive machines match up.

First, let’s take a quick look at the specs, pros, and cons of the Yosuda Rowing Machine H-181!

Specs

Why Do We Like The Yosuda Rowing Machine?

I’ve been reviewing all types of rowing machines for over a decade, and I can tell you it’s always the budget rowers that suffer most from quality issues, stability problems, and weak resistance.

There are only a handful out of the 30 or so low cost rowers I’ve reviewed that are well-made, sturdy, and offer enough resistance for a decent workout.

And the Yosuda Rowing Machine is one of those 3 or 4 rowers in that price bracket that has impressed me.

It’s the build quality that sells this rowing machine. Also, the wide front and rear stabilizing feet really keep the rower stable, and the contoured seat keeps your butt firmly in place even in the push phase of the rowing stroke, which is impressive.

Impressive 12lb Flywheel

But what I like most about the Yosuda Rowing machine is the 12lb flywheel, which is almost heavy-duty for a $200 rowing machine.

And flywheel weight is important. A heavier flywheel creates a smoother rowing stroke. Also, the heavier the flywheel, the stronger the resistance is in the upper levels, which is really important and ensures you won’t outgrow this rower anytime soon.

Smooth Rowing Stroke, Whisper Quiet

And when you combine the upgraded flywheel with the Yosuda’s frictionless resistance system (magnetic) and belt drive system, you have one of the quietest and smoothest rowing strokes possible.

The Yosuda Rowing Machine has a noise level of just 24dB, it’s whisper quiet in operation, which means you’re not going to disturb anyone with the sound of your workouts.

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

Just a 44″ Rail

The length of the Yosuda Rowing Machines rail is one of this rower’s minor drawbacks. You often find that most budget rowers have short rails, which is a shame because it means they’re not really suitable for taller users.

And at just 44″, the Yosuda rail can only accommodate users up to 6 ft. Yes, taller users could use a slightly shorter rowing stroke, but this isn’t ideal as it will affect your rowing form.

Ideally, if you’re over 6ft, you need to look for a rower with a longer rail. The Yosuda Pro Version of this model boasts a 50″ rail, making it a much better option for taller users.

Basic Monitor with Bluetooth

Sadly, you won’t find any fancy HD touchscreens or advanced workout programs in this price bracket. Monitors are always fairly basic on rowers under $200, but honestly, that isn’t always a bad thing.

One thing I really like about the Yosuda monitor is just how easy it is to use. You don’t need to spend an afternoon scrolling through endless complicated menus trying to work out where everything is. You can just jump on, press start, and get rowing, which is exactly what most people buying a budget rower want.

The monitor tracks all the essentials, including time, distance, strokes per minute (SPM), and calories.

Better still, Yosuda has finally updated the monitor to include Bluetooth, so if you want a little more from your workouts, you can connect to apps like Kinomap.

My only real disappointment is the lack of built-in workout programs. I know it’s a budget rowing machine and corners have to be cut somewhere, but I still think Yosuda could have squeezed in a few simple interval programs to add a bit more variety, and keep people coming back for more once they’ve been using the rower for a while.

The other thing worth mentioning is that there’s no accurate way to measure your heart rate. For most people, that won’t matter, but if training in a specific heart rate zone is important to you, you can always pick up a Bluetooth chest strap later.

Wireless chest straps are fairly cheap these days, and they’ll give you much more accurate readings than the hand sensors found on many cardio machines anyway.

Sturdy Machine

Stability is where the Yosuda Rowing Machine trumps most of the other rowers in this price range, it’s surprisingly stable for a budget rower and something I think really helps sell this rower.

The wide stabilizing front and rear feet are what keep the Yosuda Rower so stable, even during intense rowing sessions. Also, I like the compact, low-profile design of the Yosuda rowing machine; its low center of gravity really helps with stability.

And you have the rubber-capped feet front and rear, which prevent slippage on hard, polished floors. Yosuda has thought about the design, and it shows. It really is a well-made stable design.

And I love that they thought to contour the seat more. Slipping on the seat in the push phase of the rowing stroke is something that plagues most of the low cost rowers, but Yosuda has raised the back lip of the seat, giving you much more support, so a big thumbs up here for seat design as well.

Will You Need a Rowing Mat?

The only time I’d recommend that you may need a rowing mat is if you live in an apartment or shared housing, and the reason it can be so useful is that a mat will soak up up to 70% of the vibrations from your workouts. So if you want to keep your neighbors happy, a mat can really help.

The only other time you might need one is if your rowing machine doesn’t come with the rubber-capped feet. A mat will help prevent slippage and protect your floors from scratches.

The Yosuda Rowing Machine comes with built-in capped feet, so you shouldn’t need a mat for this reason.

For those of you who think you might need one, Sunny Health & Fitness makes the best low-cost fitness equipment mats. Here’s the link if you’re interested: Sunny Health Fitness Equipment Mat Amazon

Drawbacks of The Yosuda Rowing Machine H-181

As I mentioned in the intro, you get a lot of rower for the money with Yosuda, and it’s hard for me to fault it when considering the price. But if I were to be really picky:

• Even though you have a 12lb flywheel, resistance in the upper levels isn’t really strong enough for seasoned rowers, yes it’s impressive for the price point, but for more intense rowing sessions, you need a heavy duty machine
• Short rail, the rail is short, and it’s to be expected in this price bracket, it does limit the max user height to just 6ft, which is a shame
• Is the monitor too basic? I’m happy with the Bluetooth upgrade, but really, there are no workout programs, no way to measure pulse, and the LCD is too small. Yes, it’s a $200 rower, but I still expect a little more from the monitor

30 Minute Assembly

Thankfully, Yosuda has tried to make their Rowers assembly beginner-friendly, meaning the rower comes 80% assembled, which is a big help. Still, you’ll need to attach the rail to the flywheel housing, the stabilizing feet to the rail, and attach the monitor.

It’s a fairly light rowing machine, so the parts aren’t too heavy, so you should be able to do this on your own, although help from a friend or family member will speed things up. As I mentioned, nothing too complicated. I’ll leave the official assembly video below in case you run into any problems.

Yosuda Rowing Machine 181 Assembly Video

Vertical Storage

One of the major positives of the Yosuda Rowing Machine is how easy it is to store. This rower can be stored vertically.

I prefer vertical storage over folding because there are no annoying pins to remove, and it’s an efficient space-saving design. Once stored, the rower’s overall footprint is reduced by 80%, which is excellent for those of you who are tight on space.

There are also built-in transport wheels, just tilt and roll to move the rower.

Final Verdict

In its price range, the Yosuda Rwoing Machine is a winner. It stands out from its competitors because it’s well-made and surprisingly sturdy. Users have mentioned there’s no movement when rowing, an issue that plagues most budget rowers. But not the Yosuda.

The combination of that 12lb flywheel, the belt drive system, and magnetic resistance really delivers one of the smoothest rowing strokes you’ll find on any budget rower. For beginners or anyone looking for a quiet home rower, the Yosuda Magnetic Rowing Machine should be at the top of your list.

What impressed me most was that all the essentials are there. Yosuda has thought about the design, and it shows. It’s not just another cheaply made rower for sale on Amazon. It’s well-made and delivers enough resistance that beginners won’t outgrow it in the first year.

How Does the YOSUDA Rowing Machine Compare to the Sunny SF-RW5515?

Sunny Health SF-RW5515 Rowing Machine

Sunny Health & Fitness has been the king of budget cardio gear for decades now. These guys really know what they’re doing. They have a ton of experience, and, like Yosuda, they are among the few companies that can deliver quality while keeping prices low.

The SF-RW5515 is their flagship low-cost magnetic rowing machine, it’s a rower thats outsold everything else in this price range for years. It’s certainly a fav of mine and, until now, has been my No. 1 recommendation when choosing a home rower for under $200.

The reason this rowing machine sells so well is that it’s a rower that’s stood the test of time, people are still praising this machine years after owning it, and there aren’t many budget cardio machines that can boast that kind of feedback.

Just like the Yosuda rowing machine, it’s well-made, it’s sturdy, resistance is strong in the upper levels thanks to the flywheel being a decent weight, and it’s so quiet in operation because of that whisper-quiet magnetic resistance system.

There are only 8 levels of resistance compared to the Yosuda’s 16, but in the top two levels, the resistance of both machines is very similar. Just because the Yosuda offers you more levels to choose from, it doesn’t mean it’s any stronger; you just have more choices.

Where the Sunny trumps the Yosuda is in rail length. The Sunny SF-RW5515 boasts an impressive 48″ rail, which is excellent for a budget rower, allowing users up to 6’6″ to achieve a full rowing stroke with ease.

Also, the Sunny does have, as many users mentioned, a premium feel to it. It’s quite heavy at 60lb, weighing 20lb more than the Yosuda, which is a telling sign of the quality of the parts used in the build and gives the Sunny an even sturdier feel.

Which one is best? Both are excellent value for money, and both are two of the top rowers in this price bracket.

The Yosuda has a slightly heavier flywheel, which allows for a smoother rowing stroke, while the Sunny boasts an impressively long rail. But I prefer Yosuda’s vertical storage to Sunny’s folding system.

Because both of these rowers are so similar in both quality and features, I think it really comes down to rail length. If you’re over 6 ft, then of course the Sunny SF-RW5515 will be the best choice.

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

Yosuda Rowing Machine FAQs