Sunny Health & Fitness Synergy Power Motion Magnetic Rowing Machine (Model SF-RW5801)

There is nothing like getting your workout on during all of the free time everyone has been given over the recent year. The situation has been tough for many whose jobs were affected by the COVID-19 troubles plaguing the world. However, it’s times like these that keeping yourself busy and your mind occupied is so very important. This includes keeping your body fit, as you don’t want yourself to fall apart as you pass the time away.

Many of the gyms might have been closed during a long portion of this window and many prefer not to go anywhere near one still (there is nothing wrong with being safe). So the best way to make up for it is to add a little effort at home. If you have space, bring in some equipment like an exercise bike or a rowing machine like the one I get to talk about today: Sunny Health & Fitness’ Synergy Power Motion Magnetic Rowing Machine.

For a magnetic rower this appears, so far, to be quite a catch. It’s not an easy task picking out a good “affordable” rower. However, a decision had to be made as we prepared the break area here at the office for when people start coming back to work in the building (this occurred a number of months ago). It’s going to be a break-time wonderland when everyone sees what has changed and this is just one of the many improvements that have been made. Mostly because it works really well.

At first, we had built it at one of our homes alongside some other equipment. To break it in and make sure it works (that’s was our excuse at least) — This is also because the break area at work was getting a new floor installed. So might as well get some use out of it somewhere until it was ready to be slid onto the back of a small truck and taken to its official home.

With that being said, it is easy enough to move around that it wasn’t difficult at all come time. It doesn’t take up much space outside of the length (like most small to mid-size rowers), and two people can easily carry it around without breaking much of a sweat.

It went together within 20 mins with one person putting it together as the other one hung out for emotional support but didn’t touch anything (shout out). There wasn’t a difficult step in the procedure and they give you everything you need. Outside of a knife to open the box and materials with, no tools were needed.

When it comes to performance, it isn’t a Concept 2, but it wouldn’t be fair to associate the two since Concept 2 is so much more expensive than an affordable one like this. So if you are hoping for Concept 2, get a Concept 2 (we’ve noticed a lot of people recommend it in the comments on platforms like Amazon). However, not everyone is looking to spend that kind of money. So if you are looking to keep it reasonable in price, this is a top option for sure.

We would say that this offers enough tension via the tension adjustment knob for the average beginner or even intermediate user. Advanced users would *not* likely want this model as it wouldn’t be enough of a challenge to them. We find that the majority of those who have used this, thus far, has kept it set to the max tension (16 on the knob). This includes many of the beginner-level users outside of some individuals with smaller figures.

The only downside is the LCD display is as simple as it comes. You get your normal stats and that’s it. No games, variable challenges, or anything special. It does, however, handle a good amount of weight and function well for what a rower is supposed to do (you know, row).

So it functions well and does it quietly, and goes together quickly. One person can do all the work and the price is right (especially when it is on sale).

Is it perfect? No. Nothing is, but the only thing we could find was that the middle support foot doesn’t’ touch the ground unless you have someone heavy enough on the machine. So worst-case scenario, if this bothers you, stick a thin-ish piece of wood or a book under it to help add some support. It hasn’t been noticeable to us thus far (or at least, no one has mentioned anything yet), but it could change as more individuals make use of it here.

Beyond that, we haven’t run into anything to complain about. Of course, we will update if anything has a meltdown.

*Average price is based on the time this article was published

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