The only other problem I came across was that on a few rowers (less than 1%) users complained that their piston began to leak oil. When this happened Sunny Health & Fitness replaced the piston immediately with no questions asked. The manufacturer does state to workout for about 15 minutes and then let the piston cool down for 5 minutes. However, some users have rowed for longer periods of time without any problems. There is also an inclined seat rail (seen in photo above), which adds another layer of resistance.
This is because the oil in the piston warms up and provides less resistance. This is common to all hydraulic rowers, but some users really noticed a drop in resistance on this rower. Some hydraulic rowers that offer adjustable resistance make it pretty awkward to actually do it. Instead of having a handy dial to turn, you actually adjust the height at which the piston attaches to the arms. The 1205 has a single hydraulic piston providing the resistance for your workouts. Machines with 2 pistons can offer a little more resistance because each arm has a piston dedicated to it, instead of both arms working against a single piston.
I find filling the water tank 1/4 full provides a strong, smooth resistnace at a medium stroke rate. Perhaps most important is that the seat runs on high-grade ball bearings and rollers, which allows the seat to slide effortlessly across the rail, keeping the rowing motion smooth and uninterrupted. One of the only budget rowers out there that’s stood the test of time, people who have owned this rower for years are still priaing how well it works, and there are not many $250 rowers that can claim that.
Ellipticals offer a low-impact alternative to running, while still providing a full-body workout. This was one of the easier machines to assemble on our own because the manual provided clear instructions with illustrations. The design on this machine is also less bulky than expected, even though it’s larger than the Schwinn 411 (the Schwinn sunny rowing machine elliptical we previously recommended). If you jump into one of the river sessions, it can actually feel like you’re on the water, thanks to the smooth-as-silk 10-roller seat. Like Hydrow (another top pick on this list), there’s a monthly membership fee, though it’s more affordable at $29 per month for the additional features.
All three of these machines will provide a stellar cardio workout, but I think it is important to consider what you actually like to do. Exercise shouldn’t be torture, and if it feels like it, you just haven’t found the best way for you yet! I recommend giving each one a try at your local gym and picking your favorite before investing in one for your home. Although I’m glad the SF-RW5801 has a warranty at all, it is a subpar one at just three years for the frame and 180 days for parts. The industry standard for a well-constructed rowing machine is five to 10 years on the frame, two years for parts, and a year for labor.
Rowing machines that provide very strenuous workouts are at least 3-5x more expensive. The Sunny Water Rower isnt a solid wood water rower, but dont worry, steel frame water rowers, are just as sturdy. This is heavy for a rowing machine costing under $500, and it’s a telling sign this thing is made from quality materials, plus the extra weight will keep this rower stable. This machine is the perfect blend of a traditional rowing frame and a contemporary design.
“A more affordable option might seem attractive at first, but you’ll get much more value from a machine that is a bit pricier and more durable, since it lasts for a longer time,” says Rosenzweig. The rower’s textured pedals offer plenty of traction, and its non-slip handlebars are easy to grip. Adjust the height of the seat and the handlebars until the machine fits you just right, and take advantage of the fact that the machine folds in half for easy storage between uses. Throughout testing, we took a ton of classes—there are more than 2,383 on offer.