Looking for a rowing machine to take your workout game to the next level? The Sunny Health & Fitness SF-RW5622 may be just what you need!
I love the idea behind this machine!
Not only is it a budget-priced magnetic rower, but it doubles as an upper-body cable machine.
The Sunny SF-RW5622 delivers both cardio and resistance training in one compact, easily stored machine.
Intriguing, right? The real question is: is it worth the investment?
Below, you’ll learn all about the various features, pros & cons, and what users think about the Sunny Health & Fitness SF-RW5622.
By the time you get to the end of this review, you’ll know exactly what the Sunny Dual Function Magnetic Rowing Machine can do for you!
Resistance Type
As the name suggests, the Sunny Health & Fitness SF-RW5622 Dual Function Magnetic Rowing Machine uses magnetic resistance.
Magnetic resistance is generated through the use of a metal flywheel and a magnet. When you adjust the dial to increase the difficulty, the magnet is moved closer to the flywheel, and the magnetic resistance makes it harder to spin the wheel. To decrease difficulty, the knob moves the magnet away from the flywheel.
The great thing about magnetic resistance is that it’s much quieter than air or water resistance. There is no fan blowing air or water sloshing in a tank. Even when the resistance is at maximum, the noise is minimal because the magnet doesn’t actually make contact with the wheel.
Unlike air and water rowing machines, magnetic machines use “adjustable” resistance. This means you adjust the difficulty by turning the dial, whereas with “variable” resistance (commonly used for air and water rowers), the resistance varies based on how fast you row.
Want to learn more about the difference between air vs. magnetic resistance? Click here for an article I wrote that breaks down how they work.
This video will walk you through the basics of how the magnetic resistance operates:
SF-RW5622 Resistance Benefits
The Sunny Health & Fitness SF-RW5622 features 8 levels of adjustable difficulty. This is lower than some other models, which offer 12 or 16 levels of difficulty. However, having more resistance options doesn’t necessarily mean “more” resistance. It just means more adjustments within the same range, but the range itself remains the same.
As mentioned above, magnetic rowing machines do generate far less noise than water or air rowers, so it’s a good option for trainees who have a child sleeping next door or want to watch TV or listen to music while they work out.
Users commented the Sunny Health & Fitness SF-RW5622 Dual Function Magnetic Rowing Machine is a good option for apartment-based workouts. Due to its low noise level, they were able to train at maximum intensity without worrying about bothering their downstairs or next-door neighbors.
A lot of positive customer reviews highlighted the consistency of the resistance. Whether they were rowing at a slow pace or top speed, the magnetic resistance remained the same. This is one of the benefits of magnetic resistance vs. air or water resistance.
What’s interesting about the build of the SF-RW5622 is that it can also be turned into a workout machine for upper-body training. It’s useful for bicep curls, upright rows, bent-over rows, overhead triceps extensions, and other cable machine workouts. This adds a level of versatility that few other rowing machines have—hence its name “Dual Function”, rowing and resistance training.
Resistance Downsides
Users found that the overall difficulty wasn’t quite up to their expectations. The 8 adjustable settings allowed them to adapt the difficulty according to their workout, but even on maximum resistance, fitter and stronger users found it didn’t give them the intense training session they wanted.
I do want to highlight the fact that most magnetic rowers will have this complaint, especially in the budget price range. I’ve got some recommendations of magnetic rowers with stronger resistance in the final section if you’re looking for a truly intense workout.
I also want to make sure it’s clear that rowing is not a strength training workout. You won’t build strength rowing in the same way you would with weightlifting.
That being said, I think the Sunny Health & Fitness Dual Function Magnetic Rowing Machine is a good option for those who want lighter resistance, such as newbies or casual rowers looking for a great at-home workout.
Resistance Overall
The Sunny Health & Fitness SF-RW5622 Dual Function Magnetic Rowing Machine delivers quiet, smooth, and efficient magnetic resistance. The fact that it can be adapted for upper-body strength training makes it a truly interesting option for those wanting more workout choices.
However, if you’re an ultra-fit or professional-level rower looking to take your fitness to the next level, you may need to bump up to a stronger resistance rower.
Monitor/Control Panel
Most of the monitors on rowing machines in the budget price range will be basic. The SF-RW5622 displays the following data:
- Time
- Count
- Calories
- Total Count
- Distance
- Scan
As you can see from the image below, the monitor offers only a few data points. On the other hand, the buttons make it easy to scroll through the built-in options and display your data accurately. No complex operating system with this rowing machine!
The monitor is powered by batteries (included in the box) and turns on as soon as you start rowing. Though it’s a “no-frills” option—pretty standard with budget rowers—it does a good job of displaying your data in one easy-to-see presentation.
Monitor Downsides
One reviewer complained that their monitor never worked. From the moment they set it up, the monitor displayed “Stop” and they couldn’t switch it off. Even changing the batteries didn’t solve the problem.
This is likely a quality control issue, one that should have been caught before the rowing machine was shipped out. However, because the monitor is built into the machine, changing it out might necessitate replacing the entire rower. Thankfully, Sunny Health and Fitness has great customer service to handle such problems.
Another user found the display was not keeping accurate count, and after disassembling the monitor, found the wiring was cheaply done and the poor connection was interfering with the accuracy.
Monitor Overall
Simplicity is what you get with the Sunny Dual Function Magnetic Rowing Machine’s monitor.
For rowers who just want to keep track of their workout without paying too much attention to more complex metrics, the monitor delivers the six standard data points clearly.
Build Quality
The build quality on the Sunny Health & Fitness SF-RW5622 Dual Function Magnetic Rowing Machine is above average for the price range. Sunny has made a name for itself delivering good-quality products at a bargain cost, and the SF-RW5622 is exactly that.
Both the body and slide rail are made using alloy steel, which is more than capable of withstanding intense daily use. Users had no complaints about the body itself—most praised its smooth gliding action and solid construction.
The only complaints were with the seat and foot pedals. One user found that the seat arrived with a small crack on the underside. Though it didn’t interfere with their workout, they were concerned that the seat might break further through repeated use. Another found that the foot pedals arrived broken right out of the box.
These are both pretty common complaints with rowing machines—not just budget models, but even higher-end models. Manufacturers typically ensure the body, casing, and slide rail are of excellent quality, but sometimes go a bit cheaper for the seat, foot pedals, handles, straps, and other minor components.
Overall, the build quality on the Sunny Health & Fitness SF-RW5622 is pretty much on par with other models in the price range.
Comfort
Users love the smooth and quiet rowing stroke on the Sunny Health & Fitness SF-RW5622.
The seat glides effortlessly on the rail, making it easy to slide back and forth through the full range of the stroke. Plus, with magnetic resistance, rowers are able to watch TV/movies or listen to their workout playlist without the rowing machine drowning out their entertainment.
The handlebar is padded to reduce tension on rowers’ wrists. The padding is also non-slip, so you won’t have to worry about losing your grip even if you sweat heavily during training.
The seat itself is wide enough that bigger and heavier users won’t have to worry about sliding off. The contour and additional padding is intended to reduce pressure on the tailbone, improve circulation, and increase comfort.
Unfortunately, the seat is also the element users complain about most often. One customer said that the seat got uncomfortable after a 30-minute rowing session, and they had to wear padded bike shorts for longer rowing sessions (45+ minutes).
The extra-large foot pedals provide a comfortable, stable platform to push off of through the full rowing stroke.
The Sunny Health & Fitness SF-RW5622 Dual Function Magnetic Rowing Machine seems to score highly on the comfort scale. Between the smooth gliding action, comfortable no-callus handle, and stable seat, it scored highly with the majority of users.
Storage
Storage is definitely one area where the Sunny Health & Fitness SF-RW5622 scores high marks.
Some of the models I’ve reviewed on this site have to be lifted upright, which, considering their weight, can be challenging. The Sunny SF-RW5622, however, is incredibly easy to store. All you have to do is slide the seat forward, lift the glide rail and lock it into the upright position. Then use the built-in transportation wheels to move the rowing machine into whatever corner or out-of-the-way location you want to keep it.
Once it’s folded up, it’s incredibly compact. The dimensions are 32” x 21” x 49.5” (L x W x H).
As one of the lighter models I’ve reviewed, it takes far less effort to move the SF-RW5622, even from room to room. A great option for anyone who has only minimal space to use for their daily workouts.
Capacity
One of the problems common to budget rowing machines is their low capacity. Simply put, they’re just not sized for larger, heavier users.
The rail length is 40”, which means it can accommodate rowers with an inseam of 40.5”. There isn’t a perfect correlation for inseam to height, but that should be able to fit rowers around 6’4″!
The maximum weight capacity is 275 lbs, which is actually higher than many other budget models. Users under 290 lbs should be okay to use it (though don’t tell Sunny Health and Fitness I told you so!).
There are zero issues with smaller users using this model.
Dimensions
- Assembled Dimensions (L x W x H):
- 72” x 21” x 18.5”
- Storage Dimensions (L x W x H):
- 32” x 21” x 49.5”
- Shipping Box Dimensions (L x W x H):
- 49” x 9” x 23”
- Assembled Weight:
- 64.2 lbs
- Shipping Weight:
- 72 lb
Assembly
User reviews on the SF-RW5622’s assembly process can’t seem to agree on just how difficult it is.
One consumer said that her boyfriend put it together in just 15 minutes—faster-than-average time for most rowing machines. The machine came with the right number of parts, easy-to-follow instructions, and included the tools needed for the job.
Another, however, said that they struggled with assembly because they felt the instructions were confusing and unclear.
It’s probably fair to say that the difficulty of assembly will vary from person to person. I’ve read over the Owner’s Manual (found here) and though there are a lot of parts to be assembled, it doesn’t appear too complicated. It just takes patience and carefully following the instructions to build it one piece at a time.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Quiet, smooth magnetic resistance
- Easy to fold up and store
- Solidly built body and glide rail
- Comfortable padded handle
- Great price point
Cons:
- Too-simple monitor
- Seat may be uncomfortable after long periods
- Not compatible with taller rowers
Consumer Reviews
Look over the Sunny Health & Fitness SF-RW5622 Dual Function Magnetic Rowing Machine reviews, and you’ll see that consumers are pretty much split into two camps.
The first is made up of users who received their rowing machine with all the correct parts and no defects or quality control issues. They tend to be mostly happy with the performance of the rowing machine, aside from a few minor problems (like a too-hard seat, too-small foot straps, etc.). Even a lot of the 3-star reviews speak highly of the Sunny Health & Fitness SF-RW5622’s quietness, smooth action, and easy assembly, even if they share complaints.
In the second camp, however, are customers who received a defective product (poor wiring, cracked seat, damaged components, etc.). These often struggled to get their parts replaced, and complained that Sunny’s customer service was sub-optimal.
This is pretty common with budget rowing machines in this price range. Manufacturers will sometimes skimp on quality of certain components in order to keep their costs low so they can retail the rowers at a bargain price. However, even higher-end rowers are prone to quality control issues and manufacturer defects. It’s a problem to be aware of no matter what rowing machine you’re buying.
Overall, consumer reviews tend to be positive, which is how the Sunny Health & Fitness Dual Function Magnetic Rowing Machine has earned such a high rating.
You can read more Sunny Health & Fitness SF-RW5622 reviews here.
Average Rating: 4.4
Warranty
Budget rowing machines don’t always come with good warranties, because manufacturers are trying to keep costs as low as possible. The Sunny SF-RW5622 comes with a pretty standard warranty for models in this price range:
- Frame: 3 years
- Parts: 180 days
- Model Number: SF-RW5622
However, be aware that some customers have complained about Sunny Health and Fitness’ customer service. Even though the parts were still under warranty, they struggled to get any resolution to their complaints. The representatives they talked to were helpful and friendly, but they saw no action taken to resolve the problem or provide the missing/replacement parts.
This is one reason that I like buying through Amazon. Amazon’s customer service department helps to ensure customer satisfaction, adding another layer of assistance if I ever find problems with my rowing machines.
Sunny Health & Fitness SF-RW5622 Rower Price
The Sunny Health & Fitness SF-RW5622 Dual Function Magnetic Rowing Machine is one of the best-priced models around. Not only does the cost beat most of Sunny’s other budget models, but it’s better than the majority of its competitors.
Yes, paying bargain prices means you are getting a lower-budget machine with fewer frills. At the same time, given everything I’ve learned about the Sunny Health & Fitness SF-RW5622, I’m convinced that for the price, it’s one of the better options available.
As I mentioned above, Amazon offers an additional layer of consumer protection. Plus, you get free shipping on qualified orders.
Overall Review
Overall, I’ve come to the conclusion that the Sunny Health & Fitness SF-RW5622 Dual Function Magnetic Rowing Machine is a solid choice for the right person.
As I mentioned above, the resistance may be too light for ultra-fit or professional-level rowers, but newbies and casual trainees will find it’s a great option at a bargain price. Sure, the monitor is basic and it’s got a few potential issues, but that’s to be expected with most budget-range rowing machines. If you think it’s worth taking the risk, I do think the SF-RW5622 is one of Sunny’s better low-cost models.
If you want to compare your options, you can look at two similar models:
Looking for something with stronger resistance? You’ll pay a higher price, but you’re guaranteed a more intense workout with the:
Of course, if you’re not totally set on a magnetic rower, you might want to consider an air rower like the Stamina Air Rower 1399.
I hope you enjoyed my Sunny SF-RW5622 review! If you have any questions or thoughts, drop them in the comments below.
