Best Cheap Rowing Machine for Under $100?

Do you want to start rowing at home without spending a lot of money on gym equipment? Sunny Health and Fitness makes the best cheap rowing machine I’ve found to date, plus it comes with even more advantages…

What's the Best Cheap Rowing Machine for Home Workouts?

Pros & Cons of a Cheap Indoor Rowing Machine

1. Save $100’s, But at a Price:

As you can see from the photo. this indoor rower is extremely basic. In fact, you can’t even see the digital monitor in the picture because it’s so small.

However, if you want to save money and don’t care about fancy tech equipment or workout stats, why pay extra for them, right? Plus, if you plan to watch TV or a movie while exercising, you may not want the distraction of a monitor anyway.

Note: Even though the digital LCD monitor does’t have built in workouts or advanced features, it does show the time, stroke count and calories burned.

Features on Affordable Rowing Machine, Including 12 Levels of Resistance and Built-in Digital Monitor

2. The Good & Bad of a Hydraulic Resistance Rower:

Higher end rowing machines use magnetic, air or water resistance. On the other hand, cheaper machines typically use hydraulic systems due to the cost savings.

Hydraulic systems tend to feel as comfortable or “flow-like” when pulling. However, they often run quieter than the other resistance frameworks.

3. Advantages/Disadvantages of Lightweight Exercise Equipment:

The Sunny Health & Fitness rowing machine only weighs about 21 lbs. Consequently, it’s easy to set up, move, transport and put away.

Pros and Cons of the Sunny Health and Fitness Cheap Indoor Rower

On the flip side, it has a lower weight capacity and may not feel as stable for larger, heavier people. In comparison, the Concept2 Rower has an extra heavy duty frame with a weight capacity of 500 lbs, whereas the Sunny Health & Fitness can only hold up to 220 lbs.

Furthermore, a lighter weight frame consists of cheaper materials. Therefore, it may not last as long, especially with frequent everyday use.

4. Built-in Comfort Features are a Plus:

This model does come with pivoting non-slip foot pedals, foam handlebars and a padded seat cushion. All of which assist in making your workout session more comfortable.

Having said that, most indoor rowers contain these comfort features as well.

Rowing Machine Comfort Features: Padded Seat Cushion, Foam No-Slip Handlebars and Adjustable Pivoting Foot Pads

5. You can Get a Full-Body Workout on this Rower:

Even though you pay less money, this low-priced rowing machine still provides a full-body workout. For instance, it works various muscle groups simultaneously (ie. arms, back, shoulders, quads, glutes, calves, core).

Woman Rowing Indoors Getting an Aerobic Workout at HomeIn addition to resistance training, you can get a good aerobic workout too. Simply adjust the tension (12 levels) to reach the intensity you want.

And because you can switch up the intensity, this rower provides a great option for both beginner and intermediate fitness levels.

Note: By the way, this affordable rowing machine works really well at increasing range of motion. Consequently, it may help weightlifters with tight muscles or poor form improve upon their training skills.

6. You Can Use this Compact Indoor Rower in More Places:

This rowing machine has a big advantage in that it requires very little space to use it. As you can see in the diagram below, the rower only takes up about a 4 1/2″ x 2″ footprint.

As a result, you can easily workout in a spare bedroom, small balcony or maybe even your office at work. Not to mention, this device only weighs 21 lbs, so you can easily pick it up and carry it.

Dimensions for the Sunny Health and Fitness Indoor Rowing Machine

All that said, the equipment does not fold flat for storage. Therefore, you can’t push it underneath a bed or sofa for storage. However, it will fit in a standard bedroom closet, or you could hang it on a garage wall when not in use.

My Thoughts: I think that the pure convenience of this inexpensive rower make it a great buy simply because people are likely to use it more often. And more exercise typically translates to faster weight loss and muscle building results.

Specs for the Sunny Health & Fitness Rowing Machine:

  • Dimensions: 54″ Long x 20″ Wide x 22″ High
  • Weight: Approximately 21 lbs
  • Max Weight Capacity: 220 lbs
  • Resistance Levels: 12
  • Monitor Displays Time, Stroke Count & Calories
  • Tension: Hydraulic Cylinder
  • Model #: SF-RW1205
  • User Manual
  • Manufacturer: Sunny Health & Fitness
  • Phone: (877) 90SUNNY
  • For Sale: Where to Buy the Sunny Indoor Rower