| Unit | Size | Supported weight | Assembled weight | Resistance | Warranty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Sunny SF-RW5622 Check Discounted Price | L:72" W:21" H:18.5" | 275 lbs | 64.2 lbs | Magnetic, 8 levels | Frame: 3 years Parts: 180 days |
Although the Sunny SF-RW5622 dual function magnetic rower is one of the machines released by Sunny Health & Fitness in 2016, it is still available in 2021, and so far, it has gathered an impressive amount of positive (5-star) reviews from users. It’s a rather basic rower, though, made for home use, but does offer fairly decent quality for the price.
Key Features and Specifications
- Assembled dimensions: 72L x 21W x 18.5H inches (183L x 53W x 47H cm)
- Assembled weight: 64.2 lbs (29 kg)
- Weight capacity: 275 lbs (125 kg)
- Frame: Steel
- Resistance type: Magnetic, 8 levels
- Fitness monitor: Time, distance, count, total count, count/min, calories burned, scan
- Warranty: Frame 3 years / Parts 180 days
Frame construction
The Sunny Health & Fitness SF-RW5622 features a steel frame with a fairly durable rail, rated for a maximum
user weight limit of 275 lbs (125 kg). All the steel parts in its construction are coated with a rust-resistant paint finish; the color used is gray, this being the only color available for this trainer. Also, the machine integrates several parts made of durable thermoplastic material. The most notable ones are the covers of the resistance system elements and the footrests.
This Sunny rower is not as bulky as other models but does have a fairly long frame. With all the parts assembled, it is approx. 72″ (183 cm) long, and 21″ (53 cm) wide. The rail itself is 44″ (~111 cm) and the applicable inseam length for this machine is 40″ (101 cm). Therefore, the machine should be able to accommodate users up to 6’5″ (196 cm) with no problem.
The machine’s frame is foldable. The rail with the seat can fold up so the rower’s footprint remains 32″L x 21″W (81 x 53 cm), while its height reaches (125.7 cm). Also, the rower is not too heavy. With all the parts assembled, its weight is approx. 64 lbs (~29 kg), so it can be carried and assembled by only one person. Plus, its front base stabilizer integrates a set of small wheels which facilitate its relocation.
Seat and other parts
The Sunny Health & Fitness SF-RW5622 is equipped with a seat designed for optimal comfort. Its top
section consists of a pad made of thick high-density foam. This pad is contoured to provide a better positioning for the user. Its surface is also textured for improved contact.
The seat is fairly large. It is approx. 14″ (35.5 cm) wide and 11″ (28 cm) so it provides plenty of contact surface. Its base frame is made of steel and integrates three sets of wheels. Two of them slide on top of the rail while the third closes the seat frame assembly on the bottom of the rail providing extra stability. The wheels have internal ball bearings and silicone rubber on the outside for a smooth and quiet movement.
The machine’s rail is slanted. Therefore, it is a little higher at the rear than at the front. So, at the highest point (at the back of the rail), the seat is approx. 11″ (28 cm) above floor level, while at its lowest point its height is approx. 9″ (~23 cm).
The Sunny SF-RW5622 rower is also referred to as the Sunny Health & Fitness Dual Function rower. That’s because it is equipped with a set of footplates that attach under the front section of the rail. These footplates offer the possibility to perform bicep curls or standing rows without lifting the rower. This feature is quite a plus as not many other rowing machines in this price range have it.
The unit’s footrests are not length-adjustable but they are large enough to accommodate athletic shoes of all sizes. As we’ve mentioned above, they are made from a durable thermoplastic material. They have heel guards, a textured surface, and velcro straps so that you can perfectly secure your feet on them.
The footrests feature a pivoting design. This means they can tilt forward and backward on their axis as you row. This way, you can slightly adjust the position of your feet during each stroke. The footrests also have stoppers at the rear. Thus, they won’t tilt backward past an angle of approx. 55° – 60°.
The pulling handle features a fairly simple design. It is a short metallic bar with foam grips for improved comfort. It does not integrate resistance or other types of controls. It is attached to a heavy-duty nylon strap highly resistant to abrasion.
Resistance system
The Sunny SF-RW5622 rowing machine is equipped with a standard magnetic resistance system with 
manual action. This means you don’t need a power adapter or an external power source for it. It also means that the machine itself cannot adjust the resistance automatically. You always have to make the resistance adjustments yourself.
The resistance system consists of a magnetic brake connected to the internal flywheel and to the tension dial visible on the front unit of the machine. Therefore, when you turn the dial, the brake moves closer or farther from the flywheel which increases or decreases the workout load.
The trainer makes available 8 levels of resistance. The 8th tension level gives you the possibility to burn more calories and achieve a high cardio rate in a shorter period of time. On the other hand, the 1st tension level delivers a fairly low resistance, great for anyone who wants to regain their stamina, or for recovery training.
Since it’s a full-magnetic rower and does not have any air resistance or water resistance elements, the Sunny SF-RW5622 machine does not offer a dynamic response during usage. This means that the resistance only depends on the selected level on the tension knob. It does not relate to your stroke rate. For example, in the case of a water resistance rower, the resistance increases if you increase your stroke rate, while for a full magnetic rower, it remains constant regardless of your stroke rate.
Finally, this Sunny rowing machine is fairly quiet during usage. That’s because the brake elements do not touch and it does not have a fan or a water tank. Thus, it generates very little noise when in use.
Fitness monitor
The Sunny Health & Fitness SF-RW5622 rowing machine is equipped with a basic fitness monitor. 
This means it does not have pre-set workout programs or goal settings. It also cannot adjust the resistance of the machine.
The fitness monitor unit features an LCD display divided into two sections so it can show two workout metrics simultaneously. It tracks time, distance, count (strokes per workout session), total count (total number of strokes since the first usage of the machine), count per minute (number of strokes per minute), and calories burned. The unit does not have a pulse reading function. Also, the distance is shown in miles only.
The fitness monitor unit is fairly easy to use. It only has one button. By pressing the button repeatedly, you can select the workout metrics that you want to view. This way, you can also select the unit’s Scan Mode, which rotates the metrics automatically, showing them in a sequence of 6 seconds.
The monitor unit requires two AA batteries which are included. It begins counting strokes, miles, calories, etc, when you begin rowing. It also automatically turns off after 4 minutes of inactivity on the machine.
Assembly and Maintenance
The front unit of the machine with the resistance system and the fitness monitor comes pre-assembled. So, in terms of assembly, you only have to connect the rail to the front part of the rower, add the seat, the rear stabilizer, the front stabilizer, the footrests and the footplates. This shouldn’t take more than 30-40 minutes of your time. The manual provides clear assembly instructions and all the necessary tools for the task are included.
For maintenance, it is recommended to keep the machine clean, wipe the sweat that may fall onto the frame, and make sure there aren’t any textile fibers or debris on the rail to prevent any damage to the wheels of the seat. The internal parts of the rower do not require any lubrication.
The Pros
- Sturdy frame – can support users up to 275 lbs;
- Folding design;
- Long rail – applicable inseam of 40″;
- Footplates for standing rows or bicep curls;
- Transport wheels integrated into the front base;
- Padded and contoured seat for optimal comfort;
- Pivoting footrests for a perfect foot position with each stroke;
- Smooth magnetic resistance system;
- 8 levels of resistance, for light to medium workouts;
- Exercise meter included – it can track time, distance, count, t-count, count/min, and calories burned;
- Quiet operation;
- Easy to assemble;
- Little maintenance required;
- Decent warranty.
The Cons
- No backlight on the fitness monitor;
- No pulse reading function.
Summary
The Sunny Health & Fitness SF-RW5622 is a rowing machine made for home use. It is equipped with an 8-level magnetic resistance system. It features a folding frame with a weight capacity of 275 lbs, and a basic fitness meter that tracks time, count, spm, and calories burned. And finally, it’s not an expensive rower, great for any home gym setup, perfect for a full-body cardio training, muscle toning, stamina development, and weight loss.