| Unit | Size | Supported weight | Product weight | Resistance | Console |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Sunny SF-RW5935 Check Discounted Price | L:72.5" W:18.5" H:24.8" | 285 lbs | 53.1 lbs | Magnetic, 16 levels | Time, Count, TCount, Calories, Scan, Goals |
The Sunny SF-RW5935 is one of the rowing machines released by Sunny Health & Fitness in 2021. It’s pretty similar to the Sunny SF-RW5987 model but has a few extra features. For example, it has an extra base stabilizer with two large footpads on which you can stand in order to perform upright rows or bicep curls. Also, the top of the machine’s front unit is cropped so that the pulling strap would slide with ease when performing standing exercises.
Key Features and Specifications
- Assembled dimensions: 72.5L x 18.5W x 24.8H inches (184L x 47W x 63H cm)
- Assembled weight: 53.1 lbs (24 kg)
- Weight capacity: 285 lbs (129 kg)
- Frame: Steel
- Resistance type: Magnetic, 16 levels
- Performance monitor: Time, count, total count, calories, goals, scan
- Extras: Device holder, bottle holder
- Warranty: Frame 3 years / Parts 180 days
Frame construction
The Sunny Health & Fitness SF-RW5935 rowing machine combines steel and thermoplastic parts in its 
construction. Of course, its frame is made of steel tubing featuring a pretty durable construction with a monorail rated for a maximum user weight limit of 285 lbs (129 kg). The most notable plastic parts are the covers of the drive system, the footrests, and several other small covers.
This rower is smaller than most commercial models. With all the parts assembled, it is approx. 72.5″ (184 cm) long, and 18.5″ (47 cm) wide. It is recommended, though, to allow at least two feet of clearance on each side and at the rear of the machine for ease of access and for the correct execution of the rowing motion.
Unlike the Sunny SF-RW5622, the SF-RW5935 does not have a folding frame. It can be stored vertically, though. When stored in a vertical position, its footprint becomes 24.8″L x 18.5″W (63 x 47 cm) while its height reaches approx. 72″ (183 cm) above the floor level.
Although it’s not an extremely large rower, its rail is approx. 44″ (~111 cm) long. This being said, it can accommodate users up to 6’6″ (198 cm) allowing a complete leg extension. The rail is not perfectly horizontal. It is slightly slanted forward, so it provides a slightly more consistent workout for the legs as opposed to a rower with a horizontal rail.
This Sunny Health & Fitness rower is not too heavy. Its net weight is 53.1 lbs (24 kg), so it can be carried and assembled by only one person. Its rear stabilizer is equipped with two adjustable levelers. The front stabilizer features a set of small wheels for easy relocation. And finally, the third stabilizer features two rubberized plates for extra support and stability in case you want to perform standing exercises such as curls or upright rows.
Seat and other parts
The Sunny Health & Fitness SF-RW5935 is equipped with a large seat designed for superior comfort. It 
is approx. 15″ (38 cm) wide, and 11″ (28 cm) long, so it provides plenty of contact surface. It integrates a thick layer of foam padding to reduce the impact on your collar bone. Its cover is made of durable faux leather which is sweatproof and easy to maintain.
The base of the seat is made of steel. It integrates three sets of rollers. Two of them slide on top of the rail, while the third slider underneath it for improved stability. The rollers integrate sealed bearings for a smooth motion. They also have a rubber layer on the outside to reduce noise.
As we’ve mentioned above, the machine’s rail is slightly inclined forward. Therefore, the seat is a bit higher when extended all the way to the back. Its maximum height is approx. 12″ (30.4 cm), so entry and exit can be done with ease.
The machine’s footrests are large enough to accommodate athletic footwear of all sizes. They’re made of a durable thermoplastic material. They have a textured surface, heel guards, and adjustable straps for improved stability.
The footrests have a pivoting design. They can tilt forward or backward on their axis. This being said, they can adapt to your rowing motion in order to provide a better positioning for your feet during each row. They also have heel stoppers so they won’t tilt backward past an angle of approx. 55°.
The machine’s 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 Health & Fitness SF-RW5935 is a full-magnetic rower. It does not have any water or air resistance
elements. That’s why its resistance system does not provide a dynamic response. In other words, the resistance does not proportionally increase if you row faster. It solely depends on the selected tension level. But on the other hand, just like any other fitness machine with a full-magnetic resistance system, the usage of the rower generates very little noise.
The machine’s resistance system is manual. Therefore, it does not have any pre-set programs and cannot automatically adjust the resistance. It consists of an internal magnetic brake connected to the tension knob on top of the machine’s front unit and a flywheel. When you turn the knob, the brake moves closer or farther from the flywheel which increases or decreases the resistance.
The weight of the internal flywheel is not specified. But considering that the net weight of the rower is only 53.1 lbs (24 kg), the flywheel probably doesn’t weigh more than 20 lbs (9.0 kg). It has a perimeter-weighted structure for improved inertia and a consistent rowing motion.
There are 16 resistance levels available on the tension knob. This is a plus, as many rowing machines in this price and feature range only offer 8 levels of resistance. The first few levels provide a fairly light workout load. Conversely, the highest resistance levels deliver considerably more resistance great for anyone who wants a consistent full-body cardio workout.
Fitness monitor
The Sunny SF-RW5935 rowing machine is equipped with a fairly basic fitness monitor. It has an LCD 
display that indicates time, stroke count, total count, and calories burned. It does not show the distance traveled and does not have a pulse reading function. It also does not have pre-set workout programs, Bluetooth, or online connectivity. In case you’re looking for features of this sort, you can check out the Circuit Fitness AMZ-979RW-BT, or the Fitness Reality 2646.
The unit is battery-powered. It requires two AAA batteries which are included. It starts recording when you begin rowing, and also automatically turns off if it does not detect any activity on the rower for more than 4 minutes.
The monitor unit features three buttons – Set, Mode, and Reset. The Set button offers the possibility to select a workout target for time, count, or calories. If a target is selected, the unit will count down from the selected value until it reaches zero. The Mode button allows you to scroll through the workout metrics and select the one that you want to view on the display. This way, you can also select the Scan Mode which automatically rotates all the metrics showing each one for 6 seconds. And finally, the Reset button clears all the values on the monitor to zero, except the Total Count. In order to reset the Total Count, you have to remove the batteries from the unit.
Assembly and Maintenance
The main functional unit of the rower comes pre-assembled and attached to the front frame section. Therefore, you only need to connect the front stabilizers, the rail, insert the seat on the rail, add the rear stabilizer, and the footrests. This shouldn’t take more than 20 minutes of your time. All the necessary tools are included, and the manual provides clear assembly instructions and schematics.
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 285 lbs;
- Can be stored vertically;
- Long rail – applicable inseam of 43″;
- Footplates for standing rows or bicep curls;
- Transport wheels integrated into the front base;
- Cushioned large seat for superior comfort;
- Pivoting footrests for a perfect foot position with each stroke;
- Smooth magnetic resistance system;
- Great resistance micro-adjustability – 16 available tension levels;
- Fitness monitor included – it can track time, count, t-count, and calories burned;
- Goal functions for time, count, and calories;
- Device holder included;
- Quiet operation;
- Easy to assemble;
- Little maintenance required;
- Excellent warranty.
The Cons
- No backlight on the fitness monitor;
- No pulse reading function;
- No distance reading function;
- No online connectivity.
Summary
The Sunny Health & Fitness SF-RW5935 is a rowing machine made for home use. It is equipped with a 16-level magnetic resistance system. It features a durable long rail rated for a maximum user weight limit of 285 lbs, a large cushioned seat, and a basic fitness monitor that tracks time, count, and calories burned. Although it’s not a commercial-grade machine, it’s great for a full-body cardio workout, stamina development, muscle toning, and weight loss.