Sunny Health & Fitness has been making reliable home gym equipment for years. The SF-RW5606 rower stands out in their lineup because it uses elastic cord resistance instead of hydraulics or magnets. That choice keeps the price reasonable while still giving you four tension levels to work through.

The steel frame feels solid under the 220-pound weight limit. The pedals have textured surfaces and straps that keep your feet planted during hard pulls. The LCD monitor tracks time, calories, and count, which is enough for most workouts without overcomplicating things. The resistance is smooth and quiet, so you can row while someone watches TV in the same room.

The elastic cord system won’t match the progressive feel of a water or air rower at higher intensities. For steady-state cardio and general fitness, it gets the job done without taking up much floor space. The gray finish blends into most home setups.