Table of Contents
- Proform Sport Rl Rower Review
- ProForm Sport RL Rower Review: A Budget-Friendly and IFIT-Compatible Magnetic Rower
- Pros of the ProForm Sport RL Rower
- Cons of the ProForm Sport RL Rower
- Conclusion
- What is the ProForm Sport RL Rower, and How Does It Work?
- What are the Benefits of Using the ProForm Sport RL Rower?
- What are the Drawbacks of Using the ProForm Sport RL Rower?
- How to Use the ProForm Sport RL Rower?
- About Author
- Mariar Fernandez
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Proform Sport Rl Rower Review
ProForm Sport RL Rower Review: A Budget-Friendly and IFIT-Compatible Magnetic Rower
Proform Sport Rl Rower Review, If you want a low-impact, full-body workout at home, you might be interested in the ProForm Sport RL Rower. This magnetic rower has 24 digital resistance levels, a 5-inch high-contrast display, and a foldable design for easy storage. It also comes with a 30-day IFIT family membership that endows you access to thousands of interactive workouts led by professional trainers.
But is the Proform Sport Rl Rower Review worth buying? How does it compare to other rowing machines on the market? What are the pros and cons of this rower? We will answer these questions based on customer reviews and product specifications in this review.
Pros of the ProForm Sport RL Rower
- Magnetic resistance is silent: One of the main advantages of the ProForm Sport RL Rower is that it uses magnetic resistance, which is very quiet and smooth. Unlike air or water rowers, magnetic rowers do not make noise from the fan or the water tank. This Proform Sport Rl Rower Review makes them ideal for home use, especially if you live in an apartment or have family members who might be disturbed by loud noises.
- Twenty-four digital resistance levels: The ProForm Sport RL Rower offers 24 digital resistance levels that you can adjust with a simple touch of a button. This Proform Sport Rl Rower Review authorizes you to customize your workout intensity and challenge yourself. Some IFIT workouts automatically adjust your resistance depending on the terrain and the instructor’s guidance.
- Foldable for compact storage and transport: The ProForm Sport RL Rower has a foldable design that allows you to save space when it is not in use. You can easily fold the rail and the seat and store the rower vertically. It also has transport wheels, making moving the rower around your home easy.
- Budget-friendly IFIT-compatible rower: The Proform Sport Rl Rower Review is one of the most reasonable rowing machines that can connect to IFIT. This popular fitness app offers thousands of interactive workouts for various types of equipment. IFIT workouts are led by professional trainers who guide you through scenic routes, studio classes, and cross-training exercises. You can also track your improvement, stats, and achievements on the app. The ProForm Sport RL Rower has a 30-day IFIT family membership that allows you to try the app for free. However, you will need your smart device, such as a tablet or a phone, to connect to IFIT, as the rower does not have a built-in screen for the app.
- 5-inch high-contrast display: The ProForm Sport RL Rower has a 5-inch display that shows your workout data, such as time, distance, calories, strokes, and resistance level. The display is easy to read and has a backlight for better visibility. It also has a device holder for your tablet or phone to watch IFIT workouts or your favorite shows while rowing.
- Speakers: The ProForm Sport RL Rower has built-in speakers that can play audio from your smart device or the IFIT app. The speakers are quiet but clear and decent for the price.
Cons of the ProForm Sport RL Rower
- Weight capacity is low at 253 pounds (115 kg): The ProForm Sport RL Rower has a weight capacity of 253 pounds (115 kg), which is lower than some other rowing machines on the market. For example, the Concept 2 RowErg has a weight capacity of 500 pounds (227 kg). If you weigh over 253 pounds (115 kg), look for a more sturdy and durable rower.
- Its weight of 105.8 pounds (48 kg) can be challenging for some people to move around: The ProForm Sport RL Rower weighs 105.8 pounds (48 kg), which is not very light for a foldable rower. Some users find lifting or moving the rower difficult, especially if they have to carry it up or down the stairs. Transport wheels can help, but they can also be smoother on some surfaces.
- You need your smart device to connect to IFIT: The ProForm Sport RL Rower does not have a built-in screen for the IFIT app. You will need your smart device, such as a tablet or a phone, to connect to IFIT and watch the workouts. This Proform Sport Rl Rower means you must use your device’s battery and data plan and might experience connectivity issues or delays. Some users prefer a rower with a dedicated app screen, such as the NordicTrack RW900 Rower.
- Can only connect to the IFIT workout app: The ProForm Sport RL Rower can only connect to the IFIT workout app and not to other fitness apps or devices. Linking the rower to a heart rate monitor, smartwatch, or fitness tracker is impossible. You cannot use the rower with apps like Zwift, Peloton, or Strava. If you want more versatility and compatibility, look for a rower with Bluetooth or ANT+ connectivity.
- Some users experience belt drive slack at high speeds: The ProForm Sport RL Rower uses a belt drive system, which is supposed to be more durable and maintenance-free than a chain drive system. However, some users have reported that the belt drive becomes slack or loose at high speeds, affecting the rowing motion’s smoothness and consistency. This Proform Sport Rl Rower might be a quality control issue or a design flaw the manufacturer must address.
Conclusion
The ProForm Sport RL Rower is a budget-friendly and IFIT-compatible magnetic rower that offers a low-impact, full-body workout at home. It has 24 digital resistance levels, a foldable design, and a 5-inch high-contrast display. It also arrives with a 30-day IFIT family membership that grants access to thousands of interactive workouts led by professional trainers.
However, the ProForm Sport RL Rower also has some drawbacks, such as a low weight capacity, heavy weight, a lack of a built-in screen for IFIT, limited connectivity to other apps or devices, and a possible belt drive slack at high speeds. These might be deal-breakers for some users looking for a more sturdy, versatile, and reliable rower.
Overall, the ProForm Sport RL Rower is a good option for beginners and intermediates who want a quiet, smooth, and affordable rower that can connect to IFIT. Advanced rowers might look for a more challenging and durable rower, such as the Concept 2 RowErg.
What is the ProForm Sport RL Rower, and How Does It Work?
The ProForm Sport RL Rower is home fitness equipment that affects the motion of rowing a boat. Rowing is a low-impact, full-body exercise that can improve cardiovascular health, muscle strength, and endurance. The ProForm Sport RL Rower uses magnetic resistance, meaning it has magnets that create tension on a flywheel as you pull the handle. Magnetic resistance is quiet, smooth, and adjustable, making it suitable for different fitness levels and preferences.
The ProForm Sport RL Rower has 24 digital resistance levels that you can change with the touch of a button on the console. The console also has a 5-inch high-contrast display that shows your exercise data, such as time, distance, calories, strokes, and resistance level. The console has a device holder that can accommodate your tablet or phone, so you can watch your favorite shows or connect to the IFIT app while rowing.
IFIT is a fitness app that offers thousands of interactive workouts for various types of equipment, including rowing machines. IFIT workouts are led by professional trainers who guide you through scenic routes, studio classes, and cross-training exercises. You can also track your improvement, stats, and achievements on the app. The ProForm Sport RL Rower has a 30-day IFIT family membership that allows you to try the app for free. However, you will need your smart device to connect to IFIT, as the rower does not have a built-in screen for the app.
The ProForm Sport RL Rower has a foldable design that permits you to save space when not in use. You can easily fold the rail and the seat and store the rower vertically. It also has transport wheels, making moving the rower around your home easy. The rower weighs 105.8 pounds (48 kg) and has a weight capacity of 253 pounds (115 kg).
The ProForm Sport RL Rower is a budget-friendly and IFIT-compatible magnetic rower that offers a low-impact and full-body workout at home. It has 24 digital resistance levels, a foldable design, and a 5-inch high-contrast display. It also arrives with a 30-day IFIT family membership that provides access to thousands of interactive workouts led by professional trainers.
What are the Benefits of Using the ProForm Sport RL Rower?
Using the ProForm Sport RL Rower can provide you with several benefits, such as:
- Improving cardiovascular health: Rowing is a great way to improve your heart and lung health. It can help reduce the probability of heart disease, stroke, and diabetes. When you row, you increase your heart rate and oxygen intake. This Proform Sport Rl Rower helps improve your cardiovascular system. Rowing can also lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels and improve blood circulation and lung function.
- Strengthening your muscles: Rowing works out almost all the major muscle groups in your body, such as your legs, arms, back, core, and shoulders. Rowing can help you build muscle mass, tone your muscles, and increase your endurance and power. Rowing can also improve your posture, balance, and coordination.
- Burning calories and fat: Rowing is a high-intensity, high-calorie exercise that can help you lose weight and fat. According to Harvard Health Publishing, a 155-pound (70 kg) person can burn about 260 calories in 30 minutes of moderate rowing and about 316 calories in 30 minutes of vigorous rowing. Rowing can also boost your metabolism and help you burn more calories even after your workout.
- Reducing stress and improving mood: Rowing can release endorphins, natural chemicals that make you feel happy and relaxed. Rowing can also reduce stress, anxiety, and depression and improve your mood and mental health. Rowing can also be fun, mainly if you use the IFIT app and follow the interactive workouts that take you to different places and scenarios.
What are the Drawbacks of Using the ProForm Sport RL Rower?
Using the ProForm Sport RL Rower can also have some drawbacks, such as:
- Low weight capacity: The ProForm Sport RL Rower has a weight capacity of 253 pounds (115 kg), which is lower than some other rowing machines on the market. For example, the Concept 2 RowErg has a weight capacity of 500 pounds (227 kg). If you weigh over 253 pounds (115 kg), look for a more sturdy and durable rower.
- Heavyweight: The ProForm Sport RL Rower weighs 105.8 pounds (48 kg), which could be lighter for a foldable rower. Some users find lifting or moving the rower difficult, especially if they have to carry it up or down the stairs. Transport wheels can help, but they can also be smoother on some surfaces.
- Lack of a built-in screen for IFIT: The ProForm Sport RL Rower needs a built-in screen for the IFIT app. You will need your smart device, such as a tablet or a phone, to connect to IFIT and watch the workouts. This Proform Sport Rl Rower means you must use your device’s battery and data plan and might experience connectivity issues or delays. Some users prefer a rower with a dedicated app screen, such as the NordicTrack RW900 Rower.
- Limited connectivity to other apps or devices: The ProForm Sport RL Rower can only connect to the IFIT workout app, not other fitness apps or devices. For example, you cannot connect the rower to a heart rate monitor, a smartwatch, or a fitness tracker, and you cannot use it with apps like Zwift, Peloton, or Strava. If you want more versatility and compatibility, look for a rower with Bluetooth or ANT+ connectivity.
- Possible belt drive slack at high speeds: The ProForm Sport RL Rower uses a belt drive system, which is supposed to be more durable and maintenance-free than a chain drive system. However, some users have reported that the belt drive becomes slack or loose at high speeds, affecting the rowing motion’s smoothness and consistency. This Proform Sport Rl Rower might be a quality control issue or a design flaw the manufacturer must address.
How to Use the ProForm Sport RL Rower?
To use the ProForm Sport RL Rower, you need to follow these steps:
- Plug in the power cord: The ProForm Sport RL Rower requires electric power. Plug the power cord into a dropped outlet and the rower. Make sure the power switch is turned on.
- Adjust the foot straps: The ProForm Sport RL Rower has adjustable foot straps that secure your feet on the pedals. Make sure the foot straps are tight enough. Your feet should be flat on the pedals, and your toes should point slightly upward.
- Sit on the seat and grab the handle: The ProForm Sport RL Rower has a padded, ergonomic seat that slides along the rail. Sit on the seat and grab the handle with an overhand grip. Your arms should be straight, and your shoulders should be relaxed.
- Perform the rowing motion: The rowing motion consists of four phases: the catch, the drive, the finish, and the recovery. Here is how to perform each phase:
- The catch: This is the starting position of the rowing motion. Your legs should be bent, and your shins should be vertical. Your arms should be straight, and your shoulders should be in front of your hips. Your back should be slightly tilted forward, and your core should be engaged. Your head should be neutral, and your eyes should look forward.
- The drive: This is the phase where you push with your legs and pull with your arms. Extend your legs and push off the pedals. As your legs straighten, lean your upper body slightly and pull the grip to your lower chest. Your elbows should be close to your sides, and your wrists should be flat. Your back should be straight, and your core should be tight. Your head should be neutral, and your eyes should look forward.
- The finish: This is the end position of the rowing motion. Your legs should be straight, and your feet flat on the pedals. Your arms should be bent, and the handle should be at your lower chest. Your shoulders should be behind your hips, and your back should be slightly tilted. Your core should be engaged, and your chest should be open. Your head should be neutral, and your eyes should look forward.
- The recovery: This is the phase where you return to the catch position. Extend your arms and push the handle away from your chest. As your arms straighten, lean your upper body forward slightly and bend your legs. Slide the seat onward until your shins are vertical. Your back should be slightly tilted forward, and your core should be engaged. Your head should be neutral, and your eyes should look forward.
- Repeat the rowing motion: To complete a rowing workout, you must repeat the motion for a certain amount of time or distance. You can choose a manual mode or a preset program on the console or follow an IFIT workout on your smart device. You can also adjust the resistance level on the console to make your workout easier or harder.