If you’re lucky enough to have the budget, there are plenty of awesome streaming rowing machines out there to choose from.
Fortunately, there are also some respectable budget-friendlier options out there too.
Like ProForm’s Pro 750R Rower.
With an asking price of around $700, the Pro 750R is about half the starting price of some of the other elite streaming rowers, which in itself is a huge perk.
But this affordable rower also comes with a quiet magnetic resistance system, a space-saving folding frame, and a comfortable seat for an improved user experience.
And even though the console is pretty simple, it’s bluetooth compatibility with iFit gives you access to all the instructor-led workouts and metric tracking you can handle.
The warranty could be better, but for the price, even that’s not that bad.
If you’re looking for an affordable streaming rower, ProForm’s Pro 750R is likely one of the best options out there, but before you buy, you gotta know what you’re getting into.
And that’s where I can help.
In this review, I’ll go over everything this rowing machine does and doesn’t have going for it- I’ll also compare it to a few other similarly-priced rowers so you can see how it stacks up against the competition.
After reading, you’ll know whether or not the Pro 750R is a good fit for your home gym.
Affordable and comfortable, ProForm’s Pro 750R is a good choice for people looking for a budget-friendly streaming rower, but folks looking for a higher-performing machine should consider other options.
ProForm’s Pro 750R Rower
ProForm’s a decent brand known for offering affordable alternatives to NordicTrack.
The two brands are actually part of the same larger portfolio, as is the streaming giant iFit, which is why all ProForm and NordicTracks machines are compatible with the streaming app.
Generally speaking, ProForm machines tends to be a little lighter-duty and more affordable than NordicTrack, but it’s always a good idea to check their lineup because some of their models are very close to NordicTrack’s.
Anyway, the Pro 750R we’re here to discuss now is one of only 2 rowers currently being offered by ProForm (with the other being the Pro R10, which comes with a 10″ touchscreen and can be gotten for free with a 3-year iFit commitment).
As I’m writing this, the 750R is selling for around $699, making it quite affordable for a streaming rower.
Let’s start things off with a rundown on the performance side of things, then we’ll switch and check out the features and whatnot.
Pros
- 24 magnetic resistance levels
- Smooth, quiet performance
- iFit compatible
- Automatic Trainer Control
- 30-day iFit trial included
- Comfortable seat
- Padded handle
- Folding frame
- Robust rail
- Quick-touch resistance buttons
- Adjustable foot pedals
- Speakers
- Solid warranty
- Well-priced
Cons
- Only a 250 lb weight limit
- Not a great option for advanced rowers
Resistance
Rowing machines can be grouped by the type of resistance they use, of which there are several varieties.
The Pro 750R is a magnetic rower, so I’ll be skipping the discussion on the other varieties, but if you’re interested, you can check out my full rowing machine guide for more info.
Anyway, magnetic rowers come with a few key perks you don’t get with other kinds of rowers.
Most notably, magnetic rowing machines are nearly silent during operation, so you don’t have to worry about disturbing other family members or neighbors during use.
These machines operate a lot like other cardio machines that use magnetic resistance in the fact that they use a spinning flywheel and magnets to create the force you pull against.
These systems offer smooth, low maintenance resistance, but they don’t offer the most life-like experience.
This is because the resistance you work against is constant regardless of how hard/fast you pull – you set your resistance level and this is the resistance you get no matter your rowing cadence.
This is opposed to water and air rowers, that provide resistance dependent on how hard/fast you row (which provides a more life-like rowing experience).
If you’re looking for a real-world rowing experience, you may not like magnetic rowers, but if you like the idea of being able to row against constant resistance, a magnetic rower like the 750R could be a great fit.
When it comes to resistance levels, the Pro 750R comes with 24, giving you a lot of room to fine tune your intensity during workouts.
Resistance adjustments are made from the console, so you’ll have to reach out and tap the screen anytime you want to adjust your resistance, but the console does come with pre-set quick touch buttons for faster adjustments.
Users agree the 750R offers a smooth rowing experience, while creating little noise, which again, is a major perk of opting for a magnetic rower.
Overall, the 750R scores highly with its smooth-acting, quiet magnetic system, but as a magnetic rower, it doesn’t provide the most life-like rowing experience.
Frame
Your average home rower takes up a footprint of roughly 7- 8′ x 2′ and ProForm’s Pro 750R isn’t any different.
With a footprint of 22″ x 86.5″, this rower is pretty average in terms of size, but the frame can fold in half after workouts, cutting that length in half.
This is a great feature for homes with limited or shared workout space.
ProForm doesn’t provide the rail length, but according to ProForm, the 750R should be able to comfortably handle most users between 5’2″ – 6’4″ tall, which is pretty good for an affordable rower.
This rowing machine’s size is pretty average, but with an assembled weight of around 116 lb, it’s pretty heavy for such an affordable rower.
And even though this may make it a little harder to handle, I still think it’s a good thing.
Mostly because the added bulk will add stability to the frame, making for a more secure feeling machine.
Which, if we’re being honest, is an issue with a lot of affordable cardio machines – they feel kinda flimsy and lightweight.
Well, this won’t be an issue with the Pro 750R.
That said, this rower only comes with a 250 lb weight capacity, which is surprisingly low considering how heavy-duty it is.
With a weight capacity this low, larger users simply aren’t going to be able to use it, which sucks.
But if you fit within the weight limits, you can expect a sturdy feel during use.
Overall, like most rowers, the 750R takes up a fair amount of floor space, but with an easily folding frame, it won’t take up a ton of space while being stored.
And again, I like how heavy-duty this thing is, but the low weight limit is disappointing.
Features
The ProForm Pro 750R Rower comes with the following included features:
5″ display- the digital display isn’t anything to write home about, but it’s brightly lit and easy enough to see during workouts. The console is also height adjustable, for a more customized fit.
iFit ready- the console is simple yes, but it’s bluetooth compatible with iFit, which gives you access to more advanced features. Through iFit, you can get access to all the instructor-led workouts, scenic routes, and metric tracking the streaming app offers. ProForm includes a free 30-day trial with purchase, then you’d have to pay monthly to keep accessing it if you wanted (~$39/month I believe). But you don’t need an iFit membership to use this rower – if you hold the “iFit” button when first starting up the rower, it’ll let you use it without signing up for an iFit membership.
Automatic Trainer Control- iFit also offers a cool feature that lets the trainers automatically adjust your resistance during workouts so you don’t have to mess with it.
Quick-touch resistance buttons- you can always adjust your resistance manually too of course, or by using these convenient buttons that let you jump to a pre-set resistance level.
Ergonomic seat- the 750R comes with a comfy molded seat for added comfort during workouts.
Comfortable handlebar- the handle is also padded to make it a little more comfortable to grip during workouts.
Dual speakers- the console comes with dual, 2″ speakers, so you’ll be able to hear everything your iFit instructors are instructing.
Adjustable foot pedals- the pedals come with adjustable inserts, so you shouldn’t have any issues getting a comfortable fit.
Folding handle- finally, the rail comes with a built-in handle to make folding and transporting even easier (it’s the small things that make all the difference).
Assembly
If you decide to purchase the Pro 750R, assembly shouldn’t be much of an issue.
The process itself is pretty simple and ProForm’s assembly manual is easy enough to follow.
Most of the rowing machine comes pre-assembled, so you’ll really only have to unfold it, slide the seat on, attach the seat stopper, connect the console, and add a few covers.
Not much to it.
That said, keep in mind that this is a pretty heavy machine, so you might want a second person around just to help move it around (but there are built-in transport wheels).
Like most affordable equipment, you might have to wiggle screws around a little to make sure they fit correctly, but otherwise, most folks should be able to assemble this rower with little headache.
Warranty
ProForm covers their Pro 750R Rower with the following home warranty:
- 5 year frame
- 1 year parts
- 1 year labor
This warranty is a little short compared to the 10 year frame, 2 year parts offered by NordicTrack on their rowers, but to be fair – their rowers cost a lot more.
When compared to rowers in this price range, this warranty actually holds up quite well.
Sunny Health and Fitness (SHF) for example, only offers 3 year frame and 6 month parts warranties, so there’s that.
Overall, the warranty here isn’t spectacular, but it’s about as good as we can expect in this price range.
Comps
Speaking of which, let’s take a quick look at some other magnetic rowers in this price range to see how the Pro 750R stacks up.
Prices can vary, but as I’m writing this review, the 750R is selling for around $699, so we’ll use this as our price range to choose our comps.
The first magnetic rower that comes to mind is SHF’s Premium Smart Rowing Machine that usually costs somewhere around $500 (although I’ve seen it much cheaper on Amazon).
This rower comes with 16 magnetic resistance levels, a weight limit of 285 lb, and also comes with a folding frame for storage.
This rower comes with an even smaller console though and even though it’s compatible with Sunny’s free app, their app has nothing on iFit.
There’s also Horizon’s Oxford 3, which is usually priced around $900.
The Oxford 3 only comes with 10 magnetic resistance levels, but it comes with a 350 lb weight capacity and a lifetime frame, 2 year parts guarantee.
It also comes with a basic LCD console that only comes with 5 built-in workout programs and again, isn’t iFit compatible.
The last rower I want to mention is Echelon’s Row, which is priced at around $600 at the time of writing this.
The Row comes with 32 magnetic resistance levels, a 300 lb weight capacity, and a solid frame, but Echelon only covers it with a 1-year warranty.
The Echelon Row also doesn’t come with a console at all, so you have to use your phone or tablet, synched up with their platform, to access your metrics.
Based on these examples, I think it’s fair to say that the Pro 750R can hold its own with any magnetic rower in this price range.
Final Thoughts
Alright, I think that’ll about do it for the Pro 750R.
I don’t really have much to complain about here, especially after looking at some of the other rowing machines in this category.
As a magnetic rower, you can expect a smooth, quiet workout and with 24 resistance levels, the 750R gives you a lot of control over your workouts.
The frame is also surprisingly robust and the fact that it folds for storage is great for saving floor space.
The biggest downside I see is that it only comes with a 250 lb weight limit, so larger rowers aren’t going to be able to use this machine.
All that said, what really sets this rower apart from any other in this price range is the fact that it can sync up with iFit.
iFit’s easily one of the top streaming platforms on the market – with the workouts, automatic trainer control, and metric tracking, few platforms can compete.
So, if you’re looking for an affordable streaming rowing machine, I think ProForm’s Pro 750R is likely the best option in its price range.
