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When you’re looking for a low-impact, full-body exercise that provides a fantastic cardio workout, it’s hard to beat a rowing machine. The best rowing machines are some of the most useful yet underrated pieces of fitness equipment you can have for your cardiovascular health.
While the Concept2 RowErg may be the most common rower around—particularly in CrossFit gyms and functional training facilities—there are plenty of other options on the market, especially for home gym owners. One such rower is the new SR550 rowing machine from Sole, a company that specializes in cardiovascular equipment for home gyms.
In this Sole SR550 Review, I’ll be explaining everything you need to know about Sole’s latest rowing machine. I’ll share the pros and cons based on our extensive testing and help you decide if this machine is worth purchasing for your home.
Tested by a Conditioning Expert
Every review we publish at Garage Gym Reviews is based on hands-on testing from our team of experts. Our testers include certified personal trainers, gym owners, strength and conditioning experts, CrossFit enthusiasts, and more. We’ve tested countless pieces of cardio equipment, including over 20 rowing machines, and we know how to tell the good from the bad.
For this rowing machine review, our tester was Lindsay Scheele, CPT, who you may know as the lead reviewer for our Garage Gym Reviews Everything YouTube channel. Lindsay is an expert with plenty of rowing experience, and she went through several workouts on the new Sole SR550, testing every feature.
Based on her testing, we calculated a final score using our equipment testing methodology, which rates equipment on a number of important categories, including:
- Footprint and portability
- Durability and construction
- Ergonomics
- Technology benefits and conveniences
Sole SR550 Rowing Machine
Sole SR550 Rowing Machine
Product Highlights
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Quieter than other air rowers
- Lifetime frame warranty
- 400-pound user weight capacity
- Sole programming comes free with the rower
- 19-inch seat height
Cons
- Cannot connect to more than one Sole machine at the same time
- Sound quality of Sole’s workout classes could be better
- Doesn’t feel as smooth or comfortable as other rowers
Bottom Line
The SR550 is the updated version of Sole’s previous rower, the Sole SR500, and uses a combination of air and magnetic resistance to provide a smooth, quiet workout experience that simulates water resistance.
A Quick Look at the Sole SR550
The SR550 is the updated version of Sole’s previous rower, the Sole SR500, which we’ve previously tested and reviewed. Similar to the SR500, this SR550 uses a combination of air and magnetic resistance to provide a smooth, quiet workout experience that simulates water resistance.
Other brands, like Ergatta, use real water resistance in their rowers, but these rowers are usually more expensive, and you can hear the water when using them, which may bother some if you’re trying to enjoy a silent workout. In comparison, the SR550 is extremely quiet.
There are 16 levels of resistance, and you can change the settings with the resistance controls built into the handlebar or use the resistance adjustment controls on the console.
The SR550 also has a larger swivel display, which allows users to follow along with Sole’s free virtual workout programs both on and off the rowing machine. This is one of the biggest upgrades, as the previous model featured a smaller display that only showed basic workout stats.
If you typically enjoy following virtual, trainer-led workouts for your cardiovascular training, you’re probably going to love using this new rower. It’s not perfect, and Lindsay had a few minor callouts, but if you’re looking to upgrade your home gym with a smart rower that includes hundreds of free fitness classes, the Sole SR550 is a great choice.
Before You Buy
- While many rowers use air and magnetic resistance, this is one of the quietest we’ve tested.
- It features adjustable resistance, although the resistance is mostly felt in the initial pulling movement.
- The 19” seat is higher than many other rowers, which is great for those with limited mobility who may struggle with the lower seats found on other rowers.
Sole SR550 Video Review
Is the Sole SR550 Worth It?
With a regular price of $1,499, this isn’t exactly cheap, but for the right person, it may be exactly what you’re looking for. Here’s who we think this rower is best for, as well as who should avoid it.
Great for:
- Individuals who love using virtual workout classes
- Those with limited strength and mobility
- Anyone looking for a quiet, smooth rowing machine
Not recommended for:
- Those shopping for a rower on a budget
- Advanced athletes who regularly use high resistance levels
- People who plan on moving the rower on a regular basis
RELATED: Best Budget Rower
Sole SR550 Specs
| Footprint | 97″ L x 19″ W x 52″ H |
| Weight | 106 lbs |
| Weight capacity | 400 lbs |
| Resistance | 16 resistance levels |
| Frame warranty | Lifetime |
| Parts warranty | 2 years |
| Display | 10.1” touchscreen |
Workout Experience Using the Sole SR550
Lindsay was pleasantly surprised by how quiet this rower was and how smooth the rowing movement felt most of the time. The Sole SR550 earned a 4.14 rating based on our testing methodology.
One minor issue Lindsay noticed was the tightness of the foot straps. She found it difficult to loosen the straps and had to use both hands to free her foot from the pedals. We’d expect these straps to loosen over time, but fresh out of the box, they’re a little stiff and difficult to use.
Even though the straps may feel a little tight at first, the SR550 is still a solid rower that feels very smooth at most resistance levels and a great choice for those looking for a full-body cardio workout at home.
Rowing has been shown1 to engage nearly all of the muscles in the body, providing benefits to both the heart and skeletal muscles throughout the body. Many of the pulling muscles in your back and arm work together with your core and legs, so adjustable resistance is a great feature of many rowing machines… and the biggest flaw of Sole’s latest rower.
The SR550 provides 16 levels of resistance that can be adjusted by pressing the buttons on the handlebar, allowing users to change resistance levels without needing to reach for the monitor. While this sounds great, Lindsay noted that you really only feel the resistance in the initial pull.
“I didn’t love the resistance,” Lindsay said. “As I was using it, the only time I actually felt more resistance was in the initial pull. There also wasn’t consistent resistance throughout, and I wish the resistance was more evenly distributed.”
RELATED: Does Rowing Build Muscle?
She also said that on high levels of resistance, it’s quite noticeable. You may have to pull fairly hard in the beginning, but then the resistance drops off, and as you’re returning to the starting position, the resistance pulls again, causing a bit of a hitching movement.
While you can adjust the resistance, it’s not very smooth at higher levels, which is worth calling out for those who regularly crank up the resistance during rowing workouts.
Footprint and Portability
The Sole SR550 earns a 4-out-of-5-star rating for footprint and portability, which are especially important for home gym owners who may need to move the rower around between users.
It measures 97″ L x 19″ W x 52″ H and weighs 106 pounds. It isn’t light, but it’s foldable for easy storage and has transport wheels on the front, so you shouldn’t have any issues folding the rower to store it between uses.
This is a pretty standard size for rowers, so you’ll need quite a bit of floor space to use it, something to keep in mind if you’re working with a smaller space.
Durability and Construction
For durability and construction, the Sole SR550 earns a 4 out of 5.
During her testing, Lindsay noticed that the SR550 is built with significantly more plastic than other rowers. It still feels very durable and sturdy, which is partially due to the built-in floor stabilizers, so you won’t feel the difference.
However, plastic is more prone to damage than more durable materials like metal, so this certainly isn’t the most durable rowing machine we’ve tested. It feels very stable during use, but we wish it used a bit less plastic, especially if you’re going to be folding and moving the rower regularly.
The maximum user weight is 400 pounds. This is a bit less than other rowers on the market, but it should still support most users.
Ergonomics
The rower is quite comfortable and earns a 4 out of 5 for ergonomics.
Similar to using something like an elliptical or stationary bike, rowing provides a comfortable, low-impact workout that can be used to train your cardiovascular system without putting extra wear and tear on your joints.
When it comes to comfort, the SR550 does most things quite well.
In particular, Lindsay loved the 19-inch seat height. She noted that many other rowers have a lower seat, which means getting in and out of the rower can be challenging. This is especially important for individuals who may lack strength and mobility and struggle to stand up from low positions.
Her one callout with the ergonomics was the seat itself. She said it’s comfortable enough to use on a regular basis but doesn’t feel quite as good as other rowers she’s tested. That said, if you haven’t tried many rowers, you’ll likely be very happy with the seat. However, if you’re a stationary rower connoisseur who’s tried many different models, you may not love the SR550’s seat.
Technology Benefits and Conveniences
For technology benefits and convenience, the SR550 earns a 4 out of 5.
Lindsay said that the initial setup was very simple, and she didn’t have any issues connecting the rower to her WiFi or phone via Bluetooth. However, Lindsay wasn’t able to connect her phone to multiple Sole devices at a time. She had to open the Sole app on her phone and manually disconnect from the treadmill before she could connect to the rowing machine.
This isn’t a huge deal, but if you already use a Sole treadmill (or any other smart equipment from Sole), you may need to adjust your app settings each time you use a different piece of equipment.
One of the main features of the SR550 is the built-in screen. It displays the usual metrics you’d expect to see on a rower, and you can also use it to stream Sole’s free workout classes. There’s no built-in heart rate monitor, but you can pair the rower with the best heart rate monitors via Bluetooth.
Lindsay said the Sole workouts aren’t her favorite compared to other streaming services, but they’re free to use. We love to see this, as many other brands charge a monthly subscription fee to access streaming classes, and you won’t need to pay for a separate rowing app.
The screen also swivels, so if you’re following a workout that requires you to get off the rower, you can easily turn the screen so you can still see it. If you don’t want to use the classes, the rower also has a built-in tablet holder, so you can place your phone or tablet directly above the main screen.
Her main issue with the classes is the audio. Some classes have a loud instructor with very quiet music, and others have loud music, but you can barely hear the instructor. There’s no way to adjust the sound yourself, so certain classes may be difficult to hear.
Sole SR550 vs Concept2 RowErg
Concept2 RowErg
Concept2 RowErg
Product Highlights
- Priced around $1,000
- Uses air resistance generated by the fanned flywheel
- Advanced PM5 Performance Monitor
- Low impact full-body workout fitness machine
- Lightweight and easily portable
- Can be broken down into two pieces for storage
- Can also be hung for storage
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Best-selling rowing machine in the world
- Easy assembly
- Accommodates users up to 6.6 feet tall and 500-pound weight
- Ergonomic seat and handlebar
- Seat is 14”
- 10-degree angle on handle for natural grip
- Air-resistance
- Adjustable airflow
- Performance Monitor 5 (PM5) monitor
- Nickel-plated steel chain
- Adjustable footrests
- Easy to store
- Limited 5-year warranty
Cons
- Priced around $1,000
- Few built-in workouts
Bottom Line
The Concept 2 Model D Rower is the best rowing machine we've tested and reviewed, including those that are much more expensive like the WaterRower. There's a reason you can find Concept 2 products in nearly every gym in the world, including CrossFit Boxes, and home gyms. After having the Model D for over two years, we are still as satisfied with it as we were on day one.
Many companies make great rowers, like NordicTrack, Hydrow, ProForm, Aviron, and more, but the gold standard of rowers is still the Concept2 RowErg, one of the most commonly used rowers in commercial training facilities. However, while the Concept2 is often found in commercial settings, the SR550 is designed for home use, and there are a few other differences.
The main difference is the display. The Concept2 features a smaller LCD display that displays your typical workout and performance stats, and while it gets the job done nicely, it’s nothing special.
The Sole SR550 uses a larger, 10.1-inch touchscreen display that allows users to enjoy a built-in workout from Sole, and the display swivels, so you can still see it if you’re doing exercises to the side of the rower.
Lindsay admitted that she’d choose the Concept2 over the SR550 in most situations. However, the SR550 is certainly quieter and includes built-in programming, so it may be a better choice for home users.
Finally, we need to call out the price difference. The Concept2 costs between $990 and $1,150 depending on the height of the seat, while the SR550 costs $1,499, though it may be on sale throughout the year.
If you’re looking for the most durable, comfortable rower at a lower price point, the Concept2 is a better choice. However, if you prefer to have access to virtual classes or want a silent rower that won’t disturb anyone else in your home, the Sole SR550 is the better choice.
For more, be sure to read our in-depth Concept2 RowErg Review.
| Sole SR550 | Concept2 RowErg | |
| Footprint | 97″ L x 19″ W x 52″ H | 96″ L x 24″ W x 14″ H |
| Weight | 106 lbs | 57 lbs |
| Weight capacity | 400 lbs | 500 lbs |
| Resistance | 16 resistance levels | Adjustable air resistance |
| Frame warranty | Lifetime | 5 years |
| Parts warranty | 2 years | 2 years |
| Display | 10.1” touchscreen | Advanced PM5 Performance Monitor |
Customer Experience
The customer experience you get with Sole earns a 5-out-of-5 rating.
The SR550 has a lifetime warranty on the frame, a two-year warranty on the parts, and a one-year warranty on labor. That’s more than we typically see on rowers, and Lindsay pointed out that Sole also has great customer service if you need to reach them for anything.
Customer service can be reached via phone, email, or by submitting a contact form on the company website.
Ordering and Assembling the Sole SR550
The ordering, delivery, and assembly process is very smooth, earning a 5-out-of-5-star rating.
Free shipping is included when you order from Sole, and a couple of upgrades are available. For an additional $200, Sole will deliver the rower to your room of choice. For an additional $350, you can have it delivered to a room of your choice and professionally assembled.
Orders can be paid in full, financed through ShopPay, or paid for using your FSA or HSA.
Customer Reviews
We’d love to share customer reviews, but Sole doesn’t publish any, and there were no recent Amazon reviews. We’ll update this section in the future if we see customer feedback.
Final Verdict of Our Sole SR550 Review
Overall, the Sole SR550 rower is a great tool to help you reach your fitness goals, especially if you want to take advantage of Sole’s free streaming workout classes. The resistance isn’t smooth all the way through, which is especially noticeable on higher settings, but that’s really our only call out. If you plan on doing longer workouts with low to moderate resistance, this may not bother you at all.
It’s a bit more expensive than other rowers on the market, but it’s quiet, and the large touchscreen is a great feature for virtual workouts.
- This rower is great for anyone with limited mobility. Its 19” seat height is higher than that of many other rowers, making getting in and out much easier.
- The rower feels very stable and durable, even though there are a lot of plastic parts.
- Our tester said that while the resistance isn’t very smooth on higher levels, she still enjoys the rower and thinks it’s a solid alternative to some of the most popular options on the market.
Full Rating
Sole SR550
The SR550 is the updated version of Sole’s previous rower, the Sole SR500, and uses a combination of air and magnetic resistance to provide a smooth, quiet workout experience that simulates water resistance.
Product Currency: $
Product Price: 1499.99
Product In-Stock: InStock
4.14
Sole SR550: FAQs
What are the disadvantages of a rowing machine?
Rowing machines can take up quite a bit of space, so you’ll need plenty of room to use one in your home. Most have built-in wheels to move them around, but they may not be as easy to store as other types of cardio equipment.
How much should I pay for a rowing machine?
The price you’ll pay depends on which rower you want to purchase. New rowing machines can range from $200-$1,500+, so most people will be able to find one that fits their budget.
Is rowing good to lose belly fat?
A rowing machine is a great tool to enjoy a full-body cardiovascular workout and burn some calories. Rowing by itself may not help you lose belly fat, but it can certainly help, especially when paired with a proper nutrition plan focused on weight loss.
Is a rowing machine better than a treadmill?
Depending on your goals, a rowing machine may be better than a treadmill, especially if you want a low-impact workout. However, if you’re a runner or athlete who needs to incorporate running into your training, a treadmill is the better choice.
RELATED: Treadmill vs Rowing Machine
References
- Volianitis, S., Yoshiga, C. C., & Secher, N. H. (2020). The physiology of rowing with perspective on training and health. European journal of applied physiology, 120(9), 1943–1963. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-020-04429-y
Further reading
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