ProForm 750R Rower Review

When looking for the best rowing machine for your training space, finding the balance between your desired features and established budget can be more challenging than the workouts themselves. The ProForm 750R Rower, an impressive and affordable rowing machine, might be exactly the Goldilocks you’re looking for — not too hot, not too cold.

As it costs less than most mid-range rowers, the 750R has to make a few compromises. Its long steel frame is great for tall users, but not so great for heavier users. Tech-wise, you can take on immersive virtual workouts on iFIT, but you’ll need to supply your own device. You can track your heart rate during a session, but you’ll need to supply the Bluetooth monitor. After testing 17 different rowers and sweating through beginner and advanced classes on the 750R, our team of experts think it offers the challenge, training options, and portability to earn a spot in your gym.

Main Takeaways

• Its integration with the iFIT app allows for immersive studio classes and scenic rows with the ability to adjust your resistance automatically to match the virtual environment.
• You’ll need to supply your own device — and $39.99 per month subscription — to take on iFIT’s rowing series, individual classes, and challenges.
• Its 86.5-inch steel rail can accommodate users from 5 feet 2 inches to 6 feet 4 inches, and folds in half for easy storage.
• According to our tester, rowing across its 24 levels of magnetic resistance produces just a soft whirring sound. 

ProForm 750R Rower Highlights

Indoor rowing machines have escaped the shadow of niche exercise equipment as an efficient way for athletes to cash in on the benefits of cardio. “Once reserved for rowing athletes as a way to train indoors, rowing [machines] have made it mainstream, and that’s for a lot of good reasons,” says BarBend expert reviewer Amanda Capritto, CPT, CES, CNC, CF-L1, CSNC. “Rowing is an effective form of exercise, engaging most of the body’s muscles and significantly working the cardiovascular system.” (1)(2)

When stacked up against models over $1,000, the foldable ProForm 750R Rowing Machine ($699) holds its own. With iFIT integration and 24 levels of magnetic resistance, you’ll be able to increase or decrease the intensity via the console or by letting iFIT’s AutoAdjust feature take the lead. Its steel rail and adjustable seat, meanwhile, accommodate rowers between 5 feet 2 inches and 6 feet 4 inches. 

This magnetic rowing machine keeps its price low by eschewing an HD touchscreen display in favor of a bare-bones console with a media shelf. If you don’t mind sliding in your own tablet or phone, you can save a chunk of change while still accessing iFIT’s library of rowing classes, not to mention the app’s automatic resistance adjustments. An iFIT membership, however, will cost you an additional $39.99 per month.

There are a few downsides to this budget-friendly rower, though. The 250-pound user weight limit is lower than the 300- to 350-pound weight capacities we like to see. It’s also heavier than many comparable rowers by 10 to 40 pounds, and lacks a few basic conveniences, like a water bottle holder and Bluetooth-enabled speakers. 

Training With the ProForm 750R Rower

Our team of certified personal trainers, CrossFit coaches, and cardio fiends have sweat on 17 different rowing machines, and have taken beginner and advanced rowing workouts on the ProForm 750R Rower. After our sessions, we rate each machine on a scale of 1 (lowest) to 5 (highest) across 11 categories, including tech capabilities, durability, and overall value.

During our time with the ProForm 750R, we were pleasantly surprised to see features typically reserved for more expensive machines, like its iFIT app integration and durable steel frame. We also love its ability to fold in half for easier storage, as well as how quiet it is in operation. Magnetic resistance systems tend to make less noise than air or water rowers. Check out what our team of testers had to say about their time with the 750R.

Programming

The 750R presents a number of different programming options. If you’re interested in taking advantage of the machine’s iFIT integration, you’ll have access to thousands of cardio classes, including numerous rowing and recovery classes, and even off-rower strength and mobility workouts. iFIT also offers scenic rows across the English Channel or through far-flung locales like Zambia. If you prefer to focus on a studio class or want to tackle challenges like Coast-to-Coast or distance-based series, there is no shortage there either.

While you’ll be supplying the screen, our tester noted that the 750R offers a key iFIT feature. “If you sync up your device, iFIT classes can adjust your resistance automatically,” they said. This means you won’t need to reach to change settings mid-workout, leaving you to zero in on your sweat. iFIT consistently earns 5 out of 5 ratings from our testing team and its rowing workouts are no exception.

“I just love iFIT. It’s so easy to filter and find the workouts I wanted (and you need to with so many options),” said our tester, a certified personal trainer. “The scenic locations and trainer-led instruction make it so worth it.” 

By “worth it,” they mean iFIT’s $39.99 monthly subscription, which we think is a fair bargain for one of the best fitness apps out there. 

Of course, you don’t need an iFIT subscription to train on the 750R. You can access 20 preset workouts via the console, including HIIT rowing workouts and timed options. 

Tech Capabilities

While higher-end options like the NordicTrack RW900 allow you to stream iFIT workouts through integrated HD touchscreens, the ProForm 750R requires a separate device. “I had to supply my own screen, but that was easy since there’s a shelf built into the console for tablets and smartphones,” they said, rating its tech capabilities a 4 out of 5.

While you can use Bluetooth to link up iFIT and third-party heart rate monitors to the 750R, the machine’s dual speakers are not compatible with Bluetooth. If you’d like to stream your own music, you’ll need to plug in an auxiliary cord.

Foldability and Portability

The 86.5-inch length on the 750R is in line with the 80- to 90-inch frames you’ll find on most rowing machines, but, unlike many other smart rowers, this one folds for easier storage. When you lift the handle, the machine basically collapses into itself, reducing the amount of floor space it takes up from 13.22 square feet to just 6.57 square feet. 

Its footprint and portability earned a 3.75 out 5 from our tester, who dinged it a bit for its overall weight. “At 116 pounds, it’s a little heavy,” they said, noting that you can find many high-quality rowers roughly 10 to 40 pounds lighter. “Thanks to the transport wheels, though, I didn’t find it terribly difficult to move.”

Quiet Magnetic Resistance

Unlike water rowing machines, the ProForm 750R utilizes a magnetic resistance system that it dubs SMR (Silent Magnetic Resistance). Per our tester, all you’ll hear as you row is a soft whirring, which we doubt will disturb any neighbors (or nearby snoozers). 

Our tester, a certified personal trainer, rated its customizations 4.25 out of 5, noting that its 24 digitally-controlled magnetic resistance levels tend to be quieter than machines that use air resistance. “Magnetic systems in general operate a bit quieter than air rowers,” they said. “And resistance adjustments are easy — you just tap a button.” 

Resistance can also be adjusted automatically via iFIT, a feature you’ll typically only find on more expensive rowers, like the NordicTrack RW900. 

Durability

While the ProForm 750R doesn’t have the heavy-duty feel of high-end rowers like the Hydrow Rower or Aviron, our tester still rated its durability 4 out of 5. “It feels like it will be rather durable,” they said. “A lot of it is made from aluminum and the rail is steel.” 

When we test out treadmills, exercise bikes, or any cardio machine, we always look at how much and where plastic is used in the build, as this is one way companies can seek to cut manufacturing costs. On the 750R, our tester noticed some plastic, but was not concerned. “I saw some plastic on the foot cradles, but there wasn’t much,” they said.

Sometimes a machine’s lack of technology can be a plus, as it eliminates the possibility of expensive or complicated repairs. “Since you’re going to use your own device, you wouldn’t really need to worry about a fancy HD screen breaking or anything,” they noted. “Plus, the little LCD monitor seems pretty durable on its own.”

What to Consider Before Buying the ProForm 750R Rower

Before buying any piece of fitness equipment, it’s important to consider if it will support the kind of training you plan to take on. If you need virtual programming or a rower that can be folded up for storage, we think the ProForm 750R is an excellent choice for both beginners and advanced athletes. Here are a few items to consider before dropping your hard-earned cash on this rower.

Resistance Type

Rowing machines can utilize several types of resistance that can produce a different feel during rowing machine workouts. As BarBend expert reviewer Amanda Capritto, CPT, CES, CNC, CF-L1, CSNC, explains, each one uses a different mechanism. “The flywheel mechanism dictates the rower type: Air rowers use fan flywheels; water rowers use fan flywheels against the resistance of water in a tank; magnetic rowers use electromagnetic resistance,” she says. 

Air rowers provide unlimited resistance levels, but they’re easily the loudest type of rower. Water rowers also provide unlimited resistance, and can also better replicate the feeling of an IRL rowing experience. They do, however, tend to be louder and take up more space than magnetic rowers, which provide more consistent resistance while making less noise. 

Training Style

Do you prefer trainer-led classes, preset workouts, or to just strap in and start pulling? Your preferred mode of training will dictate the kind of rowing machine that’s best suited for your needs. If you’re training for an IRL rowing trip, you may benefit from some structured workout classes that can help you sweat through different intensities. Those just trying to torch calories, on the other hand, may be happier just logging 30 minutes as they stream Netflix on their iPad. 

If you want more structured training, that will likely increase the cost. Capritto also notes that machines with dedicated HD touchscreens to stream programming like iFIT tend to cost more, while some of the best budget rowing machines — like the 750R — may leave that to the user. 

“You can also choose between a smart rowing machine and a ‘not smart’ one, meaning one that has a fancy screen that streams stuff or one that has a simple LCD screen that reads out basic metrics.” The 5-inch display on the 750R does just that, while leaving a large space to slide in a tablet or phone.

Available Space

Rowing machines can be cumbersome pieces of equipment, which is why a folding option can be useful for those in tight spaces. The 750R, for example, shrinks from roughly the size of a loveseat (13.22 square feet) when in use to an ottoman (6.57 square feet) when folded. (3) 

According to Capritto, when you’re looking for a rower, pay attention to the length. “Tall people should check the overall length of the rower, but more importantly, the length of the slide rail, to determine whether they’ll be able to achieve full range of motion,” she says. “It’s common for budget rowers to be shorter, which makes them unideal for tall individuals.” 

What makes the 750R one of the best compact rowing machines we’ve tested is that, compared to other folding or budget-friendly rowers, its 86.5-inch length still accommodates users from 5 feet 2 inches up to 6 feet 4 inches.

Budget

The average rower will run you around $1,000 to $1,700, with models like the Ergatta Rower reaching up to $2,299. At just $699, our tester thought the 750R has great value — a 4.5 out of 5. “Honestly, you’re getting high-tech features that I see on machines over $2,000 for way less,” they said.

It’s worth noting, though, that, while we think iFIT is excellent, it requires an additional cost of $39.99 per month. “The programming that iFIT offers is top-notch,” our tester, a CrossFit Level-1 trainer, said. “You will have to pay for it, though.” 

ProForm 750R Rower Vs. The Competition

The ProForm 750R is an impressive machine for its price, but there are other options available that can save you more space or even more money. From a top-of-the-line tech-savvy rower to a even-more-budget-friendly option, we stacked up two other rowing machines we have tested to give you a sense of what else is out there.

	ProForm 750R Rower	NordicTrack RW900	Sunny Health & Fitness Rowing Machine
Price	$699	$1,799	$399.99
Resistance	24 levels of magnetic resistance	26 levels of magnetic resistance	16 levels of magnetic resistance
Weight	116.6lbs	163lbs	60.9lbs
Weight Capacity	250lbs	250lbs	250lbs
Dimensions	86.5″ L x 22″ W x 45.5″ H	82″ L x 22″ W x 54″ H	89″ L x 18.9″ W x 23.6″ H
Display	5” LED display, tablet holder	22” HD touchscreen	LCD display
Fitness App Integration	iFIT	iFIT	N/A
Warranty	5-year frame, 1-year parts & labor	10-year frame, 2-year parts, 1-year labor	3-year frame, 180-days parts and components
Frame	Steel, aluminum, and plastic	Aluminum	Alloy Steel

The NordicTrack RW900 stands out as a high-end rowing machine for its two most eye-catching specs: the 22-inch HD touchscreen and the $1,799 price tag. Most rowing machines we have tested fall between $1,000 and $1,700, so we included this machine and the Sunny Health & Fitness Rowing Machine as examples for what you can expect when you start your search.

On the 750R and Sunny Health & Fitness Rowing Machine, you’ll supply a mobile device to stream any content. The 750R, however, can sync up with iFIT via Bluetooth so you can take advantage of its automatic resistance adjustments. For a scenic virtual row through Zambia or across the English Channel, you can either adjust the magnetic resistance via the console buttons or let iFIT take over, leaving you to focus on the work.

The RW900 offers the same immersive experience, but through a larger, more immersive screen. This screen is also its control center, which certainly gives it a more high-tech feel. Coupled with its tech capabilities, the RW900 aims to justify its $1,799 price tag — more than twice the price of the 750R — with a longer warranty and two more levels of resistance. 

Places to Buy the ProForm 750R Rower

You can buy the ProForm 750R Rower through ProForm’s website or third-party retailers like Walmart, Amazon, and Best Buy. 

Customer Experience

With your purchase, you’ll get five years of coverage on the frame, along with one year on parts and labor. Our tester, a certified personal trainer, rated their experience with customer service a 4 out of 5. To reach ProForm’s customer care team, you can live chat on their website, email them directly, or call 1(888) 742-0128. If you’d like to return your rower, you have 30 days to request a return. You’ll be charged a return shipping fee of $250, plus a 10% restocking fee.

Company Information

ProForm is owned by Icon Health & Fitness, the largest manufacturer of exercise equipment in the world. ProForm makes some of the best exercise bikes, rowers, treadmills, ellipticals, HIIT trainers, and strength equipment we’ve tested. The products all work in partnership with iFIT, so you’ll never run out of fitness classes to stream.

Final Word

As anyone who’s not hobnobbing with Mr. Monopoly can attest, a rowing machine can be a costly purchase. Thankfully, there are rowers like the 750R, a mid-range connected option that won’t break the bank. By eschewing a bulky touchscreen, the 750R keeps its cost at a reasonable $699 while still providing a number of useful features, including iFIT integration, 20 preset workouts, and the ability to fold in half when not in use. 

Of course, there are some trade-offs. The 250-pound weight capacity is lower than we’d like, and the lack of a water bottle holder, fan, or set of Bluetooth-enabled speakers is a bummer. Still, if you’re trying to find a reliable machine that can support regular use, provide immersive rowing workouts, and save you a bit of coin, you may have found your match.

FAQs

References

1. Nabavizadeh, O., Herda, A. A. (2022). Relationships Among Muscle Characteristics and Rowing Performance in Collegiate Crew Members. Sports Journal. 24.
2. Horn P, Ostadal P, Ostadal B. (2014). Rowing increases stroke volume and cardiac output to a greater extent than cycling. Physiol Res. 64(2):203-7.
3. Jaramillo, C. (2022, December 29). A guide to sofa dimensions & sizes. SeatUp, LLC. https://seatup.com/blog/guide-to-sofa-dimensions/