If you’ve been thinking about purchasing the Sunny Health & Fitness Upright Row-N-Ride® but have yet to pull the trigger, the recent release of the Row-N-Ride Pro® may have made your decision even harder. One of the top questions I’ve been asked since the release of the Row-N-Ride Pro is what’s the difference in the resistance levels between these two machines.
In this article, I’ll give you the full breakdown of the type of resistance, resistance levels, and benefits of each! Keep reading for everything you need to know about the resistance on the Row-N-Ride and Row-N-Ride Pro to help you make the best decision for your goals.
Resistance Comparison General Overview
In the chart below, you’ll find a general overview of the resistance on the Row-N-Ride in comparison to the Row-N-Ride Pro. To learn about each feature in depth, keep reading!
| Row-N-Ride® | Row-N-Ride Pro® | |
| Max Resistance | 66 LB | 202 LB |
| Resistance Levels | 4 | 12 |
| Resistance Type | Resistance Band | Hydraulic Resistance |
| Additional Resistance Features | - | Attached Resistance Bands |
1. Max Resistance
When it comes to the resistance potential on the Row-N-Ride vs. the Row-N-Ride Pro, the Row-N-Ride Pro is the clear winner. With 202 LB of max resistance, your options for increasing your strength and muscle tone, as well as challenging your overall fitness, are so much greater.
Resistance Potential Row-N-Ride® vs Row-N-Ride Pro®
Although the max resistance of the Row-N-Ride Pro is obviously much higher at 202 LBs when compared to the Row-N-Ride at 66 LBs, that doesn’t mean you can’t get an amazing workout on the Row-N-Ride. In fact, there are a few reasons why the lower resistance options on the Row-N-Ride may make it a better option for some users.
The lower resistance options on the Row-N-Ride may make this machine a better choice for beginners or those recovering from an injury. On the Row-N-Ride, you have the option to complete your workout with no resistance bands, or by adding just one resistance band which adds 22 LBs of resistance.
Many of our beginner users find no resistance bands or 1 resistance band challenging. This may be something to keep in mind depending on your fitness level or goals since the Row-N-Ride Pro doesn’t have the option to exercise without resistance, and the lowest resistance level is 38 LB.
2. Resistance Levels
The Row-N-Ride offers 4 levels of resistance, whereas the Row-N-Ride Pro offers a whopping 12 levels of resistance. Be sure to check out the comparison chart below to compare the two. As mentioned above, the Row-N-Ride offers the ability to go lower in resistance than the Row-N-Ride Pro, which may be a desirable feature for some users.
Resistance Comparison by Level
| Level | Row-N-Ride® | Row-N-Ride Pro® |
| 1 | 0 LB (0 bands) | 38 LB |
| 2 | 22 LB (1 band) | 54 LB |
| 3 | 44 LB (2 bands) | 63 LB |
| 4 | 66 LB (3 bands) | 74 LB |
| 5 | - | 85 LB |
| 6 | - | 97 LB |
| 7 | - | 105 LB |
| 8 | - | 125 LB |
| 9 | - | 141 LB |
| 10 | - | 157 LB |
| 11 | - | 184 LB |
| 12 | - | 202 LB |
3. Resistance Type
The resistance system is different between the Row-N-Ride and Row-N-Ride Pro, and this is important to know as it will impact your workout experience. The Row-N-Ride includes resistance band resistance, while the Row-N-Ride Pro includes hydraulic resistance.
Row-N-Ride®
The resistance bands on the Row-N-Ride give a unique feel to your exercises, as controlling the pace of your workout is up to you. The resistance bands make the Row-N-Ride great for all kinds of workouts at varying speeds, such as faster paced HIIT or cardio-style workouts or slower strength training workouts.
Row-N-Ride Pro®
While the hydraulic resistance on the Row-N-Ride Pro provides a higher max resistance than the Row-N-Ride, the hydraulic system itself is going to move slower the more resistance is added, which may provide a different feel to your workout. This makes the Row-N-Ride Pro good for cardio workouts only at a resistance level of 1 or 2, but the levels beyond are better suited to slower strength-based workouts.
The hydraulic system on the Row-N-Ride Pro is also designed to support only 20 minutes of exercise at a time. After 20 minutes, it’s important to rest the hydraulic to avoid overheating and damaging the hydraulic cylinder. For those planning to do longer periods of exercise on their Row-N-Ride Pro, I recommend breaking it up with bodyweight or resistance band exercises using the included additional resistance bands.
4. Additional Resistance Features
Finally, I would be remiss not to mention the additional resistance bands exclusive to the Row-N-Ride Pro. We’ve got all kinds of questions about this unique new feature, and I hope to get to the bottom of them in this section.
1) Resistance Band Strength
Each resistance band provides approximately 11 LBs of resistance at full extension, which make them a great option for challenging those smaller muscles - like the inner and outer thigh around the hips that don’t get as much attention during the compound exercises, like squats and rows you’ll be regularly completing on your machine.
2) Resistance Band Uses
The additional resistance bands on the Row-N-Ride Pro open up your options of muscles you’re able to target while using your machine. You can use the attached resistance bands to complete all kinds of exercises like kickbacks, abduction (outer thigh kicks), adduction (inner thigh kicks), bicep curls, bent over rows, shoulder raises, and so much more!
It’s important to note that storing the attached resistance bands on the handlebars of your Row-N-Ride Pro will not provide any additional resistance or benefit to your workout while mounted on your Row-N-Ride Pro. This feature is just for your convenience, and you can detach your resistance bands if you choose to do so.
3) Unilateral Training
The resistance bands also offer the option for unilateral training or training one side of your body at a time. Exercises focused on using just one leg or one arm at a time will help to correct muscle imbalances so you can move better! Unilateral training is a great way to complement your regular Row-N-Ride routine. I highly recommend adding these exercises into your regular training plan or breaking up longer periods of exercise on your Row-N-Ride Pro with resistance band work.
4) Safety Precautions
It’s important to keep your machine stable and secure while making use of the resistance bands on your Row-N-Ride Pro. Since your machine is likely not mounted to the ground, you’ll want to secure your machine by gripping the handlebars with one hand or placing one foot on the front stabilizer of your machine. This will ensure you won’t run into any mishaps when making full use of the resistance bands during your workout!
I hope this comparison was helpful and helped you narrow down your choice between the Row-N-Ride and Row-N-Ride Pro. If you still aren’t sure, check out our full Row-N-Ride vs. Row-N-Ride Pro Comparison to help you make the best decision for you. Regardless of which machine you choose, both of these machines are amazing and provide so many different options for achieving an incredible workout at home!
