Everything You Should Know About The Sole SR500 Rower [A Review]

Sole’s SR500 is a high-end residence rowing maker developed with serious efficiency in mind. Using a dual resistance system, this rower incorporates the advantages of both magnetic and also air rowers, while negating the downsides of each.

Other highlights of the SR500 include a heavy-duty steel framework, a large, flexible angle console, as well as a lots or so integrated exercise programs to select from.

As well as this is a Sole item we’re speaking about right here, so of course it’s backed by a charitable service warranty.

If you’re searching for an elite rower to contribute to your house health club, Sole’s SR500 is a wonderful option, yet prior to you purchase, you require to make sure it’s the very best option for you.

Which’s where this review comes in.

In this post, I’ll look at whatever the Sole SR500 needs to supply- we’re talking, specs, attributes, and every little thing else in between.

After analysis, you’ll be well equipped with all the info you require in order to make a decision whether this is the appropriate rowing maker for your house fitness center.

Sole is an incredibly popular home physical fitness brand name, and also permanently reason- they’ve earned an outstanding reputation for offering sturdy equipment that executes well as well as hardly ever breaks down.

They’re most widely known for their treadmills (they in fact started out as a company of light business treadmills to resort chains), however their other cardio equipment is equally as well built.

Sole hasn’t tried their hat at stamina training equipment yet, yet they do have a quite considerable lineup of cardio devices to pick from.

They provide all right stuff you would certainly anticipate, treadmills, ellipticals, and bikes. And also they all share Sole’s high criterion of high quality.

Sole also has a well-priced climber machine (the CC81 Cardio Climber), for those seeking a various design of workout.

When it involves rowers, the SR500 is the only model currently in their schedule. It’ll cost ya around $1000 on sale (as well as it’s always for sale).

Resistance

One of the easiest methods to categorize rowing machines is by the type of resistance they use. Generally talking, rowers are available in 4 selections based upon their resistance kind: hydraulic, magnetic, water, or air.

Each kind of rower has its strengths and also weak points, and if you want to discover more regarding the different kinds of rowing equipments, have a look at my full rower guide for more details.

The SR500 in fact utilizes a mix of both magnetic and also air systems to generate the resistance you row against.

This is a smart means to incorporate the benefits of both resistance systems right into a solitary equipment, while virtually eliminating the drawbacks of each.

Magnetic rowers are terrific due to the fact that they supply a smooth, regular resistance regardless of how rapid you paddle- this suggests you can paddle slowly versus greater resistances.

Air rowers on the other hand, produce an even more practical rowing experience due to the fact that the much faster (or tougher) you row, the even more resistance you get.

The resistance on these rowers is directly pertaining to just how quick you paddle- much like rowing a genuine boat.

This is fantastic, however it implies you can’t actually paddle slowly against greater resistances.

When you integrate magnetic and air resistance systems, you get the most effective of both worlds. You set your magnetic resistance level, which functions as your baseline, and as you start rowing quicker, you obtain even more resistance from the air system.

This suggests you can paddle as slowly as you like, and also still get a constant resistance.

The SR500 includes 16 levels of magnetic resistance to work with, however remember you’ll obtain more resistance from the air system when rowing at faster paces.

There isn’t a damper on this rower, so you will not be able to manage the air intake for the follower- some combination rowers offer this, some do not.

The controls for the magnetic resistance are located on the take care of, making it practical to adjust during exercises.

Generally, the SR500 ratings very with its combo magnetic/air resistance system and I such as that the controls are located on the take care of.

Frame

I constantly such as to look at a maker’s complete weight along with weight limitation to get an idea as to exactly how sturdy it is. I do this because larger, larger machines are less likely to wobble during use (as well as they typically last much longer also).

The framework on the SR500 is constructed of powder-coated steel, while the rail is light weight aluminum- this is rather basic things for rowing machines, so nothing also unique there.

Yet when you consider the weight, it states a bit a lot more about the robustness of this rower.

At 115 pound, this rower is a beast. For the sake of comparison, the popular Concept2 only weighs about 60 pound or two.

This hefty frame is mosting likely to feel stable during your exercises, so you shouldn’t need to stress over the framework sensation lightweight or wobbling during use.

The SR500 additionally includes a 515 lb weight capability, which is significant for a house rower. For contrast, the preferred NordicTrack RW900 includes a 250 pound limit and the incredible Hydrow round off at 375 pound.

Seeing a weight limit this high says to me that this point is tough.

It’s likewise remarkable thinking about that this rower can fold up for very easy storage- merely unscrew the little handle under the rail, fold up the rail up, and also tighten up.

On the whole, the SR500 is a really sturdy rower that can safely take care of individuals of all sizes.

Seat & Handles

Rowing equipments have a little bit of a poor online reputation for being uncomfortable. The seats are firm and most are quite reduced to the ground, making them tough for some to obtain on/off of.

Well, the SR500 includes a pretty typical seat, absolutely nothing too special taking place in the convenience department.

Yet something that behaves is that the seat on this rower sits higher than many, making it less complicated to accessibility.

The seat on the SR500 rests 19 ″ above the ground, which is rather high for a rower. For the sake of comparison, Concept2’s Version D (which is an excellent rower) sits 14 ″ off the ground with its basic legs.

If you don’t have any kind of mobility concerns, the added elevation could not suggest that much to ya, however, for people that do have flexibility problems, the extra 5 inches or two will certainly make it a great deal simpler to obtain on/off of.

The handles are contoured as well as attached to a belt drive for a smooth rowing movement.

And also as I stated earlier, the control switches for the resistance lie on the manage, making it very easy to readjust without needing to stop rowing as well as take your hands off the manages.

Overall, the SR500 gets bonus points in my book for sitting greater off the ground than many conventional rowing equipments and I such as that the resistance controls are located on the manages.

Console

A lot of rowing equipments feature actually straightforward consoles. This seems to be transforming these days, you understand, with workout streaming ended up being so popular, but a lot of rowers still include dated gaming consoles.

The SR500, nevertheless, comes with a console that’s more advanced than many in its price variety.

You aren’t gon na locate a HD touchscreen display screen or anything like that, but the 5.5 ″ LCD display is brightly lit and also very easy to read during exercises.

It shows all the metrics you’ll need during your rows, consisting of: time, strokes/min, range, heart price, calories, watts, and resistance degree.

Yes, the SR500 is upper body strap heart price display suitable, yet one isn’t included.

This console additionally features 12 exercise programs, which is a bit surprising for a rower due to the fact that many don’t actually provide any kind of exercise accounts.

These include numerous objective oriented workouts (time, distance, calorie) as well as interval options. You can additionally make your very own custom interval workout, as well opt for a heart price program.

There’s even a little game-style workout to make things a little a lot more enjoyable.

You can also adjust the angle of the console, making it less complicated to discover a comfy watching setting during your exercises.

Generally, the console on the SR500 is more advanced than the majority of in this cost range. I like that it comes with so many workout programs to choose from and it behaves that it’s upper body strap suitable.

Assembly

Most people shouldn’t have any concerns placing the SR500 with each other themselves. The setting up process is straightforward and Sole does a good job of making their assembly guidebook user friendly.

All you truly need to do is affix the stabilizer legs per end, affix the rail to the structure, and then connect the pedals as well as seat.

Not excessive to it.

Just remember that this is a quite hefty rower, so you might gain from having an additional person around to assist throughout the assembly procedure.

Or else, setting up on this version is pretty very easy.

Warranty

The Sole SR500 features the following property guarantee:

• Lifetime structure
• 3 year parts/electronics
• 1 year labor

One of the very best aspects of Sole is their lengthy warranties- they truly do offer some of the lengthiest guarantees in the biz.

As well as the guarantee on their SR500 is no different.

You can’t beat the life time warranty on the frame, specifically considering lots of premium rower just offer 5 years. And 3 years on components is additionally longer than the 1-2 years most others are using.

A year on labor is pretty conventional.

Overall, this is a great guarantee on this rower (specifically for the price range).

P.S.– Sole also supplies a light commercial guarantee on the SR500: 1 year frame, 1 year parts/electronics, 1 year labor

Final Thoughts

That about sums it up for the SR500. After looking at all the specifications and features, I believe it’s pretty secure to say this rower has a lot going all out.

The mix magnetic/air resistance system will behave for folks who like the suggestion of being able to set a standard resistance despite how fast they row.

As well as I enjoy exactly how heavy-duty the frame is and that the console in fact includes numerous exercise programs to choose from.

And also having the higher seat makes this rower a lot more easily accessible than a lot of.

Truthfully, I do not have much to grumble concerning here- this rower’s also well-priced and also backed by an excellent warranty.

The largest downside is most likely its dimension: at 94 ″ long, the SR500 takes up much more floor area than most (it’s roughly a foot longer than some).

However it does layer.

Generally, I assume Sole has a champion on their hands below. The SR500 is easily one of the most effective dual-resistance rowers around. Highly advised.