ProForm Pro R10 Rower Review

Quick Take

ProForm’s new Rower Strength Series is looking to the new year with the Pro R10 atop the lineup. The full three years of iFit Family Membership, an interactive, trainer-led program valued at $39 per month, makes the $1,403 price tag an excellent value. Built with streaming in mind, ProForm continues its tech-savvy trend with this sleek machine engineered with Silent Magnetic Resistance. With 24 levels of digital resistance, a 10-inch Smart HD Touchscreen, and an ergonomic molded seat, the unit is built to suit users of about any level. While the 10-inch screen might be smaller than some of its competitors, home fitness fans have long become accustomed to incorporating smart television sets into the mix. And, as a foldable rower with transport wheels, it’s easy enough to roll into the closet when not in use.

Fans of the brand ProForm are long accustomed to innovative strength and fitness equipment. The mid-level equipment brand in terms of price for ICON Health & Fitness, ProForm models share a number of programming features with their higher-end corporate siblings at NordicTrack but at a lower cost. The ProForm Pro R10 Rower serves as the senior partner in the Rower Strength Series, with the 750R Rower as it’s junior. As with nearly all ProForm equipment these days, both rowers come built for the iFit workout app.

The Pro R10 is priced right at $1,403 considering buyers get three years of the iFit Family Membership valued. Keep in mind, the iFit app works with many other ProForm and NordicTrack machines as well, and it can be downloaded onto most iOS and Android devices for use anytime, anywhere. This puts the rower in a competitive pricing arena with another fan favorite, the Concept2 Model E Rower we’ve reviewed here, which runs around $1,500.

I’ve found the best rowing machines of 2021 typically ranged between $900 to more than $2,000, with pricing variables including programming, warranty, and style of resistance. The Pro R10 is a good-sized home rowing machine measuring 22 inches in width by 86.5 inches deep and 45.5 inches high. The rower itself weighs 122 pounds and can handle up to 250 pounds in user weight. Built with ProForm’s patented SpaceSaver design, the machine can fold up with the lift of a handle and be rolled away using front wheels when not in use.

The rower comes equipped with a 10-inch Smart HD Touchscreen designed to work with iFit and its specialized brand of interactive training where live trainers can control the resistance and speed of the machine from remote locations. Twenty-four levels of Silent Magnetic Resistance (SMR) are afforded users by way of an inertia-enhanced flywheel. One of the key differences between the Pro R10 and many of its price-range competitors is the SMR as opposed to air or water. One chief benefit to SMR is the smooth silence with which the rower operates. A multi-grip, multi-position handlebar connected to a 90-inch strap augments the smooth feel, with an ergonomic, molded seat with oversized steel seat rails coming along with. Added comfort features include oversized pivoting pedals with adjustable nylon foot straps.

The 750R Rower, priced at $999, brings a 30-day free trial of iFit, a smaller five-inch screen, and an integrated tablet holder as ProForm assumes users will want to bring their own screen. The upside to that is one isn’t locked into iFit. The 10-inch Smart HD Touchscreen built into the Pro R10 only works with that one program, so users dedicated to other apps would either have to park the machine in front of a smart television set or use a different set-up. I see this frequently as screen size and workout app inclusion contribute greatly to pricing. The Concept2 Model E Rower, meanwhile, has a very small performance monitor, whereas the Hydrow sports a 22-inch HD Touchscreen which swivels and runs north of $2,000.

For those unfamiliar with iFit and its workouts, read our full review here. A proprietary app created by the iFit organization to work with the machines produced by NordicTrack and ProForm, the program can be purchased separately and contains workouts to suit about any desire as well as nutrition analysis and heart rate programming. For machines such as the Pro R10 Rower, which are designed to work with iFit, live trainers from remote locations can control the resistance and speed while users participate in classes. For rowers, immersive workouts include virtual rows around the world by way of Google Maps and hundreds of other pre-programmed routines. Yearly fees for the program are $180 for a single person and $$396 for the family.

One potential downside which has us a bit puzzled is the Pro R10 Rower’s warranty. With five years for the frame, one year for parts, and one year for labor, this guarantee is less than I’d like to see. It’s odd to note that ProForm’s lower-priced 750R offers a 10-year warranty on the frame with one year for parts and labor. For a rower of this price, I’d expect a little longer warranty on the frame. On the upside, the rower does come with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Positives

• Price: When considering that the machine is essentially free with three years of iFit, this is a great deal.
• Foldable: Although the rower has a relatively large footprint (86.5″ long by 22″ wide), it’s easily foldable.
• Attractive Design: This rower looks great and makes an attractive addition to the home gym.
  
• Resistance: The 24 levels of digitally-controlled magnetic resistance allow for a smooth and quiet row.
• iFit-enabled: The rower can be adjusted by professional trainers from remote locations.
• Sturdy Build: The aluminum and steel construction makes for a stable row.
• Comfort Features: The ProForm Pro R10 features an audio auxiliary port as well as over-sized foot pedals and a multi-grip handlebar.
• Free Shipping: ProForm is offering free shipping with your purchase.

Negatives

• Warranty: Considering the price, I would have liked to see longer coverage than the 12-month limited parts and labor warranty provides.
• No Onboard Workouts: There are no preset workouts, and the 10-inch screen is designed to work with iFit. So, while the rower will work manually, one would need to utilize a different screen or television if they want specialized routines.

My Conclusion

Overall, the ProForm Pro R10 rower is a go-to so long as one likes the iFit programming. For three years membership in a high-quality fitness program, one essentially gets a free rower. Yes, the screen is a bit smaller than some of the rival models, which go up to 22 inches, but some reviewers feel that’s a bit much anyway. The foldable design means the rower suits most home gyms spaces too.