Home Run Guide

ProForm Sport RL will be evaluated in this post based on its key features, advantages, disadvantages, and user feedback.

Sport RL

• Solid and well made
• Plenty of resistance
• iFit makes rowing fun
• Smooth, luxury feel
• Changing resistance takes a while

“In terms of build quality, features, and rowing performance, Proform’s RL represents good value for the money. A durable, all-age rowing machine for use at home.”

What is the ProForm Sport RL

The Sport RL sits comfortably in the mid-range for the price but packs a lot more than you might expect thanks to its sleek, modern frame. It is the smallest and least expensive model in Proform’s rower lineup while still managing to incorporate all of iFit’s advantages.

We already had high hopes for the Sport RL because we’ve reviewed nearly all of Proform’s rowers and found them to be impressive, reliable pieces of equipment.

Are they followed by the Sport RL, and if so, should you buy one? To determine if the RL is the right choice for you, continue reading.

What Can You Get from Training on the ProForm Sport RL

Rowing is an excellent cardio exercise that is suitable for almost everyone. Rowing is a fantastic exercise that almost everyone would benefit from including in their routine because it is low impact, safe, great for the cardiovascular system, and can be scaled up to a body-bashing strength workout simply by increasing the resistance.

There is a lot to love about this system when you take into account the iFit membership that is included with it, which can make it the foundation of your home gym setup.

Who is This Best Suited For?

The Sport RL is ideally suited for anyone who isn’t a professional rower at this price and with this feature set.

That’s how easy it is. You could do much worse than purchasing a Sport RL and installing it in your gym if you’re looking for a good rower at a good price that is also iFit compatible.

ProForm Sport RL Key Features

• Inertially enhanced magnetic flywheel
• Silent Magnetic Resistance (SMR)
• Oversize foot pedals and handlebars
• 250lb (115kg) max user weight
• 1-month iFit membership
• 2 years parts, labour and frame warranty

ProForm Sport RL Full Specs

Brand	ProForm
Model	Sport RL
Display	5″ High-Contrast Display
Resistance type	Silent Magnetic Resistance (SMR)
Folding	Yes
Seat	Ergonomic, Molded Seat with Oversized, Steel Seat Rail
Handlebars	Multi-Position, Adjustable Handlebars
Pedals	Oversized Pivoting Pedals with Adjustable Nylon Foot Straps
Transport wheels	Front-Mounted Transport Wheels
Flywheel	Inertia-Enhanced Flywheel
Max user weight	115kg
Product Weight	48kg
Warranty	2 Years Parts, Labour and Frame guarantee
Product Dimensions	221cm (Length) x 56cm (Width) x 119 cm (Height)

Which Muscles Are Used When Using ProForm Sport RL

Rowing with the proper form targets up to 14 different body parts with each full stroke, and it also gives you a fantastic cardio workout.

Arms & Shoulders:

• Biceps
• Triceps
• Forearms
• Shoulders
• Deltoids

Core & Back:

• Lats
• Lower, Mid, and Upper Back
• Abdominal

Lower Body:

• Glutes
• Hamstrings
• Quads
• Calves

Pros of ProForm Sport RL

Great Build Quality

A sizable portion of the Proform rower lineup has already been reviewed, and each rower we examined impressed us. With a seriously well-built machine, especially for the price, the Sport RL carries on that tradition.

First off, it’s very attractive and would fit in seamlessly with equipment that costs twice as much in a professional gym. Although appearances don’t matter in every situation, having gear that you admire has significant psychological advantages.

Second, it’s very comfortable to use, with a long bar that enables even very tall people to complete a nice full rowing stroke. Actually, the main rail is a few inches longer than the Concept2, which is quite impressive.

No matter how tall or short, thick or thin, you are, you can find a comfortable position because the footplates are large, wide, and very comfortable. This is because of the wide handlebars. Although the seat is somewhat small and surprisingly thin, it is still comfortable and easily supports the 250-pound user weight.

The Sport RL also has a transport function. Given its length, it folds in half and wheels away when not in use, which saves a ton of space and is perfect if you’re working with a small space.

A Solid, Powerful Flywheel

The Sport RL is a medium-priced rower that uses silent magnetic resistance (SMR) in its flywheel as opposed to friction-based resistance.

Additionally, it is incredibly quiet even at high speeds, acts more smoothly throughout the entire rep, and has a longer lifespan.

Although the RL’s action may feel a little clumsy in comparison to more expensive rowers, unless you regularly use a Concept2 or an equivalent, you won’t notice as you progress through all 24 levels of resistance.

IFit Interactive Fitness

Fitness will continue to grow. Delivered right to your living room, customized, individual fitness classes.

iFit is one of those leading the charge. It is NordicTrack’s fitness program, and it is intended to be used as a comprehensive fitness platform, covering everything from rowing, cycling, treadmills, and a whole bunch of off-system classes like yoga and flexibility.

A one-month iFit family membership is included in the cost of the Sport RL. Since you receive a 1-month subscription to iFit, the price of this item is effectively cut in half, and this is such a great bonus that it is one of the primary reasons to purchase it.

Cons of ProForm Sport RL

Cable Slack

The Sport RL’s construction is impressive overall, but when the resistance is increased and you start pushing hard to get the flywheel to accelerate, it can become floppy and have some slack on the cable’s return push.

However, if all you’re doing on the rower is warming up and doing cardio, this won’t have much of an impact on you. Additionally, as long as you exercise caution, it’s really not that big of a deal. However, it is present and important to note.

The Controls Are Irritating

There are a number of problems with the Sport RL’s screen and controls. None of them is major, but they definitely add up;

• It can take some time to transition from a lower to a higher level of resistance because you have to manually scroll through the levels.
• If you’re particularly short or tall, the fixed angle of the gimbal arm on which the screen is mounted may be an inconvenience.
• The metrics displayed on the screen could be better.

Although none of these are issues, you should be aware that they are all present.

Customers Review

People who adore this equipment believe that its quality and stability far outweigh its asking price. The outstanding and seamless iFit membership that comes with the rower is a great addition. The iFit trainers keep them interested while demonstrating appropriate techniques. Even though the packaging removal is, quite frankly, an engineering feat, it will take some time and effort to assemble the device. If you have never used a rower before, this one is very affordable and offers great cardio while working about 80% of your muscles. If space is a concern, it can also be folded up to a fairly small size.

Final Thoughts: ProForm Sport RL Review

Sport RL is the better option for one main reason. It’s the least expensive way to purchase an iFit-enabled rower in the convenience of your own home.

A direct comparison with Proform’s larger rowers reveals that the Sport RL actually looks quite impressive. Surprisingly, performance is consistent throughout. Minimal drawbacks exist. Although there are some minor options that could be improved and we’d like to see a better monitor, these aren’t likely to be problems for the majority of users.

The Proform Sport RL is fantastic. It is a fantastic rower and iFit offers a ton more on top, so it is highly recommended.

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