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For rowers looking for a compact and quiet machine, the R10 has a folding frame and magnetic resistance. This review of the ProForm Pro R10 Rowing Machine discusses why this rower is great for renters, iFIT subscribers, and others. Read on to learn more.
Updated: September 12, 2023
This ProForm Pro R10 Rowing Machine review takes a firsthand look at the rower offered as a part of the ProForm Plus program. This rower is free with a 3-year family membership to iFIT. Bundling the R10 with 3 years of content makes this rower a good catch. Add a little pop of color to your space with the dark red accents on the R10, a standout among rowers. When you are done with your exercise, fold it away to take up less space than bulkier cardio solutions like ellipticals and treadmills.
The ProForm R10 has a red and black steel frame. The black and red coating has a glossy finish. It may not pair well with every home aesthetic, but it is a nice deviation from the boring black and gray of other rowing machines. The frame does not shake, and I never felt any wobble while using the rower.
The handle is comfortable. It is rounded with soft rubbery padding spanning its entire length. It keeps a uniform circumference rather than molding to your grip. This shape and design allows the handle to spin, keeping your wrists at a comfortable angle during the entirety of the exercise. The handle’s grip measures about 8 inches on either side, giving the rower plenty of room for their hands. The handle attaches to a Nylon strap, which is quiet and smooth. Unfortunately, there is some slack or loss of tension at the finish. Hopefully, ProForm can find a way to remedy this inconsistency.
The R10 uses a steel monorail. It has a black glossy coating with ProForm branding along the top. I felt some slight imperfections in the rail as the seat glided over it. Though it was not quite as smooth as I have experienced on other rowers, it wasn’t a hindrance to my workout.
The seat is a little small but very comfortable. It is soft and will not need more padding. It measures 9 ½” x 11 ½”, which felt a little small. The seat is not very molded, so I occasionally slid too far toward the back of it. The seat height ranges from 16 to 15 inches from back to front. The gentle downward slope of the monorail assists the seat in returning to the catch position.
The foot stretchers are placed about 5 inches apart. They measure about 13” x 4”, which should be plenty of room for most users to push with their whole foot against the pedals. The handle rack interferes with the foot stretchers. The handle overlays the top of the stretchers. It makes getting your feet into the stretchers a little clunky, as the handle needs to be removed first. It isn’t too much of a bother, but ProForm could easily fix this by moving the handle rack a tiny bit higher.
Perhaps the R10’s best feature is its ability to fold compactly. The monorail folds beneath the screen and flywheel for a very small stored footprint. This folding design minimally affects the performance of the R10, though I suspect it may be to blame for the shortness of the rail at the front of the machine.
The legs or stabilizers work well to accommodate their horizontal and folded angle, giving the R10 stability regardless of its position. One person can easily fold and unfold the R10 to be ready to go in a minute or so. The R10 also has wheels for relocating it. I like these wheels, because they are larger than those found on many other cardio machines. There are a few different handles located on the R10, making it easy to fold the R10 and carry it.
The ProForm Pro R10 has twenty-four levels of silent magnetic resistance. These levels are powerful and quiet. Very experienced rowers may need a more powerful resistance than the R10 offers, but it is just fine for a beginner or intermediate rower. It would also be suitable for endurance efforts. The R10’s only resistance limitation is in respect to strength and power training.
I did previously mention that the resistance tapers off during the finish. That is true. The resistance is not effective at the distal end of the rowing movement because the strap has slack in it. Hopefully, ProForm can remedy this in the future to ensure the resistance remains smooth throughout the entirety of the movement. The slack makes the recovery a bit more active, so I noticed more hamstring activation during my time on the R10.
The ProForm Pro R10 excels as the rower offering from the ProForm+ program. Its compact design and quiet build will appeal to many rowers. Fortunately, it also has smart features to match. The R10 is iFIT compatible, giving it the standard smart features found on iFIT-enabled equipment.
Unlike the rowing machines from ProForm’s sister brand, NordicTrack, the R10 has resistance buttons beneath its touchscreen. These buttons give users better control over their resistance levels while training. They were easier for me to reach than the onscreen controls. A random range of levels is represented rather than the full set. I don’t have any issue with the numbers ProForm has chosen, as there are also plus and minus buttons for more precise adjustments.
There are also volume controls on the side of the console, where you will also find the Aux port for plugging in a smart device. The volume can be adjusted from the screen, but sometimes it is easier to use a tactile button when working out.
The R10 has a 10-inch touchscreen display. The screen is somewhat adjustable, though it must be loosened and tightened into place with a knob. The screen size is great for navigating and viewing. Its only limitation is off-rower viewing. It doesn’t pivot. Most users will find it more practical to view their non-rower iFIT content on another device, like their smartphone, tablet, or TV.
The speakers are rear-facing, but the sound quality is still nice. The speakers are loud enough to compensate for not being front-facing.
The ProForm Pro R10 is Bluetooth-compatible. I found the navigation to the Bluetooth pairing menu more difficult than on other iFIT-enabled machines. I had the most success within an iFIT workout. I could connect my headphones from the audio screen there. I am accustomed to iFIT equipment allowing me to connect from the main menu, but that was not the case on the R10. Fortunately, the Bluetooth connection was otherwise fine.
The ProForm Pro R10 unfolds into a good rower. It has few limitations despite having a compact design, so don’t be worried about sacrificing quality for space saving. The only negative I noticed about the compact design was the short monorail. The R10 is not suitable for rowers above 6’ 5”, and most users over 6 feet may find themselves a little cramped. The monorail is only 39 inches long. At 5’4”, I had plenty of space except for at the catch. I often clanked against the front of the rail. I wish for a little more space in the front, even with my lack of flexibility. Rowers who can comfortably get their shins perpendicular to the floor will find the space lacking
The ProForm Pro R10’s pedals align more with the rail than the NordicTrack rowers. It felt like a more realistic rowing experience. I prefer this construction to an elevated seat. It helps me work on my form and flexibility while I row.
The ProForm Pro R10 is equipped with iFIT, a premium subscription training service. iFIT has rowing classes on the water and in the studio. It also has content from other cardio machines, strength training, yoga, and mindfulness. There are thousands of classes from over a hundred trainers. You will never get bored with the iFIT platform.
Rowing with iFIT can take you to the lake or a high-energy classroom. The professional coaches deliver spectacular workouts regardless of which you choose. I like the water workouts, as they replicate the feel of outdoor rowing more accurately. The studio classes incorporate off-rower strength and stretching moves for more well-rounded training.
During an iFIT class, trainers will coach you through the progression of the workout. They may also have fun information about their surroundings. The resistance is automatically controlled, though you can override this setting. If the resistance is too hard or too easy, simply press one of the buttons onscreen or on the console to make your adjustment. iFIT will correct the rest of your workout and tailor future workouts to reflect your fitness level better.
iFIT provides a few additional features. One of my favorites is the Google Maps app. Users can design routes anywhere in the world from the 'Create' tab. If Google has a Street View of the route, the slide show progression will appear on the screen. The faster or harder you row, the faster the images will progress. The real-life terrain is reflected in the resistance level changes. These levels automatically adjust to increase when the route goes uphill and decrease when downhill.
The ProForm Pro R10 folds compactly and creates silent resistance, making it suitable for exercisers tight on space or sharing their living spaces with others. The R10 is for apartment living. It also makes a great beginner rower for athletes new to the sport. iFIT content is fantastic for motivating you and helping you improve your rowing abilities. The black and red colorway makes the R10 a bold choice, while its inclusion in the ProForm+ program makes it a no-brainer.
