Sunny Health and Fitness is known for its budget-friendly home gym equipment. And while saving money used to mean sacrificing major features, like interactive programming, the brand's own fitness app makes it possible to have the best of both worlds. This home workout equipment allows you to follow along with training videos, connect with other users, and access healthy recipes through your phone or tablet.
The brand offers stationary bikes, recumbent bikes, ellipticals, treadmills, and some compact stair steppers. Not all of them are "smart" machines, but in this Sunny Health Connected Fitness Line review, we'll dig into our favorites of the ones that are, discussing the most important features and highlighting the pros and cons of each.
The ACTIVE Reviews team handpicked each piece of equipment in this review based on customer ratings, popularity, and features. Whether you want to upgrade your own home gym, or purchase a gift for the fitness fanatic in your life, there are plenty of budget-friendly options here.
Why Trust Us?
ACTIVE.com's editorial team relies on the knowledge and experience of fitness and wellness experts including competitive athletes, coaches, physical therapists, nutritionists, and certified trainers. This helps us ensure the products we feature are of the highest standard. Collectively, the team has spent countless hours researching equipment, gear, and recovery tools in order to create the most accurate, authentic content for our readers. Customer satisfaction is also a key part of our review process, which is why we only feature products that are highly rated.
Here is OUR FAVORITE Indoor Cycling Bike. 
The Best Sunny Health Brand Cardio Machines - Our Top Picks
- App: SunnyFit® App
- Rower: Air+ Magnetic Rowing Machine
- Stationary Bike: Premium Indoor Cycling Smart Stationary Bike
- Recumbent Bike: Elite Interactive Series Exercise Recumbent Bike
- Treadmill: Premium Folding Auto-Incline Smart Treadmill
- Elliptical: Elite Interactive Series Exercise Elliptical
SunnyFit® App
The SunnyFit® App is the foundation of the brand's connected fitness line. This fitness app offers more than 500 workouts in all types of categories from strength to cardio to lighter stretching. You can follow along with a trainer or use workout maps to get a real-feel view of different locations around the world. These workout maps are filmed in advance, but from a first-person perspective as if you're riding through snow-covered mountains or paddleboarding on clear water.
The app also tracks your progress with live metrics, connects you with other users so you can cheer each other on (or compete), and puts together customized workout plans based on your inputted goals. But the real kicker? It's free to download and use—a rarity in the fitness app world. This keeps overall costs down and doesn't lock you into a monthly membership fee. While the app only officially supports connecting via Bluetooth to Sunny-branded exercise equipment, the workouts, community, and customizable plans are accessible without connecting to Sunny equipment.
What We Like
- Works without Bluetooth-connected equipment
- Live metrics
- Customized workout plans
- Free to download and use
What We Don't Like
- Connection to other machines is not officially supported
- Multiple machines can connect, but only one can be actively used with the app during your workout
GET: SunnyFit® App
Air+ Magnetic Rowing Machine
SPECS
- Dimensions: 72.6" L x 25.1" W x 72.6" H
- Weight: 58.1 lbs.
- Resistance levels: 16
The Air+ Magnetic Rowing Machine has specs that rival much more expensive models. It operates on a dual resistance system that combines air resistance with magnetic resistance. As you row, air resistance adjusts with each stroke. However, you also have the option to manually control the feel with the 16 levels of magnetic resistance.
There's a basic digital display that tracks calories, count, time, total count, and scan, but you can connect the SunnyFit® app to turn your workouts into a more immersive experience. There's a device and tablet holder that puts your screen right in front of you, so it feels reminiscent of smart rowing machines without the comparable price tag. As for ergonomics: There are extra-large, non-slip pedals and strategically shaped non-slip handlebars that make for a smooth, comfortable ride. The rower has transportation wheels and stores upright, so when you're done working out you can move it out of the way.
What We Like
- Dual-resistance system
- Ergonomic design
- Stands upright for storage
What We Don't Like
- Basic display
- No water bottle holder
BUY: Air+ Magnetic Rowing Machine
Premium Indoor Cycling Smart Stationary Bike
SPECS
- Dimensions: 50.8" L x 23.4" W x 47.6" H
- Weight: 125.7 lbs.
- Resistance levels: Micro-adjustable
Indoor cycling has been having its moment, but the cost of connected machines combined with the monthly subscription fee of the necessary apps can be prohibitive for many. But the Premium Indoor Cycling Smart Stationary Bike from Sunny Health and Fitness makes immersive riding accessible to more people. This indoor bike, which is really more of a spin bike, has a 44-pound flywheel, clip-in/caged foot pedals, and micro-adjustable resistance that's controlled by an easy-to-use tension knob. There aren't specific levels of resistance, but you can make your ride easier or harder by turning the knob to the left or right.
Like the rest of the equipment in the connected fitness line, this bike has a simple screen—it has a small performance monitor that tracks basic metrics such as calories burned and distance—but there's a device holder in between the handlebars that lets you turn it into a smart bike with the free SunnyFit® app. There's a four-way adjustable seat and customizable handlebars that allow you to find your ideal fit, plus a water bottle holder and an emergency stop brake for convenience and safety.
What We Like
- Heavy flywheel
- Fully customizable seat and handlebars
- Emergency stop brake
What We Don't Like
- Simple display
- No specific resistance levels
BUY: Premium Indoor Cycling Smart Stationary Bike
Elite Interactive Series Exercise Recumbent Bike
SPECS
- Dimensions: 56.7" L x 26.4" s x 46.1" H
- Weight: 81 lbs.
- Resistance levels: 12
If you prefer to lean back as you ride, the Elite Interactive Series Exercise Recumbent Bike is the one for you. This interactive bike is fully compatible with the SunnyFit® app, or you can use the standalone performance monitor to track body fat percentage, calories, distance, pulse, recovery, speed, time, and scan (among other metrics). It operates on magnetic resistance, which is as smooth as it is quiet, and you can toggle through 12 levels of resistance with an easy-to-access tension knob. There are heart-rate sensors integrated into the handles, so you can keep track of your pulse on the screen or through the app.
This bike is built for comfort, too. It has a padded seat with a ventilated back that promotes airflow and prevents you from overheating. The back also has curved lumbar support to prop you up as you ride. However, the adjustments are limited—the seat can be moved forward or backward, but there are no tilt or handlebar adjustments.
What We Like
- Easily adjustable resistance
- Comfortable seat and lumbar support
- Magnetic resistance
What We Don't Like
- Limited adjustments
- Simple display
BUY: Elite Interactive Series Exercise Recumbent Bike
Premium Folding Auto-Incline Smart Treadmill
SPECS
- Dimensions: 63" L x 26.2" W x 50.2" H
- Weight: 112 lbs.
- Incline levels: 15
The Premium Folding Auto-Incline Smart Treadmill is an entry-level model, but it's a suitable option for most people. It has 15 incline levels and a speed range of 0.5 to 9 miles per hour, plus quick incline and quick speed buttons that let you jump to desired settings faster than manually toggling through. At just under 16 inches wide, the running surface is a bit on the narrow side, but the belt has adequate shock absorption that makes for a more comfortable running surface.
It has a basic digital monitor that tracks speed, time, distance, calories, and body fat percentage, but like all Sunny Health's Connected Fitness machines, it works with the app. Two things worth noting: The treadmill has a 2.2 peak horsepower motor which is fairly powerful but won't be strong enough if you like to do a lot of sprints or interval workouts. The treadmill also caps out at a 220-pound user weight, which is on the lower end of the category. If you weigh more than this, the belt will stall under your weight and not function optimally. As far as treadmills go, this machine is pretty compact and it folds for easier storage.
What We Like
- Shock-absorbing running deck
- 15 incline levels
- Folds for storage
What We Don't Like
- Low maximum user weight
- Less powerful motor
BUY: Premium Folding Auto-Incline Smart Treadmill
Elite Interactive Series Exercise Elliptical
SPECS
- Dimensions: 51.8" L x 24" W x 64.2" H
- Weight: 88 lbs.
- Resistance levels: 12 levels
The Elite Interactive Series Exercise Elliptical is a compact machine that makes it possible to add an elliptical (which is usually quite large) to your home gym. This budget-friendly model has 12 levels of smooth magnetic resistance, an 11-pound flywheel, and a 13.5-inch stride length. While this is below average, it has a rear-drive system so it doesn't feel cramped like some front-drive machines can.
There's an onboard performance monitor that tracks metrics like body fat, calories, distance, pulse, recovery, speed, and time, but it's also Bluetooth compatible so you can connect the SunnyFit® app to access instructor-led workouts. The elliptical trainer also has heart rate sensors in the hand grips and a conveniently placed aluminum water bottle holder.
What We Like
- 12 resistance levels
- Magnetic resistance for quiet operation
- Compact design
What We Don't Like
- Below average stride length
- Lighter weight flywheel
BUY: Elite Interactive Series Exercise Elliptical
Sunny Health and Fitness Overview
Sunny Health and Fitness is all about making home gym equipment more affordable without sacrificing build quality. The brand, which has been around for 20 years, started out by bringing affordable fitness equipment to the market. To address their mission of making fitness accessible to everyone, and with the rise of interest in immersive fitness, Sunny Health and Fitness has responded by creating a connected fitness line in various workout equipment categories.
About Sunny Health Connected Fitness Line
Sunny Health's Connected Fitness line relies on an app for its immersive experience. There are no large screens or real-time feedback from the machines (e.g., your trainer can't control the machine remotely like with some of the NordicTrack models.) However, you can access more than 500 workouts through the app and get real-time feedback and metrics as long as you're connected to the machine via Bluetooth.
The app is compatible with both iOS and Android, and you can view it on your phone or a tablet. You can also cast to a smart TV for an even more immersive experience.
The line includes cardio machines in almost every category: a spin bike, a recumbent bike, a rowing machine, an elliptical, and a treadmill.
Is Sunny Health Connected Fitness Line Worth It?
If you're looking for smart gym equipment that doesn't cost a fortune, the Sunny Health Connected Fitness line is worth it. As far as technology goes, it's not state-of-the-art equipment, but it has an impressive build quality and offers a nice compromise. Plus, you'll spend far less than you would purchasing exercise equipment with a large touchscreen and advanced tech features. The most expensive piece of equipment in the line retails for just $800, which is considerably more affordable than other types of connected equipment. And the app is free so you won't get locked into a monthly subscription.
FAQs About Sunny Health and Fitness
Is Sunny Health and Fitness an American company?
Yes, Sunny Health and Fitness is located in California, with its manufacturers located in Taiwan and China.
Does Sunny Health & Fitness ship outside the United States?
Sunny Health & Fitness products are available in 30+ countries, however, their website ships to the US only.
Do I need to have Bluetooth-connected equipment to access workout courses on the SunnyFit® app?
You can choose to watch the workout course videos without connecting to equipment. The app will not be able to track metrics if the equipment is connected.
Which Sunny Health and Fitness treadmill is best for home use?
All Sunny Health and Fitness treadmills are designed for home use, so the best one depends on your needs. If you're on a strict budget, the Foldable Walking Compact Treadmill is probably a good choice for you. However, if you want a model with more advanced features, the Premium Folding Auto-Incline Smart Treadmill is a better option.
How do you reset a Sunny Health and Fitness treadmill?
You can manually reset a Sunny Health and Fitness treadmill by stopping the machine, unplugging it, waiting 30 seconds, and then plugging it back in. You can also remove the safety key and then reinsert it.
About the Author
Lindsay is a functional nutritionist, writer, and editor. She has written 15 books and numerous articles on fitness, wellness, and nutrition. Her work appears on Forbes.com, CNET.com, Healthline.com, Garagegymreviews.com, CNN.com, mindbodygreen,com, and LIVESTRONG.com, among others.
Get ACTIVE on the Go
Couch to 5K®
The best way to get new runners off the couch and across the finish line of their first 5K.
Available for iOS | Android
Discuss This Article