Concept2 created the unique rowing ergometer in 1981 as a coaching instrument for aggressive athletes. It shortly turned one of many finest rowing machines for the athletic inhabitants, and due to CrossFit, it’s an much more widespread coaching gadget than ever.

Throughout my years as a private coach, I used the Concept2 rower myself and for dozens of purchasers. Collectively, the Breaking Muscle employees additionally has a long time of expertise utilizing this rower of their dwelling gyms, CrossFit bins, and different industrial gyms. We’re well-equipped to offer this in-depth Concept2 rower evaluation and converse to its key options, professionals, cons, specs, and the way it compares to different widespread rowing machines.

Key Takeaways

• The Concept2 rower, now known as the RowErg, is identical machine because the Mannequin D (the rower with a 14-inch seat top) and Mannequin E (the rower with a 20-inch seat top). Concept2 modified the machine’s identify in Might 2021. The Mannequin E rower has been discontinued. Nonetheless, the RowErg is out there with both a 14-inch seat top or a 20-inch seat top.
• With a clear and efficient design, the Concept2 Rower is engineered for easy operation, straightforward upkeep, and long-lasting efficiency. This commercial-grade rowing machine incorporates a nickel-plated metal chain, aluminum entrance legs, and metal rear legs to make sure a sturdy, long-lasting construct. 
• The Concept2 Rower comes with a PM5 efficiency monitor that tracks stats corresponding to tempo, strokes per minute, estimated energy burned, and watts (energy output). The monitor additionally connects through Bluetooth to numerous apps, together with ErgData.

Concept2 RowErg

4.5

• Body is made of industrial quality aluminum
• Ergonomic handlebar and seat
• PM5 monitor comes with Bluetooth capabilities
• Accomodates customers as much as 6’6 and 500 kilos
• Comes with a restricted five-year guarantee

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Concept2 Rower Professionals

• The Concept2 Rower makes use of air resistance, which adjusts to your stroke fee and energy. Air resistance additionally gives smoother motion in comparison with magnetic and water-based rowers. I can attest to this, as I’ve used each air and magnetic rowers. 
• The Concept2 can maintain customers as much as 500 kilos. Different manufacturers like NordicTrack, Peloton, and Hydrow can solely accommodate customers as much as 250 to 375 kilos. 
• You possibly can shortly break down the rower utilizing the quick-release function and even mount it to the wall. Concept2 doesn’t promote a mounting instrument for the rower, however the Rogue Health wall hanger is out there for round $32.50.

Concept2 Rower Cons

• As a result of it’s an air rower, it may be loud. The more durable you row, the louder the machine turns into. It’d deter those that use it of their dwelling health club and don’t wish to disrupt their members of the family or roommates.
• The Concept2 RowErg prices round $990 earlier than taxes and transport. Whereas cheaper than different rowers in the marketplace with a number of high-end tech options (like touchscreen screens and on-screen exercise lessons, which Concept2 doesn’t provide), it nonetheless may not be preferrred for these in search of an ultra-budget-friendly machine.
• The Concept2 rower could be very lengthy, reaching a complete size of 96 inches (eight ft) when assembled. These with restricted exercise area at dwelling may have to take a look at extra compact rowing machines.

Concept2 Rower Overview

The Concept2 rower is arguably the most well-liked rowing machine presently out there that’s appropriate for each dwelling and industrial use. In 1981, Concept2 turned the primary model to create an indoor rowing machine. Since then, it has grow to be an iconic model within the health business. As a private coach who has labored in several industrial gyms corresponding to Life Time Health and Anytime Health, I can attest to the ubiquitousness of the Concept2 Rower.

In CrossFit, the Concept2 rower is likely one of the most popular cardio machines for each informal and aggressive athletes. CrossFit values the Concept2 rower as a result of it provides a whole full-body exercise, making it an efficient instrument for assessing total health ranges. It accommodates customers as much as 500 kilos, so it may be appropriate for people of various sizes and health ranges. Plus, its sturdy building and minimal upkeep necessities imply it might face up to heavy use in CrossFit bins.

The Concept2 rowing machine incorporates a nickel-plated metal chain, aluminum entrance legs, and metal rear legs. Whereas its value of slightly below $1,000 locations it within the mid-range of rowing machine choices, it provides distinctive worth for its efficiency and sturdiness. It operates on air resistance, so it replicates the texture of open-water rowing and matches your depth as you row.

Who Ought to Purchase a Concept2 Rower

• This indoor rower might be good for individuals who need a full-body exercise to check each muscular and cardiovascular endurance.
• The performance of the Concept2 rower is nice for individuals who are particularly into CrossFit-style coaching. Concept2 is the popular model for rowing machines within the CrossFit group.
• The Concept2 RowErg might be a wonderful low-impact cardio machine for individuals who undergo from joint ache. Not like working, rowing doesn’t place an enormous quantity of stress on the knees, hips, and ankles.

Who Ought to Not Purchase a Concept2 Rower

• The Concept2 rower may not be preferrred for individuals who are frightened about noise. That is an air resistance rower. The more durable you row, the extra air strikes across the flywheel, which makes the machine louder.
• Regardless that the Concept2 RowErg provides a 20-inch-high seat, people with extreme mobility restrictions should discover it too low.
• Utilizing this rower might be robust for these with restricted area. When totally assembled, the Concept2 rower machine is 96 inches lengthy. Relying in your setup, you may not have sufficient room to suit the erg comfortably and work out safely.

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Concept2 Rower In-Depth Evaluation

The evaluation beneath relies on insights I’ve gathered by means of my very own use of the Concept2 RowErg and suggestions I’ve obtained from the Breaking Muscle employees, which contains CrossFitters, licensed private trainers, and power and conditioning coaches. We then used a proprietary scoring system to rank the machine on a scale of 1 to 5 in numerous classes, corresponding to price, the standard of the supplies, monitoring capabilities, and meeting.

Worth

The Concept2 RowErg with the 14-inch seat top prices round $990 earlier than taxes and transport. Should you go for the 20-inch seat top, it would price round $1,155. Whereas the worth might be a downside for anybody on an excellent strict price range, we nonetheless gave it 4.8 stars. The general worth is excessive because of the machine’s commercial-quality building and sturdiness. Additionally, this rower machine is less expensive than different choices, just like the Peloton or Hydrow rowers, that are double the worth (or extra).

Supplies, Construct, and Building High quality

The Concept2 rower consists of aluminum entrance legs, metal rear legs, a nickel-plated metal chain, an aluminum monorail, and a chrome steel seat monitor.

As a consequence of this heavy-duty building, we rated the construct a 4.9 out of 5. Primarily based on my expertise with the Concept2 rower, it might tackle heavy abuse. Even in industrial health club settings, it’s so sturdy it could by no means have to get replaced.

Amanda Dvorak, Breaking Muscle’s Opinions Editor who began CrossFit in 2015 and now makes use of a Concept2 rower in her storage health club, can attest to its sturdiness. She talked about that even after banging it on her squat rack unintentionally (on a number of events) whereas shifting it round her storage, she’s by no means seen a distinction in the way it appears or performs. The CrossFit gyms she’s educated at beforehand additionally by no means had any main points with these rowers, regardless of them getting used six to seven occasions a day for years.

Supply and Meeting

After the erg arrived at our testing facility, our workforce ranked the supply and meeting course of a 5 out of 5. There was no injury upon supply.

I’ve constructed many items of dwelling health club gear, together with the Stamina Elite rower I exploit at dwelling. I can truthfully say that one of many greatest points with all of my purchases is that it takes perpetually to construct them. The Concept2 rower, nevertheless, solely required a couple of minutes of sunshine effort from our testing employees earlier than they had been capable of hop on and begin rowing.

Amanda Dvorak, an editor on the Breaking Muscle workforce, agrees with the product testing employees’s evaluation. There was additionally no injury to her machine when she obtained it at dwelling, and she or he and her husband had been capable of put the erg collectively in round 10 minutes.

Efficiency

The Concept2 rower’s efficiency is precisely what you’d anticipate from a commercial-grade piece of apparatus. The seat slides over the monorail effortlessly, and the chain doesn’t snag in the event you preserve it correctly by oiling it after each 50 hours of use.

Subscription Choices

It’s arduous to offer the Concept2 rower a ranking on subscription choices as a result of it doesn’t present any. This is likely one of the drawbacks to this gadget, as different merchandise just like the Peloton or Hydrow rower present subscriptions for entry to reside and on-demand lessons. All of the Concept2 provides is a PM5 monitor. As I’ll focus on beneath, it tracks a whole lot of data, nevertheless it’s not as fancy as a high-tech monitor that allows you to stream lessons.

One advantage of the dearth of subscription choices is that it might prevent cash. The subscriptions you’ll discover on Hydrow, Peloton, or NordicTrack rowers, for instance, can price $30 or extra per thirty days. It’s an added price you must contemplate when shopping for a rowing machine.

To make up for the dearth of subscription choices, the Concept2 row erg features a gadget holder that may maintain your sensible gadget. You possibly can then stream exercises from an app of your alternative — however take into account that this can be an additional month-to-month price.

Ergonomics

Our workforce rated the ergonomics a 4.5 out of 5. The deal with incorporates a 10-degree bend to permit for a pure grip, and it’s lined with molded rubber to assist soak up sweat. Nonetheless, it might trigger pores and skin discomfort, particularly for brand spanking new rowers.

Amanda Dvorak, Breaking Muscle Opinions Editor, hadn’t used a rower in over a yr earlier than she purchased a Concept2 erg for her dwelling health club. Regardless of already having calluses on her palms from lifting weights, her fingers blistered ceaselessly as soon as she began rowing once more.

Nonetheless, now that Amanda has been utilizing the rower a minimum of as soon as every week, her tailbone discomfort has lessened, and her fingers not blister. When you’ve got related experiences whenever you first begin rowing, we expect it’s secure to say that you simply’ll modify to the rower after a few months of constant use. If not, you’ll be able to put on exercise gloves or purchase a padded seat cushion on-line to make your rowing expertise extra nice.

Foot Pedals

The pedals accommodate a variety of foot sizes. We’ve seen customers with dimension 13 ft have the ability to use the rower comfortably. The pedals don’t pivot like they do on different rowers, such because the NordicTrack RW600. Nonetheless, they’re designed that will help you obtain a vertical shin angle for the catch section of the row (when your knees are bent, your arms are straight, and the seat is nearer to the entrance of the machine). That is particularly helpful for rowers with poor ankle mobility.

Coronary heart Price Monitoring

I’d fee the guts fee monitoring capabilities of this rowing machine a 4 out of 5, because it doesn’t provide a direct method of monitoring coronary heart fee. The one method to take action is to have a appropriate gadget to sync with utilizing ANT+ and Bluetooth, corresponding to an Apple watch or a digital chest strap.

PM5 Monitor, Show, and Stats Monitoring

Whereas the monitor might seem easy, it gives a ton of information monitoring capabilities. In comparison with the older monitor (the PM4), the PM5 gives Bluetooth connection capabilities to trace your exercises. General, we rated the monitor itself 4.7 out of 5 stars and the show 4 out of 5.

The PM5 monitor tracks a variety of metrics together with time, tempo, distance, strokes per minute (SPM), watts, energy burned, and coronary heart fee (with a appropriate gadget).

We love its capability to save lots of all of our exercise historical past, so we will see how we’re progressing and enhancing over time. And, as talked about, it might hook up with doubtlessly 30 completely different appropriate apps. ErgData is a favourite amongst the Breaking Muscle employees as a result of it permits us to create customized exercises, program the Concept2 Exercise of the Day into the machine, and extra. Nonetheless, you can even use different apps like Regatta, RowHero, and Fiit.

Regardless of the spectacular quantity of knowledge the monitor can present, the precise show is fairly fundamental. The monitor can be fairly small, measuring simply seven inches diagonally. The scale pales compared to the NordicTrack RW900, for instance, which has a 22-inch monitor.

One of many redeeming qualities, although, is the backlit show, which didn’t exist on earlier iterations of the monitor. Breaking Muscle Editor Amanda Dvorak says it’s one among her favourite issues in regards to the PM5 monitor. She trains early within the morning and hates turning on vibrant lights throughout her exercises. The backlit show makes it simpler for her to learn the display when she’s understanding earlier than dawn.

Included Exercises

For the included exercises, we rank this function a 4.8 out of 5. The Concept2 rower comes with a number of preset exercises, corresponding to distance coaching for two,000 meters or interval coaching modes with 500 meters of labor and one minute of relaxation. The preset choices are nice for newbie rowers who might not know how one can get began or superior athletes who wish to observe structured packages.

Bluetooth Connectivity

The Concept2 rower’s PM5 monitor helps Bluetooth connectivity to appropriate coronary heart fee screens. You too can sync exercise information to Concept2’s ErgData app or dozens of different apps to trace your exercise historical past.

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Concept2 Rower Specs

When contemplating the Concept2 rower, it’s essential to grasp the specs and options that make it stand out. From the essential dimensions to {the electrical} necessities, we’ll break down the important thing particulars that outline it and set it aside on the planet of rowing machines.

Rower Kind

The Concept2 rower is an air rower. The air resistance works by means of using the handles and the machine’s fanwheel. Once you pull the deal with, the flywheel traps air inside to offer resistance. The resistance then adjusts to your stroke fee and energy output.

Primarily based on our expertise, air rowers emulate the sensation of rowing on open water extra authentically than magnetic rowers. This is likely one of the many the reason why skilled rowers typically full their indoor coaching on a Concept2 erg.

General Dimensions

The Concept2 rower is 96 inches lengthy, 24 inches huge, and both 14 or 20 inches excessive. The peak is dependent upon whether or not you purchase the usual mannequin or the one with taller legs.

Monitor Size

The monitor size, often known as the monorail size, is 54 inches. This size helps to accommodate athletes as much as 6’6.

Seat Top

The RowErg comes with a 14-inch seat top. Should you assume this can be too low for you, you have got the choice of buying an erg with taller legs that elevate the seat to twenty inches. Nonetheless, the taller rower adjustments the price from about $990 to about $1,155.

Weight Capability

The burden capability of the Concept2 rower is 500 kilos, which is nicely above different rowing machines like those from NordicTrack and Peloton. All three rower fashions from NordicTrack have a weight capability of 250 kilos, whereas the Peloton rower has a weight restrict of 300 kilos.

Resistance Ranges

The Concept2 rower provides variable resistance. The resistance relies on the forcefulness of every row. That is completely different from magnetic rowers, which give mounted resistance ranges, and water rowers, whose resistance ranges change based mostly on how a lot water is in a water tank connected to the machine.

Concept2 rowers additionally make the most of a damper setting. The damper is an adjustment that permits you to present “extra” or “much less” resistance based mostly on the supply of airflow. The damper ranges from one to 10 — one means the flywheel is totally closed, and 10 means it’s totally open. Once you enhance the damper setting, you open the damper and permit extra air into the flywheel. A better damper setting leads to a quicker deceleration of the flywheel, making the rowing movement more durable to carry out.

Electrical Necessities

This rower machine takes two D-cell batteries, that are included along with your buy. There’s no have to situate the rower close to an outlet, so you’ll be able to transfer it round any room in your home or take it outdoor (one thing the Breaking Muscle employees members like to do when the climate permits).

Noise Degree

The Concept2 rower may be loud as a result of it’s an air resistance rower. The rower recruits air from the fan flywheel, and the extra air it recruits, the louder the sound turns into. A web based evaluation signifies that the Concept2 rower has a decibel stage between 67 and 74, barely quieter than a vacuum cleaner.

Amanda Dvorak, one among Breaking Muscle’s editors, typically brings her rower indoors when her storage will get too chilly within the winter. Her husband, who’s a light-weight sleeper and often nonetheless in mattress when Amanda works out within the morning, has claimed that the noise doesn’t trouble him in any respect. Nonetheless, Amanda retains the rower on the primary stage of her dwelling, whereas her husband sleeps of their bed room on the second stage. Should you reside in a one-story dwelling or a small condo, the noise could also be extra bothersome to different individuals.

Portability

The Concept2 RowErg options two curler wheels on the entrance for portability. There isn’t a deal with on the again, however because the machine weighs simply 57 to 68 kilos (relying on whether or not you get the usual top or the tall legs), it’s straightforward to position your hand beneath the monorail to elevate it up.

The rower additionally breaks down into two items in the event you don’t have sufficient room to depart it totally assembled on a regular basis. The house health club house owners on the Breaking Muscle employees do that ceaselessly and observe that it takes just some seconds to disassemble the rail from the flywheel piece and reconnect them once more when wanted.

Guarantee

Each Idea 2 rower features a five-year guarantee for the body and a two-year guarantee for all different elements, which we contemplate fairly normal for the business. Some rowers we’ve examined, just like the Echelon Row-S, solely have a 12-month guarantee. Nonetheless, different rowing machines, just like the CITYROW GoMax, provide a five-year body guarantee like Concept2 does.

Concept2 Rower vs. NordicTrack Rower

When evaluating the Concept2 rower and the NordicTrack rowers, a number of key variations stand out. Whereas the Concept2 RowErg has a easy show with no video lessons, NordicTrack rowers include interactive screens. These screens vary from 10 to 22 inches and provide instructor-led reside and on-demand lessons. These packages may be partaking and motivating for customers who get pleasure from structured exercises and following together with an teacher.

To entry this library of exercises, you’ll need an iFit subscription for about $39 a month. You don’t essentially want the subscription to make use of NordicTrack rowers, however you’ll be very restricted in utilizing all of the options of your interactive display.

Each manufacturers’ rowers additionally use air resistance, which gives a easy and dynamic rowing expertise. Nonetheless, NordicTrack rowers add an additional layer of versatility with 26 digital resistance ranges. Concept2 doesn’t have conventional resistance ranges; the resistance is dependent upon how a lot air you permit into the flywheel based mostly in your damper setting and the way arduous you row.

By way of dimension, the Concept2 rower is 94 inches lengthy, whereas NordicTrack rowers vary from 82 to 87 inches lengthy. The Concept2 rower excels in power, because it helps customers of as much as 500 kilos. That is twice the load capability of the NordicTrack rowers.

The Concept2 rower additionally comes at a extra inexpensive value than the NordicTrack RW700 and RW900, which price round $1,499 and $1,999, respectively. Nonetheless, as of this writing, the NordicTrack RW600 is on sale for round $900, about $90 cheaper than the Concept2 rower.

NordicTrack RW600

Dimensions: 87.02″ L x 22.0″ W x 47.24″ H

Storage: Folds in half for vertical storage

Resistance: Air and magnetic

Weight capability: 250 kilos

Show: 10-inch sensible HD touchscreen

Out there programming: Stay and on-demand exercises, scenic rows

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Concept2 Rower vs. Peloton

One of many first noticeable variations between the Concept2 rower and the Peloton is the interactive monitor display. Peloton’s rowers function a large 23.8-inch swivel interactive monitor, which lets you have interaction in video-led periods. Nonetheless, accessing these lessons requires a month-to-month subscription payment of round $44.

That is very completely different from the PM5 monitor offered by Concept2, which doesn’t have video-led periods or subscription necessities. If interactive exercises and entry to an unlimited library of coaching content material are your priorities, the Peloton rowers could be extra interesting.

Each rowers share related dimensions, making certain a constant rowing expertise by way of area necessities and total setup. Nonetheless, the Concept2 rower has a exceptional weight capability of as much as 500 kilos. The Peloton rower, in distinction, has a decrease weight capability of 300 kilos, which might restrict its suitability for people with better physique weight.

By way of value, Concept2 is the extra budget-friendly possibility. The Peloton rower prices round $2,995, practically 3 times the price of the Concept2 erg.

Peloton Rower

Dimensions: 7’10” L x 24” W

Storage: Shops upright with the Upright Wall Anchor (included with buy)

Resistance: Electronically managed

Weight capability: 300 kilos

Show: 23.8-inch 1080p HD touchscreen

Out there programming: Stay and on-demand exercises, scenic rows

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Concept2 Rower vs. Hydrow

One other nice model of rowing machines is Hydrow. Hydrow’s authentic rower and the extra compact Wave rower provide an pleasurable journey on account of their use of magnetic resistance. Like Peloton, Hydrow rowers have built-in screens for streaming partaking, motivating exercise lessons.

Hydrow’s superior know-how and immersive expertise include a better price ticket. Their rowers begin at slightly below $1,900. The Concept2 rower provides a extra budget-friendly possibility beginning at about $990. With the intention to entry Hydrow’s library of exercises, you additionally have to pay a month-to-month subscription of round $42.

Like Concept2, Hydrow’s rowers provide Bluetooth connectivity, permitting you to hook up with coronary heart fee screens and sync with health apps. By way of dimensions, the Hydrow rower measures 86 inches in size, 25 inches in width, and 47 inches in top, making it barely extra compact than the Concept2 rower. It additionally has a lighter weight capability of 375 kilos. This doesn’t come close to the power of the Concept2 rower, which has a weight capability of 500 kilos.

Hydrow Wave Rower

Dimensions: 80″ L x 19″ W x 43″ H

Storage: Shops upright

Resistance: Magnetic

Weight capability: 375 kilos

Show: 16-inch HD touchscreen

Out there programming: Stay and on-demand exercises, scenic rows

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Concept2 Rower Buyer Opinions

On 4 websites, together with Amazon, the typical ranking for the Concept2 rower is 4.8 out of 5 stars. Many individuals praised it for its sturdiness, fast setup, and storage capabilities. 

Regardless of all the reward, some clients did observe just a few drawbacks. A number of clients discovered the noise stage regarding for at-home exercises. Others additionally famous the limitation of the PM5 display and would favor to have a bigger monitor that offered tutorial movies as a substitute.

Ultimate Verdict: Is the Concept2 Rower Price It?

When you think about all of the options of a top-tier rower, the Concept2 rower is likely one of the finest. Concept2 has constructed a strong popularity of high quality and dependability with aggressive rowers, the CrossFit group, and residential health club customers who need gear that received’t cease working after just a few months.

By an intensive evaluation by our skilled workforce, it’s clear that the Concept2 rower may be nicely definitely worth the funding. It gives a easy, lifelike rowing expertise. It’s straightforward to construct and will final for years, particularly in a house health club. Figuring out that this product exists in lots of properties and a number of industrial gyms, it’s arduous to seek out one other rower that may push the Concept2 rower off the highest of the rostrum.

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