Concept2 Rower Assessment (2023)

Concept2 created the unique rowing ergometer in 1981 as a coaching device for aggressive athletes. It shortly grew to become one of many best rowing machines for the athletic inhabitants, and because of CrossFit, it’s an much more well-liked coaching gadget than ever.

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

Key Takeaways

• The Concept2 rower, now known as the RowErg, is similar machine because the Mannequin D (the rower with a 14-inch seat peak) and Mannequin E (the rower with a 20-inch seat peak). Concept2 modified the machine’s title in Could 2021. The Mannequin E rower has been discontinued. Nonetheless, the RowErg is accessible with both a 14-inch seat peak or a 20-inch seat peak.
• 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 contains 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 akin to tempo, strokes per minute, estimated energy burned, and watts (energy output). The monitor additionally connects by way of Bluetooth to varied apps, together with ErgData.

Concept2 Rower Professionals

• The Concept2 Rower makes use of air resistance, which adjusts to your stroke charge and energy. Air resistance additionally supplies 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 may shortly break down the rower utilizing the quick-release characteristic and even mount it to the wall. Concept2 doesn’t promote a mounting device for the rower, however the Rogue Fitness wall hanger is accessible 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 fitness center and don’t need to disrupt their members of the family or roommates.
• The Concept2 RowErg prices round $990 earlier than taxes and delivery. Whereas cheaper than different rowers in the marketplace with a lot of high-end tech options (like touchscreen screens and on-screen exercise lessons, which Concept2 doesn’t provide), it nonetheless won’t be very best 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 toes) when assembled. These with restricted exercise area at dwelling may have to have a look at extra compact rowing machines.

Concept2 Rower Score

The Breaking Muscle workers members have examined over 20 rowing machines. We put every one by way of an in-depth scoring system to rank its development, supply and meeting, tech options, and extra. The desk beneath exhibits how the Concept2 rower fared.

Concept2 Rower Overview

The Concept2 rower is arguably the preferred rowing machine presently accessible that’s appropriate for each dwelling and industrial use. In 1981, Concept2 grew to become the primary model to create an indoor rowing machine. Since then, it has turn into an iconic model within the health trade. As a private coach who has labored in numerous industrial gyms akin 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 preferred cardio machines for each informal and aggressive athletes. CrossFit values the Concept2 rower as a result of it affords an entire full-body exercise, making it an efficient device for assessing general 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 development and minimal upkeep necessities imply it will possibly stand up to heavy use in CrossFit bins.

The Concept2 rowing machine contains a nickel-plated metal chain, aluminum entrance legs, and metal rear legs. Whereas its worth of slightly below $1,000 locations it within the mid-range of rowing machine choices, it affords 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 could possibly be good for many who desire a full-body exercise to check each muscular and cardiovascular endurance.
• The performance of the Concept2 rower is nice for many who are particularly into CrossFit-style coaching. Concept2 is the popular model for rowing machines within the CrossFit group.
• The Concept2 RowErg could possibly be a wonderful low-impact cardio machine for many who endure from joint ache. Not like operating, 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 won’t be very best for many who are fearful 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.
• Although the Concept2 RowErg affords a 20-inch-high seat, people with extreme mobility restrictions should still discover it too low.
• Utilizing this rower could possibly be powerful for these with restricted area. When totally assembled, the Concept2 rower machine is 96 inches lengthy. Relying in your setup, you won’t have sufficient room to suit the erg comfortably and work out safely.

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Concept2 Rower In-Depth Assessment

The evaluation beneath is predicated on insights I’ve gathered by way of my very own use of the Concept2 RowErg and suggestions I’ve acquired from the Breaking Muscle workers, which includes CrossFitters, licensed private trainers, and energy and conditioning coaches. We then used a proprietary scoring system to rank the machine on a scale of 1 to 5 in numerous classes, akin to value, the standard of the supplies, monitoring capabilities, and meeting.

Worth

The Concept2 RowErg with the 14-inch seat peak prices round $990 earlier than taxes and delivery. For those who go for the 20-inch seat peak, it’s going to value round $1,155. Whereas the value could possibly be a downside for anybody on a brilliant strict price range, we nonetheless gave it 4.8 stars. The general worth is excessive because of the machine’s commercial-quality development and sturdiness. Additionally, this rower machine is less expensive than different choices, just like the Peloton or Hydrow rowers, that are double the value (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 observe.

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

Amanda Dvorak, Breaking Muscle’s Evaluations Editor who began CrossFit in 2015 and now makes use of a Concept2 rower in her storage fitness center, can attest to its sturdiness. She talked about that even after banging it on her squat rack by accident (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 skilled 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 staff 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 fitness center tools, together with the Stamina Elite rower I take advantage of at dwelling. I can truthfully say that one of many largest points with all of my purchases is that it takes endlessly to construct them. The Concept2 rower, nevertheless, solely required a couple of minutes of sunshine effort from our testing workers earlier than they had been in a position to hop on and begin rowing.

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

Efficiency

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

Subscription Choices

It’s arduous to offer the Concept2 rower a score 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 dwell and on-demand lessons. All of the Concept2 affords is a PM5 monitor. As I’ll focus on beneath, it tracks quite a lot of data, but it surely’s not as fancy as a high-tech monitor that permits you to stream lessons.

One benefit of the dearth of subscription choices is that it will possibly prevent cash. The subscriptions you’ll discover on Hydrow, Peloton, or NordicTrack rowers, for instance, can value $30 or extra per 30 days. It’s an added value you need to think about 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 good gadget. You may then stream exercises from an app of your selection — however understand that this can be an additional month-to-month value.

Ergonomics

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

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

Nonetheless, now that Amanda has been utilizing the rower at the very least as soon as every week, her tailbone discomfort has lessened, and her arms now not blister. In case you have related experiences once you first begin rowing, we expect it’s protected 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 toes be capable of 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 Charge Monitoring

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

PM5 Monitor, Show, and Stats Monitoring

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

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

We love its capability to avoid wasting all of our exercise historical past, so we are able to see how we’re progressing and enhancing over time. And, as talked about, it will possibly connect with doubtlessly 30 totally different suitable apps. ErgData is a favourite amongst the Breaking Muscle workers as a result of it permits us to create customized exercises, program the Concept2 Workout 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 primary. The monitor can be fairly small, measuring simply seven inches diagonally. The dimensions 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 certainly one of her favourite issues concerning the PM5 monitor. She trains early in the morning and hates turning on vivid lights throughout her exercises. The backlit show makes it simpler for her to learn the display screen when she’s figuring out earlier than dawn.

Included Exercises

For the included exercises, we rank this characteristic a 4.8 out of 5. The Concept2 rower comes with a number of preset exercises, akin 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 beginner rowers who could not know how one can get began or superior athletes who need to observe structured applications.

Bluetooth Connectivity

The Concept2 rower’s PM5 monitor helps Bluetooth connectivity to suitable heart rate monitors. You can even 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 vital to know 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 this planet of rowing machines.

Rower Sort

The Concept2 rower is an air rower. The air resistance works by way of the usage of the handles and the machine’s fanwheel. If you pull the deal with, the flywheel traps air inside to supply resistance. The resistance then adjusts to your stroke charge 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 usually full their indoor coaching on a Concept2 erg.

Total Dimensions

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

Observe Size

The observe size, also called 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 peak. For those who suppose this can be too low for you, you could have the choice of buying an erg with taller legs that elevate the seat to twenty inches. Nonetheless, the taller rower modifications the associated fee 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 affords variable resistance. The resistance depends on the forcefulness of every row. That is totally different from magnetic rowers, which give mounted resistance ranges, and water rowers, whose resistance ranges change primarily based 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 primarily based on the provision of airflow. The damper ranges from one to 10 — one means the flywheel is totally closed, and 10 means it’s totally open. If you improve the damper setting, you open the damper and permit extra air into the flywheel. A better damper setting ends in a sooner 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 together with your buy. There’s no must situate the rower close to an outlet, so you’ll be able to transfer it round any room in your home or take it outside (one thing the Breaking Muscle workers members like to do when the climate permits).

Noise Degree

The Concept2 rower might 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, certainly one of Breaking Muscle’s editors, usually brings her rower indoors when her storage will get too chilly within the winter. Her husband, who’s a lightweight sleeper and often nonetheless in mattress when Amanda works out within the morning, has claimed that the noise doesn’t hassle 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. For those who dwell 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 any deal with on the again, however for the reason that machine weighs simply 57 to 68 kilos (relying on whether or not you get the usual peak or the tall legs), it’s straightforward to put your hand beneath the monorail to elevate it up.

The rower additionally breaks down into two items when you don’t have sufficient room to go away it totally assembled on a regular basis. The house fitness center homeowners on the Breaking Muscle workers do that steadily and notice 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 think about fairly normal for the trade. 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 dwell and on-demand lessons. These applications might be partaking and motivating for customers who take pleasure in structured exercises and following together with an teacher.

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

Each manufacturers’ rowers additionally use air resistance, which supplies 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 relies on how a lot air you enable into the flywheel primarily based 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 energy, 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 reasonably priced worth than the NordicTrack RW700 and RW900, which value 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 good HD touchscreen

Obtainable programming: Stay and on-demand exercises, scenic rows

Check Price

Concept2 Rower vs. Peloton

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

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

Each rowers share related dimensions, guaranteeing a constant rowing expertise when it comes to area necessities and general 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 may restrict its suitability for people with better physique weight.

By way of worth, 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

Obtainable programming: Stay and on-demand exercises, scenic rows

Check Price

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 satisfying experience as a consequence 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 affords a extra budget-friendly possibility beginning at about $990. With a view to entry Hydrow’s library of exercises, you additionally must pay a month-to-month subscription of round $42.

Like Concept2, Hydrow’s rowers provide Bluetooth connectivity, permitting you to connect with coronary heart charge 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 peak, 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 energy 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

Obtainable programming: Stay and on-demand exercises, scenic rows

Check Price

Concept2 Rower Buyer Evaluations

On 4 websites, together with Amazon, the common score 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 notice just a few drawbacks. Just a few clients discovered the noise stage regarding for at-home exercises. Others additionally famous the limitation of the PM5 display screen and would like to have a bigger monitor that supplied tutorial movies as an alternative.

Remaining Verdict: Is the Concept2 Rower Value 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 fitness center customers who need tools that gained’t cease working after just a few months.

By way of an in depth evaluation by our knowledgeable staff, it’s clear that the Concept2 rower might be nicely well worth the funding. It supplies a easy, lifelike rowing expertise. It’s straightforward to construct and may final for years, particularly in a house fitness center. Realizing that this product exists in lots of houses 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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