In this Concept2 RowErg Rowing Machine Buyers Guide we will be looking at what is hailed as the gold standard of indoor rowers. It is no wonder the Concept 2 RowErg Rowing Machine is considered the best-selling rowing machine in the world and is an important piece of equipment in most commercial gyms.
If you have ever stepped into your local gym then you have most likely noticed or even already used one for yourself.
 | Concept2 RowErg | View on Amazon |
Features of the Concept2 RowErg Rowing Machine
- Backlit PM5 performance monitor battery operated so the machine does not need to be connected to an electrical power outlet
- Session data including distance, speed, time, pace, calories, watts & stroke rate
- Track your workout progress over time and upload it to the Concept2 Ergdata app
- USB port for saving your workout data
- Device holder to support your tablet/phone for streaming classes
- Bluetooth to connect to rowing apps and heart rate monitors
- Compatible with over 30 different rowing apps
- 10 easily changed resistance levels with a spiral damper
- Adjustable footrests
- Ergonomic handle
- Modern sleek black powder coat finish
- Portable, compact and easily splits into two pieces for quick storage
- Easy and quick to assemble
- Simple to use for beginners
- Gives a realistic feel to being on water
- Quality built machine (used daily by top athletes across the world)
- 54” track length means it is perfectly fine for taller people up to 6.6 feet tall
- Suitable for up to 500lb users.
Benefits of the Concept2 RowErg Rowing Machine
- Concept2 also sells all parts separately, which is great if you need to replace a part on your rower in the future (like the seat rollers or the chain)
- Weighs only 26kg and when split into two the heavier flywheel section has rollers for portability
- Easily setup in less than 20 minutes
- The rower has aluminium front legs and steel rear legs with an aluminium I-beam monorail and a stainless-steel seat track
- Built to withstand constant daily commercial gym use
- Hardwearing, high quality and long lasting
- Considered the industry gold standard
- High resale value
- Low maintenance required
- Seat and handle are ergonomically designed for comfort and extended use
- Adjustable footrests are also comfortable for barefoot rowing
- The Performance Monitor PM5 is a powerhouse for tracking and storing workout data
- Offers 10 resistance damper settings from a heavy row boat to a light race boat
- Optional slides can be additionally purchased for dynamic training which gives even more of an “On water” feel.
- Taller legs can be purchased if preferred or useful for those with hip or leg issues to make it easier to hop on and off
Considerations before purchasing your Concept2 RowErg Rowing Machine
Noise: When operating at high intensity there can be a bit of noise from the flywheel. As well as noise from the monorail. This can be noisy for people that may be sleeping in a room next door or apartment.
Length: the RowErg measures 8 ft × 2 ft (244 cm × 61 cm) and then allow for 9ft x 4ft (274 cm x 122 cm) for use when rowing.
Cost: it is an investment, you are paying for a quality commercial gym product
Screen: It doesn’t come with a coloured monitor for streaming workouts but easily pairs with tablets or smartphones and it comes with a device holder mount. I personally see this as a benefit as some days I enjoy not having a screen or any distractions.
Why The Concept2 RowErg
The Concept2 RowErg is a great investment for your health and longevity. It will last and keep you fit for a lifetime and is arguably one of the best pieces of fitness equipment ever built.
The PM5 monitor is what sets it apart from its competitors it gives you real time useful information to keep track and improve. Below in this Concept2 RowErg rowing machine buyers guide we go into detail about what the PM5 is capable of and offers for your workouts.
Compared to most commercial gym equipment like the treadmill, stair master, or elliptical it has an affordable price point and offers a fantastic full body calorie burning workout. You are investing in an extremely durable commercial quality gym product that will last a lifetime and requires low maintenance. It is also suitable for beginners through to olympic level athletes.
If you enjoy indoor rowing and are looking at using it at least a couple of times a week and see yourself sticking with it over the long term then this is a great investment.
I have personally been to many commercial gyms and have seen some Concept2 Rowing Machines still going strong with more than 37+ million metres on them – that’s over 5000m+ every day for 20 years!
Variations of the Concept2 rower
Concept2 Model D vs Model E
The Concept2 RowErg rowing machine previously known as the Model D is the most popular of the concept 2 rowing machines. It is what most people have and are using in their home gyms.
The Concept2 RowErg with tall legs – previously known as the Model E comes with 20 inch (51cm) legs which raises the height of the rowing experience from the standard 14 inches (36cm).
In commercial gyms I typically see the Concept2 RowErgs with taller legs. It can make hopping on and off the rower easier if you have limited mobility.
Concept2 Slides
Another accessory or variation to the Concept2 RowErg is the Concept2 slide. Slides can be additionally purchased and the RowErg can be placed onto the slides which also gives this a on water feel and can be useful for training for on water rowing.
Another thing to note is that you can also connect multiple RowErgs in sequence for a “boat” team rowing experience this can be done with both using the concept 2 RowErg on slides or also with the Concept2 Dynamic RowErg using a dynamic link.
The Concept2 Dynamic RowErg
The Concept2 Dynamic RowErg is designed to give the closest feeling to rowing on water. The footrests are free to move so there is minimal movement of your body mass. This is similar to the Concept2 RowErg on rowing slides. It is much shorter than the regular RowErg at 76 inches (193 cm) but heavier at 42kg. Multiple Concept2 Dynamic RowErgs can be connected together using a dynamic link.
Workout Programs the PM5 Performance Monitor Offers:
The PM5 is one of the biggest differentiating factors when comparing different brand rowing machines in the same category like the Water Rower. It offers a lot of different metrics which I find keep me engaged and motivated and I enjoy tracking my workouts and seeing progress over time.
Let’s take a look at some of the programs the PM5 monitor offers:
5 pre-programmed workouts:
- single distance
- single time
- intervals for distance
- intervals for time
- variable intervals
Display button is used to toggle between all data, force curve, pace boat, bar chart or large print
Units button is used to toggle between meters, pace, watts or calories
Select Just row or setup a pre-programmed workout to get started.
Other features include:
PaceBoat
Paceboat is a great feature to set to your goal pace to track against that pace
Games:
Fish game -The fish game is a great warm up exercise and also good for breaking the rowing
technique up into specific parts (e.g. the catch, drive and finish) as well as to modulate your intensity. It gives you a great varied HIIT workout and is a fun way to clock up metres on the rower without even realising it.
Darts – Darts helps to increase your awareness and focus of your technique and stroke rate as well as bring consistency to your strokes and workout. It is also a great way to warm up.
Target Training – Similar to Darts however you can set targets for pace and tempo
Racing – Your RowErg can be linked to another PM5 monitor for racing so you are able to race against a person on another Concept2 RowErg using time or distance.
Biathlon – Used in actual biathlon events, you can choose intervals and interval length and incorporate other exercises including bodyweight exercises like push ups or sit-ups etc. or can be used with other machines like the SkiErg or BikErg. It is a great way to mix up your training and also incorporate rowing into your workout circuit.
Concept 2 Logbook
The Concept 2 logbook lets you keep all your workouts and total rowed meters saved including your summaries, statistics and workout analysis in one place. You can become part of the Million Meters Club or share your workouts with friends as well as see their workout data.
ErgData
ErgData is Concept2’s free performance monitoring Android/iOS app which gives you additional performance statistics and displays your workout data. You can use ErgData to upload your workout data into the Concept 2 logbook.
Concept2 RowErg rowing machine buyers guide: My Take on the Concept2 RowErg
Having used all different types of indoor rowing machines including air, hydraulic, water and magnetic rowers I have to say that although I really enjoy the noise and feel of the Water Rower, I have found that the Concept2 air rower has been the best experience and the PM5 monitor is unmatched. I also like how the Concept2 does not have a screen in front of you when your rowing. It is nice to have a break from screens and you easily add a tablet or screen when wanting to follow a training session. Some days it is nice to just row along without any distraction.
If you are new to rowing it is important to learn the correct rowing technique to prevent injury and make the most of your workouts. Check out my beginners guide to rowing on the Concept2 RowErg rowing machine to learn how to get setup, correct form and awesome beginners training videos.
A bit about Concept2
In this Concept2 RowErg rowing machine buyers guide we looked at the RowErg by Concept2. Concept2 is an American manufacturer of rowing and exercise equipment who first created the RowErg indoor rowing machine in 1981 and has made many revisions of this popular rowing machine since.
As well as specialising in indoor rowing machines, Concept2 also make oars, SkiErg and BikeErg systems all chain driven with the same concept as the RowErg. Their products are used by Olympic and CrossFit athletes and are in commercial gym facilities all over the globe including being the CrossFit and indoor rowing championships’ equipment of choice.