Concept2 RowErg VS WaterRower: Choosing the best indoor rowing machine

	WaterRower Natural Ash	View on Amazon

Build Details

The Concept2 RowErg sports a black design and features a smooth stainless steel track, aluminum front and steel rear legs as well as an air resistance fanned flywheel driven by a nickel-plated steel chain.

The WaterRower rowing machine has many different options when it comes to choosing your rowing machine. It comes beautifully handcrafted in a range of different quality woods such as oak, walnut, cherry and ash as well as metals such as aluminum or stainless steel. It sports a dual rail and flywheel design with water as resistance, making it feel as smooth and as natural as possible, like you are rowing on water.

Both the Concept2 RowErg and WaterRower have comfortable ergonomic seats, handles and adjustable footrests.

Great Points for both rowing Machines:
+ Both work without needing power or Wi-Fi
+ Both have 30+ years of history of guaranteed durability
+ Both are easy to repair and inexpensive to get replacement parts
+ Both have the option of having taller legs / hi rise attachments for users with hip or knee mobility issues
+ Slides can be purchased making either of these machines a dynamic rowing machine which allows for a realistic on-water like rowing experience
+ Both rowing machines are made in the USA

Good and bad points of the Concept2 RowErg build:
+ Easily splits into two pieces for quick storage or transport
+ Easy & quick to assemble
+ Suitable for heavier users (500lbs max)
+ Slides can be purchased to make the RowErg dynamic
+ Comes standard with device / tablet holder
+ Although based on preference a lot of people refer to the Concept2 as having the better seat, handle and footrests
+ Many users of both prefer the feet placement of the Concept2 and height of the seat to foot placement

– Concept2 takes up a larger footprint (96″ x 24″)

Good and bad points of the WaterRower Natural build:
+ Takes up less floor space than the Concept2 RowErg
+ Easily stands for storage
+ Allows for even heavier users up to 700lbs
+ Made from sustainable hardwoods (Non-metal versions)
+ Available in many different woods and metals giving you variety of styles to choose from

– Lengthier Assembly
– Device / tablet holder additional accessory purchased separately (comes standard on Performance Erg model)


WaterRower Models:

WaterRower A1 – Ash wood, Aluminum monorail
WaterRower Natural – solid ash wood, stained honey oak
WaterRower Walnut – solid American black walnut
WaterRower Cherry – solid cherry wood
WaterRower Oak – solid oak wood, stained honey oak
WaterRower Club – solid ash wood, stained in rosewood and black
WaterRower Xeno Müller signature series – solid ash
WaterRower Performance Erg -Solid oak wood
WaterRower M1 – Aluminum
WaterRower S1 – Stainless steel

Display

The Concept2 RowErg features a PM5 digital performance monitor which gives you all the workout data you desire and more. In addition to that you are able to connect your phone to their free ErgData app in order to further display your workout metrics, history and more. You are also able to sync this data into their free online logbook which you are then able to track against friends and other athletes.

The WaterRower offers a S4 digital performance monitor which gives you basic metrics such as stroke rate, mph, 500m split time, watts and calories. In order to get more data and workout tracking, a Bluetooth ComModule can be installed which is a physical hardware upgrade to the S4 digital performance monitor. This can be used with many apps such as the WaterRower Connect app, as well as many third party apps. Another alternative is installing the SmartRow power meter and using the SmartRow app.

Unlike “smart rowers” which now feature large High Definition touch screens, the Concept2 RowErg and WaterRower do not offer a High Definition color display and instead offer digital performance monitors. This is great for getting your rowing stats, however if you require a screen to follow along to an online workout or try an app like Hydrow or EXR then you will need to pair your phone or tablet.

The Concept2 RowErg also comes standard with a tablet / device holder – meaning you can easily reuse your existing tablet/iPad or phone and also download one of the 30+ Concept2 compatible software apps. Having a tablet also means you can also use other apps. You can also get a nice phone holder like the below to hold your phone above your PM5 Monitor on your Concept2 RowErg

The WaterRower standard models do not include a device / tablet holder apart from the digital series WaterRower Performance Ergometer rowing machine which comes standard with the WaterRower Phone & tablet arm as well as the SmartRow Bluetooth power meter.
If you have or plan on getting the standard model, the WaterRower phone and tablet arm can be purchased separately (as well as either the Bluetooth ComModule or SmartRow Bluetooth ).

Benefits of using your own device / tablet include:

+ Device/tablet can be removed and used for other purposes or workouts
+ Not being locked into paying a subscription in order to use your rowing machine like other smart rowing machines
+ Try, cancel or move subscriptions as you choose (Asensei, EXR, Hydrow etc. all have app subscriptions)
+ You can use YouTube for free rowing workouts (e.g. Dark Horse Rowing, Training Tall, Row Along)
+ Stream YouTube, Netflix, Spotify or play your own music

Good and bad points of the Concept2 PM5 Monitor
+ Batteries do not need replacing very often. The Concept2 RowErg has 2 X rechargeable D Cell batteries which the flywheel automatically recharges during your workout.
+ PM5 Performance Monitor Supports Bluetooth and ANT+ standard to connect to apps and wireless heart rate monitors
+ PM5 offers many more features than the S4 like force curve, pace boat, interval training, training games and much more


Good and bad points of WaterRower S4 Performance Monitor
+ Compatible with WaterRower’s apps to track workouts and compatible with third party apps like Asensei, Kinomaps etc. (Bluetooth ComModule upgrade necessary)
– S4 Performance Monitor lacks features such as intervals or force curve etc.
– S4 Performance Monitor requires the Bluetooth ComModule accessory in order to connect to apps or the SmartRow Bluetooth power meter
– S4 Performance Batteries need replacing often (depending on usage)
– You need to move your neck to glance down to almost foot level to see your metrics where as the PM5 is naturally right in front of you

The Experience

Both the Concept2 RowErg and WaterRower are great for beginners to competitive rowers and both offer an exceptionally smooth, realistic indoor rowing experience which is great for keeping fit or for getting in training off the water.

Here are some good and bad points of the rowing experience on each:

Good and bad points of the Concept2 Experience:
+ Quick & easy to change resistance via damper control
– Being an air rower the Concept2 RowErg makes more noise whilst rowing

Good and bad points of the WaterRower Experience:
+ Quiet operation
+ Natural water resistance and sound
– More effort to change resistance: requires adding / removing water using a siphon
– Tank needs purification tablets regularly added to keep it clean and prevent algae build-up

Pricing

Both of these rowing machines do not require subscriptions which is great as you are not locked into a particular ecosystem and you can pair with many apps including third party apps and try out their subscriptions and cancel as you choose unlike with some smart rowing machines like the Hydrow

Choosing Your Indoor Rower

Which one is best for you?

Both are great training machines as you can easily program a quick distance or time workout. Both machines have great resale value and having your own tablet gives you a lot more options as you can use different apps and streaming services. You can also have the tablet turned off and have a break from the screen and enjoy the simple act of rowing.

When choosing between the Concept2 RowErg VS WaterRower rowing machines you are choosing from two of the best indoor rowing machines available. Both are fantastic machines in their build, durability and performance which offer a high quality and realistic rowing experience. It can be tricky to decide between the two. Here are some considerations for each.

Concept2 RowErg

Considerations for choosing the Concept2 RowErg VS WaterRower:
– Concept2 is considered the gold standard for erg times, so if you are a serious athlete or want to compared your 2k you may want to do that on a Concept2 RowErg VS WaterRower
– If CrossFit is your game you will want to go with the Concept2 RowErg to compare your times with other CrossFit athletes
– If you are looking for the better performance monitor, the PM5 on the Concept2 offers a lot more features over the S4 on the WaterRower like the force curve, pace boat, training games and much more.
– Concept2 is a little more popular for third party apps so will give you a few more options.
– Generally less maintenance is required for the Concept2 RowErg
– Changing resistance is easier and quicker with the damper, if you are needing to be doing different resistances often this machine may be the more convenient option for you
– If you will be transporting it often, the Concept2 easily splits making it very portable

WaterRower

Considerations for choosing the WaterRower VS Concept2 RowErg:
– You enjoy the natural look of the WaterRower
– You enjoy the natural feel of the water resistance
– You enjoy the realistic and relaxing sound of the WaterRower
– You need the quietest machine out of the Concept2 RowErg VS WaterRower
– You have a smaller space (WaterRower takes up a little less space than the Concept2 and can be stood upright in seconds for storage)
– Aesthetics are important to you and you want your rowing machine to blend into your home like a piece of furniture

Conclusion

So whether you decide on the Concept2 RowErg or the WaterRower, know you are making a great decision. Both of these rowing machines have been around for decades and with having the history of durability and reliability both machines have great resale value. Both have strong communities that back the quality and either of the two are going to be great machines for training with and can make a great positive impact to your health and well-being as well as helping you on the path to achieving your goals.

Concept2 RowErg VS WaterRower FAQs

Is the Concept 2 rower better than the WaterRower?
The PM5 Performance Monitor on the Concept2 Rower is better than the S4 Performance Monitor on the WaterRower, however both machines offer a smooth realistic rowing experience and both are fantastic durable machines. The Concept2 is known as the gold standard for time tracking and may be a better choice for serious athletes that want to compare times

Is WaterRower harder for beginners to use than the Concept2?
Both the WaterRower and Concept2 are perfect for the beginner right through to the advanced athlete.

Is the WaterRower suitable for serious athletes?
The WaterRower rowing machine is also a popular pick among serious athletes. In fact it is the machine of choice of a number of Olympic level athletes including former Olympian Xeno Müller and he even has his own custom WaterRower model. The only downside is not being able to compare times with a Concept2 RowErg vs WaterRower. Having the SmartRow powermeter add-on can give you better comparable statistics however.

Is the Concept2 rower the best?
The Concept2 RowErg is known as the gold standard for comparing indoor rowing times. The Concept2 is also well known for its exceptional build quality making it one of the most durable pieces of fitness equipment one can have in their gym.

Are water rowers better than air rowers?
Water rowers are not necessarily better than air rowers, both air rowers and water rowers can offer a smooth realistic feel rowing experience. A benefit of water rowers include the sound of the water resistance and a benefit of the air rower is lower maintenance

What is the most realistic rowing machine?
Both the Concept2 RowErg and WaterRower provide a realistic rowing experience, however some users believe the water resistance offers a more realistic stroke. The most realistic off water rowing experience would be the WaterRower for the sound of the water combined with slides to make it dynamic so it feels like you are in an actual boat having the weight move under you.

An additional tool for making the rowing experience as realistic as possible would be then also combining FlowRow tilt boards, so you have the sound of the water, the dynamic feeling of the boat moving under you with the slides and the balance of the FlowRow boards which would make it the closest thing to rowing off water

Does the Concept2 rower need maintenance?
The Concept2 requires minimal maintenance with most of it being keeping the rail clean and chain lightly oiled

What is the lifespan of a Concept2 Rowing Machine?
With proper care, Concept2 RowErg rowing machines are designed to last a life time. Many Concept2’s in commercial gyms see 50+ Million Metres on them. You can also easily and cheaply purchase replacement parts