Looking at getting a indoor rowing machine for cross training, etc… The Concept 2 seems to be quite popular. Ideally I would like something that folds into a more compact space when not using such as the Lifecore. Any input would be appreciated.
I worked in a fitness center this summer that had this rowing machine:
http://www.chesapeake-sports.com/water-rower/water-rower.html
It was awesome. No ‘catch’ like on the Concept II, and the water wheel makes such a soothing sound. Plus with the wood frame it could be mistaken for a nice living room somethingorother. Doesn’t fold up, but you can stand it up really easily against a wall.
Nothing beats the Concept II, and I used that thing for more than a decade. It mimics the rowing stroke fairly well.
From a rowing point of view, trying to eliminate the catch does not make much sense. For a fitness purpose, why not. The noise is the most problematic about the Concept II machines, but the new ones are pretty good.
by ‘catch’ I meant the water rower doesnt seem to jerk my shoulders like the concept II does. Sorry if I misused an actual rowing term; I only used the machine this summer when injured.
I have used the concept 2, and it can be a great workout if you can get yourself motivated to do it. What’s great about it is that it constantly gives you your 500m split time or your watts depending how you set it.
I’ve heard of the water rower, but never tried it. It may be smoother, but I really don’t know. I personally would go with the C2. They’ve been around for a long time, they are relatively inexpensive, and they’ve got a great website which offers training advice and other information.
If you are interested in looking at other rowers, you may want to look into the Rowperfect. I don’t know if it is available in the USA.
If your shoulders jerk it is most likely because they are not locked. However, if your purpose is fitness it is not a problem, you will get your cardio in just the same.
Truthfully Concept have a nice monopoly on this, so it is hard to really find anything approaching the quality of their machines. When you do, it is usually a general fitness company who did not put much thought in it, or a small one who could only come up with a subpar product, since the market is so small.
smoother, yes.
I really just liked the water sound of it.
I really just liked the water sound of it.
Haha, I should have guessed! My apologies.
I should tell you (and to all who are listening) though, be careful with rowing machines while having a bad technique, you WILL injure your back.
there is only one erg, and it is the Concept II. if you live in cincy, come take mine, please. it is a torture device. lol
concept II, thats easy
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there is only one erg, and it is the Concept II. if you live in cincy, come take mine, please. it is a torture device. lol
There you go again. Long time since we had this discussion.
Which model do you have? How much do you want for it? Or you could always try to sell it on EBAY.
Concept II all the way, they have the monopoly simply because they are so good…
I have fond memories of rowing so hard I vomited during training when I rowed at school. Two of us would go on them side by in the boathouse, occasionally glancing at the readout to see each others /500m split and who was about to crack.
I have fond memories of rowing so hard I vomited during training when I rowed at school. Two of us would go on them side by in the boathouse, occasionally glancing at the readout to see each others /500m split and who was about to crack.
You’re only reinforcing Kittycat’s opinion of the C2 as nothing more than a “toture device”
Concept II is hands down the BEST rowing machine, or rather “erg”, out there. If it’s good enough for some of the oldest crews in America, like the one I rowed on @ Cornell, and even Oxford and Cambridge, then it should be good enough for your basement, LOL. Seriously, it is the closest motion you will ever find to climbing into a scull, strapping your feet into the boat, and trying not to catch any crabs (and thank god you can’t).
What?! You mean there’s more than one brand out there 
Thanks everyone, it looks like the Concept 2 is the way to go. I am curious how often do you guys/girls use your rowing machines and do you use it during race season?
No one who ever rowed competitively ever uses an erg after they retire from competitive rowing.
No one who ever rowed competitively ever uses an erg after they retire from competitive rowing.
x2. And the subject line is an oxymoron to same people.
Just to be different I have this one and it’s pretty nice
Concept 2 Model D.
Take a look for Crash B’s in your area. Every year they have indoor rowing competitions, and they use like 50 brand new machines for the races. At the end of the day, they sell all of them for 50 or 100$ off the sticker. Used for maybe… 20k.
I rowed in college. The model D is sick, gives you so much feedback, and you can even get memory cards you can load onto your computer to track everything. I think theres even a heart rate option on them.
Only drawback- the middle of the handle has a kind of edge on it, and when I used to finish hard, i’d contact my breast plate, breast bone, whatever… and i have a bunch of little scars around it.
other than that, the thing is perfect.