I have never rowed on the water or used these machines with any professional guidance so feel free to take what I say with a grain of salt. I waited to get at least 100K on this machine first (~10 hrs of active use time) so as to provide as good of a review as possible. If my feelings on it change over time, I'll update, but fairly confident my opinion won't change. So onto the review.
The machine is fantastic for it's intended purpose. If you enjoy rowing, then this machine doesn't disappoint in that area. My knowledge of mechanics for how to row is entirely from watching technique videos on youtube. My natural inclination for the motion was probably 85% correct already, but it was good to see how it's supposed to be done to really do it properly from the start. I would say the motion felt quite natural after 25K and you only improve after that with fatigue being the real hinderance to maintaining form all the time.
Hardware:
Comes in a easy to handle box that actually has cutouts for your hands to grab onto. Made it easy for me to carry in myself. Depending on your strength, you might want a second person to help carry it. Everything is well packaged and secured. Little risk of damage unless someone drops or smashes the box.
Assembly is simple. Just a handful of screws to attach the front legs. Then attach the rail to the main 'head' and you are done. The attaching of the rail is just line up and snap together. Very easy. 20 mins at most including time to take things out of the box.
The rail system is nice and smooth feeling. No complaints on that. The seat on the other hand, leaves a bit to be desired, but it isn't the end of the world. It's just hard plastic essentially and will be fine for short distance rows, but you definitely start to feel discomfort sitting on it on longer rows. I would highly suggest getting some sort of pad. I would recommend something low profile and with firmer support vs memory foam or anything that compresses as I find that firm but not plastic hard support to feel the best. It won't eliminate discomfort on long rows but it makes a difference for sure. Should be noted that over time, the discomfort seems to lessen.
Handles are fine. No thrills, but nothing bad. Handle grip is rubber textured, and comfortable enough. If you are new like me, you'll develop some calluses most likely, but nothing unbearable. Proper hold is loose grip and mine have developed without tearing or causing any issues. Shouldn't be an issue.
PM5 is a bit dated looking but it does the job it needs to do. Programming workouts is simple and the predefined workouts aren't bad. There's no option to set multiusers on the PM5 itself sadly, but you can use a USB thumb drive. Using the Concept 2 software on your computer, you can format and set each thumb driver to an individual user (still one per user, but any cheap spare small storage one you have will suffice). Alternatively, and what I use is the ErgData app on my phone to sync with the PM5 via bluetooth. It has horrible reviews and I was skeptical of it at first, but have had 0 issues with it so far. The plus side is if you use it, it produces charts some charts for you if you upload to the online log book. Uploading data only collected from the PM5 itself or with the USB thumb drive doesn't produce these charts.
Noise:
It's noticeable... I personally don't mind it while I'm working out, but it may be distracting if you are watching something. I usually just use wireless earbuds and it blocks out most of the noise from the flywheel and I can watch vids or listen to music comfortably enough. Others may not appreciate the noise though. My little one complained :) I originally had this in the living room, but moved it to the basement to spare him the noise when he is trying to study or watch some tv. I've read the noise can be annoying in some condo dwellings, so something to consider.
Size:
It's long. Make sure you have the space per the dimensions specified. When broken down into 2 pieces, it is about the size of my exercise bike. Breaking down and re-attaching the 2 pieces is quick and simple, but still a bit tedious if you are doing it every day. If you use it often (daily) you might want to have a space you can leave it as one piece all the time, but it's certainly not a deal breaker to have to break it down to put to the side. Takes less than a minute.
Maintenance:
Overall, maintenance is fairly simple.
- Wipe down the rail once in a while.
- Oil the chain every 50hrs of use. C2 recommends SAE 20 oil and specifically the 3 in 1 Multipurpose oil but any 20W should work. I actually went with the 3 in 1 Motor Oil as that is actually SAE 20 whereas the multipurpose I think is light weight but either should be fine. You can put some on the rollers under the seat as well if you like. I do this every so often.
- Clean out the fly wheel at your discretion. I'm sure there's a recommended period, but it'll probably depend on how dusty your environment is. This can be done with a vac and if it gets really dirty, you might need to take off the cover (just a few screws).
Overall impressions:
I have enjoyed the rower a lot. I use it daily for the most part for roughly 5K. I enjoy that it's full body and get less bored during the workout than I usually do running or on a exercise bike. If you needed just one piece of equipment and one workout, this machine certainly is a good choice given how many body parts are worked in each stroke (assuming you are doing it properly). I do supplement with weights and other workouts, but imagine doing just rowing would be good enough for most. The only downside is the noise and that is subjective; you may or may not care about that.
This is not a cheap piece of equipment so be honest with yourself. Do you actually think you will enjoy it? Don't just get it because people told you rowing is great. If you don't really want to do it, it makes for an expensive drying rack or dust collector. If you are going to use it, it is well worth the investment.
| Brand | Concept2 |
|---|---|
| Special Feature | view your workout intensity in different units of measurement: pace, watts or calories |
| Color | Black |
| Resistance Mechanism | Air |
| Product Dimensions | 24"D x 96"W x 14"H |
| Maximum Weight Recommendation | 500 Pounds |
| Metrics Measured | Odometer |
| Model Name | RowErg |
| Frame Material | Stainless Steel, Aluminum |
| Item Weight | 57.3 Pounds |
| Tension Level | Resistance is adjusted by changing the damper setting on a Concept2 |
| Material | Aluminum |
| Power Source | Battery Powered |
| Number of Batteries | 2 D batteries required. (included) |
| Display Type | LCD |
| Item Package Dimensions L x W x H | 56.1 x 21.25 x 15.1 inches |
| Package Weight | 27.22 Kilograms |
| Item Dimensions LxWxH | 96 x 24 x 14 inches |
| Brand Name | Concept2 |
| Warranty Description | Limited 2-year and 5-year warranty included. |
| Suggested Users | All ages, all abilities. |
| Manufacturer | Concept2 |
| Part Number | 2712 |
| Model Year | 2015 |
| Included Components | Concept2 Model D RowErg, Performance Monitor 5 computer (PM5), Smartphone Cradle, User Manual, PM5 Quick Start Guide, tools and illustrated assembly instructions. |
