Rowing Machine Recommendations on a budget

September 6, 2007 3:55 PM

alternative rowing machines to the expensive concept 2's?

I want to buy my first rowing machine. I've spoken to friends and they all recommend the Concept2 series, the same seems to hold true on Ask.Mefi as people like it here too.

Unfortunately, the Concept2 is pretty expensive and while not beyond my means, I would rather start off with something cheaper. Can anyone recommend cheaper alternatives? What advantages would I lose?

posted by thelost to Health & Fitness (15 answers total)

Get one second hand. The only competitors taken seriously by rowers seem to be WaterRowers and RowPerfects. Last time I looked, all were about the same price.

However, you shouldn't need the latest and greatest model, so the second hand market is most likely the way to go.
posted by edd at 4:16 PM on September 6, 2007

Honestly? None. The Concept2 machines are the industry standard for a reason. They last forever.

Which is good news for you, because you can find used/older models for cheaper and they will still be close to being good as new.

So look on ebay and craigslist, you're sure to find something with a more appealing price eventually.
posted by AceRock at 4:17 PM on September 6, 2007

Best answer: My mother bought my sister and I (both of us are competitive rowers) a waterrower on ebay. It's nice and it wasn't too expensive, but the water tank is a pain when you have to clean and refill it. That said, it's better looking, less horrible sounding, and more comfortable. Ugh, the new Concept 2 rowers look like a 14 year old girl's Sketchers. I don't see them lasting all that long either. My team broke two last year.

P.S. Make sure you have someone teach you proper technique. I see so many people at the gym using a rowing machine in a way that is possibly injurious. It's not instinctual...
posted by melissam at 4:43 PM on September 6, 2007

C2's are what you want.
They are all you see for a reason.

That being said, the best place to buy used is at those huge, godawful indoor rowing meets (we called them ergattas). They would buy brand new ergs for the day's event, and sell them that night for half price, with only a day's (granted, very intense) wear on them.

Also, melissam's right. Make sure you have proper technique if you like your spine and back at all.

also also, whoo mefite rowers!
posted by The Esteemed Doctor Bunsen Honeydew at 6:08 PM on September 6, 2007

I'll chime in along with the rest for a used C2 - You can definitely find a B-era erg really cheaply, if you're diligent enough. You'd probably have to spend a few bucks on new grips and a new seat, but that's not too bad. If you want anything super-fancy, I think there's a way to retrofit the C/D model CPUs onto a B.

But if you want to be hardcore, get a Model A - there's nothing like having a bike wheel and a speedometer to track your progress...
posted by god hates math at 6:15 PM on September 6, 2007

I have a water rower, and it is very satisfying. Plus, it stores extremely easily, and it has amazing visual appeal. It's not an eye sore in the room we keep it in. It's a fun workout.
posted by nursegracer at 7:21 PM on September 6, 2007

I bought a Concept2 Model B used 14 years ago and it's still in excellent shape. The seat is the only thing that shows wear and I've never had any problems with it otherwise (despite dismantling and reassembling it myself about four times for moves). If the current models are even half the quality of the old ones, I think you'll be using it a long time.
posted by cocoagirl at 7:38 PM on September 6, 2007

Best answer: Everyone's advice is dead-on. I'll add this: you can get Concept IIs at a more reasonable price at a specific time of year: after the Crash-B Sprints (the big ergatta in the U.S.).
posted by ntartifex at 8:00 PM on September 6, 2007

PS. Melissam, I did not know about this... WaterRower. Drat you!
posted by ntartifex at 8:03 PM on September 6, 2007

Response by poster: It seems like the Concept2 is the one to go for, but even second hand they are pretty expensive because they hold their value so well.

Thanks for all your replies, if anyone else has info please chime in! I'm in the UK, so if you have any experience of the average cost of an older second hand C2 then please add it here.
posted by thelost at 11:40 PM on September 6, 2007

Wow, it's crazy that you pay twice as much in the UK as the US for rowers. I guess our (US) economy is really in the tank. However, I'd have willingly paid twice as much for my Ergometer C had I known how much use I was going to get out of it, and how well it would hold up. Bear in mind that if it doesn't work out, the resale market is good. I'd get a B or C if your budget is tight.
posted by BrotherCaine at 1:07 AM on September 7, 2007

A good place to keep an eye out for second hand rowing equipment in the UK is the Rowing Service UK notices page.
posted by edd at 1:38 AM on September 7, 2007

(hmm, on looking that's not terribly in date. But worth keeping your eye on for updates anyway)
posted by edd at 1:39 AM on September 7, 2007

David Biddulph's Page is the best source for up to date info on events, including indoor.

Check the small ads in Rowing & Regatta. Not online anymore, but every ARA member gets it in the post.

I may have a Model B available for free, but you'd have to pay to have it shipped from the US. Email's in the profile.

What I wouldn't give for a Model A...
posted by methylsalicylate at 2:50 AM on September 7, 2007

Are model A's really good? There is one for sale in my town for $125, and I am tempted to go get it tommorrow (and break up my treadmill workouts with some rowing). They claim it is in excellent working order with newly replaced rollers.

Should I go for it? It looks like a crazy contraption.
posted by genefinder at 8:24 AM on September 7, 2007