Walk into any high-end CrossFit box, a literal Olympic training center, or your neighbor's dusty garage, and you’re almost guaranteed to see the same thing. A long, black aluminum rail. A flywheel that sounds like a jet engine taking off. That iconic Performance Monitor perched on an arm like a robotic cyclops. I’m talking about the Concept 2 rowing machine, a piece of equipment so ubiquitous that people in the rowing world don’t even call it a "rowing machine" anymore. It’s just "the erg."
It’s loud. It’s not particularly pretty. Honestly, the seat feels like a brick if you haven’t built up the "rower’s callus" on your glutes. Yet, while trendy fitness startups with giant touchscreen displays and monthly subscriptions go bankrupt or pivot every six months, Concept2 just... stays. They’ve been making the Model D (now technically just called the RowErg) for decades with minimal changes.
Why?
Because it’s the gold standard for data. If you go 2:00/500m on a Concept 2 in London, it’s exactly the same effort as 2:00/500m in Tokyo. You can't say that about a water rower or those cheap magnetic ones from Amazon. The air resistance system is physics-pure.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Concept 2 Rowing Machine
Most beginners sit down, look at the damper setting on the side of the flywheel—the lever that goes from 1 to 10—and think it’s a resistance knob. They crank it to 10. They think, "The higher the number, the better the workout."
Wrong.
The damper is actually about airflow. It’s more like the gearing on a bicycle. Setting it to 10 is like trying to pedal a mountain bike up a steep hill in the highest gear. Sure, it’s heavy, but you’re probably going to kill your lower back before you get your heart rate up. Most Olympic-level rowers actually keep theirs between a 3 and a 5. What you really care about is the "Drag Factor," a secret number hidden in the PM5 menu that accounts for dust, humidity, and the age of the machine to ensure every stroke is measured accurately.
This precision is why the Concept 2 rowing machine is the only equipment used for world records. When Josh Dunkley-Smith broke the 2,000-meter world record (a blistering 5:35.8), he didn’t do it on a machine with a fancy "scenic row" through the Italian Alps. He did it staring at the same blocky, monochrome data screen we all use.
The PM5 Monitor is the Secret Sauce
It looks like something from 1995. It’s a liquid crystal display with no colors and no touch interface. But the PM5 is arguably the most sophisticated piece of fitness tech ever built. It self-powers while you row. It calculates your power output in watts, calories, or pace per 500 meters with clinical accuracy.
Basically, the machine knows exactly how much air is entering the flywheel housing. It measures how fast the fan slows down between strokes to determine the "drag." This means it doesn't matter if you're rowing in a humid basement or a dry high-altitude gym—the data stays "true."
Reliability That Borders on Ridiculous
I’ve seen machines with 10 million meters on them. Ten million! To put that in perspective, that’s like rowing from New York to London and halfway back. They still work. You might have to oil the chain once every few months or swap out the D-cell batteries in the monitor, but these things are tanks.
The frame is a mix of steel and aluminum. The fan is a simple plastic construction. There are no complicated motors to burn out. If something does break, Concept2 sells every single individual screw and nut on their website for a few dollars. They don't want you to buy a new machine; they want you to keep the one you have forever. It’s a business model that feels refreshing in an era of "planned obsolescence."
Living with the "Air" Factor
Let's be real about the noise. If you’re planning on watching a quiet period drama on Netflix while you row, forget it. The Concept 2 rowing machine uses air resistance, which means it’s essentially a giant fan. The harder you pull, the louder the "whoosh."
You’ll need noise-canceling headphones. Or you'll need to turn the TV volume up to 80. Your family might hate you if you’re rowing in the living room at 6:00 AM. But that wind is also what makes the stroke feel "organic." Unlike magnetic rowers that feel "mushy" or have a "dead spot" at the finish of the stroke, the Concept 2 catches immediately.
The Competitive Ecosystem
If you own this machine, you aren't just working out alone. You’re part of the Concept2 Logbook. You can sync your workouts via the ErgData app and see where you rank globally. Every year, they host the World Rowing Indoor Championships. Thousands of people compete from their own homes.
There are also the "Holiday Challenges." If you row 100,000 meters between Thanksgiving and Christmas, they’ll send you a pin and donate money to charity. It’s a weirdly addictive community for people who enjoy a specific kind of suffering.
Does it actually get you in shape?
Rowing is a "low impact, high intensity" sport. Because you’re sitting down, there’s no pounding on your knees like there is with running. However, it uses about 86% of your muscles. Your legs do most of the work—about 60%. Your core does 20%. Your arms and back do the remaining 20%.
If you do it right, it’s the most efficient workout on the planet. If you do it wrong, you’ll just have a sore lower back. The "catch, drive, finish, recovery" sequence is a rhythm you have to learn. It’s more like a dance or a golf swing than a mindless treadmill jog.
Comparing the Options: RowErg vs. Dynamic vs. Slides
Most people should just buy the standard RowErg (the Model D). It’s the one you see everywhere.
But Concept2 also makes the "Dynamic" rower. On a standard machine, your body moves back and forth on the seat. On the Dynamic, the seat stays relatively still and the foot-stretchers move. This is designed to more closely mimic the feel of a racing shell on the water. It’s more expensive and takes up less floor space, but it’s harder to learn.
Then there are "Slides." You can put a standard RowErg on these tracks, and the whole machine slides back and forth. It’s great for your joints and helps with high stroke rates, but it turns your rowing machine into a 12-foot long behemoth. Stick with the standard.
Real Talk on Pricing and Resale
Concept2 is one of the few pieces of fitness equipment that actually holds its value. A new one will set you back around $990 plus shipping. If you try to find a used one on Facebook Marketplace, people are often selling them for $800 or $850 even after three years of use.
It’s almost annoying. You keep waiting for a "deal" that never comes. But that’s actually a good sign. It means if you buy one and decide after six months that rowing is your personal version of hell, you can sell it in 24 hours and get almost all your money back.
The Nuance of Technique: Why You’re Probably Working Too Hard
I see people in the gym rowing at 35 strokes per minute (spm) and looking like they're having a heart attack. Meanwhile, a pro might be doing the same pace at 20 spm.
The secret is the "recovery." On the Concept 2 rowing machine, the machine doesn't "reset" itself. You have to move forward under your own control. A common mistake is rushing back to the flywheel. Think of it like this: Power on the way back, patience on the way forward. One second of "bang," two seconds of "rest." If you don't find that rhythm, you'll "fly and die"—meaning you'll burn out in four minutes and leave the machine hating your life.
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Maintenance 101
Keep it simple.
- Wipe the rail with a damp cloth after every use. If the rail is dirty, the seat rollers will get "bumpy," and it feels like rowing over gravel.
- Oil the chain every 50 hours with 20W oil or 3-in-1 oil. Just put some on a rag, pull the chain out, and wipe it down.
- Check the "flex" in the shock cord every year or so. If the handle doesn't snap back to the machine, the cord might need tightening.
Practical Steps to Get Started
Don't just jump on and pull for 30 minutes. You’ll get bored and your form will break down.
First, watch the "Technique" videos on the Concept2 website or YouTube (Dark Horse Rowing is a fantastic resource). Focus on the sequence: Legs, then back, then arms. On the way back in: Arms, then back, then legs.
Second, set the monitor to "Change Units" until you see /500m. This is the universal language of rowing. A 2:00 pace is the benchmark for a fit amateur.
Third, try the "Pick Drill." Start by just using your arms. Then add the back lean. Then add a "half slide" with the legs. Finally, use the full range of motion. It’s like a warm-up for your brain to remember the sequence.
Next Steps for New Owners:
- Find your Drag Factor: Go to More Options > Display Drag Factor on your PM5. Pull a few strokes. Aim for a number between 110 and 130. Adjust your damper lever until you hit that range. Ignore the 1-10 markings.
- Download ErgData: It’s a free app that connects your phone to the monitor via Bluetooth. It keeps a permanent record of your workouts and lets you join the "Workout of the Day" (WOD).
- Set a 2,000m Baseline: Once you feel comfortable with your form, do a 2k test. It’s the "mile run" of rowing. It will be painful. You will want to quit at the 1,200m mark. But it gives you a starting point to measure your progress over the next year.
The Concept 2 rowing machine isn't a miracle cure, and it's certainly not the most "fun" machine in the gym. It’s a tool. It’s honest, it’s brutal, and it’s built to outlast you. Whether you’re training for the Olympics or just trying to lose the "dad bod" in your basement, the erg is the most reliable partner you’ll find.