Thread: Does anyone own/use a rowing machine? Waterrower?

I'm contemplating purchasing a rowing machine for home use. Commuting to a gym distance wise wouldn't make sense.

I'd like to get feedback from anyone who has experience on a Waterrower machine or experience with both a waterrower and a Concept 2.


Thanks.

ChrisL

I don't own a Concept, but I've been using them for about 4-5 years now. I've had them with me in Afghanistan and Africa (some extreme conditions at both place and the machines were in tents with exposed ends. i.e. the machines were exposed to climate) and they have all functioned great.

I can't even remember one breaking at either location. The ones in the base gyms I use get heavy traffic and I never see any under repair.

Thinking about getting one myself to keep at home.

Jer

Originally Posted by ChrisL

I'm contemplating purchasing a rowing machine for home use. Commuting to a gym distance wise wouldn't make sense.

I'd like to get feedback from anyone who has experience on a Waterrower machine or experience with both a waterrower and a Concept 2.


Thanks.

ChrisL

http://straightrazorpalace.com/finer...or-rowers.html

Originally Posted by MedicineMan

I don't own a Concept, but I've been using them for about 4-5 years now. I've had them with me in Afghanistan and Africa (some extreme conditions at both place and the machines were in tents with exposed ends. i.e. the machines were exposed to climate) and they have all functioned great.

I can't even remember one breaking at either location. The ones in the base gyms I use get heavy traffic and I never see any under repair.

Thinking about getting one myself to keep at home.

Jer

Is it loud? Compared to say, a box or oscillating floor fan, would you say it's like a fan on low, medium or high?

I would most likely be using it early in the morning and would want to minimize waking others in the house. The waterrower sounds like lapping waves. Just wondering how loud the air noise is with the C2?

It's not too bad I'd say fan on medium, but you got to take that with a grain of salt...I were ear phones no matter the workout.
Unless your keeping it in the bedroom with someone in the bed sleeping beside you I'd image you'd be ok.

I'll hit it tomorrow morning in the gym (without headphones) and get back with you.

So just got off a Concept. I'd day it's as loud as the tall tower fans on high. Louder than I thought, but not machine shop fan loud. If you're in a separate room you should be fine. If there are folks in the room with you watching TV or talking they might need to increase their volume a bit, but not much.

Hope this helps.

FYI...not sure if one is a newer model or not but the two in my gym are both Concept 2's. Length is the same, but one is about 6 inches taller, and has a little different frame set up for the wheel. Width and length seems unchanged between the two.

Originally Posted by MedicineMan

So just got off a Concept. I'd day it's as loud as the tall tower fans on high. Louder than I thought, but not machine shop fan loud. If you're in a separate room you should be fine. If there are folks in the room with you watching TV or talking they might need to increase their volume a bit, but not much.

Hope this helps.

FYI...not sure if one is a newer model or not but the two in my gym are both Concept 2's. Length is the same, but one is about 6 inches taller, and has a little different frame set up for the wheel. Width and length seems unchanged between the two.

Thanks for doing that, Jer. I appreciate it. The rower would have to be in a room that shares a wall with a bedroom. I am torn given since the Concept 2 is so widely utilized and seems to have a lot of support, community and interactivity all of which helps with motivation and I believe a lower cost than the waterrower, those are certainly attractive features.

There's a fitness center that's quite a drive from my place but offers a free trial day. They have a concept 2 so I think I'll try to get over there to at least try that one in person.

I've had a nordic track ski machine for years, but I've grown tired of it. Early on I modified the skis by mounting actual XC ski bindings which allows me to use my actual ski boots rather than tennis shoes. I'm ready for a change......

ChrisL

Chris, something to consider, you can use a nordic track to hang clothes on ....... a rowing machine, or a set of bicycle rollers not so much ........ Too low to the ground .........

I have used Concept2s for years. In fact, I came up with the original idea for the bungee cord traveling pulley mechanism for the original rower when they had a hydraulic rower and a bicycle wheel nailed down to the floor of Newell boathouse and couldn't figure out a proper way to maintain tension on the chain. The newer models are much more quiet than the older ones but you still have to crank a TV pretty loud to be able to hear a TV over it. Wireless headphones would be helpful. I have a Model B and D and functionally they are about the same, though the newer monitors give more feedback.

Sorry I have never used a waterrower, but the Concept2 rowers are excellent and will outlast you. If you watch craigslist, you may be able to find a used one.

Originally Posted by Utopian

If you watch craigslist, you may be able to find a used one.

Very true. I know one individual who had to sell his Concept 2 on two separate occasions. In each case because he was moving to locations too far to make keeping the machines practical.