Concept2 RowErg vs Assault AirBike: Which Cardio Machine Should You Buy?

The Concept2 RowErg vs Assault AirBike is the ultimate home gym cardio decision. Both are top-rated. Both are durable. Both cost around $800-1,100. But they deliver fundamentally different training experiences. Here's which one is right for you.

The Quick Answer

Buy the Concept2 RowErg if: You want low-impact, full-body cardio for longer sessions. Better for steady-state work and joint health.

Buy the Assault AirBike if: You want maximum intensity HIIT training in shorter sessions. Better for CrossFit-style workouts and conditioning.

Head-to-Head Specs

The Fundamental Difference

These two machines serve different training goals:

Rowing (Concept2):

• 86% of body muscles engaged per stroke
• Pulling motion (legs, back, arms)
• Low impact on joints
• Rhythm-based training
• Efficient calorie burn at moderate intensity

Air Biking (Assault):

• Upper + lower body (arms + legs working together)
• Pushing + pulling motion simultaneously
• Zero impact on joints
• Intensity-based training
• Maximum calorie burn at high intensity

Neither is "better" -- they're optimized for different things.

Session Length

Concept2 RowErg:

• Best for sessions 15-60 minutes
• Comfortable for longer rides
• Seat becomes uncomfortable after 60+ min
• Great for Zone 2 steady-state cardio

Assault AirBike:

• Best for sessions 5-20 minutes
• Brutal for longer sessions (you'll want to stop)
• Perfect for Tabata (4 min) and EMOM (10-15 min)
• Not recommended for Zone 2 unless pedaling very slowly

Winner (long sessions): Concept2 Winner (short sessions): Assault Bike

Noise Level

Concept2 RowErg: Near-silent. Just a whooshing sound from the fan. You can watch TV, have a conversation, or train while kids sleep.

Assault AirBike: Significantly louder. The chain-driven fan produces a whirring sound that builds with intensity. Not ideal for shared living spaces or early-morning training near bedrooms.

Winner: Concept2 (by a lot)

Maintenance

Concept2 RowErg:

• Chain lubrication every 50 hours of use
• Monitor battery replacement every 1-2 years
• Wipe down sweat after each session
• Otherwise maintenance-free

Assault AirBike:

• Chain lubrication every 2-3 months
• Chain tension check every 6 months
• Console battery replacement every 1-2 years
• Clean fan occasionally

Both are relatively low-maintenance compared to other cardio equipment.

Winner: Concept2 (slightly less maintenance)

Space Requirements

Concept2 RowErg:

• 96 inches long when in use
• 24 inches wide
• Separates for storage into two pieces
• Needs 10+ feet of room for comfortable rowing

Assault AirBike:

• 51 inches long
• 23 inches wide
• Does not separate
• Needs 6+ feet of room

Winner: Assault (more compact footprint)

Training Variety

Concept2 RowErg Workouts:

• Steady-state rowing (20-60 min)
• Interval training (500m splits)
• Time trials (2000m test is the classic benchmark)
• Tabata intervals
• Low-impact recovery sessions

Assault AirBike Workouts:

• Tabata intervals (20 sec on / 10 sec off)
• Calorie sprints (hit a target fast)
• EMOM calories (every minute on the minute)
• Recovery spinning (easy pace)
• HIIT protocols

Both support a wide variety of workouts, but they shine at different intensities.

Winner: Tie (different strengths)

Joint Impact

Concept2 RowErg: Extremely low impact. Great for lifters with knee, hip, or back issues. The smooth gliding motion is easy on all joints.

Assault AirBike: Zero impact. Also excellent for joint health. Like the rower, it's a joint-friendly alternative to running.

Winner: Tie (both are low-impact)

Price & Value

Concept2 RowErg: $990-$1,099 (availability varies, often backordered) Assault AirBike Classic: $749

The Assault is about $250 cheaper. For budget-conscious buyers, that's significant.

Winner: Assault (cheaper)

Resale Value

Concept2: Holds 80-90% of retail value on the used market. Almost legendary resale. Assault Bike: Holds 60-70% of retail value.

If you ever sell, the Concept2 will recover more of your investment.

Winner: Concept2

The Decision Matrix

| Factor | Concept2 | Assault Bike | |--------|:----------:|:----------:| | Full-body engagement | ✅ | ✅ | | Quieter operation | ✅ | | | Cheaper price | | ✅ | | Smaller footprint | | ✅ | | Better for long sessions | ✅ | | | Better for short HIIT | | ✅ | | Less maintenance | ✅ | | | Better resale value | ✅ | | | Lower impact | ✅ | ✅ | | Olympic-grade proven | ✅ | |

Who Should Buy Which?

Buy the Concept2 RowErg if:

• You want to do longer cardio sessions (30+ min)
• Noise is a concern in your home
• You have the 10+ feet of space for rowing
• You value resale value and longevity
• You want a true full-body, low-impact machine
• You're training for endurance or general fitness

Buy the Assault AirBike if:

• You want maximum intensity in short sessions
• You do CrossFit or HIIT-style training
• Space is limited (smaller footprint)
• Budget is tight ($250 cheaper)
• Noise in your training space isn't an issue
• You want that "I'm going to die" conditioning experience

Our Pick

For most home gym owners, the Concept2 RowErg is the more versatile long-term choice. It's quieter, more flexible across different workout types, and holds resale value incredibly well. The full-body nature of rowing makes it the more complete cardio machine.

For CrossFit athletes and HIIT enthusiasts, the Assault AirBike is the better specialized tool. Nothing matches an air bike for all-out intensity work, and many gyms have both.

The secret answer: Many serious home gyms have both. They serve different purposes and complement each other perfectly. If you have the budget and space, getting one of each is the ultimate cardio setup.