Concept2 RowErg Review: Still the King of Rowing Machines in 2026?

The Concept2 RowErg (formerly Model D) has been the gold standard of indoor rowing for 40+ years. Every CrossFit gym has one. Every Olympic rower trains on one. But at $990, is it worth the premium for a home gym? After 6 months of daily use, here's our honest assessment.

Why Concept2 Dominates

Unlike most fitness equipment where dozens of brands compete, the rowing machine market has one undisputed king: Concept2. Here's why:

1. Official equipment of World Rowing (the international governing body)
2. Used at the Olympics and every major CrossFit competition
3. Durability legend — 20-year-old machines still work perfectly
4. PM5 monitor is the industry standard for performance tracking

The Specs

First Impressions

Assembly takes 15-20 minutes. The rower separates into two pieces for storage, though the halves are still bulky. Once assembled, it feels sturdy and quiet — no creaking, no wobble, no rattles.

The PM5 monitor powers on instantly and displays:

• Time, distance, split, stroke rate, calories
• Heart rate (with optional chest strap)
• Historical workouts with USB or Bluetooth sync

The Rowing Experience

The air resistance is smooth and scalable. Pull harder = more resistance. The damper setting (1-10) adjusts the feel, not the intensity:

• Damper 3-5: Feels like a racing shell (what most people should use)
• Damper 7-10: Feels like a fishing boat (harder to start, not actually harder overall)

The seat rolls smoothly on two tracks. The chain is belt-covered to eliminate grease issues.

What We Love

What Could Be Better

Workouts You Can Do

The RowErg is one of the most versatile cardio machines:

1. Steady State — 20-60 min at conversational pace (best for beginners and recovery)
2. Intervals — 500m splits, 1000m splits, 2000m tests
3. HIIT — Tabata, EMOM calories, sprint intervals
4. Low Impact Cardio — knee-friendly alternative to running
5. Full-body Conditioning — works 86% of muscle mass per stroke

6-Month Durability Report

• Chain: Still smooth, no maintenance required yet (Concept2 says every 50 hours)
• Seat rollers: Perfectly smooth
• Footplates: Zero wear
• Monitor: Still works flawlessly
• Frame: Looks brand new

This machine will outlast most of the home it's in.

RowErg vs Air Bike

Both are excellent cardio machines, but they serve different purposes:

RowErg: Lower impact, full body, quieter, better for longer sessions Air Bike: Higher intensity, more legs-focused, louder, better for short HIIT

Many serious garage gyms have both. If you can only have one, the RowErg is more versatile.

Who Should Buy It?

Buy it if:

• You want the best, most durable indoor rower
• You have the 8-foot footprint for it
• You plan to do serious cardio training
• You want data tracking via the PM5

Skip it if:

• Your space is too small
• You only want HIIT-style cardio (air bike is better)
• You're on a tight budget (used Concept2 machines hold value well, consider used)

Final Verdict

Rating: 4.8/5 — The Concept2 RowErg is the best indoor rower money can buy. It's expensive, big, and basic-looking, but it's also nearly indestructible and used by Olympic athletes. For anyone serious about rowing, there's no alternative.

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