Premium PickRank #1 in Rowing Machines
Concept2 RowErg
by Concept2Buy next
Score
The default answer for 40+ years. PM5 monitor, air resistance, 20-year service life. The only rower you see in every CrossFit box, college crew, and Olympic training center.
Best price at
Amazon
$990
- Anyone training for indoor rowing benchmarks or CrossFit-style metcon work
- Buyers who want a single piece of cardio equipment they will own for 20 years
- Households tracking watts and split times with global standardized data
- Hybrid athletes who want full-body cardio that doubles as conditioning
- You need a near-silent machine for an apartment with thin walls
- You want trainer-led on-screen classes with video instruction
- You have no storage space and cannot break it apart for vertical storage
- You prefer the smoother feel of water or magnetic resistance
About 96 inches long by 24 inches wide in use, with the user seat traveling the full rail length. Stores broken into two pieces, each roughly 54 inches long by 24 inches wide, and stands vertically at about 84 inches tall. 8-foot ceiling minimum for vertical storage.
easy — Eight bolts, no wiring, no software setup. Most owners report 20 to 30 minutes start to finish. Comes with the only tool needed.
A rower is one of the highest-value cardio pieces for a small home gym since it doubles as conditioning and full-body warmup, and the Concept2 holds value so well that resale risk is near zero.
Strengths
- ↑PM5 monitor is the gold standard
- ↑Air resistance feels natural
- ↑20+ year service life
- ↑Globally standardized watts metric
Weaknesses
- ↓Loud (air rowers always are)
- ↓Not on Amazon (direct from Concept2)
- ↓No built-in classes
What owners actually complain about
Synthesized from owner reviews and community threads. Paraphrased, not quoted.
- Air resistance produces a whoosh-and-fan sound that is audible through walls and floors at hard splits
- Not sold on Amazon, so Prime shipping and easy returns are not available; ships factory-direct with a multi-week wait
- Monorail can creak if not periodically wiped down with the included cloth; dust on the rail is the most common service issue
- Seat is firm and many owners add a gel pad for sessions longer than 30 minutes
- Damper setting confuses new owners who think higher is better; it is a feel preference, not a difficulty knob
Buyer sentiment
Based on 6,084 user mentionsBuyers praise quality, assembly, workout and value for money.
Verdict: The 40-year category default — globally standardized data, 20+ year durability, near-zero depreciation — for anyone serious about rowing.
Specs that matter
| Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Resistance | Air flywheel, damper 1–10 |
| Monitor | PM5 (standardized watts) |
| User cap | 500 lb |
| Fits | 5'0" to 6'9" |
| Storage | Splits to ~24 x 24 in |
What you get
- Standardized watts — splits comparable to every rower worldwide
- 20+ year durability — owners report no major repairs
- Liquid resale — sells in days at minimal depreciation
What you give up
- Noise — air whoosh carries through walls and floors
- No trainer-led classes — apps (ErgData, EXR, Zwift) only
Buy it if you value data, durability, and lifetime cost per workout. Skip it if you want quiet resistance (WaterRower) or studio classes (Hydrow).
The air flywheel scales resistance with stroke power — mechanically mirroring how a boat behaves on water, which is why competitive rowers prefer it.
Full specs
- Resistance Type
- Air
- Monitor
- PM5
- Max User Weight
- 500 lb
- Damper
- 1-10 setting
Common questions
Why is the Concept2 not on Amazon?
Concept2 sells direct from their factory in Vermont. This keeps the price stable at around $990 with no discounting and no fluctuation. The downside is you wait 1 to 4 weeks for shipping depending on season. The upside is the price you see is the price everyone pays.
What damper setting should I use?
Most experienced rowers settle between 3 and 5. Higher settings feel heavier per stroke but do not produce more watts or better fitness. Olympic rowers typically train at 3 to 4. The damper is a feel preference, not a difficulty dial.
How loud is it for an apartment?
Owners report it is loud enough that thin-walled apartments are not ideal. The fan noise is similar to a box fan at medium speed. Rubber mat underneath helps but does not address the air noise. Magnetic-resistance rowers like the Hydrow are quieter for shared-wall situations.
Is the PM5 monitor worth it over PM4?
Yes if you want Bluetooth and ANT+ broadcasting to apps like ErgData, EXR, or Zwift Rowing. The PM5 is the current standard and is included on new units. PM4 still works fine but lacks wireless connectivity.
How long does it last?
Twenty-plus years is realistic with basic maintenance. Concept2 publishes parts diagrams and sells every part down to the bolts. The flywheel and chain are the only wear items and both are user-serviceable.
Sources & references
- ResearchACSM rowing as a cardiovascular exercise modality— ACSM
- CommunityConcept2 RowErg long-term owner experiences— r/Rowing
- Independent reviewConcept2 RowErg comprehensive review— Garage Gym Reviews
- Independent reviewBest rowing machines coverage— Wirecutter
- ResearchNIH on rowing biomechanics and cardiovascular benefit— NIH
Full buying guide