should I buy a rowing machine?
Replies
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maddiewilliams231 wrote: »I’m looking at a concept 2 model d (seems to be the only long-lasting quality one on the market) and debating if I should buy one. I made a little over $1000 at my part time job last summer and the rower will cost all of that. Here are my pros and cons, tell me what you think:
PROS
1. need to lose weight (fat)
2. need to gain full body strength
3. need better cardiovascular health (breathing + heart)
4. don’t currently do cardio consistently
5. low impact exercise (bad knees)
6. indoors and convenient - no excuses (full workout in <hour)
CONS
1. never rowed before, don’t know if i’ll like it (I kayak a lot though and like that, not sure if it’s similar though)
2. cost = $1,000 (one summer’s wages)
3. time - make excuses about not having enough time
thank you!!
If you like Kayaking why not take that up more regularly? I find gym machines boring as.. but I joined a local rowing club and do that weekly now, so much more fun on the river than looking at a wall!1 -
I don't know that I'd spend 1/4-1/3 of my annual salary on a single piece of equipment that I had never used before and wasn't certain would be a good fit.1
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maddiewilliams231 wrote: »I’m looking at a concept 2 model d (seems to be the only long-lasting quality one on the market) and debating if I should buy one. I made a little over $1000 at my part time job last summer and the rower will cost all of that. Here are my pros and cons, tell me what you think:
PROS
1. need to lose weight (fat)
2. need to gain full body strength
3. need better cardiovascular health (breathing + heart)
4. don’t currently do cardio consistently
5. low impact exercise (bad knees)
6. indoors and convenient - no excuses (full workout in <hour)
CONS
1. never rowed before, don’t know if i’ll like it (I kayak a lot though and like that, not sure if it’s similar though)
2. cost = $1,000 (one summer’s wages)
3. time - make excuses about not having enough time
thank you!!maddiewilliams231 wrote: »I’m looking at a concept 2 model d (seems to be the only long-lasting quality one on the market) and debating if I should buy one. I made a little over $1000 at my part time job last summer and the rower will cost all of that. Here are my pros and cons, tell me what you think:
PROS
1. need to lose weight (fat)
2. need to gain full body strength
3. need better cardiovascular health (breathing + heart)
4. don’t currently do cardio consistently
5. low impact exercise (bad knees)
6. indoors and convenient - no excuses (full workout in <hour)
CONS
1. never rowed before, don’t know if i’ll like it (I kayak a lot though and like that, not sure if it’s similar though)
2. cost = $1,000 (one summer’s wages)
3. time - make excuses about not having enough time
thank you!!maddiewilliams231 wrote: »I’m looking at a concept 2 model d (seems to be the only long-lasting quality one on the market) and debating if I should buy one. I made a little over $1000 at my part time job last summer and the rower will cost all of that. Here are my pros and cons, tell me what you think:
PROS
1. need to lose weight (fat)
2. need to gain full body strength
3. need better cardiovascular health (breathing + heart)
4. don’t currently do cardio consistently
5. low impact exercise (bad knees)
6. indoors and convenient - no excuses (full workout in <hour)
CONS
1. never rowed before, don’t know if i’ll like it (I kayak a lot though and like that, not sure if it’s similar though)
2. cost = $1,000 (one summer’s wages)
3. time - make excuses about not having enough time
thank you!!maddiewilliams231 wrote: »I’m looking at a concept 2 model d (seems to be the only long-lasting quality one on the market) and debating if I should buy one. I made a little over $1000 at my part time job last summer and the rower will cost all of that. Here are my pros and cons, tell me what you think:
PROS
1. need to lose weight (fat)
2. need to gain full body strength
3. need better cardiovascular health (breathing + heart)
4. don’t currently do cardio consistently
5. low impact exercise (bad knees)
6. indoors and convenient - no excuses (full workout in <hour)
CONS
1. never rowed before, don’t know if i’ll like it (I kayak a lot though and like that, not sure if it’s similar though)
2. cost = $1,000 (one summer’s wages)
3. time - make excuses about not having enough time
thank you!!
I had a rowing machine and the only exercise I ever received was moving it.
Gym membership a much better deal but the best deal of all is free...go for a walk
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I agree with the others that a gym membership will be a cheaper alternative that will allow you to try different equipment to see what you like best. If you decide you want to go through with purchasing a rower, I highly suggest you look for used equipment. Check craigslist, Facebook marketplace, etc. I was able to purchase a used WaterRower for $600 compared to $1k new. The WaterRower also stores upright so it doesn't take up much space.0
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maddiewilliams231 wrote: »I’m looking at a concept 2 model d (seems to be the only long-lasting quality one on the market) and debating if I should buy one. I made a little over $1000 at my part time job last summer and the rower will cost all of that. Here are my pros and cons, tell me what you think:
PROS
1. need to lose weight (fat)
2. need to gain full body strength
3. need better cardiovascular health (breathing + heart)
4. don’t currently do cardio consistently
5. low impact exercise (bad knees)
6. indoors and convenient - no excuses (full workout in <hour)
CONS
1. never rowed before, don’t know if i’ll like it (I kayak a lot though and like that, not sure if it’s similar though)
2. cost = $1,000 (one summer’s wages)
3. time - make excuses about not having enough time
thank you!!
Why don't you buy a fitbit?
You could then work on bringing your general movement up - walking is really good for you. Add in some running or short blasts of sprints?1 -
KeepRunningFatboy wrote: »Sometimes the gym is a good investment. Numerous machines and weights and opportunities to vary exercise. Treadmills, elliptical, bikes, rowing machines, weights. All for one monthly price that can be renewed or cancelled. Also the gym maintains the equipment if defective or broke.
Unfortunately, this can't be said to be true especially for Concept2 rowers. I went to an LA Fitness and myself and all the other rowers had to pretty much band together to inform them that their C2 was dreadfully broken. Most fitness instructors don't row (or barely do cardio for that matter). When I frequent other LA Fitnesses around town, all too often the rowers are broken, which is a huge shame. I usually have to point out to the staff which rowers are in good form and which need desperate attention.
When you try a machine out, there should be no unusual clicking, sounds, skipping feel to the chain. It should be smooth throughout. Also, you should be able to get a decent "Drag Factor" on a machine unless it's really, really dirty.
C2s, with very little maintenance (like lubing the chain every four months and changing the batteries occasionally along with cleaning the fan off inside the fan guard) are so easy to maintain but the gyms fail in this regard so bad I had to buy a rower after it became my exercise of choice.0 -
MikePfirrman wrote: »C2s, with very little maintenance (like lubing the chain every four months and changing the batteries occasionally along with cleaning the fan off inside the fan guard) are so easy to maintain but the gyms fail in this regard so bad I had to buy a rower after it became my exercise of choice.
Agreed.
My experience w/equipment generally and C2's in particular in gyms is that they are very poorly maintained and only get mechanical attention when broken.
The 2 at my gym both have dead batteries in their PMs (so that you cannot use a USB stick to record your workout) in the newer one w/the PM5) and the older one of them is so worn that you cannot set the drag factor at an acceptable level even when you set the fan lever at 10 max, where it is always improperly set by users who incorrectly think that that setting should be used to increase rowing resistance/difficulty which is probably why the rower is worn out in the 1st place.
Fortunately, I have my own C2 and have no need to use them but, based on my assessment, its obvious that one of them needs to be reconditoned or replaced and the other is in need of basic maintenance that it apparently never receives.1 -
cwolfman13 wrote: »I wouldn't buy a Concept II unless I knew for certain that I would not only use it, but that it would be my primary exercise modality.
I bought a Stamina air rower a few months back and I'm pretty happy with it at a $300 price tag. It get good reviews for the price. I use it once per week to supplement my cycling, so I didn't want to get anything crazy expensive.
https://bestreviews.com/best-rowing-machines
As other's suggested, you might just want to join a gym that has one and try it out there...a gym will also make available to you all kinds of other equipment and a weight room. Conversely, there are a lot of things you can do from home that are free. There's absolutely no need to spend a lot of money on your fitness, especially when you don't really have it.
We got the stamina too, but it isn't built to last. It's pretty much fallen apart piece by piece over the last year. First the battery compartment fell apart, then the foot bar pieces fell off and dissapeared, and now the seat won't stay tight. I'm a strong proponent of get the best you can afford, so it will last longer, and I always regret it when I let my hubby talk me into a cheaper version. However, this is a big monetary commitment, so defintely try to get some day passes or week passes at a gym and see if you even like the darned thing, before plunking down $1000 plus bucks on it.
How often do you use it? I've had mine for about 3.5 months and no problems so far, but I only use it once per week and not all of that time is spent rowing. I do these 20-30 minute rowing videos where I row some easy, sprint, then get off and do some various calisthenics, back on the rower, rinse and repeat.
My thoughts were that if it lasted 2-3 years I'd be ok with that and then upgrade if I was still actually using it. Most indoor cardio equipment I've ever bought ends up just sitting there eventually.0 -
Get a gym membership, become good at rowing on the Erg. Then decide.
Form is VERY important with the rower. I learned it the hard way in college (lower back injury that took a while to recover)
Do not spend $1k on a technical piece of equipment that you don't know how to use0 -
cwolfman13 wrote: »I wouldn't buy a Concept II unless I knew for certain that I would not only use it, but that it would be my primary exercise modality.
I bought a Stamina air rower a few months back and I'm pretty happy with it at a $300 price tag. It get good reviews for the price. I use it once per week to supplement my cycling, so I didn't want to get anything crazy expensive.
https://bestreviews.com/best-rowing-machines
As other's suggested, you might just want to join a gym that has one and try it out there...a gym will also make available to you all kinds of other equipment and a weight room. Conversely, there are a lot of things you can do from home that are free. There's absolutely no need to spend a lot of money on your fitness, especially when you don't really have it.
Thanks for posting this. I've been researching water rowing machines and I found a Stamina for a decent price and I only see recommendations for the Concept. Yes, it is the "gold standard" but I'd rather a mid range item to initially use.0 -
I've been researching water rowing machines and I found a Stamina for a decent price and I only see recommendations for the Concept. Yes, it is the "gold standard" but I'd rather a mid range item to initially use.
FWIW, Water Rowers cost more than a Concept2 and are not maintenance or problem free. The cost, possible leakage, the need for a pump to pump the water out when needed and the need for regular water treatment to avoid algae buildup were the things that put me off about them.
Concept2s have been around over 30 yrs in the current configuration and their track record has demonstrated that they are virtually bullet proof, which accounts for the wide spread owner/user recommendations.
However, if you're still considering a Water Rower, the best place to try one out is at an Orange Theory location near you. You can get a free pass to do so. Be sure to talk to the person who has to maintains them, when/if you do.0 -
Waterrowers do offer one thing the C2 doesn't - rental. You can rent one for your home for a few months and if you like, the money you put down toward rental applies to ownership. I wish C2 did that but they don't honestly have to as they own most of the market.0
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MikePfirrman wrote: »Waterrowers do offer one thing the C2 doesn't - rental. You can rent one for your home for a few months and if you like, the money you put down toward rental applies to ownership. I wish C2 did that but they don't honestly have to as they own most of the market.
And they store upright!! That right there to me is the biggest advantage. I have not had any maintenance issues or leaking. One tablet every six months and wipe the dust off and you are good.0 -
mom23mangos wrote: »MikePfirrman wrote: »Waterrowers do offer one thing the C2 doesn't - rental. You can rent one for your home for a few months and if you like, the money you put down toward rental applies to ownership. I wish C2 did that but they don't honestly have to as they own most of the market.
And they store upright!! That right there to me is the biggest advantage. I have not had any maintenance issues or leaking. One tablet every six months and wipe the dust off and you are good.
You can also store a C2 upright. There's a wall hanger that you can buy for that purpose but you can just lean it against the wall w/o one. Granted, it will stick out father away from the wall than the WR because of the different fan vs water container placement but it'll work it you have the room to do it.
The only thing that appealed to me about the Water Rower was that it looked "pretty" and came in different finishes that could match my teak Danish furniture but that was not enough to convince me to buy one.
As for renting one, didn't know you could do that but I still think that using one at OT would be more convenient. You can get at least 1 use for free and, depending on the cost of the rental, you might get more for your $ by buying a multivisit pkg to OT.
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I've been researching water rowing machines and I found a Stamina for a decent price and I only see recommendations for the Concept. Yes, it is the "gold standard" but I'd rather a mid range item to initially use.
FWIW, Water Rowers cost more than a Concept2 and are not maintenance or problem free. The cost, possible leakage, the need for a pump to pump the water out when needed and the need for regular water treatment to avoid algae buildup were the things that put me off about them.
I'm not convinced that the person you replied to meant WaterRower, however... To put those criticisms in context.
Regular maintenance involves dusting it.
Every six months I drop a water treatment fluid into the tank. In ten years I've never needed to change the water.
In ten years mine has had one defect. That was a rupture in the tank seal while I was rowing, so a bit inconvenient. It's about a 3 hour job to rectify.
With respect to cost, different geographies do make a difference but in UK the WaterRower was about £200 cheaper than the Concept when I bought mine. Again, ten years ago may be a factor.
It is a domestic use machine, and in that it differs from the Concept. Their gym quality frames are chunkier, but the underlying design is the same.
And an N=1 example, I know. I spent 9 months in Afghanistan. The day after I got back I laid out the rower, sat down and knocked out 10K. Nothing needed done to it, despite being unused in that time.0 -
I've been researching water rowing machines and I found a Stamina for a decent price and I only see recommendations for the Concept. Yes, it is the "gold standard" but I'd rather a mid range item to initially use.
FWIW, Water Rowers cost more than a Concept2 and are not maintenance or problem free. The cost, possible leakage, the need for a pump to pump the water out when needed and the need for regular water treatment to avoid algae buildup were the things that put me off about them.
Concept2s have been around over 30 yrs in the current configuration and their track record has demonstrated that they are virtually bullet proof, which accounts for the wide spread owner/user recommendations.
However, if you're still considering a Water Rower, the best place to try one out is at an Orange Theory location near you. You can get a free pass to do so. Be sure to talk to the person who has to maintains them, when/if you do.
Sorry to over "quote" still getting used to posting on here. I have been using my water rower for a few weeks now and I have to say I love it. I do my normal treadmill walk and then a session on the rower. What I am loving is the different muscle groups I must be using because I can feel I have used different muscles during and after my work out. I think this was the right choice for me, I like the quieter work out as well.0
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