Which rowing machine brand is better?
askyourfitnessquestion
Posts: 15 Member
Hi! I'm beginning copywriter in the fitness blog. Currently working on the comparative review of rowing machine brands. Could you please advise me which one is better - Sunny Health & Fitness vs Stamina vs Concept2? Thanks in advance!
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Replies
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Concept 2.4
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The moment I see the word "brand" I can see big Dollar / Euro / Pound signs. As soon as I will fit into it, I will rent myself a little boat and enjoy rowing in nature - that makes sense to me.1
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Concept 2 hands down
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Concept2 is the gold standard. It's the one used by university and Olympic rowing clubs for off-season training.
They're incredibly well built, require minimal maintenance and C2 also hosts a great on-line community. There's a reason you rarely see used ones for sale, people use them and keep them for years.4 -
Concept 2....2
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Concept 2. The other two rely on magnetic resistance instead of air or water, which are usually the favored mechanism for any rowing erg worth it's weight. Concept2 has been at the top of the list for decades.3
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There is no debate in my mind, Concept 2.
If you want something more official than this online thread, Consumer Report reviewed rowers and ranked the Concept 2 the best. The Concept 2 got an 85. The next best ones were H2O Fitness and WaterRower both at 72. They didn't review the Sunny Health & Fitness but the Stamina got a 59.2 -
askyourfitnessquestion wrote: »Hi! I'm beginning copywriter in the fitness blog. Currently working on the comparative review of rowing machine brands. Could you please advise me which one is better - Sunny Health & Fitness vs Stamina vs Concept2? Thanks in advance!
Wait, if you're doing a review, isn't your goal/job to test and research the three brands and decide which one is best based on your findings? Doing a straw poll seems counter to that (I can think of a number of reasons related to research why your post doesn't really work well with regards to finding out consumer opinions). You might want to look at how Ray Maker of DC Rainmaker does his reviews. He talks about the (extensive) process in some of his ANT+ keynotes.2 -
askyourfitnessquestion wrote: »Hi! I'm beginning copywriter in the fitness blog. Currently working on the comparative review of rowing machine brands. Could you please advise me which one is better - Sunny Health & Fitness vs Stamina vs Concept2? Thanks in advance!
Wait, if you're doing a review, isn't your goal/job to test and research the three brands and decide which one is best based on your findings? Doing a straw poll seems counter to that (I can think of a number of reasons related to research why your post doesn't really work well with regards to finding out consumer opinions). You might want to look at how Ray Maker of DC Rainmaker does his reviews. He talks about the (extensive) process in some of his ANT+ keynotes.
I had the same thought but didn't really want to start a debate about journalistic integrity.3 -
Im hoping this is supporting evidence for something like "while the general public overwhelmingly endorses the c2, our destructive showed the XYZ lasted twice as long before a bearing failure" or etc0
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I have only used the concept 2. My crossfit gym uses them and they take a beating and still work!2
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neugebauer52 wrote: »The moment I see the word "brand" I can see big Dollar / Euro / Pound signs. As soon as I will fit into it, I will rent myself a little boat and enjoy rowing in nature - that makes sense to me.
I doubt that any sane organization (with a liability insurance policy) will rent you a sliding-seat single rowing shell, even a recreational "tubby" model, and that's the style of rowing the machines are emulating. (If some business will - yikes. Go in warm weather and wear your swimsuit.) You can rent fixed-seat rowing boats in some places.
OP, the on-water rowers pretty much universally use Concept 2s for off-water workouts. If you go to an on-water race, you'll see some of the teams using C2s for warm-ups (I've never seen any other brand at a race, and I've been at lots of races.) The big indoor in-person rowing machine races all use Concept 2s. The major virtual rowing machine races require participants to use Concept 2s. Crossfit games appear to use Concept 2s.
Water Rowers have a decent feel, look more like furniture, and are a little quieter than C2s. I've never heard of the other two brands you're "researching", but I looked them up and suspect the Sunny Health & Fitness one would be the best choice for someone who'll try it twice, then use it as a clothes rack.
I'm a rower; I wouldn't own anything other than a Concept 2 . . . despite the big Dollar / Euro / Pound signs. (Cheaper than buying the rowing shells, by lots, BTW.
).
I've owned a Concept 2 for around 15 years, use it a lot in the off-water season, and it's still in perfect condition, looks and feels new. Keep the rail clean, clean the flywheel once in a blue moon, give the chain a little oil once in a while, and that minimal maintenance does the trick. I've only even had to replace the D-cell batteries once . . . they come with an industrial model that lasts around a decade.1 -
Another one for C2 here. They're very rugged and have all the features you'd need like intervals etc.
I do however prefer rowing on the water rowers. They feel more natural and I find I can go for longer. Also they're much nicer looking and have a cool swooshing sound.
But both will get the job done fitness wise.1 -
neugebauer52 wrote: »The moment I see the word "brand" I can see big Dollar / Euro / Pound signs. As soon as I will fit into it, I will rent myself a little boat and enjoy rowing in nature - that makes sense to me.
How much will your rental cost per session? A C2 model D runs about US$900 CDN$1,250 (not sure what European prices are like) if you consider that it's available for use 365 days a year, rain or shine, and they last (mine is going on 7 years old and I haven't spent any money on maintenance yet - it'll need new seat rollers soon) the cost of ownership suddenly becomes very reasonable.
I'd hazard a guess that unless you have a coxswain barking at you you're less likely to get as good a workout rowing around in "a little boat" )not that getting out and rowing can't be a very enjoyable way to pass the time)0 -
BrianSharpe wrote: »neugebauer52 wrote: »The moment I see the word "brand" I can see big Dollar / Euro / Pound signs. As soon as I will fit into it, I will rent myself a little boat and enjoy rowing in nature - that makes sense to me.
How much will your rental cost per session? A C2 model D runs about US$900 CDN$1,250 (not sure what European prices are like) if you consider that it's available for use 365 days a year, rain or shine, and they last (mine is going on 7 years old and I haven't spent any money on maintenance yet - it'll need new seat rollers soon) the cost of ownership suddenly becomes very reasonable.
I'd hazard a guess that unless you have a coxswain barking at you you're less likely to get as good a workout rowing around in "a little boat" )not that getting out and rowing can't be a very enjoyable way to pass the time)
LOL! Much as I value a good coxswain (and I do!), a good workout is well within reach without one, in the appropriate type of boat (single/double/pair/quad - though pair is scary ). "Barking" is not universally what coxes do, either - not even the good ones.
FTR, I wouldn't do an indoor rowing machine race without a coxswain, either, if I could get one.
But now I'm off topic. 2 -
Another vote for Concept 2.
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Yep....Concept 2.
I've tried others, this one is best (imho).1 -
Thanks for voting! Actually, I'm only beginning copywriter. So I decided to add your opinion to the article in form of feedback. Here is what I'm working at https://askyourfitnessquestion.com/rowing-machine-brands-sunny-health-fitness-vs-stamina-vs-concept2/ What do you think? What would you recommend to add?0
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askyourfitnessquestion wrote: »Thanks for voting! Actually, I'm only beginning copywriter. So I decided to add your opinion to the article in form of feedback. Here is what I'm working at https://askyourfitnessquestion.com/rowing-machine-brands-sunny-health-fitness-vs-stamina-vs-concept2/ What do you think? What would you recommend to add?
Like others have mentioned, the C2 is by far the best. This is another huge factor for the C2 and why I wouldn't consider another. There are phone aps and even computer programs that have been created directly around the Concept2's onboard computer. ErgData is an app that tracks your stroke rate, your drive speed (how fast you accelerate up the rail), your drive length (and more) and directly feeds into your workout log on C2's website -- the logbook. RowPro is a software that many serious indoor rowers use where you can "race" on a computer or TV screen against as many as seven (I think) other rowers in real time on a virtual graphic river with your own dedicated icon. Zwift is coming out with a Row program supposedly this year where C2 Rowers can race down rivers against each other like bikers have on Zwift for years. I can actually use PainSled now to row on Zwift currently (Painsled is a link for the C2 created just only for this rower). There's another phone app for the I-Phone that offers training programs along with recorded racing against friends head to head (LiveRowing).
In addition to all of this, the only way to "Race" indoor in an indoor Regatta -- where they have as many as 20 individuals racing against each other with the virtual boats on something like a movie screen -- is with the Concept2. Someone built a racing program for indoor races. Nothing else has that.
WaterRower is working to create one app but I've seen it and it's pathetic.
If Zwift does come through and have a rowing option through C2, I'll be so stoked.2 -
I've never seen that Obsidian Surge (by Sunny Fitness) before. Looks new. I also wonder if I've been duped into a sleek marketing promotion on that very new (and affodably priced) rower.
Looks like a cheaper, nicer version of the WaterRower. I've tried the WaterRower and didn't like it. It's a nice piece of furniture, but when the water starts to swirl, it creates momentum that makes it easier to sustain the pace. One of the huge drawbacks (for me) was the placement of the WR's monitor. You had to look down to the right to see it. It looks like Sunny Fitness has corrected that. Good for them. Makes it look like this Obsidian Surge might be a good lower price point rower.
Edit - after reading numerous reviews, it breaks easy and isn't built to last.
With that said, I'm still not giving up my C2!!0 -
askyourfitnessquestion wrote: »Thanks for voting! Actually, I'm only beginning copywriter. So I decided to add your opinion to the article in form of feedback. Here is what I'm working at https://askyourfitnessquestion.com/rowing-machine-brands-sunny-health-fitness-vs-stamina-vs-concept2/ What do you think? What would you recommend to add?
Check for typos (which I make all the time in here, but this is neither professional writing nor is it academic writing). You put "Concept2 started in 1976 in the back of a bread cart." as a pro. I'm not sure how that's a pro (especially the second phrase in that clause). It's interesting information, but it's not a pro.
"When Dick and Pete Dreissigacker, new from Olympic practice, began producing composite racing oars. " this needs to be totally reworded. It also looks like it's essentially plagiarized as all you did was replace "fresh" with "new". From the Concept2's Linkedin page and from the About Concept 2 section of their website:The company began in 1976 in the back of a bread truck when Dick and Pete Dreissigacker, fresh from Olympic training, started making composite racing oars.
The following sentences in your paragraph first three paragraphs about C2 are also almost identical to Concept2's website. Remember, paraphrasing is more than just replacing one or two words in a sentence.
Outside of the really egregious plagiarism, there are a number of sentences that don't have independent clauses and there are some conjugation mistakes ("Our experts’ opinion" should be "experts' opinions). In short, it needs an overhaul. I wouldn't have been nearly as harsh (though I wouldn't really call this harsh given what you wrote and who you wrote for) had there not been the blatant plagiarism.
And before anyone gets frustrated and says that I raked the OP over the coals, they asked what we thought and for recommendations. Also, journalistic integrity is important and plagiarism doesn't fit with that model.4 -
askyourfitnessquestion wrote: »Thanks for voting! Actually, I'm only beginning copywriter. So I decided to add your opinion to the article in form of feedback. Here is what I'm working at https://askyourfitnessquestion.com/rowing-machine-brands-sunny-health-fitness-vs-stamina-vs-concept2/ What do you think? What would you recommend to add?
I would consider it profoundly unethical and inappropriate for you to copy my comments as feedback from here to another site that I know nothing about and don't participate in.
It was a little sketchy even using this site as a research resource (not sure the TOS would support it), but to copy our comments??!? Just no. So wrong. Others may disagree, but that's my opinon.4 -
Concept 2 is the gold standard.
I have a Stamina air rower and it works fine for me, but rowing isn't my primary exercise modality and only something my wife and I do every once in awhile if we want to break up the monotony of using our indoor bike trainer for training indoors. I think I've been on the rower maybe 3 or 4 times since October. If I was a dedicated rower, I'd definitely opt for the Concept 2.0 -
askyourfitnessquestion wrote: »Thanks for voting! Actually, I'm only beginning copywriter. So I decided to add your opinion to the article in form of feedback. Here is what I'm working at https://askyourfitnessquestion.com/rowing-machine-brands-sunny-health-fitness-vs-stamina-vs-concept2/ What do you think? What would you recommend to add?
I entirely missed this part until AnnPT pointed it out. Not getting permission from people and not being transparent about why you're asking for people's reviews is exceedingly unethical (and that's on top of the plagiarism that I already posted about).
@askyourfitnessquestion I'm assuming you have at least a BA right? What grade would you give yourself if this was an assignment you were graded on? What grade would you give yourself if this was a final? Honestly it looks like it hasn't been edited for a whole host of reasons (which is unfortunate given that you're a copywriter) - it needs a copy editor. It's also an (un)ethical minefield. And yes, I realize that you're a beginner, but these are mistakes that beginners shouldn't be making.3 -
askyourfitnessquestion wrote: »Thanks for voting! Actually, I'm only beginning copywriter. So I decided to add your opinion to the article in form of feedback. Here is what I'm working at https://askyourfitnessquestion.com/rowing-machine-brands-sunny-health-fitness-vs-stamina-vs-concept2/ What do you think? What would you recommend to add?
Check for typos (which I make all the time in here, but this is neither professional writing nor is it academic writing). You put "Concept2 started in 1976 in the back of a bread cart." as a pro. I'm not sure how that's a pro (especially the second phrase in that clause). It's interesting information, but it's not a pro.
"When Dick and Pete Dreissigacker, new from Olympic practice, began producing composite racing oars. " this needs to be totally reworded. It also looks like it's essentially plagiarized as all you did was replace "fresh" with "new". From the Concept2's Linkedin page and from the About Concept 2 section of their website:The company began in 1976 in the back of a bread truck when Dick and Pete Dreissigacker, fresh from Olympic training, started making composite racing oars.
The following sentences in your paragraph first three paragraphs about C2 are also almost identical to Concept2's website. Remember, paraphrasing is more than just replacing one or two words in a sentence.
Outside of the really egregious plagiarism, there are a number of sentences that don't have independent clauses and there are some conjugation mistakes ("Our experts’ opinion" should be "experts' opinions). In short, it needs an overhaul. I wouldn't have been nearly as harsh (though I wouldn't really call this harsh given what you wrote and who you wrote for) had there not been the blatant plagiarism.
And before anyone gets frustrated and says that I raked the OP over the coals, they asked what we thought and for recommendations. Also, journalistic integrity is important and plagiarism doesn't fit with that model.
Thank you so much! I'll pay attention to your recommendations!0 -
Ive tried a lot including water ones. I bought a concept 2!0
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The Concept 2 sets the standard.
But the Horizon Oxford is also up there as an alternative.0
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