What's the best Rowing Machine?

Rowing machines are a popular choice for those looking to get a full-body workout at home. They provide a low-impact, high-intensity workout that can help improve cardiovascular health, build muscle, and burn calories. But with so many options on the market, it can be overwhelming to determine which rowing machine is the best for you. In this article, we'll compare two of the top rowing machines - the WaterRower and the Concept2 - to help you make an informed decision. We'll also briefly mention our insight in to competing products out there.

The WaterRower

The WaterRower was a unique rowing machine that uses water resistance to provide a smooth and realistic rowing experience. It is made of high-quality materials, most commonly wood, and a water tank made of polycarbonate, making it both durable and aesthetically pleasing. Metal versions are also available, if this better suits your modern-day decor. From a functional point-of-view, neither wood nor metal makes any difference.

Design and Features

The WaterRower has a sleek and elegant design, making it a great addition to any home gym. It is also relatively compact, measuring 82.25 inches in length, 22.25 inches in width, and 20 inches in height. This makes it easy to store when not in use, particularly given it stows up on end.

One of the standout features of the WaterRower is its water tank, which provides a unique and natural resistance. While it is widely advertised that the water tank can be adjusted to change the level of resistance to suit your fitness level, it's poppycock in the real world, as I've never known someone do this. Simply fill to the recommended top line and row. The resistance will adjust accordingly to your stroke rate and power, like rowing on water. The machine also has a comfortable and ergonomic seat, a footrest with adjustable straps, and a monitor that tracks your workout metrics.

Pros

• Provides a realistic and smooth rowing experience
• Made of high-quality materials
• Sleek and elegant design
• Adjustable resistance
• Low-impact workout
• Easy to store

Cons

• More expensive than other rowing machines
• Water tank may require occasional maintenance

What's it like to own a WaterRower?

We are going back 15-years, but I did borrow a WaterRower from a friend for about 6-months during a bodybuilding prep. We lived in a 1-bed flat, at the time, and the WaterRower was perfect as it stowed up out of the way and was quiet enough that it didn't bother neighbours. Nothing ever really goes wrong with them. I then worked for a company that sold WaterRowers are any issue was few and far between. I should also note that my friend, Mike, is 6ft7" and could comfortably row on one of these.

The Concept2 RowErg

The Concept2 is a popular choice among rowing enthusiasts and is often used in commercial gyms. It uses air resistance and a flywheel to provide a smooth and challenging workout.

Design and Features

The Concept2 has a simple and utilitarian design, with a sturdy aluminum frame and a comfortable seat. It measures 96 inches in length, 24 inches in width, and 14 inches in height, making it slightly larger than the WaterRower.

The machine has a flywheel that creates resistance based on the user's effort, making it suitable for all fitness levels. It also has a performance monitor that tracks your workout metrics and allows you to compete with others through online challenges.

Pros

• Provides a challenging and customizable workout
• Sturdy and durable design
• Performance monitor for tracking progress
• Can be used for online challenges
• Low-impact workout

Cons

• Larger and bulkier than other rowing machines
• May be too challenging for beginners
• Air resistance can be noisy

What's it like to own a Concept2 Rowing Machine?

We currently have three of these in the gym and I'm set to buy a fourth. The Concept2's can take a hammering. Little goes wrong with them and what does is easily fixed. The monitor is also superior to what else is out there. It should be remembered when weighing up the costs of rowing machines. I remember the WaterRower jumping in price by £50 many years ago, when they upgraded to their series 4 monitor and it's not a patch on the Concept2's PM5 monitor. For a commercial gym or garage gym, the Concept2 gets my vote!

Which One Is Right for You?

Both the WaterRower and the Concept2 are high-quality rowing machines that provide an effective workout. However, there are a few key differences that may help you decide which one is the best for you.

Resistance

The WaterRower uses water resistance, while the Concept2 uses air resistance. Water resistance provides a more natural and smooth rowing experience, while air resistance can be more challenging and customisable. If you prefer a more realistic rowing experience, the WaterRower may be the better choice. If you want a more challenging workout, the Concept2 may be a better fit. Real rowers (those that row on water) generally favour the Concept2.

Design

The WaterRower has a sleek and elegant design, while the Concept2 has a more commercial look. If aesthetics are important to you, the WaterRower may be the better option. However, if you prioritise functionality over design, the Concept2 may be a better fit.

Price

The WaterRower is generally more expensive than the Concept2, with prices starting at around £1,100 for a proper dual rail model (ignore the A1!). The Concept2 is £100 less. So, there's only 10% in it.

Noise Level

The WaterRower is quieter than the Concept2, as the water resistance creates less noise than the air resistance of the Concept2. If you live in an apartment, like I did, or have noise-sensitive neighbours, the WaterRower will be a better choice.

Should I be looking at other Rowing Machines?

In a word, no.

As regards Concept, Concept2 have remained competitively priced and readily available. We resell these and get tiny 5% discount, so it's barely worth selling, hence no finance can be offered whatsoever, when finance may cost us 12% of the ticket price. Why do we sell it, then? Because it's bloody good. Most copies cost less because they are inferior, pure and simple. In the gym Facebook groups, those that have bought copies for their gyms often find themselves replacing broken parts with Concept2 original parts. This is in part due to these products not being available anymore and/ or the parts not wearing as well. Perhaps the best direct equivalent to the Concept2 was the Xebex; however, in the UK, it was a pig to get parts (not that you really needed them) and the rower actually cost more than the Concept2.

There's copies of the WaterRower out there, too. The Fluid Rower was and is perhaps the next best alternative. They initially went for the commercial market, so cost more, but the rower was not sufficiently better or good enough. I remember the sideways drum was a selling feature to better alter resistance, but it lead to more instances of leakages. These days, Fluid Rowers look near-identical to a WaterRower, which speaks volumes about the original WaterRower design. Price-wise, they're pretty similar now, too.

So, above, there's two alternatives that come close to both the Concept2 and WaterRower, but no cigar. For now, I'd leave all others alone.

One machine I have noticed scoring top of online articles recently is the Peleton Rowing Machine. I haven't had chance to use this, but given the same articles are monetised and void of the Concept2 and WaterRower, I'm incredibly sceptical of the machines brilliance.

Conclusion

When it comes to choosing the best rowing machine, it ultimately comes down to personal preference. Both the WaterRower and the Concept2 are high-quality long tried-and-tested machines that provide an effective workout. If you row at home, the WaterRower may be the better choice. If you row in a garage or own a gym, the Concept2 may be a better fit. If you don't have the money for these, I personally don't recommend that you buy a rower and instead purchase a gym membership.

Article by Matt