Concept2 RowErg
Our full review of the Concept2 RowErg — the air-resistance rowing standard, tested for build quality, data accuracy, and value.
Product Brand: REP
Product Currency: USD
Product Price: 990
Price Valid Until: 2027-08-24
Product In-Stock: InStock
8.9
The Concept2 RowErg is the machine Olympic and CrossFit athletes train on — no screens, no subscription, just a flywheel and a chain that turn effort into precisely measurable output. Here’s why it’s still the standard almost every other rower is measured against.
What Is the Concept2 RowErg?
The RowErg (formerly known as the Model D) is a direct air-resistance rower — the harder you pull, the more air moves through the flywheel housing, and the heavier the stroke feels. A spiral damper adjustable from 1 to 10 lets you fine-tune that airflow, functioning much like gears on a bike to control how much energy each stroke demands. There’s no motor and no digital resistance setting to fuss with; the machine responds purely to your own effort.
It ships with Concept2’s PM5 Performance Monitor — a backlit display tracking distance, pace, watts, calories, and stroke rate, with Bluetooth and ANT+ connectivity for wireless heart rate monitors and the free ErgData app. The monitor is self-powered by the flywheel during use; two D-cell batteries only keep it running when idle.
Build Quality and Storage
At roughly 57 lb, the RowErg separates into two pieces for storage and rolls on integrated caster wheels, which makes it far more practical to tuck away than most cardio equipment its size. The frame and nickel-plated chain are built to handle daily training abuse — this is the same machine used to set actual rowing world records, not a home-gym-softened version of it.
The trade-off is the monitor itself: the PM5’s screen is functional and data-dense, but small and basic compared to the large HD touchscreens on connected rowers like the NordicTrack RW900. If interactive classes and streaming workouts are a priority, this isn’t that machine — and there’s no subscription requirement at all, which some buyers count as a feature rather than a limitation.
Pros and Cons
- Industry-standard air resistance trusted at the Olympic and CrossFit level
- No subscription required, ever
- Separates into two pieces with caster wheels for storage
- Accurate, comparable data via the PM5 monitor
- PM5 screen is small and basic next to HD touchscreen competitors
- No interactive classes or streaming workouts
- Higher price than budget rowers, though justified by durability
Who Is It For?
The RowErg is the right choice for anyone who wants a rower built for genuine long-term training rather than entertainment — it’s the machine competitive rowers and CrossFit athletes actually train on daily. If you want streaming classes, HD video, and an immersive screen experience, a connected rower like the NordicTrack RW900 will suit you better, at a higher ongoing cost.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the Concept2 RowErg require a subscription?
No. The PM5 monitor and ErgData app are fully functional with no recurring fees — a genuine differentiator from most connected fitness equipment on the market today.
How much space does it need for storage?
The RowErg breaks down into two pieces and stands upright on its integrated casters, so it needs meaningfully less floor space when stored than its 96″ rowing-position footprint suggests.
Is the Concept2 RowErg quiet?
It’s an air-resistance machine, so there’s a consistent whooshing sound from the flywheel proportional to your effort — quieter at low damper settings, louder at high ones. It’s not silent, but it’s not disruptive in a typical home environment either.
Final Verdict
The Concept2 RowErg earns its reputation as the gold standard of indoor rowing through sheer reliability and accuracy rather than flashy features — no subscription, no screen to worry about breaking, just a machine built to outlast your training goals. If you want entertainment features over training precision, look at a connected rower instead; for genuine full-body conditioning, this remains the benchmark.
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