Reviewed by: kididaho
,
Day Hiker
Price Paid:
$850.00
at Direct Summary:
This is an outstanding rower. After an exhausting search to make sure I bought the best rower for me, I decided on the Concept 2. A couple of times I came very close to a less expensive magnetic rower and a higher-ended hydraulic machine. Then I considered a water rower. Knowing my propensity to hate cleaning stuff, I decided against having a water tank to fill and keep clean. Paying a decent sum of money for a hydraulic rower that would never be symmetrically even on the resistance didn't make much sense. And finally, purchasing a magnetic rower that was at the limit of my weight range seemed risky at best. So I finally had gotten past a review "not" recommending this rower because the author said it was only good if you were a competative rower. Hmmm....I thought to myself....decent price range, very popular, long track record and the fact competative rowers do use it must give it something of value. So I ordered it direct from Concept 2 with the basic computer.
Upon arrival, I was please this unit was very light weight, easy to install, and despite its length, it has a narrow profile making it easy to squeeze in between my futon and the wall. I don't have to worry about folding it up, it stays out of the way, and it's easy to get on and get started.
It's an air rower, and I've been told air rowers do an excellent job of simulating water. Having had experience with rowing in water, I never experienced magnetic resistance or hydraulic motion, and I was pleasantly surprised to find the different levels of resistance on the rower do a remarkable job of doing exactly as advertised.
The manuals are great, the computer has awesome illustrations on proper rowing technique and offeres various workouts, displays and challenges to keep your workout busy. I like to use my stored workouts, because my last workout becomes my pace boat, and uless I kick it into gear, my pace boat beats me.
I find this amusing too. Many "fitness experts" don't recommend a rower for your back. Guess what? I have 4 herniated discs and my back has never felt better. I've gone from 250 to 230 in just a few weeks. I find rowing to be addictive and to offer an excellent cardio workout, as well as a fantastic strength workout for your abdominals, back, shoulders and biceps. There's good movement for your legs, and I can honestly tell you, with the exception of triceps, the rest of your body gets a very good workout. All you have to do is follow the instructions, never compromise on the proper form, and start slow and work your way up. There's nothing complicated about that.
I've also read some reviewers talking about this unit being unstable and wobbly from side to side and having an uncomfortable seat. Either I fell off the turnip truck, or they are not doing something correctly. There's also a possibility they didn't assemble the unit the right way. Or they are just weenies who have never had to workout and don't realize you have to leave your comfort zone a bit to experience some positive benefits. I've also never experienced any tilt or instability. This is a very strong and stable unit despite its light weight for a rower this size. It's also quiet. I have a skier that is way noisier than this, and my bike trainer isn't far behind it. My rower doesn't wobble, is quiet and I don't find the seat uncomfortable at all. Concept 2 also offeres a seat pad for those who don't want their tootsies to improve. You get rid of the lard, provide some movement to the rusty joint, and magic happens, so just be patient.
Long reivew, but I could go on more. Bottom line is this is a great rower, is very competatively priced for its professional quality, had an easy to read computer, which you can sync up to to your PC via the provided USB cable and download workouts and even link up to race other Concept 2 users. What's there not to like? Best of all, I get an incredible workout, my back is happier and so is my heart.
Customer Service:
Excellent. Very prompt shipping, and great with their communication regarding tracking and time of delivery. Similar Products Used:
I don't care for magnetic rowers. Too much resistance isn't natural and can stress joints. No experience with water rowers, and I hate hydraulics. Compaired to many other products in its price range, this has a high weight limit of 500 lbs.
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