Water Rowers? UPDATE AT END

[MEmama]

Does anyone have one?

I'm looking for a rowing machine but don’t know much about them. I like the Nordic Track, but can buy a WaterRower somewhat locally, and it’s made in the US. 
 

If you’ve used one, do you like it? Hate it? What should I know? 
 

Edited January 13, 2021 by MEmama

[ealp2009]

My husband has one.  I have used it and it’s fine.  I guess I prefer other forms of exercise personally but I have no complaints about it.   He uses it everyday and has for 7+ years. He loves it.  Wish I could tell you more but he has had a great experience with it and like I said he uses it daily.   He has to replace a few things that wore out like the hand grips and such but other than minor wear and tear it has held up well.  

[PinkTulip]

I have a Concept 2 Model D rowing machine and I absolutely love it. The Concept 2 is made in the United States  (Vermont) and widely considered the “gold standard” of rowing machines - it’s what you will find in gyms, schools, etc. 

I’ve had mine for 5 years, and used it sporadically at first, but pretty religiously in recent years, and never had any maintenance or problems with it. This week i hit my goal of rowing over 1 million meters in 2020. 

[Matryoshka]

10 minutes ago, PinkTulip said:

I have a Concept 2 Model D rowing machine and I absolutely love it. The Concept 2 is made in the United States  (Vermont) and widely considered the “gold standard” of rowing machines - it’s what you will find in gyms, schools, etc. 

I’ve had mine for 5 years, and used it sporadically at first, but pretty religiously in recent years, and never had any maintenance or problems with it. This week i hit my goal of rowing over 1 million meters in 2020. 

I'll agree with this, as it's also what I have. It dies not have a fancy screen or an app, but as Tulip says, it's the gold standard. It's what all actual rowers use, so is what I was first introduced to.

Water rowers for some reason are gaining popularity - it's what my gym has, so I was using one regularly until the pandemic.  I also row on the water, and I can tell you that their ads that 'it's more like the real thing' magically because there's water in it are complete and utter bunk. I much prefer the Concept 2, and so that's what I bought to use at home. I haven't used other types of rowers, just those two.

[Kassia]

My friend has the Concept 2 rower also and she absolutely loves it.

[MEmama]

7 minutes ago, Matryoshka said:

I'll agree with this, as it's also what I have. It dies not have a fancy screen or an app, but as Tulip says, it's the gold standard. It's what all actual rowers use, so is what I was first introduced to.

Water rowers for some reason are gaining popularity - it's what my gym has, so I was using one regularly until the pandemic.  I also row on the water, and I can tell you that their ads that 'it's more like the real thing' magically because there's water in it are complete and utter bunk. I much prefer the Concept 2, and so that's what I bought to use at home. I haven't used other types of rowers, just those two.

I am actually not keen on having water anything in my house, but noticed it because a local-ish store carries them and I’d rather support them if it makes sense.

It sounds like the concept 2 is the way to go. I think they are backlogged atm, unfortunately.

[Matryoshka]

Just now, MEmama said:

I am actually not keen on having water anything in my house, but noticed it because a local-ish store carries them and I’d rather support them if it makes sense.

It sounds like the concept 2 is the way to go. I think they are backlogged atm, unfortunately.

Yeah, they had a backlog when I ordered (during the shutdown in Aprilish), but I just joined the wait list, and then they emailed me when mine was ready. Was at my door a couple of days later.

[Toocrazy!!]

Wow! That’s a lot of meters. Great job! I would love to row more, but I do find it kind of boring and have a hard time rowing for any real length of time. Do you row every day? Or longer rows a couple times a week? That could be a good goal for me in 2021. I almost made it to 100,000 for Rowvember, but that’s the only month I did any real meters. 

 

 

I have the concept 2 as well. We’ve had ours 10 years or so, no issues, no repairs. Great machine. 

Edited December 29, 2020 by Toocrazy!!
Messed up quote. Was trying to reply to pinktulip

[Toocrazy!!]

39 minutes ago, PinkTulip said:

I have a Concept 2 Model D rowing machine and I absolutely love it. The Concept 2 is made in the United States  (Vermont) and widely considered the “gold standard” of rowing machines - it’s what you will find in gyms, schools, etc. 

I’ve had mine for 5 years, and used it sporadically at first, but pretty religiously in recent years, and never had any maintenance or problems with it. This week i hit my goal of rowing over 1 million meters in 2020. 

 

[Beth S]

Agreeing with the Concept 2 recommendations. 

My dh's is 30 years old (bought new) & is still going strong with daily use.
Exercise Equipment is usually easy to find used!

[PinkTulip]

6 hours ago, Toocrazy!! said:

Wow! That’s a lot of meters. Great job! I would love to row more, but I do find it kind of boring and have a hard time rowing for any real length of time. Do you row every day? Or longer rows a couple times a week? That could be a good goal for me in 2021. I almost made it to 100,000 for Rowvember, but that’s the only month I did any real meters. 

 

 

I have the concept 2 as well. We’ve had ours 10 years or so, no issues, no repairs. Great machine. 

I try to row every day, usually for about 30-40 minutes. The biggest game changers for my rowing regularly were purchasing an iPad, the Concept2 tablet holder, and wireless earbuds. I have rowed my way through many seasons of all kinds of shows now, and tell myself I can only watch them when I’m on the rowing machine. It makes the time go quickly, and I get to watch all the girly shows that all the men in my house don’t want to watch with me. 

[MEmama]

UPDATE: We bought a Concept 2 from Rogue Fitness in Columbus, Ohio. If you are looking for a rower, I highly recommend adding your name to their wait list. We had ours delivered within a week. And they sell them at the MRSP, so no additional markup. 
 

Just thought I’d share in case anyone is looking for one but has heard they can be hard to come by! 
 

Also—I had never used a rowing machine before we bought one. I love it! I find it so meditative—exactly the kind of workout I need right now. Thanks to everyone who has suggested them!
 

Edited January 15, 2021 by MEmama

[PinkTulip]

I’m so happy for you! And I agree, you kind of get in a trance when rowing - it is both calming and invigorating at the same time. 

[Toocrazy!!]

Yay! I hope you love it. When I started rowing I quickly figured out it wasn’t completely intuitive. 
I found a great resource- Darkhorse rowing that have great tutorials and workouts to follow on YouTube. You can also join something, but I just used all the free stuff. I learned a lot about my machine and good rowing form, different types of workouts, etc. 

I highly recommend checking them out. 

[MEmama]

37 minutes ago, Toocrazy!! said:

Yay! I hope you love it. When I started rowing I quickly figured out it wasn’t completely intuitive. 
I found a great resource- Darkhorse rowing that have great tutorials and workouts to follow on YouTube. You can also join something, but I just used all the free stuff. I learned a lot about my machine and good rowing form, different types of workouts, etc. 

I highly recommend checking them out. 

Yes! I’m using their beginner workout videos—I agree they are very informative. The video I’ve used is fun too, or at least I think so. 🙂 

[Jaybee]

This is so encouraging, as I'm on the waitlist myself. Would you mind sending me links to some of the videos you like for beginners, please? 

[MEmama]

1 hour ago, Jaybee said:

This is so encouraging, as I'm on the waitlist myself. Would you mind sending me links to some of the videos you like for beginners, please? 

Sure! Here is the beginner Darkhorse video I’m using. There are a lot of videos available but this seems to be a good one to start with: 

 

I hope you get your rower soon! 

[Jaybee]

2 hours ago, MEmama said:

Sure! Here is the beginner Darkhorse video I’m using. There are a lot of videos available but this seems to be a good one to start with:

 

I hope you get your rower soon! 

Thank you so much! Yes, me too. Looks like it may be late February, but we'll see. I put myself on both Rogue and Concept 2 lists, but I don't have any idea how fast the Rogue list is moving.

[MEmama]

58 minutes ago, Jaybee said:

Thank you so much! Yes, me too. Looks like it may be late February, but we'll see. I put myself on both Rogue and Concept 2 lists, but I don't have any idea how fast the Rogue list is moving.

We received ours within a week of getting on the list at Rogue.
They send out an email when they get them in stock, so if you act fast you should get one pretty quickly. They seem to come back in stock frequently, or at least that was our experience. 

Edited January 16, 2021 by MEmama

[matrips]

What do you find as the biggest benefit to rowing as an exercise?

[Kassia]

24 minutes ago, MEmama said:

We received ours within a week of getting on the list at Rogue.
They send out an email when they get them in stock, so if you act fast you should get one pretty quickly. They seem to come back in stock frequently, or at least that was our experience. 

what did they charge for shipping?  

[MEmama]

14 minutes ago, Kassia said:

what did they charge for shipping?  

DH thinks it was $60-65. Idk if that depends on location; if so that was from Ohio to Maine. 

[MEmama]

36 minutes ago, matrips said:

What do you find as the biggest benefit to rowing as an exercise?

It’s a low impact, whole body form of exercise—legs, abs, arms, back. It’s cardio and strength built into one, so for me it’s time efficient and as I mentioned above, I find it weirdly meditative. Some people are lucky to find that with running; the closest I’ve come before is with spinning (which now I can’t do because I’m not setting foot near a gym).
 

I had a hip injury a few years ago that seriously derailed me from serious exercise for a couple of years before it was finally sorted out. All kinds of things made it worse, even unexpected things like yoga. So far rowing hasn’t caused it to flare—that’s a huge win for me. 

[Kassia]

29 minutes ago, MEmama said:

DH thinks it was $60-65. Idk if that depends on location; if so that was from Ohio to Maine. 

I'm actually in OH - about three hours away.  I wonder if I could just pick it up!  

 

ETA - I don't know why I'm thinking about this...I don't need it (I run outdoors and have a spin bike), we don't have room, and we hope to move in the next couple of years.  DH would not be too happy about me getting it either.  😛

 

Edited January 16, 2021 by Kassia

[MEmama]

10 hours ago, Kassia said:

I'm actually in OH - about three hours away.  I wonder if I could just pick it up!  

 

ETA - I don't know why I'm thinking about this...I don't need it (I run outdoors and have a spin bike), we don't have room, and we hope to move in the next couple of years.  DH would not be too happy about me getting it either.  😛

 

You need it because it’s 2020 v 2. ‘Nough said. 😂

 

[Jaybee]

My concern is figuring out where to put it. If it is in the garage, it thankfully won't be part of the decor. But if it is inside, I will use it more when I just pass by it--constant reminder to just sit down and row for awhile. Dh doesn't want to decorate our house with exercise equipment for some reason.

[Kassia]

10 minutes ago, Jaybee said:

My concern is figuring out where to put it. If it is in the garage, it thankfully won't be part of the decor. But if it is inside, I will use it more when I just pass by it--constant reminder to just sit down and row for awhile. Dh doesn't want to decorate our house with exercise equipment for some reason.

That's our problem.  Our family room is where I store much of my workout equipment - all of my dumbbells, barbells, exercise ball, aerobic step, etc.  The basement is where my spin bike, heavy bag, and power tower are.  I'd love to get a treadmill and a rower, but I am out of space in the basement and don't want to put them in the family room even though that's where they'd get the most use.  

Edited January 16, 2021 by Kassia

[Monica_in_Switzerland]

On 1/15/2021 at 2:13 PM, MEmama said:

UPDATE: We bought a Concept 2 from Rogue Fitness in Columbus, Ohio. If you are looking for a rower, I highly recommend adding your name to their wait list. We had ours delivered within a week. And they sell them at the MRSP, so no additional markup. 
 

Just thought I’d share in case anyone is looking for one but has heard they can be hard to come by! 
 

Also—I had never used a rowing machine before we bought one. I love it! I find it so meditative—exactly the kind of workout I need right now. Thanks to everyone who has suggested them!
 

I'm so jealous!  I practically have plans on how I'm converting the kids' rooms to exercise areas the second they move out.  😂

How is the noise level?  My recollection from the gym is that rowers are pretty loud.  

 

[MEmama]

6 minutes ago, Monica_in_Switzerland said:

I'm so jealous!  I practically have plans on how I'm converting the kids' rooms to exercise areas the second they move out.  😂

How is the noise level?  My recollection from the gym is that rowers are pretty loud.  

 

I mean, it’s not silent. But DH has a bike trainer set up and it’s not louder than when he rides. I can hear the video on the tv just fine when I row without needing the volume too high.
 

We have our exercise equipment in our bonus room, which doubles now as DH's home office. The only downside is that I have to kick him out if I want to work out during the day.