First post advise on erg please

[slair76116]

Hi guys this is my first post on this forum;

I've been researching about rowing machines and as far as I can think I've decided on one of the following three options;

1.) Concept2 Type D PM5
2.) Oartec slider
3.) Concept2 Dynamic

Oartec says they are developing a new lighter overall better dynamic rower and that it will be release in December. I was wonder if I should wait for it.

I'm afraid as I have never rowed in my life and have only rarely used a rowing machine at the gym I might end up hurting my back using concept2 type D.

Any and all advise is much appreciated.

If it's the concept2 I would by it from amazon.com USA unless you could recommend for me another place. and do you think I should hold off for black Friday?

Thank you very much for any information or advise you can send my way all are welcome.

[Citroen]

Do you really think you'll get an honest opinion about a "Brand X" rowing machine on a Concept2 owned, sponsored & managed forum?

The best choice is clearly a C2 dynamic with a PM5 monitor.

[Edward4492]

I don't work for Concept 2. Buy a Concept 2. Period. They have an unbelievable support system. Before long you'll be logging your times, looking at rankings. Dougie recommends the Dynamic, certainly nothing wrong with that. C2 Model D is what most of the people here row on, it's what everybody races on. Forget Black Friday or any other nonsense. This is real simple, buy a C2 Model D with a PM 5 on Amazon or direct from C2. Pay your $900. These things don't go on sale and you'll never find a bargain other than buying a brand new machine after a major erg event, typically for $800. Used ones are very hard to find, they disappear instantly. These machines are the Harley Davidson of the rowing machine world. There's Harley's......and everything else. There's C2's.......and all the rest. Did I mention that they are tanks? I work on these machines every weekend, one crossfit box has (25) model C's, all over 15 years old. A quick $10 service and cleaning. Good as new. There's very few sure things in the world......this ones a no-brainer.

( Send the check to the usual address Dougie)

[Hanzo]

Every now and then, someone new joins the forums, introduce themself to the forums and post detailts about sessions. And ever so often, someone posts times that are way out of sync with experience or build. Someone posted times that was close to the official world record, and was just starting out on the erg. Almost always, after people ask for more details, it turnes out they are using some other type or rower, not a concept, and the times is not even remotely comparable. Don't be one of those guys rowing 6:00 blank on a 2k row after 4 weeks on a brand X rower, get a concept2 and compare real numbers with the guys on the forums. I'm very happy I got my a Concept2, had mine for 2 years now and I only have had to oil the chain a few times, and that's it.

[jackarabit]

Price, durability, longevity, product and parts support, standard of erg competition, international community of users with a vast fund of experience accessible thru several internet sites and forums including this one, reasonable footprint and weight, breaks down for transport and storage, strong resale value. What's not to like? With that said, I hope you can put in some time on a C2 model D or E AND a C2 Dynamic B4UBuy. Oartec is in a different zip code pricewise but a serious machine. Rowperfect is another serious design with no market penetration in the U.S. Beyond that, most everything is overpriced, under-engineered gimmick or cheap and cheerful junk. Buy in haste; repent at leiaure.

[Rowan McSheen]

My first post on the forum (the UK one) was similar to the OP's.

That was in 2007. Eight years later I still have my Model D and PM3. I use it 3-5 times a week and the only maintenance has been a dab of oil on the chain and a wipe of the seat, rail and handle after a session. The only sign of wear is a little superficial rust on the frame below the end of the monorail (probably from being sprayed with sweat). Eight million metres on, she's almost as good as new. And 8m metres is low mileage; these things are built to be thrashed and abused for hours every day in gyms, rowing clubs, army bases, oil rigs etc.

And it cost me back in 2007 slightly more than it would today. Bargain! Plus about £75 for the RowPro programme (not essential but highly desirable).

I don't know what country you're in, but if possible buy from C2. You won't get a discount elsewhere and Amazon are tax-dodging corporate parasites and vultures.

Best £1,000 I ever spent.

[slair76116]

I bought it

I brought it home yesterday, tried it out for the first time it was awesome.

I payed $1100 for the type D, every thing here in the UAE is more expensive and only got 2 years warranty, it the nature of the place can't help it, had I bought it from the states I would have had to pay for shipping plus lost the warranty.

I've never rowed before, just used a machine a few times at the gym, they didn't have the dynamic version here so I bought the Type D PM 5

I was so excited that I went ahead and bought the RowPro program too, but having had an issue with my browser I had to do it twice and in the rush the second time around I forgot to put a discount code that would have gotten me $25 off the price. I'm sad about that, it's not the $25 per say but just the fact the I messed it up.

Anyway, I'm on my way to joining you guys

Any good books, charts or other websites you would recommend for a total noob like me?

oh and thanks a lot for your advise everyone, made it a lot more easy to make my decision...

[lindsayh]

Well done and welcome! I agree there is only one sensible decision and you have made it.

The best place to start is here on this site actually as the new erger questions have been asked and answered many times on the training and indoor rower threads.
There are links to technique videos and lots of how to get started stuff. There is good material on the US c2 site as well as the UK site which is:
http://www.indoorsportservices.co.uk
There are all sorts of training plans that will help once you have the basics right.
Good luck

[slair76116]

Copied I will read up on it all.

Feeling very excited

Thank you again for everyone.

Trying to commit to this fully!

[jalynn2]

I bought my Dynamic in February 2013. I found this training plan very helpful as a beginning rower for building stamina and speed: https://thepeteplan.wordpress.com/beginner-training/

I decided to redo the plan this year after 5 months off my erg following cardiac bypass surgery. I am on week 18 now, and feeling stronger all the time.

Enjoy your erg!

[dwalk]

Look up UCanRow2's videos on technique. Terry Smythe is a great teacher.

[jackarabit]

+1 on Smythe's drills!

[stellar]

I've had my C2 Model D PM 5 for a week and am loving it. I did a fair amount of research on different brands and different models and made my choice because it is the gold standard. When I post my times I know that's what everyone else is using as well. Furthermore, I find it super impressive that my posted times are in comparison to roughly 1,000 other 40-something year old guys around the word. That's just so cool!