Durability of rower

[rico567]

I’m 6’6”, 273 pounds. Have been using Concept 2 rower since purchased new from factory Nov. 2020. Solid as a rock, completely dependable.

[Dickie]

I purchased my model C in 2003 and have accumulated 22,100,000 meters. I believe the ergs are tested to 500 pounds (someone can correct me if I am wrong)

[sharing]

I began my "get fit" journey back in Feb (2022). One thing I wanted to start with was to improve my cardiovascular health. Some buddies of mine have rowers (non-Concept2), and they inspired my to use the rowers at the gym (Assault Rower Elite and Concept 2 Model D). When asked what kind of rower my buddies recommended, one had specifically mentioned the Concept2, so this is the one I primarily used.

I started slow, and at the very beginning of my journey, 500 m was very challenging to me. For my first two weeks, I did not do anything over 2,000 m, and I was exhausted. Over the course of the next month (Mar), all of my rows (except one) were 5,000 m or less. During the second month (Apr), I made my first 10,000 m+, but most were around 6,000 m. In May (third month), it was a bit sporadic, but I started doing 8,000 m rows more consistently.

At the end of May, I was lucky to find a used C2 Row Erg (2021) being sold for a steal, and I bought it. My goal for this rowing season is to make 2,000,000 m, and I am now able to do 10,000 m/row on a regular basis. I have lost 15 lb, and I feel better than I have in a long time.

My point of all of this is don't worry about trying to go out and kill meters to begin with. Start slow and progress at a pace you feel comfortable. If you are not comfortable or have pain, rest. I found that a day or two between rows often helps with that next row (feeling refreshed or making it easier). You truly can feel the progress.

With respect to durability, the rower at the gym has 40,000,000+ m. The Row Erg that I purchased has ~200,000 m. They both pull exactly the same. My time/500 m is exactly the same on each. The damper setting set at a similar position on either rower results in drag that is the same between the two rowers. The feel is exactly the same for either. Even at 2,000,000 m (my current goal), it will take me 20 yr to reach the "meterage" that is on the multiple-user, minimally maintained, gym-located C2. I have no doubt in the durability of these machines.

Enjoy your journey and best of luck.

[JaapvanE]

With respect to durability, the rower at the gym has 40,000,000+ m.

That is a lot! Do they teach classes on them or something? In my gym, the rowers hardly see any use. Most use it for 5 minutes as a warmup.

[sharing]

With respect to durability, the rower at the gym has 40,000,000+ m.

That is a lot! Do they teach classes on them or something? In my gym, the rowers hardly see any use. Most use it for 5 minutes as a warmup.

Probably been there since 2010 or so. Had 39,982,386 on Apr 1 and 40,014,721 on Apr 5. So in 4 days, it got 32,335 m of use (over a weekend with somewhat restricted hours).

I would say that it probably gets about 10,000-20,000 m/day use over the course of 12 yr, so that seems about right. You are correct that most that put on meters do so with short 5-10 min rows, but at say 1,000/row, it only takes about 10-20 people the entire day to put on those meters. When I have used it (recently), I have put on 8,000-13,000 m on it myself. I imagine when the facility was newer, it probably was used more. Also, the facility serves 12,000 members (students), so again, the use does match the distance.

I cannot vouch for the lifetime meters on the PM3 being accurate; however, based on the facility, I am doubtful that they ever purchased an additional PM3 that actually had more meters on it, and I am doubtful it has ever been reset.