Dynamic C2 vs. the "D", musing of Recent Dynamic Purchaser
Posted: March 9th, 2023, 6:02 pm
Concept 2 Dynamic Musing, pro- con- who is it for?
I received my new Dynamic in January 2023 to be used with my existing 2004 model D. I thought my experience with it might be helpful to those contemplating making the switch, or for a first time purchaser, and might stimulate discussion of the pros and cons here on the forum.
First the context, I’m now 73 and I started rowing in the mid 80’s on a dual piston Tunturi. In 1990 I purchased a model B that I used until 2004 when I purchased my model D (sold the B, wish I’d kept it). In 1993 I had lower back disc surgery, in 2009 I had a heart attack, and in 2010 I had a hip replacement. From the time I started keeping a log on my model B, I’ve rowed more than 20 million meters. Currently I’m 5’6’’ 156 lbs.
When the slides were first introduced I had an opportunity to try them once and enjoyed them. When the Dynamic was introduced I was intrigued. This year I was determined to buy a second rower so that I could row where I spend my summers and not have to lug my rower around with me. My only decision was another D or a Dynamic.
I called Concept 2 to see if I could visit the factory and try a Dynamic in their workout room. Unfortunately they were renovating and the factory was closed to outsiders. They carefully went over their pros and cons and my situation, and were quite helpful, but they certainly did not point me to the Dynamic. Instead they seemed to lean more to the standard model D. However, they suggested that I try a Dynamic locally. It seemed that the Union College Rowing team had a number of them. The Coach could not have been more helpful, he invited me to their wonderful facility where I was able to sample not only the Dynamic, but also the bike erg. As an aside, he invited me to try their rowing tank so I was able to scull "on the water" for the very first time! That was a thrill. I loved the Dynamic. The next day I ordered one and it was delivered a few days later.
It was no more difficult to assemble than my model B. While it is not hard to assemble, it is not as easy to put together as a D. However, I had no trouble doing by myself within a couple of hours.
So… what’s the point of this. The point is I’ve never been a competitive on the water rower, I’m 73 years old, and I have had back injuries and a heart attack. Yet I find the Dynamic a delightful machine and a joy to work out on. I truly think that if more people had an opportunity to row on one, it is the machine they would buy for their own personal use.
The machine is more challenging. I find it forces you to have good form, and this is more challenging and even fatiguing because it urges you to expend more effort. On the D you can be sloppy and row any way you like. You can move too far forward on the catch and lean into the machine to far. On the Dynamic, your footpads seem to align near the seat where your shins are vertical and your torso is at 1 o’clock. Your arms are easily positioned horizontally and it takes effort to hold them up because the shock cord is not pulling the handle towards the flywheel.
You really notice the difference when you begin your drive. You push with your legs, and your body angle and arms don’t move. There is just this effort as the foot stretcher travels down the rail. Eventually your torso rotates back to about 11 o’clock and your arms finally move into your chest. Your butt stays on the forward edge of the seat and you are not aware of the seat moving at all.
The return is different as well. The D is tolerant of any sort of return, and the tension of the shock cord can really pull you along, especially if you are tired. Not so on the Dynamic. Here, you need to be conscious of the effort needed to pull your feet towards you. At the same time you bring your torso back to vertical and begin to raise your arms to the horizontal. There doesn’t seem to be any tension on the handle. There is no power assist from the shock cord. It is as if you have to serve the handle back to the front of the machine with no help at all and this takes effort. Of course there is some tension, but it is almost not discernible. The return on the Dynamic is notable because of the difference it has on the core. I find that the fact that I must control my torso between 1 and 11 o’clock on the forward portion of the seat works all the small muscles in my lower back and sides. The return also works all the muscles of the lower abdomen and pelvis. This is because your butt is immovable and you are using all these core and pelvis muscles to pull the foot stretcher back to your butt. It is more exhausting in a good way and much more demanding. It tends to tire me out more.
I’ve also determined that the reason I find it more tiring is because I tend to want to row at higher spm’s and paces. The Dynamic urges you to go faster and harder and I think this is because it encourages better and more consistent form. It also encourages quicker drives with slower recoveries. So I think I'm getting a better balance although my SPM is often higher, but even for the same SPM the balance is different, with a shorter drive and a longer recovery.
After a few weeks of rowing on the Dynamic, when I’ve returned to the D I’ve also enjoyed working out on it. It is like putting on an old soft shoe. I can relax and do anything I like.
I think the Dynamic provides a better all round work out. For someone like me, who wants to maintain strength in my core, and maintain strength in my legs for better balance, I think the Dynamic is ideal.
I would say that for cross training and occasional workouts for someone who is not an enthusiastic rower, the model D is more suitable. And it is certainly easier to row a D, anyone can do it and not necessarily feel very awkward.
I can’t disagree with Concept 2 with their marketing of the Dynamic to more competitive on the water rowers. I can easily see why the Dynamic would be a niche target market for those on the water, and typical gyms and home users would be steered to the D. However, I think that the are large numbers of enthusiastic home rowers of all ages who would prefer the Dynamic.
In terms of esthetics, it leaves much be desired. Additionally, it is heavier and not as portable. However, it does have a smaller footprint in use.
Since I’ve only has the machine a few months, I can’t say too much about maintenance. I clean the rollers after each row (more often than I do on the D) because there are more of them and they are more critical because of the design of the moving foot stretcher. The machine is built like the proverbial brick outhouse, but it is certainly going to be a bit more fussy than a D. But I don’t think much more fussy in home use.
I received my new Dynamic in January 2023 to be used with my existing 2004 model D. I thought my experience with it might be helpful to those contemplating making the switch, or for a first time purchaser, and might stimulate discussion of the pros and cons here on the forum.
First the context, I’m now 73 and I started rowing in the mid 80’s on a dual piston Tunturi. In 1990 I purchased a model B that I used until 2004 when I purchased my model D (sold the B, wish I’d kept it). In 1993 I had lower back disc surgery, in 2009 I had a heart attack, and in 2010 I had a hip replacement. From the time I started keeping a log on my model B, I’ve rowed more than 20 million meters. Currently I’m 5’6’’ 156 lbs.
When the slides were first introduced I had an opportunity to try them once and enjoyed them. When the Dynamic was introduced I was intrigued. This year I was determined to buy a second rower so that I could row where I spend my summers and not have to lug my rower around with me. My only decision was another D or a Dynamic.
I called Concept 2 to see if I could visit the factory and try a Dynamic in their workout room. Unfortunately they were renovating and the factory was closed to outsiders. They carefully went over their pros and cons and my situation, and were quite helpful, but they certainly did not point me to the Dynamic. Instead they seemed to lean more to the standard model D. However, they suggested that I try a Dynamic locally. It seemed that the Union College Rowing team had a number of them. The Coach could not have been more helpful, he invited me to their wonderful facility where I was able to sample not only the Dynamic, but also the bike erg. As an aside, he invited me to try their rowing tank so I was able to scull "on the water" for the very first time! That was a thrill. I loved the Dynamic. The next day I ordered one and it was delivered a few days later.
It was no more difficult to assemble than my model B. While it is not hard to assemble, it is not as easy to put together as a D. However, I had no trouble doing by myself within a couple of hours.
So… what’s the point of this. The point is I’ve never been a competitive on the water rower, I’m 73 years old, and I have had back injuries and a heart attack. Yet I find the Dynamic a delightful machine and a joy to work out on. I truly think that if more people had an opportunity to row on one, it is the machine they would buy for their own personal use.
The machine is more challenging. I find it forces you to have good form, and this is more challenging and even fatiguing because it urges you to expend more effort. On the D you can be sloppy and row any way you like. You can move too far forward on the catch and lean into the machine to far. On the Dynamic, your footpads seem to align near the seat where your shins are vertical and your torso is at 1 o’clock. Your arms are easily positioned horizontally and it takes effort to hold them up because the shock cord is not pulling the handle towards the flywheel.
You really notice the difference when you begin your drive. You push with your legs, and your body angle and arms don’t move. There is just this effort as the foot stretcher travels down the rail. Eventually your torso rotates back to about 11 o’clock and your arms finally move into your chest. Your butt stays on the forward edge of the seat and you are not aware of the seat moving at all.
The return is different as well. The D is tolerant of any sort of return, and the tension of the shock cord can really pull you along, especially if you are tired. Not so on the Dynamic. Here, you need to be conscious of the effort needed to pull your feet towards you. At the same time you bring your torso back to vertical and begin to raise your arms to the horizontal. There doesn’t seem to be any tension on the handle. There is no power assist from the shock cord. It is as if you have to serve the handle back to the front of the machine with no help at all and this takes effort. Of course there is some tension, but it is almost not discernible. The return on the Dynamic is notable because of the difference it has on the core. I find that the fact that I must control my torso between 1 and 11 o’clock on the forward portion of the seat works all the small muscles in my lower back and sides. The return also works all the muscles of the lower abdomen and pelvis. This is because your butt is immovable and you are using all these core and pelvis muscles to pull the foot stretcher back to your butt. It is more exhausting in a good way and much more demanding. It tends to tire me out more.
I’ve also determined that the reason I find it more tiring is because I tend to want to row at higher spm’s and paces. The Dynamic urges you to go faster and harder and I think this is because it encourages better and more consistent form. It also encourages quicker drives with slower recoveries. So I think I'm getting a better balance although my SPM is often higher, but even for the same SPM the balance is different, with a shorter drive and a longer recovery.
After a few weeks of rowing on the Dynamic, when I’ve returned to the D I’ve also enjoyed working out on it. It is like putting on an old soft shoe. I can relax and do anything I like.
I think the Dynamic provides a better all round work out. For someone like me, who wants to maintain strength in my core, and maintain strength in my legs for better balance, I think the Dynamic is ideal.
I would say that for cross training and occasional workouts for someone who is not an enthusiastic rower, the model D is more suitable. And it is certainly easier to row a D, anyone can do it and not necessarily feel very awkward.
I can’t disagree with Concept 2 with their marketing of the Dynamic to more competitive on the water rowers. I can easily see why the Dynamic would be a niche target market for those on the water, and typical gyms and home users would be steered to the D. However, I think that the are large numbers of enthusiastic home rowers of all ages who would prefer the Dynamic.
In terms of esthetics, it leaves much be desired. Additionally, it is heavier and not as portable. However, it does have a smaller footprint in use.
Since I’ve only has the machine a few months, I can’t say too much about maintenance. I clean the rollers after each row (more often than I do on the D) because there are more of them and they are more critical because of the design of the moving foot stretcher. The machine is built like the proverbial brick outhouse, but it is certainly going to be a bit more fussy than a D. But I don’t think much more fussy in home use.
