Buy a Concept2 or use the gym??

[PJM]

Absolutely buy one of your own if it is at all possible.It will pay itself off quickly.Worth its weight in gold.Just my opinion here.I have had mine since 1996 and it has been my favorite workout routine and adds alot of variety to my workouts.


Pat
TIMBUK2/TimbukTOO

[BrianStaff]

I consider myself to be a bit frugal, but I do not mind paying for something of good quality. A year ago I needed an incentive to get back into shape and lose some weight - I bought an E and I have used it ever since, recently rowing my first million meters and breaking the 8 minute 2K barrier. I've lost 25 lbs and I feel much much better.

I love being able to row when I want to, without the added chore of traveling somewhere. I have a TV set up in front of me and I'm thinking of getting RowPro.

The real cost benefit comes if more than one person in your household can use it.

If you use it, you will not regret buying one.

Brian

[tjf0]

I agree that getting one of your own is the best strategy. I got mine in July and have easily passed the 1 million mark for this season and am approaching the 2 million mark. It is much easier to get in a workout if you can not get to the gym. I row a lot of times over lunch since I work at a university but it is very convenient to have one at home. And it also allows me to row over the weekend without having to go back to the gym. It is also in my opinion the best exercise machine you can get for home use.

[snelson]

My 2 cents - For 8-9 years I always used the 'C' at my gym. Found it to be more motivating to row/exercise in that type of environment. I was lucky enough to be invited to be on the Indoor C2 Development Squad in 2007 - had a 5k time trial that was due on a certain date - trained hard for it - went to the gym the day before it was due and the gym got rid of the machines. Needless to say I missed the time trial. My suggestion - buy your own machine. For me I'm finally picking up a couple of 'B's and a dyno the first of April.

[tiredboy]

For me, having the rowing machine in the house reduces the chance that I will find an excuse not to exercise. That in itself has meant I have used it a lot more than I would use one in a gym. On a purely financial level it makes sense with time. Some figures to put it into context:

How long had machine: 18 months
approx cost per month: $55
Times used: ~300
Approx cost per use: <$3.50
Hours rowed: 127
Approx cost per hour: <$8

Now it depends on how much your gym membership is but my gut feeling is that it's already less than I would have spent at a gym. Obviously the more you use it and the longer you keep it the value relative to gym membership goes up (meaning the more you exercise the more money you are "saving").

[Montanaandy]

I agree that if you can afford either a new or used machine you should get one for home use.

Unfortunately, most gyms that I visit when I travel that have an erg don't tend to take very good care of them. Chains are not lubricated regularly and often the track is dirty. The erg's are often tucked away in a corner or off to the side although at many college campus gyms they are often up front & easily accessible which is nice.

Tiredboy - don't forget to factor in transportation costs and time spent traveling to and from the gym.

[SkipChurch]

I row at 5:30AM for an hour or a little more, which I couldn't do unless I owned the rower. I went from 237 in Feb 2008 to 172 on Sept 1, 2008. Actually I overshot my goal and went to 167 on a vegan regimen, but I'm now in the mid 170's which is where I want to be. Fresh fruits and vegetables + rower! Animal sources limited to 10% of total calories.

I had two surgeries this year and lost 22 days of rowing (mainly after the open surgery for the gall bladder removal) but still got over 4 million meters for the year.