Is a c2 rower needed for the average person?

[wisem2540]

Hello,

Obviously this is my first post here. And yes, I am going to use it to ask your community to potentially recommend a different brand rower for me. I am an average, currently overweight, person who is looking for a full body workout. Years ago I used a rower that was almost like a video game at my local "Y" and I loved it.

I am looking into rowers again and would like a similar experience. C2 looks like an amazing rower and there appears to be a ton of software out there for it. But, the price point scares me a little. So my question to your community is, is there a rower out there at a lower price point that still has the ability to interface with a software program to accomplish what I am looking for? (I have not been able to find one)

If so, what are the pros and cons as they relate to the C2? I view the c2 as a serious training machine for competitors. I would like to start with something "less", if possible.

[Citroen]

You're asking in the wrong place. There's a strong bias on here towards the Concept2 rowers. There's only one poster on here that uses anything else and he went quiet after the dynamic rower was launched.

Just put your hand in your pocket and buy a model D with PM5 and you won't look back. If you find that rowing isn't for you the resale value is very close to the retail price, these things are built like a tank, you won't anything more than a gym membership would cost.

[GJS]

You are looking to lose weight now but, over time, the competitive side to all this might enthral you.

Times between different Concept 2 machines are directly comparable. Folk at all levels - from Olympians to centenarians - post their efforts for all to see. This is not the case for other machines.

Indoor rowing, frankly, can get a little dull and this competitive element might ultimately be the factor that keeps you at it, that keeps you lithe and fit.

[lindsayh]

So my question to your community is, is there a rower out there at a lower price point that still has the ability to interface with a software program to accomplish what I am looking for? (I have not been able to find one) If so, what are the pros and cons as they relate to the C2? I view the c2 as a serious training machine for competitors. I would like to start with something "less", if possible.

You won't find many knockers here of course but that is mainly because there are so few good alternatives and the C2 is such a strong machine. None have the ability to software interface and give you so much information. Most people who use the machine don't compete so it is much more than just for serious trainers. It is just a great fitness tool. As Doug says too - if you don't like it you can sell it for little loss - the second hand market is very robust. There are machines around here that are 20 years old with 70 million meters on the clock and still original and working just fine.
it is just a no brainer really.

[Rowan McSheen]

This is the C2 forum so you're bound to be advised to go for a C2

(A fellow average person writes:)

It's not only for serious competition, it's a great all-round fitness device. But it's not cheap.

I went through a similar thought process. There are other rowers. The WaterRower is highly thought of but it costs about the same and holds its resale value worse. Less known brands, like the magnetic rowers, are cheaper but it seems to me that they're standalone machines without the motivation that comes from a community like this forum. And a look on eBay shows that they're not worth much second-hand.

You don't say where you are, but if you're in a country with a decent C2 presence like the UK, US or maybe Aus or NZ, you might find a company selling refurbed machines. They're as good as new (the C2 is built like a tank) but not that much less than a new one. If you're seriously contemplating rowing, why start with something "less" instead of the real thing?

In the end I swallowed hard and stumped up for a new model D, add RowPro software and it came to just shy of £1000. My wallet bore the scars for long afterwards but the price was actually a motivation in itself - no way was I going to spend that amount of cash on a piece of kit that would become a clothers dryer.

It can get boring going up and down the rail by yourself in the spare room but some music and/or a structured training programme (like for example https://thepeteplan.wordpress.com/beginner-training/) and a little self-discipline will see to that.

Ten years on and I regard it as one of the best purchases I've made. Even now, if I wanted to I could probably get 40% back on what I paid. Annoyingly, C2's are cheaper now new than when I bought mine!

[Anth_F]

I wasn't even looking at rowers in the beginning when i decided it was time for a kick up the tail-end and start doing some exercise to lose all that excess flab and get trim again.

I was looking at crossfit machines for like 70 quid at first Then i seen a rower machine and that it gets you a full body workout and i had never done rowing before so from that point i wanted a rower. Started looking at cheapies as you do but after so many hit n miss online reviews for most of them i was never totally convinced to purchase one. That was until i found out about Concept 2 machines Every review was simply kudos all the way as was enough to convince me to buy one. Not cheap, but i can honestly say what a true investment in every sense of the word (i love it) It's changed my life... and i enjoy pretty much every moment spent on it. Never been on any other machines to give opinion elsewhere, but i can't see them being as good or as reliable as a Concept 2 rower.

Like has been mentioned, you won't really lose money if it turns out to be not your thing! you can easily sell it and get pretty much all of your money back.

[Carl Watts]

You have to workout what motivates you for the LONG TERM.

The game changer for me was starting to use the RowPro software. Until this came out the rower was sitting dead and unused for a couple of years.

You have already said you liked the rower so if you combine the Concept 2 with RowPro then you have the "active video game".

This is my 8th straight year using RowPro and if I can hold it together for another 15 days of rowing, its going to be the best season in terms of total distance and pace ever.

[Cyclist2]

I have never "shopped" for a rower. I bought a model A from C2 to help training for OTW rowing, then a new model B (which I still have and use, 30 years later), now a used model C that needed some paint spatter cleaned off and is good as new. Compared to the main line, heavily advertised fitness gear (ellipticals, treadmills, etc.) or even the better quality rowers, a C2 ergometer is a bargain! From the previous posts, you can see that it has quite an active subculture around it that keeps things interesting. And of course it's great training for actual rowing - its original intended purpose.

Definitely don't go with less expensive rowers, they will just break or at best get rough, loose, or wobbly. If you want a less expensive option, find a used C2. Even if it is in poor condition, they are easy to refurbish, and C2 support is great.

[Tiptx4]

I wasn't sure if I wanted to get a rower at 1st. After reading several reviews it was a no brainer that it had to be a C2. This has to be one of the best investments I've ever made when it comes to my health. I can't say it is my favorite type of exercise but it works and I feel it giving me that total body workout. I do use other equipment so I mix it up but if I had to go with one piece it would be the C2.

[Kafka]

I too baulked at the cost when I was looking, but after reading up up decided that the C2 would outlive me and cost 2.5 years gym membership.

So after 2.5 years I'll be in profit and a damn sight fitter than if I'd kept messing around on the gym machines, not really knowing what I was doing.

Apart from the solid reliable build of the C2, the wealth of knowledge, experience, support and inspiration in the C2 community on here is second to none.

After having my C2 for 6 months, my times / rates are still distinctly average, but I'm fitter than I was and still enjoy going home for a (not very) quick 5k or sprints session - or more.

Just do it