Concept 2 Model D or Fluid Rower E316

[D Dog]

Has anyone used either machine and what are your thoughts. Both are a similar price, but which do you prefer? Concept 2 Model D - http://www.concept2shop.co.uk/product/i ... =248190215 Fluid Rower E316 - http://www.healthclubsathome.com/produc ... hines.html

[JRBJR]

That's a tough one. Go with one of the latest offerings from the premier indoor rower company with the best customer service and support in the world (who hosts this forum) or go with an equivalently-priced water-resistance entry from a company with absolutely no brand name recognition or reputation?

Why not go with the Fluid Rower E316? Then you can keep us informed about how much you enjoy using their product and just how effectively they dodge you when you try to call them with a problem or request that they honor their warranty. And how well their performance monitor keeps you in sync with the scores of others.

[gregsmith01748]

Hi,
I can't vouch for the fluid rower and I am a big model D fan, so take this with again of salt.

I have been 100% satisfied with my model D since I bought it over a year ago. It worked perfectly right out of the box, has required nothing but an occaisional cleaning, and seems to be exactly calibrated with the dozen or so other concept 2 rowers that I have used at various fitness center. In other words, it just works.

But that's not why I am a big concept2 booster. The main reason I have stuck with the rowing "thing" is because of the online logbook and rankings. Being able to trust that thousands of people are using a setup that is fairly equivalent and competing online is hugely motivating to me. Watching my rankings improve with my fitness keeps me focused now that I have reached my target weight.

I bet that competing rowers are very good products, and you'd get a fine workout using them. I am not sure that that would have been enough to keep me interested over the past two years.

But, as I said, I'm biased!

[D Dog]

That's a tough one. Go with one of the latest offerings from the premier indoor rower company with the best customer service and support in the world (who hosts this forum) or go with an equivalently-priced water-resistance entry from a company with absolutely no brand name recognition or reputation?

Why not go with the Fluid Rower E316? Then you can keep us informed about how much you enjoy using their product and just how effectively they dodge you when you try to call them with a problem or request that they honor their warranty. And how well their performance monitor keeps you in sync with the scores of others.

Yes C2's are very well built and very reliable. But I feel as though they are getting complacent, they have barely changed their design in years and wouldn't say their customer service is great. The rowers often slide across the floor whenever you start rowing hard, so you ring them up and they tell you to screw a wooden block into the floor? That's what my local gym have had to do and it looks awful. But yes, the brand is much more recognised and I have yet to find a gym without a C2 in.

[Citroen]

But I feel as though they are getting complacent, they have barely changed their design in years and wouldn't say their customer service is great.

The dymamic is a radically different design, But when it comes to design why change something that works. Their customer service (both UK and USA - I've used both) is excellent, couldn't be better.

The rowers often slide across the floor whenever you start rowing hard, so you ring them up and they tell you to screw a wooden block into the floor?

Alternatively, you could learn to row properly without throwing your body weight around so much and you wouldn't get the rower moving.

[D Dog]

The dymamic is a radically different design, But when it comes to design why change something that works. Their customer service (both UK and USA - I've used both) is excellent, couldn't be better. Alternatively, you could learn to row properly without throwing your body weight around so much and you wouldn't get the rower moving.

Do you really think its about technique? My rowing technique is fine, I think it smore about design - Water rower sticks to the ground like glue, (regardless of technique) and so does the Fluid. It would be easy for C2 to make some changes to the feet, make them concaved and of a softer rubber. Problemo solved. Not sure about the service being great. One of the C2's at my local gym have been out of order for 3 weeks now. Having said that, I'm not sure how long it took them to send the part off. Apparently C2 dont come out to repair any of their rowers, (even under warranty), you have to send the part to them, they inspect it, and then send out a replacment part. Its a slow process. Luckily, they dont seem to break down too often.

[Citroen]

Do you really think its about technique? My rowing technique is fine,

It's always technique.

How do you know your technique is "fine", you're clearly throwing your body weight around to move the ergo.

[JRBJR]

Do you really think its about technique? My rowing technique is fine, I think it smore about design - Water rower sticks to the ground like glue, (regardless of technique) and so does the Fluid. It would be easy for C2 to make some changes to the feet, make them concaved and of a softer rubber. Problemo solved. Not sure about the service being great. One of the C2's at my local gym have been out of order for 3 weeks now. Having said that, I'm not sure how long it took them to send the part off. Apparently C2 dont come out to repair any of their rowers, (even under warranty), you have to send the part to them, they inspect it, and then send out a replacment part. Its a slow process. Luckily, they dont seem to break down too often.

Watch a CRASH-B sprint, where the worlds' top ergers are going all out for 2000 meters and you'll notice their ergs aren't bucking around on the floor, even during tremendeous exertion. I've used static C2 ergs for years before I switched to slides and never once experienced the kind of movement you describe. The fact that you claim to have fine technique but still experience this problem means you either have bad technique or a very slippery floor surface (or both). Watch a few Youtube videos on proper C2 erging technique and incorporate them into you own sessions.

As for your parting shot about C2 service, I really suspect the problem is with your local gym management. If they contacted C2 and actually ordered the necessary replacement parts, they should have received them by now and are themselves responsible for installing them. It's not as if C2 sends out a rep to do the installing. C2 has an excellent order taking, fulfillment, and delivery process and always provides the customer with a UPS tracking number to trace the shipment's progress. In the rare event that it gets lost in transit, tell C2 and they'll immediately send you a replacement at no extra cost. That's good customer service, no matter what you claim.

Finally, you are correct about the C2 ergs not breaking down very often. Unforunately, most low-volume erg manufacturers can't make that claim or support their product in the fashion you seem to expect.

[D Dog]

Thanks JRBJR, Maybe my technique isn't quite that of a professional rower, but then again, who's is? (apart from....of course, professional rowers!). So what about the rest of the world ie 99.9% of us, who just enjoy a good thrashing on the rower? Surely thats who C2 should be designing their rowers for as well as "the pro"?

[JRBJR]

Thanks JRBJR, Maybe my technique isn't quite that of a professional rower, but then again, who's is? (apart from....of course, professional rowers!). So what about the rest of the world ie 99.9% of us, who just enjoy a good thrashing on the rower? Surely thats who C2 should be designing their rowers for as well as "the pro"?

Who said you need to be a "professional rower" to achieve proper erg technique on a static C2 and prevent the machine from lurching around on the floor? Anyone who takes the time to learn the proper basic rowing techniques can quickly achieve this outcome without months or years of training. And the erg is a hell of a lot more forgiving of less than perfect technique than any boat on the water.

[D Dog]

Thanks JRBJR, Maybe my technique isn't quite that of a professional rower, but then again, who's is? (apart from....of course, professional rowers!). So what about the rest of the world ie 99.9% of us, who just enjoy a good thrashing on the rower? Surely thats who C2 should be designing their rowers for as well as "the pro"?

Who said you need to be a "professional rower" to achieve proper erg technique on a static C2 and prevent the machine from lurching around on the floor? Anyone who takes the time to learn the proper basic rowing techniques can quickly achieve this outcome without months or years of training. And the erg is a hell of a lot more forgiving of less than perfect technique than any boat on the water.

The majority of people who attend gyms are people like me, who just want a good workout and are not bothered about achieving a perfect technique. I wasn't comparing the concept 2 to rowing on a boat, I was comparing it to the fluid rower. The fluid rower grips to the floor, surely this is something that concept 2 could easily change, so why haven't they?

[hjs]

Thanks JRBJR, Maybe my technique isn't quite that of a professional rower, but then again, who's is? (apart from....of course, professional rowers!). So what about the rest of the world ie 99.9% of us, who just enjoy a good thrashing on the rower? Surely thats who C2 should be designing their rowers for as well as "the pro"?

Who said you need to be a "professional rower" to achieve proper erg technique on a static C2 and prevent the machine from lurching around on the floor? Anyone who takes the time to learn the proper basic rowing techniques can quickly achieve this outcome without months or years of training. And the erg is a hell of a lot more forgiving of less than perfect technique than any boat on the water.

The majority of people who attend gyms are people like me, who just want a good workout and are not bothered about achieving a perfect technique. I wasn't comparing the concept 2 to rowing on a boat, I was comparing it to the fluid rower. The fluid rower grips to the floor, surely this is something that concept 2 could easily change, so why haven't they?

No need for, on a normal surface the c2 stays put.

The main advantage for the c2 if you ask me is the community online and the ranking and comparing possibilitie's. If you don't care about that you can also buy a waterrower. But you won't find many fans of those here.

[BoB/335]

I'm new to participating on this forum. I have been rowing for several years on and off at my gym. It amazes me how many people have NO IDEA how to properly row INCLUDING the so-called "personal trainers". I have told several people including the trainers about several different sources for proper technique (many YouTube videos) and I have yet to see anyone that I have spoken to change their technique.
I, myself, have used improper technique for many of my on and off years until I stumbled across some of the many examples on this site and YouTube and I have to tell you that the results of proper technique really give you the full benefit of using this piece of equipment. So the 99% that seem to be the topic of this discussion SHOULD definitely learn how to use this for one of the best workouts available (and probably keep from injuring themselves by using bad technique.

Just saying............................

[carlb]

I have used Model D/E rowers in Cruise Ship fitness centers many times and have never had one move under me. These are on a hardwood floor. On cruises I have seen many rowers have the worst techinique possible trashing, the C2 doesn't move. The ship moves (rolls, pitches, yaws), which makes it interesting, but the rower has not moved.

I suspect DDogs purpose here is solely to promote the Fluid rower as that is all his posts relate to, and basically ask "what do you think". He links to sales site pages so maybe it's his site or he has affiliate dollars.

The Fld rower may be ok, but for 2X the price of a Concept 2, unknown resale value, unknown reliability, no online community, etc, why risk it. C2 is a sure thing and the best deal in a cardio machine.

[D Dog]

I have used Model D/E rowers in Cruise Ship fitness centers many times and have never had one move under me. These are on a hardwood floor. On cruises I have seen many rowers have the worst techinique possible trashing, the C2 doesn't move. The ship moves (rolls, pitches, yaws), which makes it interesting, but the rower has not moved.

I suspect DDogs purpose here is solely to promote the Fluid rower as that is all his posts relate to, and basically ask "what do you think". He links to sales site pages so maybe it's his site or he has affiliate dollars.

The Fld rower may be ok, but for 2X the price of a Concept 2, unknown resale value, unknown reliability, no online community, etc, why risk it. C2 is a sure thing and the best deal in a cardio machine.

If Concept 2’s don’t move then how come my gym have had to nail a wooden block into their wooden floor. This isn’t the only gym I have been to where they have done this. I am going to the gym tonight so I can get a picture if you want.

If you click on www.healthclubsathome.com, you will see that they sell more concept 2’s than Fluid rowers. So not sure why they would try and promote fluid rowers over concept 2s on a concept 2 forum haha. I want to know why people prefer Concept 2’s to Fluid Rowers and it has just turned into a debate about whether concept 2’s slide along the floor or not.

The thread is called Concept 2 Model D or Fluid Rower E316. If you click on the links you will see that they are a very similar price and the fluid isn’t 2x as much??


I don’t want to come across as a concept 2 hater, I actually like their rowers ... believe it or not. But I just want to know why everyone loves them so much compared to other rowers?