Concept2 /first Degree "fluid Rower"/waterrower

[[old] GoPack]

Any advice/counsel for this novice (albeit 42-year-old) rower as to which of the above-referenced machines would be the best overall choice would be appreciated.... Thank you.

[[old] pduck]

<!--QuoteBegin-GoPack+Jan 25 2005, 12:57 PM--><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><div class='genmed'><b>QUOTE(GoPack @ Jan 25 2005, 12:57 PM)</b></div></td></tr><tr><td class='quote'><!--QuoteEBegin-->Any advice/counsel for this novice (albeit 42-year-old) rower as to which of the above-referenced machines would be the best overall choice would be appreciated.... Thank you. <br /> </td></tr></table><br /><br /><br />I picked the Concept 2 based on the monitor. I like the fact that I can compare my times to others around the world. This has sparked my competitive instincts. Even though I am old and slow, I like knowing that what I'm doing can be measured and I can compete with others (at least in my own mind). I have always hated indoor training (I'm an old runner), but I love rowing on my Concept 2 and am able to stay motivated because I can watch and monitor my progress.<br /><br />I also picked the Concept 2 because it is considered the standard in the rowing world. It's nice knowing that it's resale value will be high and that parts (if needed) are readily available.

[[old] FrancoisA]

I was in the same situation a year ago.<br />As mentioned on a previous thread, I bought the Concept2 d for the following reasons:<br /><br />1) It has a nice monitor that shows your pace, time, watts, heart rate, etc. You can program workouts (intervals, recovery times, etc.). Your workouts are saved on a memory card the size of a credit card. <br />2) The resistance can be easily adjusted by sliding a lever instead of messing up with water levels.<br />3) It can be connected to a computer and you can race against others on the internet with the RowPro software.<br />4) You can rank your performance against other people in your age group and weight category on the Concept2 online ranking.<br />5) You become part of a community and have the support of all the people on this web site!<br />6) It is also very reliable and supported by a great company.<br />7) You can add slides to make it more "boat like".<br />8) It is used by many rowers for their off-season training. <br /><br />Cheers!<br /><br /> 

[[old] Canoeist]

I hear that the fluid rower is quieter. Maybe it is smaller too and a prettier color. But the important issue when considering a purchase of exercise equipment is - will you use it for a long time? Concept beats all competitors in motivation. Show up to CRASH-B next month or even a small local race and you will experience this first hand. Even if you never race, there are challenges that everyone can do and there is the rankings, distance awards, Nonathlon, etc. to motivate you to row many meters.<br /><br />Good luck,<br /><br />Paul Flack

[[old] michael]

FrancoisA and Canoeist said it well. When you purchase a rower from another company, you're on your own. When you purchase a C2 rower, you become part of an extended rowing family that inspires one to compete and meet their personal fitness goals. I don't envision this being the case with purchasers of other rowers of comparable quality.

[[old] SimonB]

and if you need anymore reason...<br /><br /><a href='http://concept2.ipbhost.com/index.php?s ... c=1280&hl=' target='_blank'>Concept 2 Service</a>

[[old] vachh5]

The new Fluid Rower by First Degree blows everything away!!! <br /><br />I am a avid C2 health-club rower who was about to buy one for home use (until as I always do before a purchase research the h*** out of the product) tried out this new rower (as well as a WaterRower - blah) at a Busy Body fitness equipment store.<br /><br />It's incredible... true water rowers will really appreciate the smoothness and water feel. Not to mention, if you close your eyes the sound is also true to life. Unlike the WaterRower plasticy canister sound.<br /><br />Mens Health Magazine (UK Edition) Nov 2004 ranked this the best out of six rowers (C2 and WaterRower included).<br /><br />check out - www.firstdegreefitness.com<br /><br />The monitor/software is not bad including a wireless heart monitor option ... what advantage C2 might have in this area I got to think won't last long with simple mfg upgrades and 3rd-party developers jumping "on-board".<br /><br />Watch out C2 - you might have the following and camaraderie but there is now a much better product out there.<br /><br />You just need to decide if its worth double the price. I 've decided it is...

[[old] kevinkiller]

<!--QuoteBegin-vachh5+Feb 7 2005, 02:36 PM--><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><div class='genmed'><b>QUOTE(vachh5 @ Feb 7 2005, 02:36 PM)</b></div></td></tr><tr><td class='quote'><!--QuoteEBegin-->The new Fluid Rower by First Degree blows everything away!!!  <br /><br />I am a avid C2 health-club rower who was about to buy one for home use (until as I always do before a purchase research the h*** out of the product) tried out this new rower (as well as a WaterRower - blah) at a Busy Body fitness equipment store.<br /><br />It's incredible... true water rowers will really appreciate the smoothness and water feel.  Not to mention, if you close your eyes the sound is also true to life.  Unlike the WaterRower plasticy canister sound.<br /><br />Mens Health Magazine (UK Edition) Nov 2004 ranked this the best out of six rowers (C2 and WaterRower included).<br /><br />check out - www.firstdegreefitness.com<br /><br />The monitor/software is not bad including a wireless heart monitor option ... what advantage C2 might have in this area I got to think won't last long with simple mfg upgrades and 3rd-party developers jumping "on-board".<br /><br />Watch out C2 - you might have the following and camaraderie but there is now a much better product out there.<br /><br />You just need to decide if its worth double the price.  I 've decided it is... <br /> </td></tr></table><br /><br /><br />Dude, I hate to do this but in this case I just have to disagree with you. When I decided to by a rower back in December having never rowed before I went to all the local fitness equipment stores. I was able to try the Concept2, the Schwinn, the Water Rower, and the Kettler side by side and I always kept coming back to the Concept2. One I didn't like about the First Degree was that the water cylinder was vertical so things were quite "choppy" as the water splashed around at the begninning of each stroke since it the water "ring" slowed down during the recovery. I also found the price to obnoxiously high. As a matter of fact, I found the Water Rower to be a much more pleasurable fluid rower with it's horizontal water tank but I felt the construction to be a bit on the "cheap" side since I could see the whole frame flexing as I took each stroke. All in all the Concept2 felt to be the most solidly built rower I tried and it's computer was far and away better than any other. The down side was that it doesn't come with a built-in heart rate monitor, but hey for an extra $25 it is not a big deal. And the other thing about the Concept2 besides being what I thought to be the best build product was the $887 shipped price you get by calling then on the phone. Heck you can almost buy 2 Concept2's for the price of a single First Degree.<br /><br />Just my 2-cents,<br /><br />K.<br />

[[old] PaulS]

V5,<br /><br />I've got to go with Kevin on this call, though I don't know what he meant by the water sloshing around, it seemed to stay pretty well stuck on the outside edge of the thing while I was using it. The problem I had was that I ran out of length on the band that the handle attaches to, I'm not the tallest rower so this has to be a problem for a lot of folks unless the machine I was trying was assembled wrong or something.<br /><br />I like the looks of the machine, but I like TONKA toys too. <br /><br />C2 + Slides and you have a very good training platform, I haven't seen anything else that compares, regardless of what "Men's Health" reviewers have to say. It might be fun to see any of them actually row and then we might know a bit more about the validity of their opinion.

[[old] TLCoons]

After my own rigorous research over the course of two months (I wasn't even considering a C2 since I fell in love with the idea of a water-based rower), I ran across the community and customer service of C2; I never looked back.<br /><br />The sales rep at an exercise equipment retailer in New York (selling the WR and FR) convinced me to call C2 and talk to them. It turns out that when I asked him his honest opinion about the best rower - long term, he couldn't advocate either of the models he sold. Everytime he went to the gym, he chose the C2.<br /><br />In my mind, I could never quite justify what I viewed to be the negative aspects of the water-based rowers: price, maintenance, weight (I wanted for home use), and enormity (in the case of FR). I also was never able to get my questions answered by the companies (WR/FR) which had me further skittered about such a costly purchase.<br /><br />I consider the C2 to be one of the best strategic values for my long term health care. And honestly, I never looked back; I enjoy using it way too much!<br /><br />TLC

[[old] peterb]

<!--QuoteBegin-michael+Jan 27 2005, 03:48 PM--><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><div class='genmed'><b>QUOTE(michael @ Jan 27 2005, 03:48 PM)</b></div></td></tr><tr><td class='quote'><!--QuoteEBegin-->FrancoisA and Canoeist said it well.  When you purchase a rower from another company, you're on your own.  When you purchase a C2 rower, you become part of an extended rowing family that inspires one to compete and meet their personal fitness goals.  I don't envision this being the case with purchasers of other rowers of comparable quality. <br /> </td></tr></table><br /><br />Well said!!!!!<br /><br />I bought my C2 almost 18 months ago. During that time I have had the pleasure to hook up with two gentlemen, Tomhz and Bill Steamshovel. We have set-up our own Challenge, share training plans & ideas, boast about PB / SB, etc, etc, etc. Our mini support group has allowed each of us to enjoy the sport and maintain our motivation!!!!<br /><br />And oh yes, all the other challenges keep you going strong <br /><br />All the Best, peterb

[[old] michael]

PaulS raises a good point when it comes to "authoritative reviewers" of fitness equipment like the staff at Mens Health. I envision them as being quick to endorse something because of first impressions and turning a blind eye to hidden potential problem spots that may arise through long term use. On the Fluid Rower, for example, where cleanliness is concerned, the idea of an embedded rail makes little sense . But since (I'm reasonably sure anyway), that no one on the magazine staff owns this rower, much less habitually uses ANY indoor rower, things like this get easily overlooked.

[[old] Canoeist]

<!--QuoteBegin-vachh5+Feb 7 2005, 07:36 PM--><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><div class='genmed'><b>QUOTE(vachh5 @ Feb 7 2005, 07:36 PM)</b></div></td></tr><tr><td class='quote'><!--QuoteEBegin-->The new Fluid Rower by First Degree blows everything away!!!  <br /><br />I am a avid C2 health-club rower who was about to buy one for home use (until as I always do before a purchase research the h*** out of the product) tried out this new rower (as well as a WaterRower - blah) at a Busy Body fitness equipment store.<br /><br />It's incredible... true water rowers will really appreciate the smoothness and water feel.  Not to mention, if you close your eyes the sound is also true to life.  Unlike the WaterRower plasticy canister sound.<br /><br />Mens Health Magazine (UK Edition) Nov 2004 ranked this the best out of six rowers (C2 and WaterRower included).<br /><br />check out - www.firstdegreefitness.com<br /><br />The monitor/software is not bad including a wireless heart monitor option ... what advantage C2 might have in this area I got to think won't last long with simple mfg upgrades and 3rd-party developers jumping "on-board".<br /><br />Watch out C2 - you might have the following and camaraderie but there is now a much better product out there.<br /><br />You just need to decide if its worth double the price.  I 've decided it is... <br /> </td></tr></table><br /><br />Before you buy anything, do yourself a favor and stop by CRASH-B this Sunday. Nothing can get your blood boiling like CRASH-B and you can't find anything like it with any other rowing machine.<br /><br />Cheers,<br /><br />Paul Flack

[[old] Sir Pirate]

I have done a few sessions on the fluid rower. It is very smooth and quiet, a lot more effortless than the C2.<br />But.......<br />The C2 is far more better in build quality and I can not imagine any company (not just a rowing one) having better customer support.<br /><br />The splits on a fluid rower do not compare to the C2 though. My Mrs can pull a 1:38 split on a C2 but can get down to a 1:08 on the fluid rower.<br /><br />The C2 is the best indoor rower on the market. FACT!! <br /><br />Sir Pirate<br />

[[old] Lisa]

I'm also 42 and not a maniac rower - just in it for weight loss and health. I live no where near any races, and even if I did I doubt I'd participate because my times are crappy. Those races just don't motivate me.<br /><br />I have a treadmill, a ski machine and a C2 and I use the C2 the most. The thing I like the most is the motivational awards C2 has. I like the thought of free things every million meters I find this a huge motivator.<br /><br />The races don't motivate me at all, but the online community and the challenges C2 holds do motivate me to stick on the rower longer. I do about 45 minutes 5 days a week. <br /><br />The things I don't like about the C2 are the move to 3rd party software and my rollers have always dropped black hard material (part of the roller??) that after about 30 minutes give me a bumpy ride. I have to stop and wipe the rail in the middle of the ride. But all in all I'm very happy with my C2 and its quality.<br /><br /><br />