Durability of rower

[Lumberman1]

Hello everyone. Long time listener, first time caller here. I'm looking at purchasing a rower for home to help with some major weight loss as well as a bit of physical therapy/strength building. I was pretty active until my blown out knees from the Army caught up with me. I've had 10 knee surgeries (5 on each knee), including having them both replaced twice, between January of 2018 and February of 2020. Obviously the strength has been an issue but the bigger issue has been the weight gain. I've put on about 70-80 lbs. in that time period. I hate the way I look and feel and I'm finally feeling good enough to start back in with some exercise. The biggest problem is the fear of the machine being strong enough to hold the weight along with the constant use. I'm 6'1 and about 345. I HAVE to change that but I don't want to spend a ton of money on a machine that can't hold my weight. Can any of you tell me of your experience, or that of someone else who's around my size and their stories of how well their machines held up for them? T.i.a.
Mike

[Citroen]

500 lb (227 kg) as tested by Concept2.*

It's built like a Hummer so will easily last 30+ years or until it rusts to dust.

https://www.concept2.com/indoor-rowers/ ... ations-tab

[chicagoal]

Citroen has you covered on your specific question, but I just want to add that if you are on Facebook, there is a group called 'Concept 2 Community' where you'll find a lot of support. You're not the first one to use rowing to come back from injury or surgery and resultant weight loss. Good luck!

[Rick]

Hey Mike,

Congratulations on getting started on your fitness journey! Every bit of exercise is good for you, and a step in the right direction.

I’ve seen some really large folks get on the Concept 2 rower, both overweight and very large athletes. The machine is unaffected, and gives a good workout to each. The C2 rowers seem to last forever, and having a stable company with a good parts inventory and great customer service is the perfect complement to a well made machine. My wife and I are now closing in on 3 million meters this season, and the machine looks new. You just can’t beat it, in my opinion.

Best of luck moving forward! Patience and steady work will get you there.

[Ombrax]

Hi Mike, welcome to the forum.

Don't worry about your weight - that's not an issue at all for the rower. Regarding strength, see the guy below.

This guy isn't a lumberjack, but he looks plenty strong to me. (and fast too)

500m in 1:11.4

https://youtu.be/Zz4x3OjdTE8

[Carl Watts]

345lbs and 6foot1 ?

The rower is going to be hell. My advice is to start walking first and lose some weight before moving to the Erg.

[Dangerscouse]

Welcome to the forum Mike, and best of luck with your weight loss.

[Dutch]

Hey Mike, great to see you here. The worry you have about the machine I feel can be put aside. The things are way over engineered for a life times use.

I would point you to the vid of Brian Shaw, 4 x worlds strongest man and about 420 lbs.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SVl0Zt-kZys

Just take it steady and you will be fine. If its going to break, it will happen in the first 6 months and you are covered by a years guarantee. Anyways your weight will hopefully will be going down, not up, so the machine will be under less stress each week. A win win all round.

[Tsnor]

345lbs and 6foot1 ?

The rower is going to be hell. My advice is to start walking first and lose some weight before moving to the Erg.

The rower will be LESS impact than walking for someone weighing 345 lbs. A fairly comfortable seat (with appropriate padding) supports the weight. Adding walking is outstanding, but walking can be more painful, especially for someone with bad knees.

Your leg drive will be huge day 1 because your legs are used to getting 345 lbs up a flight of stairs -- likely stronger than a 160 lbs person who has been rowing for a year. Don't let your strong legs drive trick you into hurting the other body parts that are not ready to take that load -- they'll need 8 weeks or so to get into balance. The force from your legs goes through your hips, back, arms, hands and can put quite a load on them.

Like everything, go easy, build up and find a way to have fun rowing. Use music, books video, tracking your gains, etc. Plenty of success story posts and first time Q&A in the weight loss forum.

If you do too much too soon something will hurt (back, hands, arms, etc). Don't row through pain. You can either row at much less effort or stop completely for a few days and things will get better.

[faach1]

The rower will be LESS impact than walking for someone weighing 345 lbs. A fairly comfortable seat (with appropriate padding) supports the weight. Adding walking is outstanding, but walking can be more painful, especially for someone with bad knees.

Your leg drive will be huge day 1 because your legs are used to getting 345 lbs up a flight of stairs -- likely stronger than a 160 lbs person who has been rowing for a year. Don't let your strong legs drive trick you into hurting the other body parts that are not ready to take that load -- they'll need 8 weeks or so to get into balance. The force from your legs goes through your hips, back, arms, hands and can put quite a load on them.

Like everything, go easy, build up and find a way to have fun rowing. Use music, books video, tracking your gains, etc. Plenty of success story posts and first time Q&A in the weight loss forum.

If you do too much too soon something will hurt (back, hands, arms, etc). Don't row through pain. You can either row at much less effort or stop completely for a few days and things will get better.

Totally agree Tsnor, great advice.

[adouglas]

Can't speak to the weight aspect but I can definitely attest to the durability of the machine. I have a 33-year-old Model B that I bought for $200 in January. It runs as well as it did when new. I've installed all possible upgrades (PM5, new-style handle and new-style foot stretchers) so it's functionally identical to the latest RowErg.

I've also replaced the chain and bungee... not because they were needed but because I scored a good deal on some new parts so why not? Might as well.

The rower may very well outlive me.

[Solid Dudes]

I retired May 10 @ 326 lbs
I'm finishing up this year around 275lb & 2,421,000 meters
Still along way to go. My machine has 3,381,000 meters
Runs like a champ and handled my weight easily
Good luck on your journey! I'm still on mine.

[mict450]

I retired May 10 @ 326 lbs
I'm finishing up this year around 275lb & 2,421,000 meters
Still along way to go. My machine has 3,381,000 meters
Runs like a champ and handled my weight easily
Good luck on your journey! I'm still on mine.

Welcome to the forum. Great progress there. Best to you on your journey.

[Dangerscouse]

I retired May 10 @ 326 lbs
I'm finishing up this year around 275lb & 2,421,000 meters
Still along way to go. My machine has 3,381,000 meters
Runs like a champ and handled my weight easily
Good luck on your journey! I'm still on mine.

Great result in less than a year

[YamR1Rider]

I retired May 10 @ 326 lbs
I'm finishing up this year around 275lb & 2,421,000 meters
Still along way to go. My machine has 3,381,000 meters
Runs like a champ and handled my weight easily
Good luck on your journey! I'm still on mine.

Great results, well done!

Regarding durability, I don't think there is a more durable piece of equipment out there and wear items can easily and inexpensively be replaced - it's great that C2 doesn't engage in spare parts price gouging.

If anyone is going to break a C2, it will be the massive dudes trying to crack the 100m record but I don't think anyone has managed it yet!