Cheap-ish rowing machine.

[chrisp84]

I’ve let myself go in the past 6 months so decided to get back on it. I’m a runner mostly but due to circumstances I can’t get out as much as I used to. Going to keep running when I can but need something I can do at home.

I’ve been thinking about getting a rowing machine again (I had one years ago but it broke fairly quickly and was sent back) but looking at Amazon there’s loads at around the £200-250 mark which is my budget. Does anyone have any recommendations at this price or is anything at this level going to break in weeks?

[king arthur]

Rowing is an excellent exercise involving all the main muscle groups. My honest advice would be forget buying a brand new machine for £250, go for a used Concept 2. You will have to go over your budget but it will outlast anything you can buy for £250, even a well looked after Model C (make sure it has the PM3 monitor).

Edited by king arthur on Friday 9th September 14:27

[Ambleton]

Wot he said ^

Also, when you come to sell it (assuming it still works), you'll get most, if not all, your money back.

[king arthur]

Ambleton said:

Also, when you come to sell it (assuming it still works), you'll get most, if not all, your money back.

I sold mine for more than I paid for it. Unfortunately I did this in February 2020, just before all the gyms got shut down.

[Louis Balfour]

chrisp84 said:

I’ve let myself go in the past 6 months so decided to get back on it. I’m a runner mostly but due to circumstances I can’t get out as much as I used to. Going to keep running when I can but need something I can do at home.

I’ve been thinking about getting a rowing machine again (I had one years ago but it broke fairly quickly and was sent back) but looking at Amazon there’s loads at around the £200-250 mark which is my budget. Does anyone have any recommendations at this price or is anything at this level going to break in weeks?

You're welcome.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/204088500533?hash=item2...

[R56Cooper]

Another vote for the concept 2, they're pretty bullet proof and replacement parts are readily available.

Keep an eye on ebay and facebook marketplace and you should be able to find an older one (the Model C) in good order for £400-500. As someone else said you want at least a "PM3" monitor.

The older "PM2" model is prone to breaking when batteries leak.

I appreciate that's above budget but the beauty of the C2 is the extensive support and backwards compatibility (you can buy the latest generation monitor, internal gubbins and handle and basically upgrade to the current spec). They hold their prices so well whereas a £250 Reebok rower from Argos is going to be junk if it breaks and worth pennies second hand.

[chrisp84]

So get a Concept 2 then! There’s a model E for sale locally for £599. Doubles the budget but like you all say they hold their value well.

[fbc]

Another vote for a Concept 2 - worth every cent, my Model E is up to 35,415,378 metres. The only wear it's shown was the need to replace the foot straps. Utterly rock-solid machine.

[chrisp84]

This one’s only at 600,000!

[andyA700]

When I see what cyclists now pay for mid range time trial bikes and golfers for half decent clubs, a s/h Concept 2 seems extraordinary value at £400.

[sutoka]

I got one out of Decathlon about a decade ago for £150 which was build like a tank. Of course it went after my spinal injury but it wasn’t far off a Concept 2 in terms of built quality