Rowing machines

[trooperiziz]

I quite fancy a rowing machine, it's one of the exercises that I do enjoy on my very rare trips to the gym, and as i'm now in my early thirties, I figure I need to do something so I don't lose my natural god like figure...

I don't mind spending a fair amount on one, and I have the space, but really have no idea what is best to go for.

Air rowers seem to be the best, but very noisy and as I live in a flat might not be the best option, however I do have pretty good soundproofing so that may not be a problem?
Water rowers feel better to use, but are less adjustable i've heard?
Magnetic rowers are a lot quieter, but apparently feel a lot worse to use?

I'd be happy to spend £600 or so, could go up to a grand if there is an obvious benefit to spending that much.
Should I just buy a Concept 2 and be done with it...

I'm also a total geek, so if it had some cool data logging and software that came with it, that would rock

Any recommendations?

[M@T.R]

Concept 2 rower. That should end this topic.

[Fetchez la vache]

M@T.R said:

Concept 2 rower. That should end this topic.

Best I've used anyway... I'm sure someone will be along in a minute to prove us wrong...

[RDE]

My father bought a magnetic-type rower. I used it twice and that was enough to let me know not to bother again. It's st. Get a Concept.

[yellowtr]

Concept 2 end of. Don't bother with anything else. If you hate it, you will ALWAYS sell it no problem.

[trooperiziz]

yellowtr said:

Concept 2 end of. Don't bother with anything else. If you hate it, you will ALWAYS sell it no problem.

So... what do people think about a concept 2...?

Ebay shows them to go for around £750 for a model D with PM3, which I can buy brand new for about £1000. I'd be happy to sell it on ebay should I not use it, but i'll be buying new.

Should I get a PM4 though? It's an extra £150 for not a huge amount more in terms of functionality as far as I can see? But then if i'm buying one, I may as well get the best one I can. Is the model E much better than the D? That's another £125 on top of a D with PM4.

Choices, choices.

[rhinochopig]

Whoah, whoah and whoah!

I have a concept II, as I used to be a rower. However, if you don't feel the need to compare how fit you used to be to how unfit you are now, then a BETTER option is the water rower.

They look nicer, sound better, and are just as effective as the C2. You can also get a wood finish to match your house.

[Elskeggso]

The Concept 2 is the only machine I've used, so I can't really contribute too much, but I think it's great

[Hammerhead]

Another vote for the C2. Very, very effective assuming you can use it regularly.

I bit the bullet last September and bought a new Model E/PM4. Feels like it'll last forever

Edited by Hammerhead on Saturday 9th May 12:14

[trooperiziz]

rhinochopig said:

Whoah, whoah and whoah!

I have a concept II, as I used to be a rower. However, if you don't feel the need to compare how fit you used to be to how unfit you are now, then a BETTER option is the water rower.

They look nicer, sound better, and are just as effective as the C2. You can also get a wood finish to match your house.

I had a look at one of these in John Lewis today. They are more aesthetically pleasing but the electronics and software that come with the C2 are a big draw for a geek like me Especially the ProRow PC software...

http://www.jamesstroud.com/postings/c2-versus-wate...

I've never used a water rower before, but from reading that I think I would like the action a lot more that the air rower, and as it will be in my front room the water rower won't actually be an embarrassment

hmm...

[jshell]

Concept 2 is like the 'Rolex' of rowing machines - it 'may' not be the best out there, but at least it'll sell for a good price later!

[10 Pence Short]

You don't want rowing, you want paddling!

[trooperiziz]

jshell said:

Concept 2 is like the 'Rolex' of rowing machines - it 'may' not be the best out there, but at least it'll sell for a good price later!

Very true. However, i've been doing a lot of reading and i'm really tempted by the water rower! It just looks so pretty...

[LMC]

I tried my father in laws, and promptly hit myself in the bks with the "oars". Dangerous bloody things

[trooperiziz]

Well... I've just ordered a Water Rower!

Reading all the reviews and material on the web sold me on one, due to the more realistic rowing feel. Add to that the fact that it really does look quite nice and shouldn't be that much of an eyesore in the lounge and felt good to use in the quick play I had today. It was also a good £200 cheaper than the Concept 2 and is a lot quieter, meaning I should be able to use it late at night in the flat without pissing off the neighbours.

I really did want the extra buttons and software with the Concept 2, but I realised that will keep me entertained for about a week till the novelty wore off and i'll just end up using the timer and distance/stroke measure on the base unit for the most part, which is just as good on the Water Rower.

Hopefully I haven't made the wrong choice, but if I really don't like it, I should be able to get a pretty good price for it on Ebay and I'll get a Concept 2 instead

I can't wait Can I really be this excited over spending close to £900 on something that will literally try and kill me every week for years to come?

[rhinochopig]

trooperiziz said:

Well... I've just ordered a Water Rower!

Reading all the reviews and material on the web sold me on one, due to the more realistic rowing feel. Add to that the fact that it really does look quite nice and shouldn't be that much of an eyesore in the lounge and felt good to use in the quick play I had today. It was also a good £200 cheaper than the Concept 2 and is a lot quieter, meaning I should be able to use it late at night in the flat without pissing off the neighbours.

I really did want the extra buttons and software with the Concept 2, but I realised that will keep me entertained for about a week till the novelty wore off and i'll just end up using the timer and distance/stroke measure on the base unit for the most part, which is just as good on the Water Rower.

Hopefully I haven't made the wrong choice, but if I really don't like it, I should be able to get a pretty good price for it on Ebay and I'll get a Concept 2 instead

I can't wait Can I really be this excited over spending close to £900 on something that will literally try and kill me every week for years to come?

Good choice IMHO. For what it's worth, I used rowpro twice before dismissing it as a gimmick.

What wood did you go for in the end?

[trooperiziz]

rhinochopig said:

What wood did you go for in the end?

Just the basic Natural Ash version.