Concept2RowErg

Overview

The RowErg is Concept2's air-resistance rower and the default choice in CrossFit boxes, rowing clubs and serious home gyms. A spinning flywheel creates resistance that rises with your effort, and a damper lets you change the feel from light and quick to heavy and slow. It ships with the PM5 monitor and a device holder, with standard 14-inch legs or optional 20-inch tall legs. On paper the numbers are generous: a 500 lb user capacity as tested by Concept2, a 54-inch monorail that fits inseams up to 38 inches, and a frame that separates into two pieces for storage without tools.

What reviewers say

Independent reviewers are close to unanimous. Garage Gym Reviews calls it the ultimate stalwart of rowers, Treadmill Reviews describes it as one of the best rowers on the market and solidly built, and rowing coach Austin of Just Row with Austin digs into why Concept2 rowers last for decades. The PM5 is widely treated as the gold standard of rowing monitors: Concept2 says its data is accurate and comparable across machines, so your times mean the same thing at home as at the gym, and it pairs with apps and heart-rate straps over Bluetooth and ANT+. Rowing Crazy's Max Secunda reviewed it after years of personal use, and Concept2 builds it to be durable and low-maintenance. The recurring complaints are practical: it is long (Concept2 recommends 9 by 4 feet of space in use), the fan makes a noticeable whoosh, and there is no touchscreen or built-in class library.

Who it's for

Anyone who wants one cardio machine for full-body conditioning, from beginners to competitive rowers and HYROX or CrossFit athletes. It suits garage gyms and homes with a spare 8-foot strip of floor, and buyers who would rather pay once than replace a cheaper rower in a few years.

Bottom line

The RowErg is not flashy, but it is the safest cardio purchase in this category: proven design, serious capacity, excellent data and strong resale value. If you have the space, it is our top pick.