subject: The Real Facts On The Concept 2 Rower [print this page] Anyone looking to buy a Concept 2 Rower should be pleased to learn that it is one of the top rowing machines on the market. This ergometer is a very high quality product and very user-friendly. Rowing isn't just for fans of the sport or competing rowers, it's also a fantastic workout for people trying to get in shape.
The Concept 2 company produces two different rowing machines: the Model D ($900) and the Model E ($1260). Both models use the same simple construction. The seat slides along the railed frame as the user pulls on the rower's handles. A damper on the side of the machine adjusts the feel of the rowing activity. In effect, the damper changes what kind of imaginary "boat" is being simulated.
Unlike other cardio machines, the resistance of rowers like the D and E models do not need to be adjusted. The resistance against each stroke is simply a matter of air resistance against the flywheel mechanism. In other words, no adjustments need to be made. The harder one pulls, the higher resistance against the stroke will be.
The D model and the E model are constructed slightly differently in terms of scale. The E model sits slightly higher off the ground: approximately at the level of an office or dining room chair. For most people, this difference will go unnoticed, but for those with accessibility problems, the extra height makes getting on and off of the machine much easier. The other main difference is that the E model comes with an improved digital performance monitor (a PM4 monitor as opposed to a PM3). Both digital interfaces track the progress of a person's workout's on flash memory, but the PM4 comes with more memory and wireless capability. The latter allows one PM4 to coordinate with a teammates PM4 in group routines.
To maximize the results of the workout from a Concept 2 Rower, however, one must study the rowing technique. The manufacturer recommends that you practice the proper rowing form at the beginning of each workout, as learned from the product demos or personal instruction.
An optional accessory, called the Slide, attaches to the bottom of the rowing machine. As one rows, the slide lets the machine move back and forth as if it were a boat on the water. They can also be used to attach rowing machines together for team training.
People with weight problems looking to shed the extra pounds might want to consider an ergometer, as opposed to a treadmill, stationary bike, or even a jump rope. A rower is an impact-free machine. No weight comes down on vulnerable joints and risks unnecessary injury when consistency in performance is crucial. Rowing machines are also reported to give a more complete workout of the body than a bicycle.
No machine is perfect, however, and the Concept 2 Rower is no exception. Scientific studies recently concluded that athletes get 26 percent more calories burned from rowing an actual boat and tend to feel emotionally better after doing so than after using an ergometer. Not everyone has access to a large body of water, a rowing team, or the resources to invest in these things. Rowing machines can be a wonderful substitute.
