Hydrow vs Concept2 Rowing Machine: Which One Floats Your Boat?
Hey there fitness friend! If you‘re considering adding a rowing machine to your home gym setup, you‘ve probably heard of the Hydrow and Concept2. These two rowers are like the Peloton and Schwinn of the rowing world – both top-quality machines that can give you a serious workout, but with some key differences.
I‘ve personally tried both the Hydrow Rower and Concept2 RowErg, so I‘m here to give you my honest take on how they compare. As a fashion and fitness fanatic, I‘m always on the lookout for the latest gear that looks great and performs even better. I‘ll share all the details on these two rowers so you can decide which one best fits your style and goals.
Tale of the Tape: Hydrow vs Concept2
Let‘s start with a quick overview of each rower‘s highlights:
Hydrow Rower:
| Feature | Spec |
|---|---|
| Resistance | Computer-controlled electromagnetic |
| Monitor | 22" HD touchscreen with built-in workouts |
| Size | 86" L x 25" W x 47" H |
| Weight | 145 lbs |
| Warranty | 5-year frame, 1-year parts & labor |
| Price | $2,495 ($70/month financing) |
The Hydrow is like the cool new kid on the block, with a sleek and modern design that would look right at home in a high-end gym. The 22" touchscreen is the star of the show, immersing you in on-river workouts with your virtual crew team. It‘s a high-tech fitness experience that makes you feel like you‘re really out on the water.
Concept2 RowErg (Model D):
| Feature | Spec |
|---|---|
| Resistance | Air flywheel with 10 damper settings |
| Monitor | PM5 performance monitor |
| Size | 96" L x 24" W x 14" seat height |
| Weight | 57 lbs (separates into two pieces) |
| Warranty | 5-year frame, 2-year parts |
| Price | $900 ($1000 with standard shipping) |
The Concept2 RowErg, on the other hand, is like a trusty old pickup truck – not the flashiest thing on the road, but super reliable and gets the job done. It‘s the gold standard for competitive rowers and CrossFit athletes because it‘s built like a tank and has an advanced performance monitor for tracking your stats.
So right off the bat, the biggest difference is the price, with the Hydrow costing over twice as much as the Concept2. But there‘s more to these machines than just the sticker price. Let‘s dive into the details.
The Nitty Gritty: Features & Specs
When it comes to the actual rowing experience, both the Hydrow and Concept2 deliver a smooth and natural-feeling ride. But they achieve that feeling in different ways.
The Hydrow uses electromagnetic resistance that‘s controlled by the computer, so it automatically adjusts to your rowing intensity. This makes it feel more like rowing on water, where the resistance increases the harder you pull. The Hydrow‘s webbed strap also allows for a little more give and flexibility compared to the Concept2‘s chain.
I found the Hydrow to be almost silent, while the Concept2 has more of a whooshing sound from the air flywheel. Not super loud, but definitely noticeable. The Hydrow seat is also a bit more cushioned, while the Concept2 seat is firmer and more utilitarian. So the Hydrow gets slight comfort points for longer sessions.
On the technology front, the Hydrow‘s touchscreen is a huge selling point, especially if you‘re a more visual person. The live and on-demand workouts range from 5-45 minutes and take you to stunning waterways around the world, from the Charles River to the Thames. You can even see your crew members‘ avatars and stats on the screen as you row together. It‘s a really immersive and engaging experience, kind of like the Mirror or Peloton of rowing.
The classes are led by athletes with a ton of personality, and they do a great job of keeping you motivated and entertained. There are over 4,000 workouts in the library, with 6-10 new live sessions added each day, so you‘ll never get bored. Some of my favorites are the "Breathe" and "Sweat" rows for a zen vs intense 20 minutes. The only downside is the $44/month membership fee on top of what you‘re already paying for the rower.
With the Concept2 RowErg, you‘re not getting any built-in video content, but you can easily prop up your own phone or tablet on the device holder and pull up whatever you want to watch or listen to. I actually prefer this, because you‘re not locked into a subscription. And the Concept2 PM5 monitor tracks an incredible amount of data, including power output, stroke rate, 500m split time, and total meters. You can also do some pre-programmed workouts based on time, distance, or intervals.
For example, I love the "Just Row" mode, where you set a time or distance goal and the monitor shows a pace boat on the screen to help you stay on track. You can even connect a heart rate monitor or sync the PM5 with apps like Strava or Zwift. The Concept2 has basically endless ways to track and gamify your training if you‘re a data nerd like me.
So in terms of the technical details, the Hydrow is your "smart rower" for guided training and virtual experiences, while the Concept2 is a straight-up training tool. But they both do an excellent job of capturing your effort and translating it into a challenging and satisfying row.
What Are People Saying? Customer Reviews
Of course, specs and features only tell part of the story – the real test is how customers like you and me are liking these rowers in real life. I combed through reviews on the brands‘ websites as well as Amazon, Best Buy, and a few other independent review sites to get a balanced picture.
Hydrow
| Source | Rating | # of Reviews |
|–|–|–|
| Hydrow.com | 4.8/5 | 2,900+ |
| BestBuy.com | 4.8/5 | 460+ |
| Amazon.com | 4.5/5 | 150+ |
| Trustpilot.com | 4.3/5 | 330+ |
The vast majority of Hydrow users are seriously in love with their rowers and rave about the overall experience. Some common praise points:
- Extremely quiet and smooth operation
- Motivating and high-energy instructors
- Beautiful locations that make workouts fly by
- Compact and stylish enough to be in living room
- Effective low-impact but full-body workout
The only real complaints were around the high price and ongoing membership cost, as well as a few isolated hardware issues and delivery delays. But Hydrow‘s customer service seems to be very responsive in resolving any problems.
Concept2 RowErg
| Source | Rating | # of Reviews |
|–|–|–|
| Concept2.com | 5/5 | 430+ |
| Amazon.com | 4.9/5 | 3,700+ |
| Rogue Fitness | 5/5 | 250+ |
It‘s hard to find anything but glowing reviews for the Concept2. It has a cult-like following among competitive rowers and CrossFitters, but is also accessible enough for beginners. A few common raves:
- Incredibly durable construction, lasts for decades
- PM5 monitor is a powerful training tool
- Easy to assemble and store in small spaces
- Smooth, natural rowing motion
- Amazing value for a commercial-grade machine
There were a few gripes about the seat being a bit uncomfortable and the PM5 looking a little dated and basic compared to newer touchscreens. But reviewers almost universally agree that the Concept2 is the best rower for the money.
So what‘s the verdict? Based on real user reviews, the Hydrow and Concept2 both earn exceptionally high marks for quality, performance, and customer satisfaction. The Hydrow scores slightly higher for its immersive programming and motivation factor, while the Concept2 gets top grades for value and durability.
The Final Verdict: Which Rower Wins?
Okay fitness friend, we‘ve covered a lot of ground in comparing the Hydrow and Concept2 rowers. We looked at the key specs and features, dove into the nitty gritty of the technology and resistance types, and analyzed real customer reviews and ratings. So which machine comes out on top?
The truth is, both the Hydrow and Concept2 are incredible rowers that can help you get fitter and stronger from the comfort of home. Honestly, I don‘t think you can go wrong with either one. It really comes down to your personal goals, preferences, and budget.
If you‘re looking for more of a guided training experience with energetic instructors and virtual team workouts, and you have the money to invest in the rower and monthly membership, the Hydrow is a fantastic choice. It‘s like having a fancy boutique rowing studio in your living room. The classes are seriously addictive and make working out feel more like playing.
On the flip side, if you‘re a numbers geek or elite athlete who wants a pure training tool that will last forever, the Concept2 RowErg is the way to go. You‘ll save a good chunk of change upfront and have a rock-solid rower that can handle any workout you throw at it. Plus, the PM5 monitor captures every stat you could possibly want to track your progress.
As for me personally, I ended up going with the Hydrow because I loved the whole high-tech fitness vibe and wanted the extra motivation of the live classes. But I also have a Concept2 that I use when I‘m training for specific events or want a more bare-bones workout. They‘re both amazing machines that have helped me get stronger and fitter than ever.
At the end of the day, the most important thing is to choose a rower that you‘re actually excited to use regularly. Because consistency is key when it comes to seeing results. Whichever machine you end up with, make sure to start slow, focus on proper form, and most importantly, have fun with your rowing routine!
I‘ll leave you with a few quick tips to get the most out of your workouts:
- Aim for at least 3-4 rowing sessions per week to build endurance and strength
- Add in some core and mobility work on your off days to support your rowing (the Hydrow actually has great mat workouts for this)
- Join an online rowing community like the Concept2 Online Logbook or Hydrow‘s Facebook group for extra motivation and accountability
- Mix up your workouts with different types of rows, like intervals, distance challenges, or open rows, to keep things interesting
- Most importantly, listen to your body and have fun! Rowing should be challenging but enjoyable.
I hope this in-depth comparison of the Hydrow and Concept2 rowers has been helpful as you navigate the sometimes overwhelming world of home fitness equipment. I truly believe rowing is one of the best exercises out there, and either of these machines can be an incredible investment in your health and well-being.
Let me know in the comments which rower you ended up choosing and how your rowing journey is going! And as always, stay stylish and keep sweating.
Happy rowing!
