Endorsed by Steve Redgrave but not me! (Concept Two Indoor Rower)

Member Name: Logan33

Product:	Concept Two Indoor Rower
Date:	06/04/09 (181 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: A perfect rowing machine

Disadvantages: Extremely expensive

Now when it comes to rowing machines, the concept 2 rower has been a mainstay in gyms over the last 10 to 15 years. However does that make a good piece of home gym equipment? In my opinion no, the machine is way too expensive for the home gym market, and despite is definite perfection as a rowing machine, the buyer with a smaller budget will be ostracized to purchase an inferior but cheaper machine. Logan investigates.


PHYSIOLOGY


Perhaps the biggest misconception of rowing is the fact that people believe it is an upper body sport. Infact most of the power in rowing is dominated by the lower limbs (quads and hamstrings) to generate the power in the stroke. Rowing infact is the perfect balance between the lower body extention in combination with the upper body pull, this is what makes a successful and power rowing stroke. In many ways, this misconception of it being an upper body sport is infact the advantage of rowing as it is the perfect balance between an upperbody AND lower body workout, and in my opinion makes it one of the best exercises to participate in for the home gym gym user. Here's why.....


To perform the action of rowing, the following muscles are triggered.


UPPER BODY

CHEST (pectorials)
SHOULDERS (Deltoid)
ARMS (bicep and tricep)
BACK (trapezious and lats)


MIDDLE BODY

Core (both abdominals, obliques and lower back are worked out)


LOWER BODY

THIGHS (quadriceps)
HAMSTRINGS
CALFS (gastrocnemious)

The ability to work out a number of different muscles within the one exercise, really makes rowing stand out above other peicves of home gym equipment. But its not just the muscles that it works, its the ability to train those muscles in a number of different ways. A rowing machine can be used for strength training, toning, fat burning and muscular and aerobic endurance. This really encompasses every aspect of training for ever type of user.


FUNCTIONALITY

The best explanation of its use functionality is described by its designer......

The Indoor Rower is based on air resistance technology, which captures the rhythm and feel of rowing on the water by using a carefully balanced and calibrated flywheel. The resistance you feel in using the Indoor Rower is the wind resistance generated by the spinning flywheel. With no brake pads to wear out, and no friction mechanism to generate heat, the flywheel motion is smooth, long lasting, and maintenance free. Here's what double Olympic champion James Cracknell had to say about the machine: "Wherever we train we always take a Concept 2; it's brilliant. It registers your power output, monitors the distance rowed, all the stuff you need to know really. It's probably about 80-90 per cent similar to rowing a boat on the river."
Now as a review my job is to critially review how well the makers claims stand up to critisism. Does it do what they are telling us it will? The problem here is I cannot critisize the concept 2 at all. The machine is sturdy, it replicates rowing extremely well, it is smooth, easy to use, robust, shows all the variables you need (Time, distance, calories burned) and is comfortable. I really cannot fault it in terms of design manafacture or useability.


PRICE

There is one major problem to this piece of equipment. The concept 2 will set you back close to £1000. perfection therefore does not come cheap!!!!!!!

In analysis, there are other rowers on the market that will do an equally good job for a fraction of the price (e.g Beny Sports V Fit Air Magnetic Combination Rower £260 from amazon)

BEST PRICE

Ebay £860 second hand (old model)
Ebay £1000 New

Fitness superstore £974
Amazon £700

In conclusion. The concept 2 rower is faultless in terms of build quality, ease of use and performing the task it sets out to achieve. However at close to £1000 it is ludicrously expensive and would not be a recommendation for home gym use unless you are an elite sportsman.


Hope thats helpful,

Kind Regards,
Logan

Summary: A superb machine but extremely expensive. Designed for elite rowers