Rowing Machine for Fitness

[solissydney]

I would be interested in knowing who uses a rowing machine for keeping fit ?
Like what make and model, how reliable, and how long the machine is expected to last?
Or has lasted before it broke down?

[strongmanmike]

Hi Ken

I was a fitness instructor for 14 years, an internationally competitive strength athlete for over 10 years and the manager of the Australian National University Fitness Centre for 14 years until 2006. I also taught the Gym Instructor module for the Level III fitness instructor course at the University of Canberra... and in my opinion a rowing machine is the best piece of exercise equipment to consider should you be looking for something to exercise on at home. It overloads the largest number of muscles both aerobically and anaerobically compared to an exercise bike, stair stepper or any of the infobullcrapmercial equipment you might see on TV.

Like telescopes however we all know there is no point in purchasing a 60 or 70mm refractor on a rickety tripod as it will invariably disappoint and will inevitably end up in a garage sale...ever noticed how every garage sale has a piece of cheap exercise equipment at it? (just like carrots in vomit).

I had the same question you posed above asked of me many times while I worked at the ANU and I always said - spend some reasonable money on a good piece of exercise equipment or it will end up at a garage sale :thumbsup:

My recommendation is without doubt a Concept II rowing machine (or "erg") either model D (http://www.concept2.com.au/products/indoorrowers/modeld.aspx) or model E (http://www.concept2.com.au/products/indoorrowers/modele.aspx)

They are not only functional from an exercise perspective but they are very robust, are fun and comfortable to use, run smoothly, conveniently designed for watching television while exercising and are easy to store :thumbsup:

... and never see it at a garage sale ;)

You could pick one up second hand cheaper of course

Just my 2c worth :)

Mike

[solissydney]

What happened to my reply??? Where did it end up ?

[solissydney]

I spent over ten years competing on the water in single, four and eights in my younger days. Now I just want to use one for keeping in shape. I did purchase a second hand York Fitness Rover 201 but found the spring breaking every two months under light to moderate efforts. Three times the spring assembly was replaced under warranty.
Am now looking for a more reliable one ,preferable a second hand one not too expensive.
Thanks for your replies most informative

[strongmanmike]

A Concept II for home use, especially if not an elite rowing athlete, will last forever :thumbsup: I had a dozen in my gym and they were very reliable under constant 15hr/day use and when something did break were easy to repair :)

Mike

[solissydney]

Concept 2 D looks to me the one I would like but boy are the expensive.
Anyone have one for for sale in NSW for less than $1000.00???

[DarrelMilligan]

Me also interested.

________________
buy crossfit equipment from ImpactFitness (http://www.impactfitness.com.au/crossfit-equipment)

[acropolite]

Try Gumtree, there are a few for sale there.

[iceman]

Concept 2's are great. Thoroughly recommend.

[rustigsmed]

(real) rowing machines have got to be the best exercise machine out there. so good for you. i'll definitely get one once the joints finally pack it in and running is out of the question (hopefully a long way off yet!!).

[cfranks]

I bought a brand new Concept 2 D 18 months ago and it was great until I destroyed my right arm Rotator Cuff tendons, 4 months later, in an unrelated accident. I can't use the Concept now so if anyone wants it @ ~ $900, I live 60Km outside Adelaide.

Charles

[inertia8]

I have had a Concept II Model D for the past 12yrs or so and thoroughly recommend it, I go through periods of use and inactivity but it always cleans up good and hasn't given me any greif (even when I accidentally left a battery in the PM3 computer.. cleaned up the mess and a new battery and all was well.)

[multiweb]

Bought an Infiniti R9 light commercial model with computer, chest strap and all the bells and whistles. It's foldable and very good quality build. Lots of programs as well as heart rate monitoring and air/mag resistance adjusting automatically, so no bludging. If you slow down it will pull harder. It's the best ROI when it comes to time vs. calorie burn and also afterburn as you engage a bigger muscle group. Love it.

[BPO]

The rowing machine was always the one piece of equipment I dreaded when I was at the gym because it was so damn hard. It's definitely what I'd get if I was in the market for home fitness gear.

[multiweb]

True. There's nothing that knocks the wind out of you quite as hard.