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Want to buy a rowing machine

z1ggy

z1ggy

Lifer
Hey guys, where is the best place to buy one and what type should I get? I generally run in the morning, but running on street roads is killing my knees and is probably bad for me long term. I like rowing and it provides me with a low impact high cardioroutine to start my morning. I am considering buying online.
 
Concept2 or bust. I bought a Concept2 Model E with PM4 and a Slide.

A Concept2 Model D with PM3 would work great for your needs. Yes, they are expensive. Yes, they are worth every penny. There is a reason that almost all gyms, Crossfit boxes, and crew teams run Concept2 rowers. They are the best.
 
Concept2's are the standard. A model D and a PM3 will hold down the cost and are more than enough.

You also might want to look into: http://www.waterrower.com/
If you have an interest in rowing at all, this has a better feel for rowing.

You can also basically only buy them online. If you are interested in buying a Concept2, check out Crash B's, they sell ergs for cheap after the competition, except they sell out rapidly and I believe that you have to pick them up in person and they are in Cambridge, MA.

If you have questions, shoot me a PM, I own a C2 and have been rowing for years.
 
I love the Concept2 rowers I've had access to. Don't know about other brands. I wish I could've talked my wife into a good rowing machine instead of the bike + treadmill that we have. She's not a fan of them though.
 
tedrodai said:
I love the Concept2 rowers I've had access to. Don't know about other brands. I wish I could've talked my wife into a good rowing machine instead of the bike + treadmill that we have. She's not a fan of them though.
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I tried several cheaper brands. They were just that. Cheap.
 
Yeah, C2's going to be your best bet...good luck finding a deal on one though, Crossfit's sucked that market dry. 😛 (If you're on them, browse the CF forums too)
 
SociallyChallenged said:
Another endorsement for the concept 2 rower. Find one used if you can.
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How would I find one used?? Amazon..Ebay??

B/c I can't afford a $900 machine. At least not until after Xmas time...

I really want to start rowing, are there any less expensive options that I could use temp. and then sell once I can afford the concept2?
 
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Setup RSS feeds on Craigslist & jump on them when they show up. Prices are shockingly close to new though you'll probably get frustrated and just buy a new one.

Amazon has them and has 0% financing on sporting goods with the Store card. Might be worth looking at it.

Viper GTS
 
z1ggy said:
Hey guys, where is the best place to buy one and what type should I get? I generally run in the morning, but running on street roads is killing my knees and is probably bad for me long term. I like rowing and it provides me with a low impact high cardioroutine to start my morning. I am considering buying online.
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Alright first off - running destroying your knees is a old wives tale, and needs to be nipped. Here's 3 articles about how it's actually good for you from new research found - both on the joints and in terms of bone density. Even runners still have that misconception that it's bad.

http://www.time.com/time/health/article/0,8599,1948208,00.html
http://www.npr.org/2011/03/28/134861448/put-those-shoes-on-running-wont-kill-your-knees
http://phys.org/news154959340.html

It still holds true if you have various injuries and run through them - I know the feeling - I'm in that boat now. But if you are healthy, it's not going to wreck ya long term. If you are worried about road running - start running on trails, asphalt, track, grass. Concrete isn't the only option. Just b/c a bunch of doods in Ethiopia are fast, run barefoot, and run on dirt roads doesn't mean that's the only way God intended man to run.

On the machine - as others said - Concept2 or bust. You really want to do it? Do it right. My good friend who rowed in Canada and then collegiately here in the states only rowed on those, and also coached on them as well.

If you can't afford the $900 - sign up for a month to month membership at the gym and use them there - LifeTime and 24 both have them, along with LA Fitness.
 
RagingBITCH said:
If you can't afford the $900 - sign up for a month to month membership at the gym and use them there - LifeTime and 24 both have them, along with LA Fitness.
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And the best part is that (at least by me, when I had a membership) the rowers are hardly EVER being used. And being used by someone who knows what they're doing, even less.
 
blackdogdeek said:
where do you live? i found this in the nyc area:

http://newyork.craigslist.org/lgi/spo/3199505784.html

EDIT: another: http://newyork.craigslist.org/fct/spo/3198975393.html
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I live like 2.5 hours from NYC but I can't fit one in my car (unless it breaks down very easily).

Gym membership.. Well.. I am looking for something to use really early in the AM and I already wake up at 5am as is. To go the closest gym and make it to work at the same time would probably require me to wake up around 4:30am 🙁

Most likely will make this an xmas present to myself..I didn't realize how expensive these can be!
 
z1ggy said:
I live like 2.5 hours from NYC but I can't fit one in my car (unless it breaks down very easily).

Gym membership.. Well.. I am looking for something to use really early in the AM and I already wake up at 5am as is. To go the closest gym and make it to work at the same time would probably require me to wake up around 4:30am 🙁

Most likely will make this an xmas present to myself..I didn't realize how expensive these can be!
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I'm up b/t 4-4:30AM training most days. No excuses...play like a champion!
 
Oh, also, the newer monitors have some great features built into them and you can purchase a different monitor even if you buy an older model rower.
 
z1ggy said:
I live like 2.5 hours from NYC but I can't fit one in my car (unless it breaks down very easily).
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they separate right where the the footrests are (so one part long skinny section in back; and saucer section in front). very easy to separate and reattach.
 
z1ggy said:
Hey guys, where is the best place to buy one and what type should I get? I generally run in the morning, but running on street roads is killing my knees and is probably bad for me long term. I like rowing and it provides me with a low impact high cardioroutine to start my morning. I am considering buying online.
Click to expand...
My knees survived many years of street running, but my left foot did not. Eventually I developed a couple of Morton's neuromas in that foot (surgery, and it's still not OK). If I'd known about that I would have concentrated on bicycles.

Rowing is more fun in a rowboat! 😎 For that matter, cardio is more fun outside the gym, be it running, walking, rowing, golf, bicycle, whatever.
 
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z1ggy said:
How would I find one used?? Amazon..Ebay??

B/c I can't afford a $900 machine. At least not until after Xmas time...

I really want to start rowing, are there any less expensive options that I could use temp. and then sell once I can afford the concept2?
Click to expand...

Just buy a low pulley weight stack. Not really full rowing, but cheap and works well.
 
z1ggy said:
Hey guys, where is the best place to buy one and what type should I get? I generally run in the morning, but running on street roads is killing my knees and is probably bad for me long term. I like rowing and it provides me with a low impact high cardioroutine to start my morning. I am considering buying online.
Click to expand...


Hi z1ggy, Me and my family uses a waterrower because of the concept2. I made my mind to purchase it for sevral reasons. First it is easy to carry out and stays in the living room and can be stand on the wall. It is easy to use while you are busy with the Tv serial. As it is very expensive but I am happy to have it. Atlanta
 
Update (sorta): Hey sorry to necro this a bit, but I went over my finances, and there is just no way I can afford the concept2 machine any time soon..There are too many other expenses I have coming up. I found this machine online, and it has gotten many many good reviews, and is more of a budget machine. I don't care if its top notch, I just want something that will work and not fall apart on me. What do you think?

http://www.rowingmachines.com/p/phoenix-mr-900-power-rowing-machine
 
amitkhan2167 said:
Hi z1ggy, Me and my family uses a waterrower because of the concept2. I made my mind to purchase the top rated rowing machine for sevral reasons. First it is easy to carry out and stays in the living room and can be stand on the wall. It is easy to use while you are busy with the Tv serial. As it is very expensive but I am happy to have it. Atlanta
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It's an old thread but I feel like replying on it. Concept 2 is good but over the years many other rowing machines have came into the market that deliver great quality with affordable cost. You may want to check out Stamina, Avari and Velocity rowing machines. Although they are not as good as Concept 2 but their price is also less.
 
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And they very likely won't last nearly as long or be as trouble free. My Model C is nearly 20 years old and I've spent less than $200 on it since I bought it. If it were kept indoors I would've had to spend about $50 over the years with fairly constant use.

With the C2 you really do get what you pay for.
 
I got a cheap $82 rowing machine off Amazon a few months ago. It probably won't hold up long term, but it helped me lose some weight and strengthen the muscles in my back and arms (goal of mine because I've taken up archery and couldn't draw my 70lb compound bow, but now I can - exercise bands have helped with this, as well).

Totally worth the purchase, but I'm definitely interested in upgrading to a betrer machine when I can afford it.
 
Another vote for the Concept2. I've used cheap ones & they're just junk. My advice is to wait - save up for the good one. My brother just went through this...got a cheap used off-model rower off craigslist, realized how awful it was, and then saved up for awhile & got the Concept2. Very solid machine & definitely worth investing in!
 
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