Concept 2 Rower
The Concept 2 rower is one of the most advances pieces of fitness equipment on the market. It probably won’t look like that when you first look at it but its more about what you do not see than what you do see. The Concept 2 rower is backed by years of research and today its used by both housewives and professional athletes for weight loss, fitness and cardiovascular training. A rowing machine provides a unique set of motions that allows you to train and target your muscles in a very unique and effective way.
The real secret behind the Concept 2 rowing machine is the fact that it defined what indoor rowers look like and how they work. They were the first ones to design a rower that replicated “real” rowing by introducing a flywheel that uses air resistance. This flywheel can replicate accurately what the resistance is like when you are actually rowing on water.
It was designed out of necessity and it was designed by rowers for rowers. Since most lakes and ponds freeze during winter in England, the need was for an indoor rower that could keep athletes fit and ready during the off season. The Concept 2 did exactly that and is designed to replicate every aspect of rowing in real world conditions.
There are currently 2 models of the Concept 2 rower on the market. The Model D is the entry level model and chances are that you’ve seen this or its predecessor in your local health club. Its a very robust trainer that can withstand a lot of wear and tear. It has nothing fancy but includes everything you need for a proper rowing workout.
The Model E on the other hand is the “big daddy” and comes with some very impressive features. Its a much bigger machine that stand much higher off the ground. The main difference is with the display and training capabilities. The Model E allows you to link up 2 machines which is priceless for team training. It also comes with a PM4 Performance Monitor and a Suunto Heart Rate monitor. The Model E is more expensive but if you are serious about your indoor rowing then this is the one to get.
While there are a number of indoor rowers on the market, what sets the Concept 2 rower apart from the rest is its unique flywheel design. The resistance is really important and having the smooth resistance offered by the air driven flywheel is really important. You simply cannot get the same level of resistance with water driven flywheel.
The ergonomics of the Concept II is second to none. Its the workout machine of choice for many rehabilitation centers and because its so kind on your joints its perfect for a low impact and high intensity workout. It has great flexibility and can be used by anyone from 9 to 90 years old.