When you are training your body for athletic activities or you just want to get in better shape, fitness machines are a great way to give your body an all over workout. The Concept 2 rowing machine is one fitness machine that will bring you strength training and a good workout.
The creators of the rowing machine began looking for a way to create a rowing machine that could be used inside to train Olympic athletes. The Concept 2 rowing machine was the result of their efforts. The rowing machine went on to be a training tool for Olympic athletes and a fitness machine for those wanting to get into shape.
The rowing machine was invented by two brothers who went on to develop several different machines in the same design as the original rowing machine. Rowers were able to practice their sport all year long inside and ensure that they stayed in good rowing shape during the winter months.
Model A was the first inside rowing machine. A Boston, Massachusetts rowing team used the equipment to train rowers and keep in shape during cold months. The machine was also used for an event in rowing that took place inside. The model B rowing machine followed the same basic design as the model A, but it included a protective piece for the flywheel. During the 1980s, physical fitness became a popular pastime and the rowing machine continued to evolve right along with the fitness craze. Other models included the Dyno and the Blade which were used in Olympic events in the 1980s.
The model E is the final design of the Concept 2 rowing machine. By the time this model came out, the designers had come up with a cross country skiing machine that helped to train Olympic athletes in this event.
Users of the Concept 2 rowing machine can choose a model that has a great many features. Over the years, the rowing machine has evolved into a high tech machine that helps professional rowers get into shape for their event along with helping exercisers get their body in good condition. The machine helps those who compete in rowing events track their progress on the machine and how well they are doing against other rowers. The rowing machine has helped competitors in the sport of rowing get the practice and workout that they need all year long.
Are you looking for Concept 2 rowers for sale? As one of the most popular fitness machines the demand is pretty high and along with this the price is not cheap. The good news is that these rowers are very high quality and extremely robust. The bad news is that Concept 2 is based in the United Kingdom and all their rowers are dispatched from the UK. If you are looking for one of these machines outside of the UK then you will pay a premium just to get it to where you are.
Does this mean you have to go for some other cheap brand just to get it for an affordable price? No! There are a number of great ways that you can find a cheap Concept 2 rowers for sale. Lets quickly look at my 3 favorite places to buy fitness equipment from.
1. Health Clubs
Almost all gyms and health clubs now have Concept 2 rowers. The fact that these rowers are so robust means that you can easily buy a used one with confidence. Most health clubs circulate their equipment every 3 to 5 years regardless of its condition. With a little bit of luck you can get a high quality rower for very cheap. You can either contact clubs directly or watch out for annual sales where they sell of their old equipment.
2. Contact Them Directly
Concept 2 is very particular about their stockists. You won’t see it in too many fitness stores. If you are in a hurry and you don’t worry too much about getting a bargain then you can simply phone up Concept 2 directly and ask them about dealers in your area or even get them to ship one out to you.
3. Online
These days you can find anything online. The one problem with buying fitness equipment online is the problem with shipping and delivery so keep that in mind and bear in mind that it will probably add a premium on to the price. However, you can look online and you are likely to find something worthwhile. I’d suggest you start on eBay since many smaller health clubs sell off their equipment on eBay. You can also look for used fitness equipment specialists. These are people who give ‘factory overhauls” and repair used fitness equipment to a high standard and then sell it off for anything from 30 to 50% less than the original price.
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.
Whether you want to lose weight, get fit or train as a serious athlete, the rowing machine benefits are immense. Rowing machines have gained significantly in popularity primarily because it has so many benefits over other forms of exercise. For most people running, cycling or elliptical machines make up “all” their options for cardiovascular training. Rowing however offers a unique solution in that it is a perfect balance in cardio and strength training.
Lets quickly look at all the various rowing machine benefits and why choosing indoor rowing is such a good fitness solution.
Firstly, lets look at the nature of rowing and its main advantages:
- Its low impact exercise – its easy on your knees and ankles and don’t have to absorb all your body weight as with running. The machine takes up all the impact so your body doesn’t have to.
- Upper body workout – the pulling motion is great for your arms and back.
- Lower body workout – the leg motion is great for your core muscles as well at the legs.
- High intensity – you can burn a lot of calories because you engage so many different muscle groups.
- Aerobic training – rowing is great aerobic training for cardiovascular fitness
Rowing has some distinct advantages for specific muscle groups. The obvious muscles that are engaged are the legs and arms but what most people do not know is that rowing is great for your core muscles and it engages the stomach muscles, the back muscles and your chest. It also works another very important muscles – your mind. Lets quickly look at how rowing engages each of these muscle groups and how it can benefit you.
1. The Legs
The rowing motion requires you to start each stroke with your legs fully compressed. To make the strokes you need to extend your legs completely which allows you to make a full leg motion. This motion engages all the muscles in your leg and is great for flexibility as well as building muscle strength.
2. The Arms
Your arms will do the bulk of the work and the pulling motion starts with your arms outstretched and completes with your arms pulling the handle to your chest. In a similar way this is a wide range of motions that engages all the muscles in your arms – especially the muscles in your shoulders and your biceps and triceps.
3. The Core
Rowing engages your core muscles in a unique way. Most people don;t realize this about rowing until they start doing it – and feeling it the next day. The unique way in which your legs and arms engage during a stroke actually works your abdominal muscles on both the on and the off stroke. The arm motion is very good for your back muscles and your chest muscles.
4. The Mind
One of the biggest rowing machine benefits is the way in which it can help your mind relax. All exercise is good for your mind but the rhythmic motion of a rowing machine has been described as therapeutic.
Some of the more practical benefits of a rowing machine is the fact that its relatively small and can easily be stored with its small footprint. The latest Concept II rowing machines can actually fold in half which will allow you to store it neatly in a cupboard.