IWatkins

Hi All,

Looking at buying a rowing machine to get fit. Any advice, so many different types and costs.

It'll be used at home so the ones that use air/fans are out, they are very noisy.

Cheers

Ian

Puff The Magic Wagon!

iTrader: (2)

Concept 2 is apparently the "daddy"...

StevieL81

Use a gym where you have the choice of more than one bit of exercise equipment?

hodgy0_2

i have a Concept 2 (model D)

great bit of kit

Osimabu

iTrader: (2)

I can't recommend a specific machine, but I would suggest you get a fitness instructor to show you how to use it properly as there's more to it than meets the eye.

ReallyReallyGoodMeat

Concept2.

They aren't cheap, but I'm sure you can get one second hand with a bit of looking around.

Graz

Still expensive (I've looked)

And the OP said ones that use air fans (like the Concept2) are out due to noise.

stonefish

+1 for joining a Gym,,
You will use a rowing machine a handful of times get bored lose motivation and so on..
Get yourself to a proper Gym, not one of these chain branded ones thats full of the people more interested in what you are doing..
It can feel a bit daunting sometimes walking into these places sometimes but just remember you are there for you,, and you will get the benifits of an array of equipment not just a rower..
£30 a month x 12 = £360...... seems cheaper than a rower and it gets you out the house aswell++++

Graz

and there may be some fit birds to oggle too

IWatkins

All my local gyms are chain ones that have you sign up for many moons etc. Tried a few and all are a bit packed at the hours I can go. I went to one for six months last year and it was OK but always busy, lots of waiting around for kit, gym bunnies preening themselves and all that crap.

I've got plenty to do in the spring, summer months, e.g. mountain biking, power kiting, running etc. I'm looking more for a rowing machine so I have something to do on those evenings after work (when the gyms are packed) but without having to go running/cycling in the dark and wet. Hence a rowing machine as they are a pretty good workout.

Yep, I've used a Concept2 at the gym but far too noisy for home use.

stonefish

What about a Turbo trainer for your bike...

GotBoost?

as others have said the Concept2 is probably the gold standard of rowing machines. But when it comes to noise you might want to try the Water Rower rigs. They have their blades in a bowl of water more or less

hodgy0_2

you are quite right, they are noisy

I am lucky enough to have it in my garage

but they are very smooth in operation

apart from the air fan what other mechanisms are there

machines that use some sort of friction are horrible to actually use

hodgy0_2

i have a set of bike rollers too, (the free standing one where you actually have to ride the bike)

and fvck me do they give you a work out -- I have to put a towel on the stem to stop the sweat dropping onto the handle bars rotting the bike!!!

GotBoost?

spending A LOT of my time riding bikes indoor and outdoor i can tell you a simple fan will help a lot at keeping you cool and reducing sweat rate. When I'm doing hard workouts without a fan there's a frigging lake underneath my bike.

IWatkins

Yep, had a magnetic trainer for my bike (until it broke) and was a good workout but understand a rower is more thorough workout (82% of your main muscle groups?). Also found using a turbo trainer a bit of a faff to setup.

Had a look at the water based rowers, they look interesting. Anybody have any real world experience with these? It's got to be indoors as have no where else to keep it/use it. I don't mind a bit of sweat

warrenm2

Just bought myself a amgnetic resistance exercise bike second hand for 20 quid and am doing HIIT http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-16953424

zip106

Concept 2 is without doubt THE best on the market in the world.
They also make the best exercise bike, the Wattbike.

(I've worked at the head office several times)

c_maguire

From what you say, get a water rower.
The chassis is wood, so looks OK in your living room, and it is designed to be easily up-ended for storage against a wall. Quality is good and it is also quiet.
I have one in beech wood.
The resistance is altered by the amount of water you put in the 'drum' so it is slightly more involved to alter that, but it is supposed to simulate rowing for real a lot more than most of the other rowers. I just stuck the maximum amount of water in it and haven't changed that since.
My brother worked as a personal trainer and recommended either the water rower or the concept 2. But the concept is noisy and is more of an eyesore in the house.
You can still hear the TV when using it (I have to turn the volume up as for some reason using the rower makes me go a little deaf).

IWatkins

^^^ Perfect. Thank you.

Do you find the water rower as smooth to use as the Concept2? I've found some rowers are a little jerky that makes the start of each stroke a bit jarring.

GotBoost?

fyi: http://www.jamesstroud.com/postings/...sus-waterrower

hodgy0_2

Wow, thanks great review

And rowing 5 million meters, the bloke must look like Conan the barbarian

c_maguire

I've never used a Concept rower.
The Water rower is totally smooth, much as I would expect the Concept to be.

c_maguire

That looks like my rower in that review so maybe it's ash and not beech then.
I don't think your average home user is likely to have much trouble with either rower.

IWatkins

Water rower sounds perfect. Concept2 is great, done a lot of time on that in the gym and while on tour, but way too noisy. I'll have a go on a water, a local shop have three to try.

Winter training without a gym? Lovely. I simply cannot do with the **** and "beautiful people" we have in our local gyms.

Thanks further advice and excellent reviews. Appreciated