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Original poster

Rowing machine advice please

32 replies

Ikeameatballlunch · 16/07/2023 09:53

I need a home rower which doesn't take up too much space and could perhaps stand upright. I'm small and lightweight. It would be beginner level for now.

I've been diagnosed with hormone positive breast cancer and this seems like one of the things that will be good for cardio and joints. I'm not a big gym goer but have always liked rowing when I do go.

In an ideal world I'd get a beautiful water rower but a bit too pricey and perhaps too big, though the a1 series looked good.

Which suggests this one: www.argos.co.uk/product/6214151 not a water rower but that doesn't really matter. Exercise is the priority!

Are there any other suggestions or points to note?

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Original poster
Ikeameatballlunch · 16/07/2023 19:23

MissingMoominMamma · 16/07/2023 18:28

You really want the water rower, don’t you? I rented one for a year and absolutely loved it. I don’t think I’d have used it half as much if it had been a normal one.

Sorry!

Did you go on to buy one? I could rent one and hand back or rent and potentially buy it.

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Lastusernamecantthinkofanotherone · 16/07/2023 18:48

Concept 2. Every time.

I was also dithering so spent a lot of time on the Facebook groups. Many many people starting out cheap finding they ended up upgrading to the concept 2.

so I forked out for it. What I like is the ErgData and the ErgZone apps- you can preprogram your workout on your phone, or use the free workouts uploaded by others. There’s also a lot of online programs- 5k, marathon, speed etc. concept 2 also do challenges which keeps my motivated, stuff like row 5k for 25 days in jan, or march madness which is 10k wk1, 20k week 2 etc. you get online rankings as well!

customer service is fab, if a part wears or breaks they’ll send you the new part and advice on how to fix it. Easy to maintain and upgrade.

if you’ve rowed before you will notice cheap.

Original poster
Ikeameatballlunch · 16/07/2023 18:35

Argh moomin! You're not helping!

Dh thinks it should be a 200 quid one from Argos or similar. He doesn't see the point of an expensive one.

However I have used concepts so I know what they're like. And I know it's one of the few things I can do gym wise.

I pointed out to him that he insisted on getting an Audi over Skoda.

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MissingMoominMamma · 16/07/2023 18:28

You really want the water rower, don’t you? I rented one for a year and absolutely loved it. I don’t think I’d have used it half as much if it had been a normal one.

Sorry!

parietal · 16/07/2023 18:24

I got a cheap rowing machine off Amazon and found the foot plates are too far apart from each other to be comfortable. And there is no way to move them closer. It is fine for DH but just doesn't work for me. Water rowers often have much closer footplates.

Original poster
Ikeameatballlunch · 16/07/2023 14:50

Grin possibly and also not as I'm swinging like a yo-yo!

There's an option to hire a water rower and then buy if I would like here.

www.rowhire.co.uk/hire-or-buy/rowing-machine-hire#choice

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illiterato · 16/07/2023 14:47

Concept 2 can be stood on its end if that helps

Original poster
Ikeameatballlunch · 16/07/2023 14:34

@Parisj sorry to ask more questions. Do you use the main rail to do any work out on as it seems to demonstrate in a video advertising it?

Size wise there's not much difference tbh

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Original poster
Ikeameatballlunch · 16/07/2023 13:23

Cover, yes that's what I need.

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CovertImage · 16/07/2023 13:16

The Concept 2 is fantastic but it's huge despite the fact that it can be pulled apart. If you're anything like me, to be consistent with using it I needed it there and ready to use at all times. It's much to big for my flat but you may have more room.

GoingToBeLessRubbishAtLife · 16/07/2023 12:49

Concept2 here as well.

SwordBilledHummingbird · 16/07/2023 12:37

Another recommendation for the Concept 2, we have one and it's brilliant. I use it 3/4 times a week. When we bought ours Argos had the best price.

Soapyspuds · 16/07/2023 12:35

A concept 2 is used by most gyms. They are well built bits of kit. Can you try and find a second hand one?

Original poster
Ikeameatballlunch · 16/07/2023 12:22

Ah I see, thank you.

It may come down to the space we have to store it which isn't much. Very small house! Waterrower against wall may actually work better.

Which seems to say the Nordic track brand comes out on top Confused

Rowing machine advice please
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Spareincoming · 16/07/2023 12:11

@Ikeameatballlunch I can physically take it apart. I’m not sure if there’s a folding version now.

Original poster
Ikeameatballlunch · 16/07/2023 11:54

Thank you for honest review @Parisj

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Parisj · 16/07/2023 11:53

I have the water rower A1. Love that it stands upright easily and looks aesthetically pleasing. The whole family still use it regularly 2 years on, it's a good workout. Things you should know maybe

  • they supply a hand pump thing to get the water in and out it's a bit fiddly but works ok
  • I bought extra grips for the handles as I found them a bit uncomfortable but rest of family didn't mind
  • the water if uncovered can go green even with fairly regular purification tablets (and this meant needing to get it practically all out which was near impossible - they recommend a treatment to use. You can't use the blue colouring for the water and the purification tablets iirc
  • the plastic can need resealing, mainly if you use non recommended products
  • mine sprung a leak from a place where it connects to the wood, but this only occurs when it's max full so we just have it on a lower level of fullness. I think this was my fault and not the design.
  • I noticed its feet are rubbing the surface off our floor tiles, due to my excellently vigorous workouts, so placing it on a non slip mat would be ideal.
This is just a full disclosure, but I still love it and would replace it in a heartbeat. And dfil still uses his at 76, he's had his a lot longer than us.
Original poster
Ikeameatballlunch · 16/07/2023 11:52

@Spareincoming do you mean it folds or it physically comes apart? Folding might be easier for us but need to investigate

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Spareincoming · 16/07/2023 11:46

Concept 2 every time for overall low maintenance home and gym use. I got mine second hand from a school I was teaching in and it’s been fantastic from the get go.
I’ve got the two piece one but don’t take it apart very often if at all.

TheHomeEdit · 16/07/2023 11:45

We have a very early water rower and think maybe we have changed the water once the whole time. You just add purifying tablets occasionally.

Original poster
Ikeameatballlunch · 16/07/2023 11:43

I have luckily been taught correct form. Thinking concept 2 might be the better plan.

There a few on Facebook marketplace place around here.

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Original poster
Ikeameatballlunch · 16/07/2023 11:21

Better than the water rower?

I'm just not sure we can afford it. At the same time if it keeps me in work, we can.

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MsFogi · 16/07/2023 11:02

I don't think anything beats the Concept 2 rowing machine. As the previous poster says, it can be pulled up in half (take a look not the website) for a smaller storage footprint. And as the previous poster says - you need to work out the correct 'form' to make sure you are getting the right technique (not difficult but amazing how many people do the strangest things!) - really focus on when your hands pass your knees.

SeaToSki · 16/07/2023 10:59

The Concept 2 is the best of the rowing machines out there. It is used by every major rowing club that I have seen. You can break it down into two pieces for storage, but it is pricy. Rowing is a great exercise, just make sure you watch some you tube videos for tips on your form, and good luck with your cancer journey