My Review of The Concept 2 Model D Indoor Rowing Machine

Throughout history, sailors and boatmen around the world have maintained their strength and kept themselves lean and fit by rowing small boats, whether on lakes and rivers or near larger ships on the open sea. The beneficial exercise they gained was largely an accidental byproduct of the way they were forced to earn their living.

However, the thoroughness of the workout that rowing provides was noted, and in the modern age, this nearly defunct nautical art has found new life in an exercise device for toning the whole body – the indoor rowing machine.

Rowing has several advantages that it shares with other kinds of exercise, and some of its own as well. It provides a good workout for the entire body – although the arms, shoulders, and back are most heavily exercised. Calories are burned at a high rate, ensuring rapid weight loss for those who are trying to slim down.

Because of its simplicity, a rowing machine can be built to support heavier exercisers than treadmills and similar devices can. And because of its very nature, and the flowing, supple movements used in rowing, it is free of impacts that can cause joint problems when using other kinds of exercise.

Modern indoor rowing machines, such as the Concept 2 Model D Indoor Rowing Machine, add several additional features that make them even more helpful to the user – performance monitors, special features, and ergonomic designs that make the process of exercising more controllable, measurable, and comfortable.

I Like Its Simplicity and Flexibility

On the surface, the Concept 2 Model D appears to be a very simple, straightforward device – a frame mounting a seat, a footrest with a strap to hold the feet comfortably in place, and a flywheel with a rowing device attached. To an extent, this appearance of rugged simplicity is true – the Concept 2 Model D is a robust device, resistant to breakage, able to support a user of up to 500 pounds weight, and featuring a five-year warranty on the frame and a two-year warranty on the moving parts.

What Others Are Saying

Many customers state that this model of rowing machine is durable enough to last far beyond the warranty period with only the lightest of maintenance needed. As one satisfied customer, E. Williamson, expressed it, “I believe it will last an individual a lifetime.” Another said, “…[it] requires very little maintenance. My model D has over 2,000,000 meters on it and neither of us show any sign of slowing down.” (read more reviews).

What Else Do You Need To Know

As I studied the rowing machine further, a host of special details began to come into focus – all of which together make the Concept 2 Model D much more than a plain substitute for sitting down in a boat and rowing across a lake. One important feature is the sliding seat, which causes the legs to flex with each pull on the ‘oars’ and exercises the leg muscles without stressing the ankle or knee joints. It is this feature which extends the Model D’s performance to the entire body, using calories at a great rate and keeping the whole body fit with one smooth motion. The footrest is adjustable to ensure the greatest possible comfort for users of any height or build.

The Concept 2 Model D Indoor Rowing Machine also features a performance monitor, allowing you to track your progress exactly and plan your exercise program with care. The monitor provides information in large, easy to read text – an important consideration for senior or otherwise nearsighted rowers, who might find it inconvenient to wear glasses while rowing. This monitor indicates the distance rowed, the speed of rowing, and information both on how powerful each ‘stroke’ of the ‘oars’ is and where during the stroke the muscles are being used most strongly. There is no need to guess how long or how ‘far’ you have been rowing – the information is presented continuously to you, and is detailed enough to allow you to adjust your rowing as desired.

The Concept 2 Model D is very quiet, and unlike hydraulic rowing machines, it provides continuous exercise in which one oar-stroke flows into the next, much like rowing an actual boat. Therefore, it can be used while watching television or a movie, listening to music, or late at night (or early in the morning) when other people in the household are still asleep.

How to Store the Concept 2

Another Thing I Like About Concept 2

One thing that impressed me especially about the Model D is that Concept 2, the manufacturing company, adds in its own touches to make the experience of owning their rowing machine more interesting and, at times, more fun. Those who row a million meters or more are sent a free t-shirt by the company and are enrolled in the “Million-Meter Club.” There are also regular contest challenges, in which, for example, Concept 2 will make a donation to a charity for every customer who rows more than a certain distance during a specific period of time.

Drawbacks

One drawback to the rowing machine is that it needs a good amount of room to be set up – occupying an area of about four by nine feet, although with its simple snap-together construction, it can be partly dismantled for easy storage.

Another drawback is that if you live outside the US it may be a little inconvenient to have it carried overseas but it is still worth it. One customer from the UK said: "A bit of nuisance to have to transport it from the US but UK price is nearly twice as much and at that level is extremely poor value. Don’t buy in the UK until the UK distributor adopts a more reasonable price policy.

All in all, the Concept 2 Model D Indoor Rowing Machine is a benchmark for modern rowing exercise equipment, combining sturdiness, useful electronic information, comfort, simple but innovative features (such as the sliding seat), and some interesting bonus programs (like the charity contests and the Million-Meter Club) into an accessible package useful to anyone interested in losing weight, increasing their health, or maintaining their fitness.

Where Can I Get The Best Price?

One cannot go wrong with Amazon. I find that it consistently has the best price for the Concept 2 Rower Machine.