In-depth review
Concept2 RowErg Review (2026)
In-depth review of the Concept2 RowErg: PM5 monitor, air resistance, and whether it is still the default serious rower.
Concept2 RowErg
The reference rower: the machine in gyms and rowing clubs, with a monitor that needs no subscription.
Our verdict
The RowErg is the best serious rowing machine, because it measures training honestly, needs no subscription, and is built to survive gym use for years. Its air resistance suits intervals naturally, its monitor is the standard that training plans use, and its frame separates for storage. The noise and the industrial look are real drawbacks, but they are the price of a machine that does its job without compromise.
What we like
- The PM5 monitor tracks pace, power, distance, and stroke rate with the accuracy that training plans and online rankings are built around, and it connects to third-party apps without a subscription.
- Air resistance with a damper adjustment means the stroke feels heavier or lighter by lever, not by menu, and harder pulling always meets more resistance, which suits interval training naturally.
- The frame separates into two parts for storage, the chain drive is proven over decades of heavy gym use, and spare parts remain available, which is why used RowErgs hold their value.
What to watch out for
- Air resistance is audible, with a fan whoosh on every stroke that carries through thin walls, so late-night sessions in a shared flat need consideration.
- There is no built-in screen, no classes, and no coaching in the box, so buyers who need instruction must bring their own device and app.
- The long monorail and the industrial look demand floor space and tolerance for gym equipment in a living space, and the seat height suits most adults but not everyone stepping on from a low chair.
Who it is for
Serious home trainers, rowers, and athletes who train by pace and power and want a machine that lasts.
The monitor is the product
Most rowers sell a screen; the RowErg sells measurement. The PM5 reports pace, power, stroke rate, and distance with the consistency that lets a training plan, a club ranking, and a third-party app all agree on what you did. That matters because rowing improvement is measured in seconds and watts, and a monitor that flatters or confuses makes progress invisible. Add a phone holder and the PM5 connects to apps for guided sessions, without locking the machine to one company's content.
Air resistance, explained plainly
Air resistance is effort-led: the harder you pull, the more the fan pushes back, and the damper lever shifts the feel from light and fast to heavy and slow. That makes intervals intuitive, since a sprint naturally meets more resistance than a steady row, and it makes the machine honest, since there is no level to hide behind. The cost is noise, a fan whoosh on every stroke that suits a garage or spare room better than a bedroom wall shared with a sleeper.
Living with it
The RowErg is long, plain, and unapologetically gym-like, and owners either accept that or choose the WaterRower. In return, the frame separates into two parts for storage, the chain drive is simple to maintain, and parts remain available for machines decades old, which is why second-hand RowErgs keep their value. Assembly is straightforward, the seat and footrests adjust quickly between users, and the machine asks for little beyond an occasional chain oiling and rail wipe.
What owners report
Commonly praised
- The monitor gives clear pace and power feedback that makes training progress easy to follow
- The stroke feels honest and responsive, getting harder exactly when effort increases
- The frame feels built to last and parts stay available long after purchase
Common complaints
- The fan noise carries into neighbouring rooms and rules out quiet late sessions
- The plain gym look sits uneasily in a furnished living space
- The absence of built-in classes leaves new rowers to find their own instruction elsewhere
Recurring themes from owner reviews on retailers and forums, summarised by our editors. Updated October 2026.
Key specifications
- Resistance
- Air flywheel with damper adjustment
- Monitor
- PM5 performance monitor with device holder
- Drive
- Nickel-plated chain
- Footrests
- Adjustable, with flexible footplates
- Storage
- Separates into two parts
Also consider
WaterRower Natural
The living-room rower: solid ash, a water tank, and the closest thing to rowing a boat indoors.
- Resistance: Water flywheel in an enclosed tank
- Frame: Solid ash wood, honey oak stain
Stamina ATS Air Rower 1399
The budget air rower: real wind resistance, a folding frame, and a monitor that keeps it simple.
- Resistance: Air, dynamic wind resistance
- Frame: Steel frame, nylon pull strap
Research-based assessment. ThePickLedger has not hands-on tested this product; this evaluation synthesizes manufacturer specifications, retailer documentation, and published expert reviews.
Questions, answered
Does the RowErg need a subscription?
No. The PM5 works fully without one, and third-party apps are optional. That is a key difference from screen rowers, where the membership is effectively part of the machine.
Is the RowErg too loud for a flat?
It depends on the walls and the hour. The fan whoosh is clearly audible in the same room and can carry through thin walls, so night sessions in a shared flat are a problem, while daytime use in a spare room is usually fine.
Can tall or short rowers use it?
Yes, the long monorail and adjustable footrests suit a wide range of heights, and the seat height is comfortable for most adults stepping on and off. Very short users should try the footrest adjustment first, since leg length sets the stroke.