Hydrow Vs Concept2: Which Rower Is Best For Home Gyms?

Quick Comparison Of The Hydrow & Concept2 Rowers

When you look at the Hyrdow rower vs Concept 2, the first thing you'll notice is that the Hydrow looks more technologically advanced in every way. This is partly down to the basic look of the Concept2, which isn’t a bad thing, but it doesn’t look as good as the Hydrow does.  

The Concept2 takes up less space than the Hydrow, so if you’re struggling for space in your home gym, then the Concept2 would most likely be the best for you.  

When it comes to the rowing experience, the Hydrow is second to none. It comes with a beautiful 22” HD touch screen, and when combined with the Hydrow membership, you’ll love every minute of your row.  

The Concept2, on the other hand, is a basic rowing machine that doesn’t have many thrills; it just gets the job done.  

Overview Of The Hydrow Rowing Machine  

The Hydrow rowing machine brings you the on-the-water experience in your home gym. The machine itself looks futuristic, and it's fantastic. However, it's best suited for serious rowers who're looking to take their rowing experience to the next level.  

The Hydrow isn’t the cheapest rowing machine around, but this is reflected in the quality of the machine. The 22” HD touchscreen provides you with everything you need, from your workout feedback to beautiful scenery that makes you feel like you’re rowing on a lake.  

While the machine has 300 resistance levels, I feel its price makes it a purchase for an intermediate to advanced user.  

Pros & Cons Of The Popular Hydrow Rower  

Overview Of The Concept2 Rowing Machine 

The Concept2 Model D has long been the rowing machine of choice for many rowers. It doesn’t mess around and provides one excellent workout. While it may look simplistic compared to other rowers such as the Hydrow, I’ve found that its simplicity is part of its charm.  

The LCD display shows you all of the relevant information you need to have an excellent workout, such as distance, calories, strokes per minute, and more. All of this data is fed back to your rowing training apps in real-time so you can keep a log of your progression. The Concept2 is an excellent choice of rowing machine for taller users as it has a longer than average seat rail.  

Overall, the Concept2 is a great rowing machine for your home gym and is best suited for most people, especially those of you who don’t need trainer guided workouts.  

Pros & Cons Of The Popular Concept2 Rower 

Hydrow Vs Concept2 - Which Rower Is Best For Home Gyms?

Footprint In the Home  

While using the Hydrow rowing machine, I found that the 86 inch rail was suitable for my height. However, it could limit much taller users who are over 6ft in size with longer limbs.  

However, when it came to the Concept2 Model D, I found that its extended 96-inch seat rail made a huge difference and makes it the perfect home gym rowing machine for taller users.  

Both the Hydrow and Concept2 take up similar space when it comes to the footprint, the only difference being the 10 inches longer length of the Concept2. So if you’re really struggling for space, you might want to consider the Hydrow rowing machine.  

When storing the machines, the Hydrow can stand upright and be easily stored against a wall, but you’ll need to ensure you’ve got the ceiling space as you’ll require 86-90 inches of height. At the same time, the Concept2 can be stored upright and be taken apart, making it a more compact rowing machine overall.  

The Concept2 comes with a quick-release lever that separates the rower into two parts, making it incredibly easy to store. Overall, the Concept2 is easier to store, but the Hyrdow takes up less room while it’s being used.  

Comfortable & Realistic Rowing Experience  

When it comes to comfort, I’ve noticed that both machines have several exciting features that make them comfortable to use.  

First off, both machines are highly sturdy, and you’ll feel secure using either the Hydrow or the Concept2 Model D. They both have a sturdy aluminum and steel structure. They can support more weight than the average rower (we will cover this in more detail in a moment).  

The Hydrow rowing machine has thick, ergonomically designed handles that not only feel great, but they look the part too. They are incredibly comfortable to use and allow you to row much longer than you would on any other rowing machine, making them great for endurance rowers.  

As the Hydrow uses electromagnetic resistance, you get a much quieter rowing experience than air resistance, which means you can work out early in the morning without worrying about waking up the kids.  

On the other hand, the Concept2 Model D comes with a highly comfortable seat set around 14 inches from the floor, making it excellent for almost all body types. Its extended seat rail is ideal for taller users, and the grip is comparable to the Hydrow for comfort.  

However, the air resistance tends to be a lot louder than the Hydrow rowing machine, which could pose a problem if you need a quieter rowing solution. But, some people may prefer the air resistance as it provides a slightly tougher challenge.  

Weight & Height Capacity 

The Hydrow rowing machine is a well-built rower that can support users up to 375lbs in body weight. This is much more than the average 250lbs that other rowing machines offer. 

On the other hand, the Concept2 Model D can hold up to 500lbs, which is a staggering amount of weight, so if you think you need a strong rowing machine capable of holding that weight, then the Model D is an excellent choice rower.  

With a 96-inch seat rail, it’s 10 inches longer than the Hyrdow, making it suitable for above-average users. It will allow you to use the rowing machine without feeling crammed into it and enable you to achieve a full range of motion with each stroke. 

Aesthetics & Build Quality 

Both the Hydrow and the Concept2 look fantastic, but I feel the Hydrow is a more impressive looking machine that will undoubtedly be a talking point for anyone visiting your home gym.  

To start with, the Hydrow’s 22” HD touchscreen is outstanding; it not only produces an excellent looking display while you’re rowing, but it integrates with the rower exceptionally well. The Hydrow has a sleek looking design that is aesthetically pleasing to look at and will look fantastic in any home gym.  

However, the Concept2 is a much simpler design that looks a little dated, in my opinion. Sure it still looks great, but when you put it side by side with the Hydro, the Hydro impresses on another level.  

Both machines are solid with aluminum and steel framing that will stand the test of time. Plus, they’re easy to maintain, which is a huge bonus. If I had to pick a rowing machine for my home gym, I’d go for the Hydrow rowing machine every time. 

Integrated Tech Features  

It also allows you to follow the trainer-led workouts, giving you an excellent workout every time you use the Hydrow rower. The Concept2 display is a simple LCD screen with several basic settings that allow you to choose your type of workout and see your workout data. This data can be sent to your phone, which sits on top of the screen using the integrated phone holder.  

While the Concept2 display is a little bit dated, it does its job perfectly and is a robust screen that displays all of the necessary information you need. Overall, the Hydrow has the best-integrated tech out of the two rowing machines and would be the best rower out of the two for your home gym. 

Performance Monitoring  

I was impressed with this aspect on both machines, and it’s definitely something you’ll make use of while using the Hydrow or the Concept2 Model D.  

Ease of Assembly 

Assembling the Hydrow rowing machine will require two people. This is because the machine’s weight is much heavier than the Concept2 and the HD screen is rather fiddly if you’re trying to fit it by yourself.  

Once the Hydrow is assembled, you’ll need to connect your screen to the internet and set up your Hydrow membership that you’ll be using with the rowing machine.  

The Concept2 Model D rowing machine is much easier to assemble and can be done by yourself. You’ll only need a few basic tools, and it shouldn’t take longer than 30 minutes to build the machine.  

While the Hydrow is more complicated to build and requires two people to assemble, it is undoubtedly the most impressive out of the two rowing machines.  

Purchase Price & Ongoing Costs 

If you’re looking to upgrade your home gym with a rowing machine, then it’s worth spending a little more as you’ll always get what you pay for. The Hydrow and the Concept2 are at the upper end of the rowing machine market and are far from your average rowing machines. The Hydrow will cost you around $1700-2200, depending on which option you choose when purchasing the rowing machine.  

But, one of the only problems I have with this rowing machine is that it’s pretty much useless without paying for the Hydrow membership, which costs approximately $450 a year. The membership is brilliant but adds on top of an already expensive rowing machine.  

In contrast, the Concept2 costs around half the price at $900-1000 and requires no ongoing memberships. While both machines offer totally different services for the price, if you’re on a tight budget but want to get a great rowing machine, the Concept2 is a fantastic choice.  

Comparing Features Of The Hydrow & Concept2 

People Also Ask (FAQs)

Can you lose weight with Hydrow and Concept2 rowers? 

Using either the Hydrow or Concept2 will help you lose weight so long as you’re adhering to a calorie deficit. Rowing is an excellent way to burn calories while having minimal impact on your joints and muscles.  

Remember, to lose weight, you need to have the correct dieting protocols in place and a well-balanced exercise plan. My clients get the best results by incorporating both resistance training and cardio into their programs. 

Can you use Hydrow without a subscription? 

While the Hydrow can be used without a subscription to their membership program, you’ll only have limited functionality and will be highly underwhelming.  

The Hydrow website states that their membership is an integral part of the Hydrow experience, and it shouldn’t be considered an optional purchase. In other words, to get the most out of the Hydrow, you’d need a membership. 

What should my resistance level be on Concept2 Model D? 

It all depends on how experienced you are at rowing and your current fitness levels. Resistance level 10 maximizes airflow and is, therefore, harder, while level 1 is the easiest.  

If you’re a beginner rower, then you should look to start between resistance level 3-5 and progressively increase it as you become fitter.   

How does the warranty for these two rowing machines compare? 

When looking at the Hydrow vs Concept2 warranty, the Hydrow takes the top spot.  

The Hydrow warranty offers a 6-year frame and 2 years on the screen, electronics, and wear items (handles, strap, seat, etc.).  

The Concept2 warranty only offers a 5-year limited on frame parts and a 2-year limited on all other parts.  

Conclusion

By looking at Hydrow vs Concept2, I have found that both rowing machines have features that will suit different users depending on what they're looking for.  

The Concept2 is best suited for those on a lower budget, around $1000, who’re looking for an upmarket rowing machine without all the fuss a smart screen brings. It’s perfect for those of you who’re self-motivated.  

However, the Hydrow is my favorite out of the two machines. It's comfortable to use, looks outstanding, and is easy to store in your home gym. The only real negative for the Hydrow is that it costs almost double the price of the Concept2.  

If I had to pick between the Hydrow and the Concept2, then I’d pick the Hydrow; it’s brilliant and has the edge on the Concept2 Model D.