Water Rower Vs Concept 2 (Rower Differences Compared)

Quick Comparison Of The WaterRower & Concept 2

The main difference between Water Rower and Concept 2 is how the rowing machine's resistance works. The WaterRower uses water to generate the resistance; the harder you row, the more the resistance increases. In comparison, the Concept 2 rowing machine uses air resistance controlled using the built-in airflow dampener. Your choice between the air rower or the WaterRower will largely depend on your preferences.

When you first look at the two machines, they look entirely different, Concept 2 is your typical steel and aluminum rower, and it looks great. However, the WaterRower is made from solid wood and looks nothing like the Concept 2.  

The price of the WaterRower is roughly $1500, which is around the same price as the Concept 2 Model E.  

Overview Of The WaterRower 

The WaterRower is an excellent rowing machine that’ll look fantastic in your home gym. It sits at the upper end of the market, and it’s designed for someone who loves to row and wants to have an authentic rowing experience. But, if you’re a beginner rower, you’ll still be able to use the WaterRower rowing machine as the resistance is controlled by you.

The WaterRower is constructed from excellent looking solid Ashwood with an aluminum rail; it looks outstanding and ideal for an apartment home gym where the equipment is on show. But it’ll look equally as good in your garage home gym.  

The WaterRower is easily stored and doesn’t take up too much room once it’s stood upright. So if you’re stuck for space in your home gym, the WaterRower will be an excellent choice for you.  

Pros & Cons Of The Popular WaterRower 

Overview Of The Concept 2 Rowing Machine

Concept 2 is one of the most recognizable rowing machines in the fitness industry, they're the go-to rowing machine for most gyms, and it's for a good reason too.  

The Concept 2 rowing machine is an upper mid-top range rowing machine (depending on what model you buy). They’re best suited to those of you who aren’t on a budget, as you’ll need to spend between $900-1500. However, they’re well worth the investment and Concept 2 is well worth the money.  

The design of the Concept 2 is highly robust across all of their models. The most popular versions of the rower are the Model D or E. Each one is constructed from aluminum and steel and provides you with a smooth rowing experience.  

When it comes to resistance, the rowing machine has ten levels making it suitable for anyone from beginner to Olympic level athletes.  

Pros & Cons Of The Popular Concept 2 Rower 

Water Rower Vs Concept 2 - Which Is Best For Your Home Gym? 

Footprint In the Home

When comparing the footprint of the Concept 2 vs Water Rower, both are relatively compact rowing machines and would be ideal for most home gyms depending on your requirements.  

However, I found that the Concept 2 has a slightly longer seat rail which is perfect for taller users as it will allow you to get a better range of movement during your workout. But, this does come at the cost of losing some floor space while the rowing machine is being used.  

After you’ve finished using the Concept 2 rowing machine, you can easily separate the seat rail and compactly store the machine. This is perfect if you’re looking for a rowing machine for a compact home gym.  

The WaterRower’s footprint during use is slightly smaller than the Concept 2 rowing machine, which is excellent for any space-scarce home gym. When the WaterRower isn’t in use, you can store the rowing machine upright and wheel it into the corner of the room.  

However, moving the WaterRower can be challenging, especially once the rower is full of water. Plus, it takes up more room than the Concept 2, which isn’t ideal. So if you need a rowing machine that is easy to store, you might want to rethink the WaterRower.  

Overall, I find that the Concept 2 rower wins this category. Not only does it have a longer seat rail for taller users, but it’s straightforward to store and takes up less space than the WaterRower.    

Comfortable & Realistic Rowing Experience  

The Concept 2 rowing machine is one of the most robust and sturdy rowing machines I’ve ever used; it has an excellent aluminum frame that can withstand up to 500 lbs and has a steel seat rail. There’s a reason why Concept 2 is used by most gyms around the world.  

However, the WaterRower has taken a completely different approach using Solid Ashwood and steel for their rowing machine, which they've used to significant effect. I’ve been highly impressed by this rowing machine and found it extremely sturdy.  

Both machines are super sturdy, and it’ll come down to personal preference whether you want a wooden rower or aluminum. When it comes to the ergonomics of the Water Rower machine vs Concept 2, there are a few factors to consider, such as the handles, seats, heights, and inseam.  

On the other hand, I found that the Concept 2’s handle has a great ergonomic design, and it felt extremely comfortable to hold, even mid rowing session. The Water Rower handle isn’t bad, but it wasn’t up to the standard of the Concept 2 handle.  

After working out on both rowing machines, I found that the Concept 2 is much better suited for a wide range of heights and caters to taller users. The slightly longer seat rail is perfect for users with a longer inseam (inside arm), and the higher positioning of the rowing machine makes it much easier for taller rowers to get on to the machine.  

The WaterRower, on the other hand, is relatively low to the ground and has a shorter seat rail. While this isn’t a huge problem, it could be uncomfortable for you if you’re taller than the average person.  

Lastly, when it comes to the noise difference between Water Rower and Concept 2, neither machines are loud, but the Water Rower does prove to be a quieter experience.  

Since the Water Rower uses water, and the Concept 2 uses air resistance, I found that it would be ideal for someone looking for a quieter, more authentic rowing workout.  

But, neither rower will wake your neighbors or kids up while you're working out, so I wouldn't worry too much about this one.

Weight & Height Capacity 

When comparing the Water Rower vs Concept 2 weight capacity, the Water Rower can hold a colossal 700 lbs compared to the Concept 2's 500 lbs. However, even though there's a difference, it's worth noting that 500 lbs is more likely enough for anyone and 700 lbs is pure overkill. But, if you do require a larger weight capacity, then the Water Rower is an excellent choice for your home gym.  

As I mentioned above, the Concept 2’s seat rail is 13 inches longer than the Water Rower, making the Concept 2 perfect for taller individuals. The Concept 2 also has a higher seat height (if you opt for the taller leg options or the Model E). The higher positioning makes the Concept 2 easier to get on and off, which again is better for taller individuals.  

Overall, when looking at the weight capacity, the Water Rower is best. But for height capacity, the Concept 2 is better when deciding between Concept 2 or Water Rower. 

Storage & Mobility  

If having a rowing machine that is easy to fold up and store is high up on your priority list, then you’ll be glad to know that both the Concept 2 and the Water Rower are great when it comes to being stored.  

The Water Rower can stand upright and be wheeled into the corner of your home gym with relative ease. My only peeve with the Water Rower is that it can be heavy once the water is inside the machine, which can be challenging for some users.  

But, I do think that once the Water Rower is stored away, it looks excellent and doesn’t take up much room at all. This is perfect if you’re space-conscious and want a compact rowing machine.  

The Concept 2 not only has a sleek design when it's being used, but it can be broken into two within a second by using a lever. This drastically decreases the rowing machine's footprint, making it incredibly easy to store. The only downside is that it doesn’t look fantastic when taken apart, but it will still be the best solution for your home gym. 

From comparing Concept 2 vs Water Rower, the Water Rower does look great when stored, but I found the Concept 2 easier to store away.  

Mechanisms  

While both resistance methods are excellent, I loved the Water Rower; it felt brilliant.

Aesthetics & Build Quality  

Deciding which rowing machine will look the best in your home gym is all down to personal preference. The Concept 2 is available in black or silver and is an all-metal construction with a sleek design and solid-looking framing. However, the Water Rower is almost entirely wooden and comes in several colors.  

I’ve found that the Water Rower will look better in your home gym if it’s based in your house or apartment, as the solid wood looks fantastic. However, if you have a separate home gym or garage gym, then the Concept 2 will be perfect. Again, this is all down to personal preference.  

Integrated Tech Features 

When comparing the Water Rower vs Concept 2 integrated tech features, I find they're worlds apart, unfortunately. The Water Rower’s A1 is highly dated, so be sure to opt for the upgraded S4 display. But even then, it’s no match for the Concept Rower’s PM5 display monitor.  

The PM5 screen comes with Bluetooth and WiFi connectivity that can be used to connect to many rowing apps such as the ErgData app and external heart monitors to track your rowing performance data. When it comes to screen size, there isn’t too much difference, yet both clearly display all of the necessary data, which I’ll cover in a moment.  

Both rowers work with apps such as Regatta fitness (for Concept 2) and CityRow Go (Water Rower) on your smart devices allowing you to have pre-set workouts and create a user profile to track your progress.  

Performance Monitoring  

While both screens are great, the Concept 2 has a much more up-to-date display overall. Plus, it has a built-in smartphone holder, which will help you connect your Concept 2 rower to data tracking apps. The Concept 2 provides better performance monitoring, in my opinion.  

Ease of Assembly  

Both rowing machines come with excellent instruction manuals (Concept 2 and Water Rower). The manuals make building the machines incredibly easy. However, the Water Rower has a more complex construction process that could be difficult for some users.  

The Water Rower needs to be entirely constructed by yourself and will take you over an hour to build, depending on your experience building home gym equipment. You’ll only need to use a 5mm Allen Key, which is included with your Water Rower so that you won’t need any additional tools.  

On the other hand, the Concept 2 was relatively easy to assemble and could be completed in under 30 minutes using as little as a screwdriver (not included). Most of the Concept 2 rowing machine is pre-assembled, so it’s just a case of screwing the legs onto the rower and off you row.  

Overall, the Concept 2 wins this one and is easy to build no matter how bad you are at building equipment; be sure to follow each step in the user manual.  

Purchase Price & Ongoing Costs  

If you're looking to compare the price of Concept 2 vs Water Rower, then these two rowing machines are neck and neck, depending on what model of the rowing machines you choose. While you should consider how each rowing machine will affect your budget for your home gym, it will ultimately come down to preference.  

Over time, each machine will require maintenance. For the Concept 2, the manufacturer recommends that you oil the nickel-plated chain every 40-50 hours of rowing to ensure that your rowing experience is as smooth as it can be. I also recommend that you use a damp cloth to wipe down the rowing machine after each workout.  

The Water Rower, on the other hand, requires a little more maintenance. First, the belt feed needs to be wiped often to ensure no dust builds up, and the water in the tank needs to be purified using purification tablets (not included).  

If you have the natural wood-colored Water Rower, you'll need to treat the wood every year or so using Danish Oil (not included). This will ensure the frame is kept in excellent condition.  

WaterRower And Concept 2: Features Compared 

People Also Ask (FAQs)

Is a WaterRower harder than Concept 2? 

From my experience, I found that the Concept 2 was tougher than the Water Rower. This is due to having more control over the set resistance levels using the Concept 2's dampener. As the resistance was set, I couldn't slack off, whereas I could on the Water Rower.  

How long does a WaterRower last? 

Judging by reviews, the average Water Rower can last up to five years without maintenance. But, with regular maintenance, I don’t see why the Water Rower rowing machine couldn’t last longer.  

Is the Concept 2 rower loud? 

I wouldn't call the rower loud, but it is louder than the Water Rower. This is due to the Concept 2 using air to create resistance and the Water Rower using water.  

How often do you need to change the water in a WaterRower? 

The Water Rower manual instructs that the water should be purified every six months using a purification tablet. This time may vary depending on the sunlight exposure your water tank receives.  

Conclusion

After pitting the Concept 2 rower vs Water Rower, I found that both rowing machines offer brilliant rowers for your home gym. However, I do believe that the Concept 2 is much better suited for most home gyms.  

This is mainly because you have complete control over the resistance; it is easier to store and has a better screen with improved connectivity.  

But, it’s worth noting that some of you may prefer the Water Rower, and I wouldn’t blame you; it’s a brilliant machine, but the Concept 2 is a whole other beast.