Hydrow vs Concept 2 – Streaming Rower or All-time Classic?

Welcome to my Hydrow vs Concept 2 comparison review.

The Hydrow rowing machine has taken the fitness world by storm, with its sleek look, hi-tech screen, and on-the-water workouts.

But let’s not forget about the classic Concept2 that has been keeping people fit for decades.

Both home rowing machines have their own unique features and choosing the perfect fit depends on your individual needs and preferences.

Don’t know where to start? No worries, I’ve got your back! I

In this Hydrow vs Concept2 ultimate showdown, I’ll be diving into the nitty-gritty details of both rowers and sharing my expert opinion on which machine would work best for you.

By the end of this Hydrow rower vs Concept 2 comparison, you’ll have all the information you need to make an informed decision and choose the perfect rower for your home gym. So, let’s get rowing!

Hydrow vs Concept 2 Comparison Table

	Hydrow	Concept 2
Resistance	Computer-controlled magnetic	Air
Frame	Frame weight -145 lb User weight limit- 375 lb Non-folding	Frame weight – 57 lb User weight limit – 500 lb Splits into 2 pieces for storage
Warranty	5 year frame 1 year parts 1 year labor	5 year frame 2 year parts
Features	22″ HD touchscreen Streamed Instructor-led workouts on water Speakers Bluetooth Wi-fi Metric tracking	PM5 monitor Built-in workouts Metric tracking Bluetooth/ANT+ Device holder
Price	$2,295 $38/month streaming fee	$900

Hydrow vs Concept 2 Review

You know what’s amazing? How Peloton revolutionized the way we exercise at home with their innovative streaming workouts paired with their indoor cycle. It was a game changer!

But the revolution didn’t stop there – the streaming craze quickly spread to other home fitness equipment, like indoor rowing machines.

Enter the Hydrow, the pioneer of instructor-led workouts for rowing which has brought the excitement of virtual coaching to your home gym.

Up against this, we have the Concept2, the OG of rowing machines that has been around since the ’80s.

It’s a classic that has stood the test of time, earning its spot as the top choice for Olympians and elite rowers worldwide when they can’t hit the water.

Both home rowing machines are brilliant in their own way

But they are very different so let’s kick off this Hydrow rower vs Concept 2 comparison by diving into one of the biggest contrasts – their resistance systems.

Concept 2 vs Hydrow – Resistance

When it comes to rowing machines, the type of resistance they use is a major factor to consider.

There are four different types of resistance available: hydraulic, magnetic, water, and air.

But let’s focus on these two rowers – the Hydrow and the Concept2 RowErg – and the types of resistance they use.

The Hydrow is a magnetic rower that uses an electromagnetic system to provide resistance.

This makes for a very smooth and quiet rowing experience, but what sets the Hydrow apart is its patented, computer-controlled resistance.

Unlike most magnetic rowers, the Hydrow’s resistance is dependent on how fast you row, just like you’d feel while rowing on water.

The drag can be adjusted to fine-tune your workout and mimic the feel of rowing on water.

On the other hand, the Concept2 model is a classic air rower that uses spinning fans to create resistance.

This design is highly effective because the resistance you feel is dependent entirely on the speed of your rowing, just like water.

But the fans do create wind and noise during your workouts, which may be a downside for some users.

The Concept2 comes with an adjustable damper to control how much air gets to the flywheel, which fine-tunes the feel of each pull.

So, when it comes to resistance in this Concept 2 rower vs Hydrow comparison, we can see that both of these rowers provide effective workouts with resistance systems that replicate the feel of rowing on water.

But they go about it in two different ways.

Whether you prefer the smooth and quiet magnetic resistance of the Hydrow or the soothing white noise of the Concept2’s air resistance, both of these machines will provide a great workout for you.

Hydrow vs Concept 2 Rowing Machine -Frames

Let’s dive into the frames of these rowers and see how they measure up.

When it comes to a rower’s frame, size and weight matter – and in my opinion, the heavier, the better.

A hefty rower means you won’t have to deal with any wobbling or shaking during your workout, which is a huge plus.

The Hydrow boasts a sleek, single-piece steel/aluminum frame that feels rock solid.

At 145 lb and with a max weight limit of 375 lb, this rower is seriously impressive.

Sure, it can’t fold for storage (although you can buy a separate vertical storage kit), but with a frame this heavy, you won’t be sacrificing stability.

The Concept2 is much lighter, coming in at 57 lb with standard legs and 68 lb with the extended legs. It has a maximum user weight of 500 lbs.

The Concept 2 RowErg has been the go-to rower for professional athletes for years, so you can trust that stability won’t be an issue.

Plus, you can even opt for taller legs to make getting on and off the rower a breeze.

Size-wise, the Concept2 is a bit longer than the Hydrow, measuring in at 96″ compared to the Hydrow’s 86″. But both rowers are about the same width at 24-25″.

While the Hydrow may be heavier than the Concept 2, both have impressive weight limits and should feel secure during your workout.

The Hydrow can’t fold, but the Concept 2 can be easily broken down into two pieces for storage.

Concept 2 RowErg vs Hydrow Rower – Console

Are you ready to dive into the world of rowing consoles? Buckle up, because there’s a big difference between the Hydrow and the RowErg in this department.

Let’s start with the Hydrow, which boasts a massive 22-inch HD touchscreen display.

This is no ordinary console, folks. It’s designed specifically for streaming elite instructor-led workouts, filmed with real rowers on real water.

That means you’ll feel like you’re rowing in the great outdoors, without ever leaving your home. Plus, with hundreds of on-demand and live workouts to choose from, you’ll never get bored.

But that’s not all – the Hydrow also offers non-rowing workouts, such as pilates, yoga, and strength training, to complement your routine. All of this streaming goodness will cost you $38/month, but trust us, it’s worth it.

The console on the RowErg, on the other hand, is a bit more modest.

It’s a smaller backlit LCD monitor called the PM5. But don’t let the size fool you – this console is still considered one of the most advanced around.

While it’s not designed for streaming workouts, it still tracks and displays all the rowing metrics you could ever want. And with features like force curves and split times, you’ll have plenty of data to analyze and improve upon.

But what if you want to spice up your workout routine with some rowing games or connect with other rowing apps? No problem – the PM5 monitor now comes with a built-in device holder and is compatible with Bluetooth and ANT+.

So, if you’re looking for a console that’s all about streaming workouts, go with the Hydrow. But if you want a sophisticated console that still has plenty of features to keep you engaged, the PM5 on the RowErg won’t disappoint.

Warranty

Let’s talk about warranties for a moment.

The good news is that both the Hydrow and Concept2 RowErg come with solid residential warranties.

The Hydrow offers a 5-year warranty on the frame, 1 year on parts/electronics, and 1 year on labor.

Meanwhile, the Concept2 RowErg offers a 5-year warranty on the frame and 2 years on parts.

While the Concept2 offers an extra year on parts, the Hydrow includes a labor warranty.

In the end, while the warranties are important to consider, they may not be the deciding factor when choosing between these two impressive rowers.

Price

Let’s talk about the price difference between the Hydrow and Concept 2 RowErg before we wrap things up.

Currently, the Hydrow costs around $2,295 while the Concept2 RowErgis just $900.

As you can see, there’s a significant price difference between the two.

Keep in mind that the Hydrow’s price listed above is for the rower itself, and additional accessories such as a mat or heart rate monitor will cost extra.

Also, to use Hydrow, there is a monthly fee of $38, while there is no streaming fee with the Concept2 RowErg, unless you decide to join a separate streaming app to connect with it.

Overall, the Hydrow costs over twice as much as the RowErg, so it’s important to consider your budget and needs when deciding which one to purchase.

Final thoughts

It’s clear that both the Hydrow and Concept2 RowErg are outstanding home rowers that cater to different needs and preferences.

At the end of the day, it all boils down to what you’re looking for in a rower. Do you crave an immersive streaming experience that transports you to the waterways with a touch of a button? Then the Hydrow is the one for you.

Or maybe you prefer a more traditional rowing experience with the flexibility to connect to various apps and software without any streaming fees? If so, the Concept2 RowErg is the way to go.

And of course, budget is always a factor to consider. If you’re on a tight budget, the Concept2 RowErg is an amazing value for such a high-quality machine.

If noise level is important to you and you’re in need of a super quiet machine, Hydrow’s magnetic system is almost silent.

At the end of the day, there is no right or wrong choice when it comes to these two rowers. So pick the one that speaks to you, and get ready to crush your fitness goals.

Happy rowing, folks!