So what rower do you use and where did you get it.

daragh8008

Hi Folks,
Wondering if someone can help me here. I started rowing to get fit a few months back using a cheap machine that I think I got in dunnes a few years back but never used. Well it worked a treat. Lost about 15kg since I started and have about the same to go again. Problem is the little rower fell apart on Friday. Spent all weekend trying to find a replacement but can't find any in the shops, bar Argos. I'm reluctant to buy with out sitting up on it and seeing if it feels sturdy with a decent resistance. So did you get a rowing machine in the Dublin area. If so what did you get, how is it and where did you get it? Looking to spend maybe 5-600e all I can at the mo and about 5 times more than the last one! Or even if you have seen one in a shop near you? All help welcome.


Ps I know good machines cost twice that but I just don't have the money.... Unless your selling one cheap ;-)

Mellor

Buy a concept2 second hand.

daragh8008

Do they fold up. My flat is a bit on the small Side so this would be an important feature. I believe that these are great rowers but does anyplace stock used ones in my price range? Thanks

Duck's hoop

They break in the middle in 3 second so you can store them vertically in a corner

Need to keep a good eye out. They tend to hold their value very well so bargains are not that common.

daragh8008

That's good to know. Not to sound bad but just in case I can't find one at the right price, are there any close second place machines that are easily found or if anybody is looking to sell one?

Duck's hoop

There's nothing that comes close. Certainly nothing that costs any less. If you're patient, and diligent, you should pick one up for 6-700.

duffyshuffle

brand new on http://www.sport-tiedje.co.uk/en/ for €925 with free delivery, best price by a long way and worth the little extra over a second hand one that is likely years old and in need of some maintenance

daragh8008

duffyshuffle wrote: »

brand new on http://www.sport-tiedje.co.uk/en/ for €925 with free delivery, best price by a long way and worth the little extra over a second hand one that is likely years old and in need of some maintenance

That certainly looks like a good price considering I have seen second hand ones for 800e. But alas I just don't have those kind of funds right now. I'm getting a clear impression that the concept 2 is the only one anybody is willing to recommend. Has nobody had any good experiences with something a little more ummm cheap? My options are stop rowing for 6 months while saving or get something now with a view to upgrading. After all I'm not an Olympian athlete (and probable won't appreciate the difference using high end gear) just a fat dude looking to continue sliming down. Thanks for all the pointers all the same.

madcabbage

If your looking long term, Concept2 is the best option. Speaking from a rowers point of view, they're the best in the market and can't be matched. Very hard to get a good one second hand for good money, as we've found with our local rowing club.

daragh8008

Indeed a good point, looking to the long term would probably save money but what do you do when it is out of your price range. Think I might just get a piece of junk to tide over and keep saving and if I'm still rowing in 12 mths then make the plunge. After 6 months I can't justify making such a large financial investment. Think I would be happier rowing another to machine to death make sure I have the bug proper!

madcabbage

Well to be honest you'll find it very hard to acquire a decent 2nd hand Concept 2 ergo. You could keep an eye on the rowing union websites buy and sell section: www.iaru.ie
That or you could join a rowing club is it's a cheaper alternative?

JJayoo

duffyshuffle wrote: »

brand new on http://www.sport-tiedje.co.uk/en/ for €925 with free delivery, best price by a long way and worth the little extra over a second hand one that is likely years old and in need of some maintenance

What is the difference between the different models and are you sure delivery to Ireland is free?

Duck's hoop

The 925 e models are PM3 monitor equipped. The PM5 accepts a USB and a few other bits dragging it up to speed.

If you don't mind the monitor then the machine will be almost identical. I think you'd ultimately lose out on resale to PM5 equipped machines. Going forward

duffyshuffle

JJayoo wrote: »

What is the difference between the different models and are you sure delivery to Ireland is free?

Yep delivery is free, the PM3 is actually 945 not 925, and PM5 is 995, still hundreds cheaper than anywhere in Ireland. It seems to be the market price in Germany as a few places have them at similar prices.

Heat_Wave

Selling my Fluid S350 Rower which is the equivalent to the concept 2, if not better imo.

Bought for €1500, selling for €900, rarely used!

abff

daragh8008 wrote: »

That certainly looks like a good price considering I have seen second hand ones for 800e. But alas I just don't have those kind of funds right now. I'm getting a clear impression that the concept 2 is the only one anybody is willing to recommend. Has nobody had any good experiences with something a little more ummm cheap? My options are stop rowing for 6 months while saving or get something now with a view to upgrading. After all I'm not an Olympian athlete (and probable won't appreciate the difference using high end gear) just a fat dude looking to continue sliming down. Thanks for all the pointers all the same.

I'd definitely go for the Concept 2. Apart from the robustness of these machines, the measurement of pace is self calibrating which allows times on different machines to be directly comparable. This is turn allows you to take part in various competitions though a huge online community, providing great feedback and huge motivation.

If you can't afford to buy one right now, you can hire a machine from Indoor Sports Services in the UK with the option to buy later at a reduced price if you decide to hold on to it. See attached link for more details. http://indoorsportservices.co.uk/hire/hire_scheme_info/

abff

Just to follow up my earlier post, don't be put off by the reference to competitions. The online community is hugely supportive, with people at all levels of ability and the option of joining an online team where you will get loads of support, encouragement, helpful tips, etc.

A significant proportion of the people involved in such teams are there just to lose weight and get fitter and there's no obligation (or pressure) to take part in any of the competitions. The following forum will give you a feel for what's online and there are also a number of active FaceBook groups. http://www.c2forum.com/index.php

daragh8008

Thanks for the feed back. Alas at this stage I won't be going the road of a concept 2. It is very clear that the owners are passionate about the quality of this equipment and probably rightly so. But starting out like I am I would be cautious spending so much so soon. I think what frustrated me most was driving around dublin for two days looking for a rower at not finding a single shop with one on sale. I hate buying from a catalog because I have been burned so often with S*** stuff that looks good in the picture. At least now I know, that if I'm still rowing in a years time what equipment I should go for. One final question, are there any walk in shops in Dublin, Meath Kildare or Wicklow that actually stock rowers....physically.. like in the shop?

abff

For me, it's the consistency of the Concept 2 machine that motivates me to keep plugging away. I've used various machines in a number of different gyms and a number of hotels and the effort required to row at a certain pace is the exact same, no matter which machine I'm on. This consistency allows me to track my progress and to know whether or not my training is working.

Without this feedback, I would find it very hard to motivate myself on those days when you just don't feel like exercising. It doesn't mean I never have a day when I just decide not to bother, but they are a lot less frequent when I know I will get an accurate record of the effort I put in. Concept 2 have an online logbook and they offer distance awards for reaching various cumulative distances and they provide all sorts of tips and training programs for weight loss, race preparation, etc.

If you buy a different brand, you won't have any way of measuring yourself accurately against those using Concept 2 rowers and it would be throwing money away, in my opinion. But that's just my opinion and I'm sure there are some who will disagree. But I think that the vast majority of on the water rowers use Concept 2 rowing machines for their winter training and they are also widely used by coaches in testing fitness.

I really urge you to think about the option of hiring a machine. I know it's expensive in the first month with the delivery charge, but you will save this and more if you decide to buy the machine after hiring it for a while. And if you decide after a few months that it's not for you, you can just send it back.

madcabbage

daragh8008 wrote: »

Thanks for the feed back. Alas at this stage I won't be going the road of a concept 2. It is very clear that the owners are passionate about the quality of this equipment and probably rightly so. But starting out like I am I would be cautious spending so much so soon. I think what frustrated me most was driving around dublin for two days looking for a rower at not finding a single shop with one on sale. I hate buying from a catalog because I have been burned so often with S*** stuff that looks good in the picture. At least now I know, that if I'm still rowing in a years time what equipment I should go for. One final question, are there any walk in shops in Dublin, Meath Kildare or Wicklow that actually stock rowers....physically.. like in the shop?

Hard to find them in a shop really, most people go for a bike or treadmill. Have you asked around local gyms for help? They might old stock that they could be possibly selling or even point you in the right direction.

The Guvnor

I know someone who bought two at an auction in N. Ireland - he paid 450 sterling each for them. Not sure which model might have been a c but still a very good machine for the money.

They are virtually bullet proof take a lot of abuse and is the one item which completely dominates their sector of the market.

Duck's hoop

abff wrote: »

I really urge you to think about the option of hiring a machine. I know it's expensive in the first month with the delivery charge, but you will save this and more if you decide to buy the machine after hiring it for a while. And if you decide after a few months that it's not for you, you can just send it back.

You sure they deliver to Ireland? Most hire deals only to UK.

abff

Duck's hoop wrote: »

You sure they deliver to Ireland? Most hire deals only to UK.

Good question. I bought a machine from them a few years ago and I was charged the same total amount as if I was living in the UK. It's possible they might charge extra for delivery to Ireland under a hire deal, or even refuse to deliver to Ireland, but there's nothing on their website to indicate this. If the OP is interested in pursuing this option, there is an email address shown for enquiries.

Indoorsportsservices is a relatively new company that was originally set up as therowingcompany (and subsequently changed to its current name) by a number of former employees of Concept 2 UK when Concept 2 in the US decided to take over distribution for the UK and Ireland. I would be surprised if they would refuse a hire contract in Ireland.

Duck's hoop

I know that when trading as 'The Rowing Company' they only hired to UK. And mainland at that. That was only earlier this year.

I ask as I'd go for it myself. Rates pretty good for a few months winter training.

abff

I've sent them an email. I'll post the response.

abff

abff wrote: »

I've sent them an email. I'll post the response.

I got a response to my email today. Unfortunately, the option to hire a Concept 2 machine is only available in mainland UK.

JJayoo

So someone should buy 10 from the German site and then rent them out in Ireland.