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The Concept2 RowErg (formerly called the Model D rower) is frequently hailed as the best rowing machine on the market, but it has one obvious flaw: a lack of programming options. The machine offers a handful of preset workouts, but aside from that, it’s not the fanciest in terms of tech capabilities.
A company called myrow recognized this drawback and created a way to make rowing workouts more engaging. Via myrow’s 22-inch tablet that attaches directly to the rower, you can access an extensive library of workouts created specifically for the Concept2 rower.
The team at Garage Gym Reviews loves the Concept2 RowErg, so we jumped at the chance to test myrow. Can this tool help Concept2 compete with other brands like Peloton and Hydrow, who are known for their dynamic workout programs? Let’s find out in this Concept2 myrow review.
We’ve Tested Dozens of Workout Programs
The team at Garage Gym Reviews includes certified personal trainers, certified nutrition coaches, home gym owners, and an Olympian. Fitness is a livelihood for all of us, and you’ll find that reflected in our in-depth and unbiased reviews.
We’ve tested nearly two dozen rowing machines and more than 50 of the best workout apps, so we’re more than qualified to speak to myrow’s benefits and drawbacks. Lindsay Scheele, the face behind our Garage Gym Reviews Everything YouTube channel, tried myrow for several workouts. Using our fitness equipment testing methodology, we then rated it on a scale of 1 to 5 in the following categories:
- Pricing and trial period
- Setup and ease of use
- Instruction and programming
- Equipment demands
- Accountability
- Interactive features
myrow
Concept2 myrow
Product Highlights
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Straightforward installation process
- Features workouts led by world-renowned rowing coaches
- Classes can be done in as little as 15 minutes
- High-quality speakers
Cons
- Monthly or annual subscription required
- Tablet is pricey
- Not compatible with older Concept2 rowers
Bottom Line
The myrow tablet can instantly elevate your rowing workouts by offering instructor-led classes designed specifically for Concept2 rowing machines. You can filter classes by skill level, intensity level, and duration, so there’s something for everyone. However, you do have to pay a hefty one-time fee for the monitor and sign up for a recurring subscription to access the workout library.
A Quick Look at myrow
Myrow was founded by entrepreneur Gary Simpson. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he realized there had to be a way to enhance his indoor rowing experience. He eventually came up with the idea to create a tablet that streams workouts designed exclusively for the latest Concept2 rowing machine models. The 22-inch touchscreen monitor comes with a patent-pending mounting arm that attaches directly to the rower and allows you to take classes led by expert rowing coaches and Olympic rowers.
While there is no shortage of rowing workouts available online, myrow makes it easy to follow along with the videos without having to balance your phone or tablet on a device holder.
Before You Buy
- The myrow tablet is only compatible with any Concept2 rower that is a Model C or later. It also works best with a PM5 monitor. If you have an older Concept2 rower, check with myrow before buying to ensure the tablet will work with your machine.
- Be prepared to spend around $500 for the monitor, plus $35.99 per month for a recurring monthly subscription. If you opt for an annual plan, it will cost about $359.88 ($29.99 per month).
- The monitor isn’t battery-powered, so you’ll need to keep your rower close to a power outlet once you hook up the myrow tablet.
myrow Video Review
Is myrow Worth It?
The myrow tablet costs around $500. If you don’t already have a Concept2 RowErg, you’ll need to spend about $999 (plus taxes and shipping) to buy one. This brings the cost of the entire setup to about $1,500. Plus, you’ll need to purchase a yearly or monthly subscription (for $359.88 per year or $35.99 per month, respectively) to access the video classes and training plans.
A myrow subscription is priced similarly to iFIT. However, iFIT offers a wider variety of classes that also work with treadmills, exercise bikes, and elliptical machines. Many of its classes don’t require any machine at all. Myrow only offers rowing classes, so the price is steep considering you don’t get much variety.
RELATED: Rowing Workouts for Beginners
However, one of myrow’s standout features is the amount of workout data it provides. At the end of each workout, the monitor displays a ton of metrics, including stroke rate, heart rate, distance, stroke length, split intervals, and more. Concept2’s PM5 monitor also shows most of this data, but myrow goes even further and packages the information into easy-to-read graphs and charts.
“I honestly haven’t ever seen anything that provides this amount of data that’s also super easy to sift through. This is one of the most helpful ways to improve, especially if you like to geek out over performance data,” Lindsay says.
So, we do think myrow is worth it for people who already own a Concept2 rowing machine and want to use it for more than just CrossFit or creating their own workouts. You just have to be prepared for the financial investment.
Great for:
- Home gym owners who already have a Concept2 RowErg
- People who get motivation from following guided workout programs
- Athletes who enjoy analyzing workout metrics and performance data
Not recommended for:
- People who own Concept2 rowers older than the Model C
- Folks who want programming that offers more than just rowing
- Budget-conscious athletes
myrow Specs
| Pricing | $35.99/month plus a $499.99 tablet purchase or $359.88/year ($29.99/month) plus a $499.99 tablet purchase |
| Trial period | 30-day risk-free return period |
| Subscription options | Monthly or annual |
| Equipment required | Concept2 rowing machine (Model C or later) with a PM5 monitor |
| Included hardware | 22” HD touchscreen; mounting arm; all cables, hardware, and tools for installation |
Workout Experience With the Concept2 myrow
Overall, Lindsay had a lot of positive things to say about myrow. While she enjoys using her Concept2 rower on its own, she liked all of the myrow classes she took and found the cues from the instructors helpful.
According to Lindsay, the monitor and speakers are superior to other connected rowing machines. “The speakers are really high quality, and it’s easy to get the volume of the instructors and/or music just right. On other rowers I’ve used, either the instructors or the music is too loud or too soft. I didn’t have that problem with myrow,” she says.
Lindsay had only a couple of minor complaints about myrow during testing. Her first callout was that the monitor wobbled quite a bit.
“It’s not the worst shaking I’ve ever experienced from a screen on a rowing machine, and the monitor definitely won’t fall off. But the shaking is noticeable, especially when doing max-effort intervals,” she says.
She also didn’t like how much the wires hung down. They weren’t in the way at all, but they did come close to the handlebar, which made her nervous.
Pricing and Trial Period
The myrow tablet costs just under $500. A monthly subscription costs around $35.99 per month, and an annual subscription is close to $360 (equaling about $29.99 per month). The price is on par with apps like iFIT but pricier than other subscription-based workout programs like Aviron, which costs $19.95 per month or $179 a year.
There is no free trial period, but myrow offers a 30-day risk-free return period. Many fitness apps we’ve tried have 7-, 14-, or even 30-day free trials, though you usually don’t also have to pay for a monitor to use them. As such, we give myrow 3 out of 5 stars for its pricing and trial period.
RELATED: Concept2 SkiErg Review
Setup and Ease of Use
For setup and ease of use, myrow gets a 5 out of 5. The company states that installation takes about 20 minutes, and Lindsay found that to be accurate. “In terms of installation, this is probably one of the easiest products I’ve ever assembled,” she adds.
Once she had installed the monitor, Lindsay had no issues sorting through the classes and finding exactly what she was looking for. “I don’t think people will have any trouble using the monitor. Everything is organized and laid out really well for you,” she says.
Instruction and Programming
Myrow earns a perfect 5 out of 5 for instruction and programming. The classes are led by world-renowned coaches and athletes, like Shane Farmer of Dark Horse Rowing and adaptive athlete Tom Miazga, a former paralympic swimmer and adaptive CrossFit champion. Kate Knifton, a member of the women’s 2024 U.S. Olympic rowing team, also leads many of myrow’s classes.
“The instructors gave really good cues and tips on proper rowing form. I think myrow classes are some of the best rowing classes I’ve tried. I honestly don’t have too many complaints about the programming,” Lindsay says.
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As of this writing, myrow offers over 100 video classes. You can filter the classes based on skill level, duration, and intensity level. There’s even an option to create custom workouts. For anyone who wants to forego the instructor-led workouts, myrow offers non-video training plans.
We also love that myrow includes classes for adaptive athletes and individuals with neurocognitive and neurodegenerative conditions. This isn’t something we’ve seen in a ton of other workout programs, so we give myrow major kudos for understanding that fitness truly can be for everyone.
Equipment Demands
Myrow is only compatible with Concept2 rowing machines (Model C or later) with a PM5 monitor. It won’t work with the AssaultRower Elite, Bells of Steel Blitz Rower, or any other rowing machine.
Another thing to note is that the monitor is not battery-powered. One feature that makes the Concept2 RowErg so great is that the PM5 is battery-operated, so you can use the rower anywhere you want. Having to be near a power outlet to operate the myrow monitor removes that flexibility.
For these reasons, we rate myrow a 2 out of 5 for equipment demands.
RELATED: Concept2 BikeErg Review
Accountability
A 2021 research study1 shows that working out with others can boost consistency and adherence. It’s sometimes hard to find an accountability partner when you work out at home, but myrow makes it easier. If you know other people who also own myrow, you can invite them to group rows or schedule races with them ahead of time. You can also take on-demand classes together or compete with each other in Concept2’s workout of the day.
You can also sync your myrow calendar with iOS, Outlook, or Gmail to ensure you never miss a class.
We rate myrow a 5 out of 5 for accountability, as the calendar reminders and ability to work out with friends are great ways to stay on track.
RELATED: Rowing Machine Benefits
Interactive Features
We give myrow a 5 out of 5 for its interactive features. On Concept2’s PM5 monitor, there’s no way for you to engage with others. Apps like ErgData allow you to “race” against other rowers in real time, but you have to have your phone or tablet with you as you row to see how you’re doing.
However, with myrow, you can view a leaderboard directly on the machine via the full-color touchscreen monitor. The leaderboard allows you to see how you stack up against other users who have taken the same class. A live leaderboard is available as well, although Lindsay says she’s often the only person on it (likely due to myrow being a new product).
At the end of each workout, the monitor displays graphs summarizing your workout performance. The data also syncs to the Concept2 Online Logbook, which stores your entire workout history.
Concept2 myrow vs the Aviron App
Aviron App
Aviron App
Product Highlights
- Fitness app
- Olympic-level athletes for coaches
- Compatible with Concept2 with PM5
- Guided classes and workouts
- Games and live competition
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Under $20 per month
- Over 500 workouts
- Concept2 compatibility
Cons
- iOS devices only
- Single profile
- Cardio only workouts
Bottom Line
The Aviron app is now available for iOS users and compatible with Concept2 with PM5. The app allows you to create a single user account for cardio workouts including games, guided workouts, virtual scenes, power play, live competitions, and coached classes.
The Aviron App is another recently launched product that’s compatible with Concept2 rowers with a PM5 monitor. However, while myrow focuses more on video classes, the Aviron App offers a more gamified workout experience. It’s a great option if you just want to have some fun while using your rowing machine, but you likely won’t get the same level of instruction or expert coaching as you would on myrow.
The Aviron App is quite a bit cheaper than myrow, costing just under $20 per month or around $179 per year for an annual subscription. You also don’t need to purchase a separate tablet, though you’re out of luck if you’re an Android user—the Aviron App is only available on iOS devices.
Learn more in our Aviron App review.
| myrow | Aviron App | |
| Pricing | $35.99/month plus a $499.99 tablet purchase or $359.88/year ($29.99/month) plus a $499.99 tablet purchase | $19.95/month or $179.04 ($14.92/month) |
| Trial period | 30-day risk-free return period | 7 days |
| Subscription options | Monthly or annual | Monthly or annual |
| Equipment required | Concept2 rowing machine (Model C or later) with a PM5 monitor | Concept2 PM5 models or the WaterRower; an Apple iPhone or iPad to download the app |
| Included hardware | 22” HD touchscreen; mounting arm; all cables, hardware, and tools for installation | N/A |
Customer Experience
Myrow offers a 1-year warranty on the tablet and parts. During checkout, you can extend the warranty to 4 years for an additional $144.
Myrow also has a 30-day money-back guarantee. To get a full refund, you have to return the monitor, mounting arm, and additional hardware in the original packaging. You don’t have to worry about any return shipping or restocking fees.
A subscription is required to use myrow to its fullest. If you get a monthly plan, you can cancel your subscription after the first month. If you choose the yearly plan, you can cancel any time before the end of your first year. You’ll still be able to access the workout library for the remainder of your billing period.
Ordering myrow
The myrow tablet and mounting supplies are available on myrow.com. When I went through the checkout process as I was writing this review, I didn’t see any options for financing. However, there are options to pay with Shop Pay or Google Pay.
Customer Reviews
Since myrow is a new product, there aren’t a lot of reviews on it just yet. The website has a handful of (likely curated) testimonials, which are overwhelmingly positive. They praise the quality of the tablet, the amount of data offered, and the engaging video classes.
Final Verdict of Our Concept2 myrow Review
One of the only major complaints we’ve seen about the Concept2 RowErg is its lack of programming options. While plenty of rowing workouts are available online, you often need to use your own phone or tablet to follow along with them.
Myrow aims to change that by turning the Concept2 rower into a connected rowing machine. With its 22-inch monitor and a monthly or annual subscription to its programming, you can make rowing a more immersive, engaging experience. However, there are a few things to keep in mind before you make your purchase:
- Myrow is only compatible with Concept2 Model C rowers and later models.
- A monthly plan costs around $35.99 per month, while an annual plan costs just under $360 per year (which comes to around $29.99 per month).
- Once you install the myrow tablet, you’ll need to keep your rower close to a power outlet. The monitor isn’t battery-operated.
Full Rating
myrow
Myrow is a tablet that attaches to Concept2 rowers (Model C and later) and streams video classes designed specifically for Concept2. It requires a bit of an investment, but it can elevate your rowing experience on a machine that typically lacks a variety of programming options.
Product Brand: myrow
Product Currency: USD
Product Price: 499.99
Product In-Stock: InStock
4.2
Concept2 myrow Review: FAQs
What is myrow?
Myrow is a tablet that can be installed directly onto a Concept2 rower and deliver virtual workout programs that are compatible with the machine. It offers training plans and on-demand workouts led by expert rowing coaches and Olympic athletes.
Are there apps for rowing workouts?
Yes, there are plenty of apps for rowing workouts. We spent many hours testing the best rowing apps, and some of our favorites include iFIT, Peloton, Apple Fitness+, and Echelon Fit.
Is the Concept2 RowErg worth it?
The Concept2 RowErg is often considered the gold standard of rowing machines, and after testing dozens of rowers, we tend to agree. We think it’s worth it for anyone wanting to perform rowing workouts at home on a durable, solidly built machine.
References
- Davis, A. J., MacCarron, P., & Cohen, E. (2021). Social reward and support effects on exercise experiences and performance: Evidence from parkrun. PloS one, 16(9), e0256546. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0256546
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The Concept2 RowErg (formerly called the Model D rower) is frequently hailed as the best rowing machine on the market, but it has one obvious flaw: a lack of programming options. The machine offers a handful of preset workouts, but aside from that, it’s not the fanciest in terms of tech capabilities.A company called myrow recognized this drawback and created a way to make rowing workouts more engaging. » Read more about: Concept2 myrow Review (2024): Elevating the RowErg With Modern Technology » Read more
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