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GGR experts explain the difference between the two types of rowers.
Rowing machines are among the best pieces of gym equipment for your home gym. They provide a low-impact workout that targets all the major muscle groups and can be quite meditative (even without the water view).
If you’re trying to decide between a WaterRower vs Concept2 RowErg, first we’ll say: tough call! Both machines come highly rated and highly recommended, including by our own team of expert product testers and fitness pros. The right model for you depends on your specific needs and preferences. Here, we’ll break down the key similarities and differences to help you make a decision.
WaterRower vs Concept2: Quick Comparison
For the sake of this comparison table, we’re directly comparing the WaterRower Natural with the Concept2 RowErg (which was previously named the Concept2 RowErg or Model E, depending on the leg height).
| WaterRower Natural | Concept2 RowErg | |
| Resistance type | Water resistance | Air resistance |
| Dimensions | 82.25” L x 22.25” W x 20” H | 96” L x 24” W x 14” or 20” seat height |
| Product weight | 66.5 lbs (dry); 103.5 lbs (with water) | 57 lbs (standard legs); 68 lbs (tall legs) |
| Max weight capacity | 700 lbs | 500 lbs |
| Monitor/display | Basic LCD screen (S4 Performance Monitor) | Basic LCD monitor (PM5) |
| Price | $1,199 | $1,100 (standard legs) |
| Storage | Doesn’t fold or come apart for storage, but can stand up straight to reduce horizontal footprint | Can be separated into two parts for storage |
| Maintenance | Wipes down daily; Chlorine tablet added every six months to two years; if water becomes discolored, empty the tank, flush it out, and refill. | Wipe down daily, lubricate chain weekly (or for every 50 hours of use), inspect chain, handle, cord, and screws monthly (or for every 250 hours of use) |
Who Should Buy A WaterRower
- Anyone who wants to mimic the on-water feel of rowing
- Those with a bigger spending budget
- Anyone looking for a more aesthetically pleasing rower
WaterRower
WaterRower
Product Highlights
- Water resistance simulates outdoor experience
- Handcrafted wood for beautiful aesthetic
- One of the quietest water rowing machines
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Water resistance simulates outdoor experience
- The body is made of handcrafted wood
- One of the quietest water rowing machines
- Very aesthetically pleasing
- 700 lb weight capacity
- Optional expert assembly
Cons
- Prices start around $1,100
- Wood can dent and chip
- Weighs 117 lbs
- Monitor location isn’t convenient
Bottom Line
The WaterRower Natural is an excellent rower that uses (drumroll) water instead of air as its main mode of resistance. This closely simulates the resistance you would receive in real-life rowing, and it sounds pretty amazing, too.
Who Should Buy A Concept2 RowErg
- Anyone looking for a lower-maintenance machine
- Those with space constraints
- CrossFitters training for CrossFit-sanctioned events
Concept2 RowErg
Concept2 RowErg
Product Highlights
- Priced around $1,000
- Uses air resistance generated by the fanned flywheel
- Advanced PM5 Performance Monitor
- Low impact full-body workout fitness machine
- Lightweight and easily portable
- Can be broken down into two pieces for storage
- Can also be hung for storage
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Best-selling rowing machine in the world
- Easy assembly
- Accommodates users up to 6.6 feet tall and 500-pound weight
- Ergonomic seat and handlebar
- Seat is 14”
- 10-degree angle on handle for natural grip
- Air-resistance
- Adjustable airflow
- Performance Monitor 5 (PM5) monitor
- Nickel-plated steel chain
- Adjustable footrests
- Easy to store
- Limited 5-year warranty
Cons
- Priced around $1,000
- Few built-in workouts
Bottom Line
The Concept 2 Model D Rower is the best rowing machine we've tested and reviewed, including those that are much more expensive like the WaterRower. There's a reason you can find Concept 2 products in nearly every gym in the world, including CrossFit Boxes, and home gyms. After having the Model D for over two years, we are still as satisfied with it as we were on day one.
WaterRower vs Concept2: Key Similarities
Overall, WaterRowers and Concept2 RowErgs offer a pretty similar rowing workout experience.
“Both a WaterRower and a Concept2 RowErg will provide all of the health benefits of rowing machines and improve your fitness over time,” says Amanda Capritto, Garage Gym Reviews writer, expert product tester, and certified personal trainer.
WaterRower vs Concept2: Health Benefits
We outlined all the scientifically backed perks of rowing in our rowing machine benefits guide, but here’s a quick refresh:
- Rowing is a form of low-impact cardio exercise that provides a full-body workout. It works large muscle groups in the upper and lower body, and engages your core.
- Because it’s a type of cardio exercise, rowing improves cardiovascular health, cardiorespiratory endurance, and muscular endurance.
- Rowing can increase flexibility, minimize stiffness and condition your joints and muscles. There’s also little room for injury with proper rowing form.
- Rowing is efficient and accessible to all fitness levels, including beginners.
WaterRower vs Concept2: Performance Monitors
Both the WaterRower Natural and Concept2 RowErg come with performance monitors that can tell you a lot about your rowing fitness.
The WaterRower has an S4 monitor, which measures stroke rate, distance, speed, time, intensity, and heart rate. The S4 also has preset workout programs, or you can save your own manual workouts and track your workout performance through downloadable software.
Note: The entry-level WaterRower (the A1) comes with a simplified monitor that doesn’t have the same advanced features.
The Concept2 RowErg has a PM5 monitor. This performance monitor shows similar metrics, like speed, stroke rate, and distance, and has the option to choose from preset workout programs or past workouts. It will also show your heart rate as long as you’re wearing a compatible heart rate monitor, thanks to its Bluetooth and WiFi connectivity. All of this data can be stored on Concept2’s app or directly on the rower.
WaterRower vs Concept2: Smart Features (or Lack of Smart Features)
Both of these indoor rowing machines are straight to the point. You won’t find fancy smart features or gadgets here, but you will get high-quality ergs that provide an exceptional rowing experience.
To wrap it up, these are the main similarities between WaterRower models and Concept2:
- Provide all the health benefits of rowing
- Have similar performance monitors
- Don’t offer smart features other than Bluetooth and WiFi connectivity
WaterRower vs Concept2: Key Differences
While both provide an effective cardio workout, the WaterRower and Concept2 RowErg have more differences than similarities, especially in some pretty major areas, like type of resistance, rowing feel, and noise level.
WaterRower vs Concept2: Type of Resistance
According to Amanda, the primary difference between a WaterRower and a Concept2 RowErg is the resistance mechanism.
“WaterRowers use water to create resistance,” she says.”In any type of water rowing machine, a hydrofan spins around in a tank of water and creates resistance as the exerciser pulls on the pull mechanism.”
Rather than water resistance, the Concept2 rowing machine uses a wind flywheel, which operates on air resistance. It also has a damper to manipulate how much air enters the flywheel, which can change the feel of the stroke but doesn’t directly affect the resistance level.
Related: Best Water Rowing Machines
WaterRower vs Concept2: Rowing Feel
Arguably the biggest draw of the WaterRower is the real-word feel. Water rowers are the indoor rowing machines that most closely mimic the rowing feel that you’d get if you were actually rowing outside on the water. Air rowers like the Concept2 can feel less smooth, but some people (including Amanda) actually prefer it.
WaterRower vs Concept2: Size
The Concept2 RowErg is longer than the WaterRower. For reference, the Concept2 is 96 inches long, while the WaterRower is just over 82 inches. But the Concept2 can be separated into two pieces for easy storage while the WaterRower doesn’t come apart so easily. You can save some floor space by storing the WaterRower upright, though.
WaterRower vs Concept2: Construction
The Concept2 rower has aluminum front legs, steel rear legs, an aluminum L-beam monorail and a stainless steel seat track.
The WaterRower comes in different models, but the foundational models, including the WaterRower Natural, are made of solid ash wood. If you prefer aluminum or steel, you can opt for one of the upgraded models, but they’re considerably more expensive (starting around $1,900).
The Concept2’s construction gives it a maximum user capacity of 500 pounds, while the WaterRower caps out at an impressive 700 pounds.
WaterRower vs Concept2: Noise Level
The noise level is also a big differentiator.
“Water rowers tend to be quieter than air rowers, as wind-powered flywheels can be noisy,” explains Amanda.
The Concept2 isn’t obnoxiously loud, but if you’re trying to work out in your living room in the early morning hours and you live in close quarters with someone else, it’s something worth thinking about.
WaterRower vs Concept2: Maintenance
WaterRowers also require more maintenance than air rowing machines like the Concept2, according to Amanda.
“If you don’t empty the water tank and clean it periodically, you could wind up with mold,” she says. You also have to maintain the water by adding chlorine tablets every six months to two years, and if the water becomes discolored, you have to drain it, rinse it out, and refill it.
On the other hand, Amanda says air rowers typically just require an infrequent oiling of the pull cord and re-tightening of bolts. The timeline for this depends on your usage, but Concept2 recommends oiling the pull cord for every 50 hours of use and checking all bolts and parts every 250 hours.
WaterRower vs Concept2: Price
The WaterRower is more expensive than the Concept2. The WaterRower Natural is $1,199, while the Concept2 RowErg costs $1,100. The entry level WaterRower, called the A1, costs $949, but the upgraded models can go as high as $2,799.
Related: Best Budget Rowing Machines
Other Considerations
While this isn’t a difference per se, Amanda points out that the Concept2 RowErg is the only rowing machine that can be used to log scores in CrossFit-sanctioned events, including the CrossFit Open.
“If you’re someone who wants to compete in CrossFit, even recreationally, you need a Concept2 RowErg,” she says.
Final Verdict: WaterRower vs Concept2
WaterRowers and Concept2 rowers both offer all the health benefits of rowing, but the major differences come down to workout feel, footprint, and construction. Amanda recommends choosing the WaterRower if you want to mimic the feel of on-water rowing and prefer a more aesthetically pleasing piece of equipment. If you’re looking for a lower-maintenance rowing machine that’s easier to transport (and approved for CrossFit), go with the Concept2.
WaterRower Vs Concept2 FAQs
Are WaterRowers harder than a Concept2 RowErg?
No, there’s no difference in difficulty between the two indoor rowers. “The resistance on each type of rower is user-dependent, which essentially means that the harder the exerciser rows, the higher the resistance goes, and vice versa,” says Capritto. This is different from magnetic rowers, which have defined levels of resistance.
What’s better: WaterRower or Concept2?
Both rowing machines are highly rated and highly recommended, and each one made our list of the best rowing machines for different reasons. If you want the real-world rowing feel of cruising on water, the WaterRower is likely the better machine for you. If you’re looking for a lower maintenance, straightforward rowing machine, the Concept2 is likely the best rower for you.
Is a WaterRower worth the extra cost?
It depends on what you want. For example, Amanda thinks WaterRowers are worth the price for people who either want a more realistic feeling or for people who will be placing their rowing machine in a living space and want it to look better amongst their decor. But when given the choice, she would personally choose a Concept2 since she does CrossFit and prefers the feel of air rowers to water rowers. (Read also: air vs magnetic rowers.)
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