An In-depth Review of Hydrow Vs Concept 2

When looking for a rowing machine, it is important to think about features that will keep you motivated to work out. Indoor rowers like the Hydrow are designed for interactive exercises. With leaderboards, team racing, and immersive rowing videos, it is easy to use your rowing machine each day and try something new.

Moreover, there are numerous instructional materials and an extensive workout video library ideal for new rowers and users of different abilities.

While indoor rowers like Concept2 don’t look as sophisticated as the Hydrow, they still have their perks. The Concept2 model does not have a flashy console, but it features an easy-to-use console that can connect to various compatible devices and apps for leaderboards, workout data tracking, virtual rows, and racing.

So you’ll still have plenty of workout varieties at your disposal, it’s just not as tech-savvy or premium an experience. It is also considerably cheaper than the Hydrow. It is easier to be motivated to work out on the Hydrow than the Concept2 largely due to the variety of exercise guidance and immersive experience the Hydrow  Rower offers. Although it’s rather pricey, the Hydrow trains you and keeps you motivated to use your rowing machine each day.

How does the Hydrow stack up to Concept 2?

Feature comparison:

Hydrow rowing machine

• 22” high definition (HD) touchscreen  display
• Front-facing speakers
• Steel and aluminum frame
• Industrial grade webbed strap
• 300 levels of electromagnetic resistance for smooth and quiet rowing
• Interactive training
• Futuristic design
• Commercial-grade components

Concept 2 rowing machine

• Low profile
• Flywheel design
• Nickel-plated chain
• 2-piece storage capability
• Adjustable footrest
• LCD performance monitor 5
• Wireless heart rate monitoring via Bluetooth
• Air rower so the resistance depends on your effort

Head-to-head comparison

• Features

Although each rower features a different resistance mechanism, the Hydrow is equipped with a more innovative mechanism that mimics the experience of rowing on the water.

Concept 2 on the other hand comes with a flywheel design which despite being a good option, generally feels as if you are exercising on a machine. Hydrow goes to great lengths to ensure you experience better immersion. The rowing experience is further enhanced by the inclusion of the 22-inch HD display.

The Hydrow features an HD display with front-facing speakers that simulate the experience of rowing on the water. The Concept2 comes with a display that is not as immersive and provides a less smooth workout experience. Concept2 focuses on offering users the workout data they require rather than an immersive workout experience.

Therefore, it is clear that the Hydrow is the winner when it comes to the rowing experience users get while using it.

• Workout options

Hydrow

Hydrow takes the connected and digital approach to create a ‘smart’ rowing machine designed to provide the ultimate workout experience.

They offer on-demand workouts as well as live workouts that allow users to immerse themselves in rowing exercises facilitated by world-class instructors. With its real-life sounds and clear display, you get a unique rowing experience.

Moreover, Hydrow provides access to LOR (Live Outdoor Reality) designed to elevate your exercises and motivate you to push yourself. It provides access to more than 400 on-demand and live workouts that place you on the water for an immersive experience. The workouts are recorded in first-person to ensure that you feel as if you are actually in the outdoors rather than in the gym.

Access to these professionally taught workouts costs $38 per month, but you’ll find that it’s well worth it.

Concept 2

Concept2 rower is designed to provide a more gym-like and grounded experience and there is nothing wrong with that.

If you are used to having an unconnected, offline workout experience, you might feel comfortable with the Concept 2.

This air rower is quite popular among rowing enthusiasts because it’s a simple, no-frills rower that provides great results. It does not provide access to live or on-demand workout videos from expert instructors and instead, users are left on their own to create their own workouts.

In terms of workout options, the Hydrow is definitely the winner.

• Price

Hydrow costs an upward of $2,000 plus $38 monthly subscriptions whereas Concept2 costs almost half that price. Therefore, it’s clear that the Concept2 rower beats the Hydrow in terms of price. However, for users looking for a more complete rower for their money, there’s no comparison.

The Hydrow rower offers a premium workout solution for people who are able and willing to spend more. The Hydrow is a state-of-the-art rowing machine with high-grade build quality and a great rowing experience.

Once you factor in the value each rower provides, the difference in price is justified. However, the Concept2 is more affordable, but if you’re looking for on-demand and live rowing exercises, the Hydrow definitely gets the edge.

The bottom line

For people with a limited budget, the Concept2 rower is the winner. A rower is always a recommended alternative over other pieces of fitness equipment. Less than $1,000 for the Concept2 rower is a great deal compared to paying almost the same amount or even more for an exercise bike or treadmill.

For people who are on a tight budget but still want to purchase a rower, Concept 2 is the best rowing machine they can get for slightly less than $1,000.

However, if you’re able and willing to spend more, the Hydrow rower is one of the most innovative machines currently available on the market. Although it has a premium price tag owing to the immersion experience it offers, you’ll find that it’s well worth it.

Some of the key features it offers to warrant the price include immersive audio, a stunning display, commercial-grade build quality, and a wide range of on-demand and live exercise videos all in one package.

It’s the best value if you want a rower that provides a full-body workout while keeping you motivated to work out each day.