Buying indoor rowing machine: Dynamic R1 Pro Rower vs Concept2 model D

I am addicted to rowing and, with the fall season just around the corner, I stared looking for an indoor rowing machine to train at home. I have access to several indoor Concept2 rowing machines at BIAC and the Moffett Towers club in Sunnyvale. Both venues have high quality and well maintained indoor rowing machines made by Concept2. The machines are easy to use - just sit and row.

Because I also row on the water, I can say that Concept2 offers rowing experience similar to rowing on water. And because Concept2 indoor rowing machines are the most popular, there are many online perks designed to make any rower to row. No excuses.

The Concept2 indoor rowing machines are expensive; the price varies from $850 to $1200 dollars, depending on the model. The brand new basic model D costs $850 on Amazon and I have seen used Concept2s on Craigslist go for $750 - $950. Few weeks back I went to see a used Concept2 model D offered for $750 and decided to pass because the chain was not maintained and the machine looked beat up.

Just when I got back after looking at the used Concept2, a friend sent me a photo of a Costco mailer offered an indoor rowing machine. The price after the $150 discount was $850 with shipping including. I could not find any reviews of the product, but decided to jump on the offer and get it. You can't beat Costco's return policy, so why not to give it a try.

The machine arrived the next day and it was easy to put it together. The manual says that at least two people are required, but since I once before assembled several Concept2s at BIAC, I was able to assemble this Dynamic R1 PRO by myself. Make sure you have plenty of room to maneuver.

My first rowing experience with Dynamic R1 PRO was somewhat disappointing and the bottom line: Dynamic R1 PRO is no Concept2. Even though both are quiet similar, Dynamic R1 PRO has a long way to go before it feels like Concept2.

First: Dynamic R1 PRO has no chain. At first I thought that it might be a good thing because chains need maintenance and probably rust, but after using the Dynamic R1 PRO I noticed that lack of chain results in lack of consistent drive. Plus the Dynamic R1 PRO no sense of recovery. Perhaps there is a way to set the Dynamic R1 PRO to behave just like Concept2, but the initial out of the box experience was not great.

Second: Dynamic R1 PRO requires external power to operate. The Concept2 does not require external power. To adjust resistance on Concept2 all you need to do is to move a lever up or down. On Dynamic R1 PRO resistance adjustment happens by pushing buttons on the display. It is not like I want to row during power outages, but what the heck were these guys thinking. Plus, if the display is broken (and that will happen) the machine can't be used.

Third: The measurements such as split and strokes are wrong. I know for a fact that I can row 6000 meters in less than 25 minutes on Concept2, however, on Dynamic R1 PRO I could row only half the distance. The S/M jumps to 99 during recovery and is very inconsistent. The 500 meter split stayed at 9:15.

Fourth: the "boat" does not seem to be moving during the recovery phase, which probably explains the discrepancies and that is misleading. On Concept2 I can row at 21 S/M and cover 100 meters in 8 strokes, but with Dynamic R1 PRO that number is much higher (about 55).

Fifth: The Dynamic R1 PRO's display is confusing and is hard to use.

If you are looking for an indoor rowing machine and deciding to choose between a Dynamic R1 PRO or a Concept2, my advice is to go with a basic Concept2 model D. It worth noting that if you already have access to and use a Concept2 indoor rower at your gym, using Dynamic R1 PRO at home will be confusing.