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Rowing is one of the most underrated workouts you can incorporate into your routine. If you have limited time to work out, rowing can provide you with the efficient and effective workout that you need. A lot of people make excuses for having busy lives.
If you find yourself one of them, a rowing machine can be a great investment into your health. It eliminates the need to spend hours working out to get your heart pumping and get in a total body workout. After all, rowing is said to engage 86 percent of muscles in your body [1]. This is something you simply don’t get with a treadmill or other type of exercise equipment.
As a result, it makes for one of the most efficient workouts you can incorporate into your daily life. However, that doesn’t mean every rowing machine is created equal. Because a rowing machine can be a fairly significant investment, you want to do your due diligence when choosing.
Two of the heavyweights in the industry are the newcomer Aviron rowing machine and the Concept2 rowing machine which has a cult following. While both offer a lot, one will certainly be a better buy for you depending on your individual preferences and use case.
By the end of this article, you should be able to choose the right one to buy.
1. Aviron Rowing Machine
Aviron has two different rowing machines to choose from. The more affordable option is the Impact Series Rower. This rowing machine is designed to be lightweight and accessible. It features folding technology to ensure that it’s easy to not only fit in your home but to tuck it away when you aren’t using it. The Tough Series Rower is their premium rowing machine that costs $300 more. It’s designed to have a higher maximum weight capacity and it’s built for stability, durability, and longevity.
2. Concept 2 Rowing Machine
The Concept 2 rowing machine has amassed a cult following. There is a lot to like about the Concept 2 rowing machine which is why it’s the preferred rowing machine for gyms. It’s one of the most reliable rowing machines on the market, it’s built to last, and it’s priced competitively.
Key Features Compare: What Aviron and Concept 2 Have to Offer
1. Aviron Rowing Machine Features
- Efficient and Effective Workouts
One of the great things about the Aviron rowing machine is that it’s designed to give you the best workouts in the shortest period. The platform is packed full of content that is designed to save you time with your workouts. You can participate in some of the highest intensity exercises to ensure that you can get an effective workout into your daily routine without making excuses.
- Gamified Content
The entire premise of the Aviron rowing machine and its respective platform is to make working out fun. After all, when you are having fun while working out, you are much more likely to continue doing it. By gamifying the process, you spend more time working out without feeling like it. Working out can be boring and unexciting. The entire Aviron platform is designed to make working out much more engaging so you actively want to do it. Getting access to the gamified content is one of the major differentiating factors of the Aviron platform and it takes the entire experience to the next level.
- Plenty Of Resistance
One of the downsides to a lot of rowing machines is that they are limited in resistance. Some rowing machines don’t offer enough resistance to offer you much more than a cardio workout. However, that’s not the case with the Aviron rowing machine. It features dual resistance including air and magnetic resistance. This alone ensures that you are getting sufficient torque when you are looking to add strength training to your workouts. This helps to make the Aviron rowing machine both an effective cardio and strength training tool. The machine is capable of delivering up to 100 pounds of resistance each stroke. If you’re looking for something that can help get your heart pumping and build up muscle, the Aviron rowing machine’s got you covered.
- Immersive Experience
The Aviron rowing machine comes with a 22-inch high-definition touchscreen no matter if you opt for the lower-priced or higher-priced model. You are getting a big enough display that can help you get the most out of the innovative Aviron platform. This can help you get the most immersive and engaging experience in the market.
2. Concept 2 Rowing Machine Features
- Reliable Data
One of the things that stands out with the Concept 2 rowing machine is the access to relevant data. Having access to reliable workout data can be important to document your workouts to optimize your fitness journey. The Concept 2 rowing machine is well known to have one of the best performance monitors anywhere. The included PM5 Performance Monitor comes standard with the machine and it gives you data for every workout. It will show you the pace you’re rowing at, the stroke rate, your caloric burn, and more.
- A Connected Experience You Choose
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The Concept 2 rowing machine’s monitor will connect wirelessly with your smartphone or Bluetooth-compatible device. This ensures that you can use the rowing machine with your preferred online classes or training programs. Because of this, the Concept 2 rowing machine gives you unparalleled compatibility to ensure you get the kind of workout experience you want. You’re not forced into a specific ecosystem or to use the rowing machine with any particular service.
- The Best Storage
One of the amazing design feats of the Concept 2 machine is its incredible storage and mobility features. The Concept 2 rowing machine is incredibly easy to fold up and to wheel around to a specific area. This makes it perfect for anyone that has a home without a lot of usable space. After all, you can get your workout in and fold up the machine for easy and compact storage without having it dominate your living room or bedroom.
Workout Options: How Concept 2 and Aviron Compare
1. Aviron Workout Options
- No More Boring Workouts
The major selling point of the Aviron rowing machine and its respective platform is its gamification of workouts. They’ve managed to make working out fun by giving its users 7 different ways to work out. You can partake in virtual workouts at scenic destinations.
You can participate in performance-based workouts focused on your core workout goals. You can choose to play games that take you through intense workouts. You can get pitted against professional athletes to push yourself to your limit. You can go through guided workouts designed by professional trainers. You can compete against other Aviron rowing machine users.
You can even work out while playing old-school-inspired games. No matter what, you are certain to be entertained throughout the entirety of your workouts and because you have 7 different types of workouts, you’ll never find yourself getting bored.
- Social Features
There is a lot to like about the social features integrated into the platform. This is another way that working out on the Aviron is fun. You get to see where you stand on the global leaderboard. You get to see how you stack up with your friends. You get to see what your high scores are for the different workouts. You get to partake in the monthly challenges to push yourself to new heights. You can earn achievement badges to keep you motivated. You can invite people to participate in group workouts and you can even challenge your friends to a race.
- Strength and Cardio
One thing some people might not like about most rowing machines being sold is their core focus on cardio. While the Aviron gives you an optimal cardio workout, it’s also capable of delivering enough resistance that you can get an equally optimal strength training workout too. This alone ensures that you are getting a high-quality workout that is going to deliver on your expectations to meet all of your workout needs.
2. Concept 2 Workout Options
- Traditional Workout Experience
When you buy a Concept 2, you are buying a no-frills rowing machine. However, the Concept 2 machine provides one of the best and most reliable workout experiences out there. You are getting a machine that can be synced up with different workout platforms to give you the experience you want.
- Get The Data You Need
While it may look unassuming, the PM5 Performance Monitor that is included on the Concept 2 machine is one of the most comprehensive you will find on a rowing machine. Packed full of important data, you won’t find yourself yearning for more data to optimize your workouts. The Concept 2 machine has one of the best monitors that will give you all of the information you could ask for in a rowing machine.
Price Comparison: Which Rower is Cheaper?
- Aviron Impact Series Rower = $2,199 and Aviron Tough Series Rowing Machine = $2,499
- Concept 2 Rowing Machine = $900
You Should Pick Aviron if…
- You Want a Fun, Gaming-Style Workout Platform
If you are someone that wants a gamified experience, you won’t find a better option available than the Aviron. You get a rowing machine that has 7 different ways to work out and all of them gamify the workout experience to keep you motivated and having fun.
- You Don’t Mind Spending More
If you are someone that isn’t on a strict budget, you may be willing to spend the extra money that the Aviron rowing machine costs.
- You Want Strength Training
With the Aviron, you have enough resistance levels and types to give you both a cardio and strength training workout. If you are looking for a much more total body workout, the Aviron will deliver the best experience.
- You Want a Display Included
If you are looking to take advantage of the immersive riding experiences that the Aviron offers, you’re going to want an included display. Each Aviron model includes a stunning 22-inch display that makes your workouts incredibly fun and immersive.
- You Want To Have a Social Experience
If you are someone that gets motivated to compete with your friends, you’re going to love the social features included with the Aviron rowing machine and its respective platform.
You Should Pick Concept 2 if…
- You Are On a Budget
There is no doubt that this machine offers the best ‘bang for your buck’ in the rowing space. It’s the preferred machine for gyms for a reason. It delivers the best value in the industry.
- You Want Reliability
If you are after reliability, you won’t find a better option than this rower. The Concept 2 rowing machine is easily the most reliable rowing machine available.
- You Want Convenience
While the lightweight version of the Aviron rowing machine is relatively easy to fold and put away, nothing compares to the ease of use of the Concept 2 rower.
- You Don’t Need a Screen
If you don’t want to spend money unnecessarily on an included display, you can save a lot of money by opting for this one. You can always pair a tablet with the rowing machine to give yourself a more immersive experience.
- You Just Want To Row
If you are looking for a rowing experience, this machine delivers. It uses air resistance to ensure that you get a smooth rowing experience. However, this isn’t going to be sufficient if your primary goal is strength training. You will get much more of a cardio workout when you use this rower due to the limitations of relying solely on air resistance.
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