5 Things You May Not Know About the Concept2 RowErg

Five things you may not know about the Concept2 RowErg are that it comes in two leg heights, its damper is not a difficulty dial, the monitor hides games, it pairs with heart rate monitors, and it splits in two rather than folds. The RowErg (formerly the Model D) is the most common rower in gyms and boat clubs, and these are the points that surprise new owners most.

1. There are two leg heights

The RowErg comes with standard legs or tall legs. Tall legs raise the seat, which makes getting on and off easier if you have stiff hips or knees, or are tall. Both use the same flywheel, monitor and rail.

	Standard legs	Tall legs
Price	Around £990	Around £1,149
Seat height	36 cm (14 in)	51 cm (20 in)
Weight	26 kg	31 kg
Footprint	244 x 61 cm	244 x 61 cm
Max user, EN standard	135 kg	135 kg

Prices were checked on 30 Oct 2026. So the extra 15 cm of seat height costs around £159 and adds 5 kg. Concept2 quotes 227 kg as its own tested user limit, and 135 kg is the figure under the European standard.

If you are unsure, try both at a gym or club. For anyone with limited mobility, the tall version is often the more comfortable choice, because you do not need to lower yourself so far.

2. The damper is not a difficulty dial

The lever on the flywheel housing is numbered 1 to 10. It controls how much air enters the flywheel cage, which changes how the stroke feels, not how hard you must work. A low setting feels light and quick, like a racing boat. A high setting feels heavy and slow.

Concept2’s starting advice is a setting of 3 to 5, not 10. What counts is the drag factor, shown on the monitor, which lets you compare the same feel across machines. As a rough rule of thumb, many home rowers sit around 110 to 130. The same damper setting gives a different drag factor on a dusty machine from a clean one, and in a different room, so check it on the monitor. Our guide to drag factor explains why the number matters more than the lever position.

3. The monitor has games

The PM5 monitor includes a small games menu, with the Fish Game, Darts, Target Training and Biathlon, where your rowing controls the action. On a PM5 you can reach them through More Options, then Games. Menus differ on older monitors. They are a distraction from steady rowing, but they make a fun change from staring at the numbers, and they suit younger or newer rowers who are learning to hold a rhythm. For other rowers with games, see which rowing machines have games.

4. It works with heart rate monitors

The PM5 can show your heart rate if you pair a compatible chest belt. It supports both ANT+ and Bluetooth Smart for wireless heart rate monitoring. The free ErgData app can also record and upload sessions. Heart rate data is most useful for steady sessions, as covered in our guide to heart rate zones for rowing.

A chest strap is usually more reliable than a wrist-based reading during rowing, because your arms are moving and flexing throughout the stroke. If the number looks wrong, check the strap is damp and snug before blaming the monitor.

5. It splits in two, rather than folds

The RowErg does not fold. It separates into two parts without tools, and you can then store the pieces upright. This takes up much less floor space, though it takes a minute to put back together. See the best rowing machine for small spaces if storage is a concern. When it is set up, allow more than the 244 x 61 cm footprint: Concept2 suggests 274 x 122 cm of clearance for use.

A few practical extras

• No subscription. The monitor and ErgData app are free, and you can log sessions to Concept2’s online logbook if you want to keep a record or compare your scores.
• Batteries. The PM5 runs on two D cell batteries, so it needs the occasional replacement. During a workout the monitor also draws power from the spinning flywheel, which extends battery life.
• Care. Wipe the rail with a damp cloth, and keep the fan cage free of dust. Concept2 recommends oiling the chain every 50 hours of use, or weekly for institutional machines, with purified mineral oil, 3-IN-ONE oil or 20W motor oil. See how to clean your rowing machine.
• Accessories. Seat pads, a tablet holder and a replacement handle are common additions. See Concept2 rowing machine accessories.

Where to go next

Read our Concept2 RowErg review for a fuller look, or how the Concept2 changed rowing for its history.