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Concept2 Model D Rowing Machine Review: Is This the Best Cardio Machine Money Can Buy?
Rowing is one of the most effective full-body cardio workouts you can do, engaging 86% of your muscles in a single stroke. The Concept2 Model D has been the gold standard in rowing machines for decades, found in CrossFit boxes, commercial gyms, and home garages worldwide. At $895, it's a significant investment — but is it the last rowing machine you'll ever need to buy? We tested it over six weeks to evaluate build quality, performance, and whether the hype is justified.
First Impressions: Build Quality and Design
The Model D arrives in two boxes and assembly takes about 30-45 minutes, but the instructions are clear and all the tools are included. Right out of the box, you can feel the quality: the aluminum extrusion rail is solid and doesn't flex under load, the flywheel housing is precision-machined, and the footrests adjust with a satisfying click. At 57 inches long, it fits in most home gym spaces, though you'll want additional room for the 9-foot total length when rowing. The PM5 monitor is the real star of the first impression. It boots up immediately, shows all the key metrics (time, distance, pace, watts, calories), and connects to your phone via Bluetooth. The damper adjustment (1-10) lets you change the "feel" of the rowing stroke — lower numbers feel like rowing on water, higher numbers feel more like a tank. We settled on 4-5 for most workouts, which felt smooth and natural.
Performance: The Flywheel and Drag System
The Model D uses an air resistance flywheel with a PM5 monitor that delivers accurate, real-time data. The rowing stroke feels smooth at all damper settings — there's no jarring catch at the start of the stroke or irregular resistance at the finish. The aluminum seat rail is long enough to accommodate tall rowers (6'6" and beyond) without feeling cramped. The PM5 monitor is one of the best in the business. It tracks time, distance, pace, watts, strokes per minute, and calories. You can connect it to heart rate monitors via Bluetooth or ANT+, and it supports both USB and Bluetooth connectivity for third-party apps. The Concept2 ErgData app (free) and third-party platforms like Strava and RowHouses sync your workouts automatically. One underappreciated feature: the Model D stores your workout data on the PM5 itself, so even without a phone or computer, you can track your progress over time. This is particularly useful in commercial gym settings where you might not want to pair your phone to the machine.
Pros and Cons
What We Love (Pros)
- Industry-standard quality: Built to last decades with proper maintenance
- Smooth rowing feel: Air resistance provides natural, consistent drag
- Excellent PM5 monitor: Accurate data, wide app compatibility, large display
- Compact for what it is: Fits in most home gym spaces despite serious build quality
- High weight capacity: Supports users up to 500 pounds
What Could Be Better (Cons)
- Price: $895 is a significant investment for a home cardio machine
- Requires assembly and takes up significant floor space
- Seat can feel hard on longer workouts — a gel seat cover is recommended
- Monitor requires batteries or separate power adapter for extended sessions
- No built-in programs — purely a display and data tool, not a guided experience
Who Is This For?
- CrossFit athletes and serious fitness enthusiasts wanting a cardio tool
- People seeking low-impact cardio that is gentle on joints
- Home gym owners willing to invest in a single piece of equipment that lasts decades
- Rowers who want to train at home between gym sessions or off-season
The Verdict: Is It Worth It?
The Concept2 Model D is one of the few pieces of fitness equipment that genuinely earns a "buy it for life" recommendation. Built like a tank, backed by a company with a 40-year track record, and delivering a world-class rowing experience, it's the benchmark against which all other rowing machines are measured. At $895, it's not cheap — but when you compare it to the cost of a gym membership over 5+ years, or the reality that most home cardio equipment ends up as an expensive clothes rack within two years, the Model D is actually excellent value. It will outlast most home gym owners' commitment to fitness, and when you eventually sell it, a used Model D in good condition still commands $500+. The only real knock: it's just a rowing machine, not a connected fitness platform. If you want guided workouts and live classes, look at Hydrow or the NordicTrack RW900. But if you want the best raw rowing experience and don't need an LCD coach, the Model D is in a class by itself.
Ready to Level Up Your Home Gym?
Stop researching and start training. The Concept2 Model D Rowing Machine is available at $895 (amazon.com) with Prime shipping on Amazon. If you're serious about building a home gym that you'll actually use, investing in quality equipment like this one makes a real difference to your consistency and results.
Check the latest price on the Concept2 Model D Rowing Machine here!