A bike doesn't come close to a rowing machine for overall fitness.Also, Concept 2s fold in half so storage isnt as bad as you would think.
If you row regularly you can compete into your 90s
I've got a concept 2 and I have to agree with everyone else, they are worth the money and better that you save up for one than buy cheap and waste the money you have now.
I rented mine for 6 months before buying it, mainly to make sure I would get on with it and use it enough to warrant purchasing. You see quite a few on the used market and I didn't want to be one of those people.
I would say your £200 is better spent on hiring one for 4 months. If you like it and use you will get 50% of your hire fees off the cost.
http://indoorsportservices.co.uk/hire/hire_buy_scheme_concept2
Or as others have said, save a little more and buy a used Concept 2. That way if you find you don't get on with it, you could probably sell it on again and not lose much if anything, as after a certain age they will hold their value if looked after. Spend £200 now on a cheap non-Concept and you will probably find you'd have to pay someone to take it away in 4 months time.
Just to update: I nabbed a hardly-used Concept 2 Model D2 (PM3) via ebay over the weekend for £500. A little more than I originally intended to spend but after doing some research it seemed like a bit of a bargain.
You know it makes sense!
I totally recommend The Pete Plan to get you started.
https://thepeteplan.wordpress.com/beginner-training/
Keep it up and you will see huge improvements over the weeks.
It says 6 sessions per week but only lists 5 for each week. Am I missing something?
Read the intro again carefully and let me know if it's still not clear. data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7
This is the beginner training, not the original "Pete Plan".
Oops, yep. That'll teach me to skim read and skip to the good stuff
Thanks
@richardb70
So what's the verdict two years on? Changed your life & in regular use, gathering dust in the garage or long since gone?
data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7 I use it 3 or 4 times a week, with the occasional extended break. I've rigged up a small smart telly and raspberry pi combo so I can watch stuff while I row from my server or Netflix, all with subtitles. A bluetooth transmitter and headphone combo from Amazon, plus the "comfy padded seat" from Concept. All good, and keeps me motivated (although hardly a purist approach).
Not following any exercise plan as such. I tend to stick with the tried and tested 5000m distance row preset, which I can usually do in 20 - 21 minutes. Warm up with the "just row", 500m or so. I don't have masses of time, have to get back from work, put the kids to bed etc.
We haven't had to replace any parts yet; maintenance has involved hoovering out the fan thing, and regular chain oiling. The kit is solid.
Weight loss/muscle gain?