FAQ About Indoor Rowing

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Is the Concept 2 Rower difficult to put together?
A: The Indoor Rower requires very little assembly, just the installation of the front legs and the frame lock, using a total of 10 screws. We include the necessary tool as well as clear instructions with lots of pictures. Allow about a half an hour for the job.

Q: What does the PM3 do?
A: The PM3 (Performance Monitor 3) provides valuable workout feedback including elapsed time and distance, pace, calorie expenditure, power output, strokes per minute. You can access lists of workouts to choose from. You can program and store your own favorite workouts for instant set up. You can choose from a variety of units and display options, including Paceboat, Force Curve, and Bar Chart. You can transfer your training data from PM3 to PC via the C2 LogCard. The PM3 has built in menus making it easier to find what you need. There is also a power generation feature enabling the PM3 to recieve power from the spinning flywheel, greatly enhancing battery life.

Q: What kind of batteries does the monitor use?
A: The PM3 requires 2 D cell batteries, included with purchase.

Q: When I'm using the heart rate option for the rower, am I attached to any wires?
A: No, you are not attached to any wires when using the heart rate interface available for the rower. You are wearing a wireless Polar or Polar compatable chest strap. A wireless signal is sent from the chest strap to a reciever, and your hear rate is displayed in the lower right hand corner of the PM3 Display.

Q: Where is the damper set during races? Is there a damper setting where I will perform best?
A: There is no required damper setting for races or time trials on the Concept 2 Indoor Rower. You are free to choose the setting you prefer, so long as you do not change it once you have started to row. Preferred damper setting is highly subjective, adepending on body type, conditioning level, and rowing style. Our surveys of top finishers at the CRASH-B Sprints indicate most excel at the low to mid range damper settings, (between 1-6). We suggest the following: once a month do a 2000 meter time trial at race pace. On week one, set the damper at 2, for week two, set it at 4, and so on. Pick the damper setting that allows you to perform best. The electronic monitor on the Concept 2 Indoor Rower is not simply a revolution or a speed counter. It measures rate of accelleration, max speed, and rate of deceleration of the flywheel on each stroke and recalibrates between strokes. Therefore it calculates power produced/distance rowed precisely regardless of damper setting. Hence competitors are able to choosea damper setting according to their personal preference.

Q: What is the warranty on the Concept 2 Indoor Rower?
A: For USA and Canada, indoor rowers come with a 5 year warranty on most of the metal frame parts and a 2 year limited warranty on all other parts. You can veiw the warranty by clicking this link. A copy is included in every machine.

Q: Do you have a return policy?
A: If, withing 30 days of shipment of your indoor rower, you are not satified with it, you may return it to us. All shipping costs are your responsibility. We will refund the cost of the machine.

Q: What is drag factor and how does it work?
A: For detailed information about the drag factor, click here to learn about this feature.

Q: How long is the rower going to last me? Is it well built?
A: The Concept 2 Indoor Rower is of a commercial grade and designed for institutional use. There is not such thing as a home model. The model you buy as an individual is the same as the model a health club or university would buy. The Concept 2 Indoor Rower was designed to withstand the rigors of Olympic and University training center use (where machines are used 6 days a weeks, as many as 8 hours at a time.) As a home user, you can expect the rower to last a lifetime with minimal maintenance.

Q: I live in Canada. What additional costs will I be responsible for besides the cost of the Indoor Rower and shipping?
A: You will be responsible for GST, PST and Brokerage Fees. There should no longer be any Duty charged due to the NAFTA Treaty. Your GST will be 7% of the product and shipping costs. The brokerage is determined by UPS Canada. It is determined through a formula which considers value and destination. On an Indoor Rower, this fee can be $30-$50 US dollars. UPS will contact the customer prior to delivery and arrange for payment of these fees.

Q: How long will it take for my indoor rower to arrive?
A: This depends on where you live, and varies with the time of year. Usually we are able to ship within a few days of the reciept of the order, but not always. Please call toll free 800-288-0640 for current shipping information.

Q: What is the best pace to maintain during a 2000 meter race?
A: Rule of thumb is to take your best 30 minute pace and subtract 6-8 seconds off the 500 meter pace for an approximate 2000 meter race pace.

Q: What is the best weight lifting program for rowing?
A: Recent studies by Dr. Fritz Hagerman would suggest that, unless you are using thhe C2 Dyno, spending more time on the Indoor Rower would probably help more than regular weightlifting. Dr. Hagerman has shown in two different studies that the specificity of activity has more impact than the strength gained from the lifting. His most recent study showed that rowing on the indoor rower and using the C2 Dyno (given the specificity and speed of lift) was the most effective training program for improved erg performance. The second was just rowing (no weight lifting or Dyno) and the third was rowing and weight lifting.