Hydrow vs. Concept2: How Do These Two Rowing Machines Compare?

If you’re in the market for a new rowing machine for your at-home gym, you’ve likely been spending quite a bit of time comparing all of the fitness equipment options out there to try to figure out which rowing machine will work best for you. 

When weighing Hydrow vs. Concept2 rowing machines, there are several factors to keep in mind, including where these machines came from, how they were made, and components like their ergonomics, footprint in your home, and their screens.

Check out our analysis on the Concept2 rower vs. Hydrow below, including:

• The history of Hydrow and Concept2

• How Hydrow and Concept2 work

• The ergonomics of Hydrow and Concept2

• The footprints and storage options of Hydrow and Concept2

• The screens of Hydrow and Concept2

Let's dive in!

Hydrow vs. Concept2: At a glance

Hydrow vs. Concept2: A history

Rowing machines (or indoor rowers) are generally accepted as one of the very best and most efficient exercise modalities available today, and the Concept2 model was one of the original high-quality rowing machines on the market starting in the late 1980s. Founded in Vermont, the first Concept2 (C2 to rowers) was built out of a steel rail and bicycle wheel the founders used to combat the long winters up north. When rowers couldn’t get out on the water, they could sit down on the Concept2 to get their hours of training done. 

Hydrow was founded in 2018 and has established itself as the next generation of rowing machines, with new technology that makes the rowing experience deeply engaging and fun.

Many people who used to see a Concept2 rower at the gym started with the question, “How do I do this?” Hydrow has played a key role in making rowing accessible to everyone — even if you’ve never rowed before in your life, Hydrow’s Athletes are right there onscreen to teach you how to get the most out of rowing from the very first stroke. 

Hydrow vs. Concept2: How they work

The current iterations of the Concept2 rower—the “Model D” and the “Model E”—use a mechanism that is very similar to their original “Model A” machine. The user sits on a narrow rail with three rollers and pulls a handle that is attached by a bicycle chain to a bungee cord. The chain spins a fan with multiple small blades (actually, more of a turbine), which creates the resistance. Just like the early days, you can adjust the amount of air the fans move to adjust the “drag” factor.

Hydrow represents a radical departure from loud fans and bumpy bicycle chains. Hydrow Arc, Hydrow Origin, and Hydrow Wave rowers all use a pair of electromagnetics to control resistance. The electromagnets are controlled by a small, sophisticated computer that adjusts the resistance 240 times per second to match the resistance exactly to the amount of pressure each individual rower applies to the handle.

Because of this revolutionary patented resistance mechanism, the feeling on the machine is very smooth. It feels very much like the resistance of the water when you’re out rowing in a real boat! The machine is also very quiet, emitting a gentle purr that is tuned to avoid disruption to other people in your home. 

Hydrow vs. Concept2: Their ergonomics

Biomechanically, both C2 and the Hydrow rowing machine are engineered to provide best-in-class ergonomics. The footrests are set at 42 degrees, and the height of the foot position is adjustable through a wide range to accommodate Women’s Size 4 all the way through Men’s Size 16 sneakers.  

Hydrow vs. Concept2: Their footprint and storage options

The footprint of the C2 is about the same as the Hydrow Arc and Origin (86″L x 25″W x 47″H—48" H for Arc), while the Hydrow Wave is designed to fit in smaller spaces at 80″L x 19″W x 43″H. In comparison, Concept2 is sized at 96” L x 24” W x 14” H. 

Measuring 6 inches shorter in length, 6 inches narrower, and 4 inches shorter in height, the Hydrow Wave is the preferred Hydrow model for smaller spaces. 

When stored vertically, the Hydrow Arc and Origin have a 25″W x 33″D x 86″H footprint, taking up less than six square feet of floor space when not in use. The Hydrow Wave has an equally impressive small footprint at 26.5″W x 30″D x 82″H, a mere 1.5 inches wider but 3 inches shallower than the original Hydrow.

The Hydrow Arc and Origin require our Upright Storage Kit and the Hydrow Wave requires our Hydrow Wave Vertical Anchor (both sold separately from the rowing machine itself). 

Concept2 can be stored by separating it into two parts to measure 25”x 33”x 54”.

Hydrow vs. Concept2: Their screens

The biggest difference between the C2 and Hydrow is the screen and content offerings. 

C2 has a small, liquid-crystal display that shows your workout statistics, including time, watts, and split. This small readout is the original reason that the machine was so popular with rowers: It provided a reliable indication of fitness that coaches relied on for training during the off-season. 

Hydrow includes these same statistics, but the HD touchscreen screen also delivers a truly immersive experience that includes instruction, motivation and a wide variety of modalities and workouts for all fitness levels. All screens deliver a workout experience broadcast directly from waterways around the world, as well as many other experiences, including: 

• Yoga 

• Pilates

• Strength training

• Mobility

• Circuit training

Hydrow’s workouts also include all different lengths, types, and intensities, and the software package provides comprehensive instruction on how to row for people who are new to the sport.

In addition, Hydrow Arc and Wave users will also unlock access to HydroMetrics, our intelligent training system that gives you a clear picture of your progress while offering real-time tips to help you improve your performance. 

At the end of every workout, HydroMetrics provides three key scores—precision, power, and endurance—which come together to create your HydroMetrics Index (HMI), a simple way to track your progress over time:

• Precision: Tracks your highest burst of force over seven consecutive strokes. 

• Power: Analyzes your rowing form in each workout against the ideal stroke. 

• Endurance: Scores the peak five-minute effort for any row of that duration or longer.

Whether your goal is burning fat, building strength, or creating lasting fitness habits, HydroMetrics delivers personalized feedback that helps shape your next workout so you can keep moving forward with purpose.

Hydrow vs. Concept2: Final thoughts

In the final analysis, Concept2 is a venerable brand and the machine is a reliable workhorse, but it needs its own space in the basement or the garage. If you aren’t already a rowing expert, you’ll need to get some lessons to learn how to operate your Concept2 correctly. 

Hydrow takes the best of what rowing has to offer—whole-body workouts, immersive experiences, and amazing instruction—and delivers it in a beautiful package that belongs upstairs.