Oars When the Dreissigacker brothers first began selling oars, they were well-received by the rowing community. Concept2 soon established itself as a leading manufacturer in the market. In 1991, Concept2 introduced a new type of oar featuring asymmetrical blades known as "hatchet" blades. These blades soon gained popularity, and by 1992, most Olympic crews had adopted them. Today, many professional rowers use Concept2 oars, and together with
Croker oars they make up the majority of equipment used in international rowing competitions. As of May 2024, Concept2 manufactures oars with a variety of blade designs, including their Comp, Fat2, Smoothie2 Vortex Edge, Smoothie2 Plain Edge, Big Blade, Macon Blade, and Bantam Blade options. The company also provides various options for oar handles and shafts (including Ultralight, Skinny, and Skinny Coastal (Scull Only) options).
Ergometers Ergometers are called such because of how they measure power output (Greek:
measuring work). Competitive athletes rarely refer to the machines as "indoor rowers," but use the names "erg" or "ergo" as abbreviations for ergometer. Concept2 sells a variety of ergometer machines, including various models of the RowErg, as well as the SkiErg, BikeErg, and StrengthErg.
RowErg In 1981, the Dreissigacker brothers had the idea of making an
indoor rowing machine (the
Model A) made mainly from
bicycle parts. It had a moving seat and a flywheel which used air for resistance. At the time, the indoor rowing machines on the market cost $3,000, but the brothers (with help from friend Jon Williams) sold theirs for $600. The product was an instant success, with numerous iterations having been released over the years including the
Model B (1986),
Model C (1993),
Model D (2003),
Model E (2006) and
Dynamic (2010). The Dynamic RowErg, first released in 2010, is unique among its peers due to its having a moving foot stretcher rather than a moving seat. This sets it apart from other RowErg models and results in less body mass movement, simulating on-water rowing more accurately. Until 2006, the company produced and sold only one model of RowErg at a time. That changed in August of 2006 when Concept2 began selling the Model E alongside their Model D. The Model E had higher and sturdier legs than the Model D, as well as a higher price. In early 2021, the Model D and Model E was discontinued and replaced by the RowErg and RowErg with Tall Legs respectively. The RowErg and RowErg with Tall Legs are the same except for the height of the front and rear legs, which is 14" on the standard RowErg and 20" on the RowErg with Tall Legs. The renaming of the Model D is partly to achieve consistency across the range, with the SkiErg and BikeErg. Various modern models of the RowErg are used for indoor rowing events such as
BIRC and
CRASH-B. In 2018,
CrossFit officially named Concept2's D & E models the official spec rowers for The CrossFit Open and Games. This followed an investigation which discovered that rival manufacturer Xebex's machines were "significantly easier than the competition standard," resulting in an official declaration that the Concept2 was the specification manufacturer. Friction-prone areas of Concept2 Ergs (like the chain) are coated with nickel for longevity of the parts. Nickel coating also assists in lubrication and maintenance.
SkiErg In 2009, Concept2 introduced the SkiErg. The SkiErg is a ski ergometer that helps build strength and endurance specific to
Nordic skiing. The SkiErg uses the same mechanical concept that the company's RowErgs do, but the user is in a standing position pulling on two handles emulating the double-pole technique found in Nordic skiing. Each pull engages the arms, shoulders, core, and legs in a downwards "crunch" making it a total body workout. It places greater physical demands on the
triceps,
chest, and
abdominal muscles, in addition to the strong engagement of the
back muscles that both exercises share. The SkiErg is used as one of the eight functional workout stations in
Hyrox competitions held worldwide.
BikeErg The Concept2 BikeErg is a stationary bike that was introduced in 2017. Combining the best features of a stationary bike and the Concept2 RowErg, it offers benefits for individuals of all fitness levels. The BikeErg's resistance increases with harder pedaling, providing a smooth, responsive ride that mimics the feel of cycling outdoors. This dynamic resistance system allows for greater control over workout intensity, making it ideal for both beginners and elite athletes. Unlike traditional spin bikes that rely on a belt or chain system, the BikeErg uses a clutch and air resistance, requiring minimal maintenance. The solid, sturdy frame ensures durability, making it a long-term investment for both home and gym use.
StrengthErg The StrengthErg was invented by Concept2 and released for sale to the public in 2025. It is a compact, multifunctional strength training machine. This Erg uses the power of air resistance from Concept2 flywheel technology to deliver a comprehensive and safe workout without the need to deal with weight plates, racks and barbells. When using the machine, one applies as much or as little force as desired, and the StrengthErg will accurately measure and display power output. Concept2's free ErgData app gives users the performance tracking and analysis needed to achieve their goals.
Performance Monitors Over the years, Concept2 ergs have come with different display models called "Performance Monitors." These monitors provide the user with data on stroke rate, split, duration, calories, meters, and more. The most current Performance Monitor is the Performance Monitor 5, or "PM5." This monitor was first introduced in August 2014 and ships with all new RowErg, SkiErg, BikeErg, and StrengthErg models.
DYNO The Concept2 DYNO was an air resistance strength training machine sold by Concept2 from 2001 until 2007. It was designed for
bench press,
leg press, and
seated row exercises and used a flywheel to provide resistance. == Online logbook and world rankings==