The RowErg That Keeps Going

In 2016, Concept Fitness out of New York purchased five Concept2 Model D rowing machines to be used for what was then Ocean Row, a pilot exercise program that was borrowing space from a spin studio. Their goal was simple: teach people how to properly use the indoor rowing machine and show them what an incredible training tool the Erg could be. That goal and those Ergs from 10 years ago are still being used to this day in their current studio. And while it’s common to come across Concept2 machines over 10 years old, the number of meters logged on these Ergs is the interesting part. Concept Fitness’s Ergs average well over 20 million meters each. 

In 10 years, thousands of Concept Fitness members accumulated millions of meters on the facility's RowErgs. For a high-use commercial gym, that represents countless workouts, classes and training sessions. Lizzy Carson, Co-Owner of Concept Fitness, said, “Over 20 million meters on a single machine in a high-volume commercial gym is extraordinary. After nearly 10 years of daily use, these RowErgs are still part of our facility and still doing exactly what they were designed to do.” This dependability is why their fleet of Ergs has since grown to over twenty, Lizzy said. 

In a commercial setting, dependable equipment helps keep members' training and programs running as planned. The millions of meters accumulated on their Ergs reflect not only years of use by a dedicated community, but also the importance of equipment that can remain in service through a decade of daily workouts. 

Concept Fitness, located in Oceanside, NY, teaching a class for proper rowing technique and instruction.

Throughout years of consistent use, the RowErgs required few, if any, major repairs, with maintenance largely limited to routine upkeep and occasional replacement of wearing items. Concept Fitness said, “We have always been proactive about routine maintenance and replacing normal wear items when necessary, after millions of meters, the machine itself is still going strong.” 

If you are curious how to maintain your own gym’s machines to continue spinning for decades, here are Concept Fitness’ top recommendations to increase the longevity of your Concept2 Ergs. 

The Go-To List for Erg Maintenance 

Regular Cleaning: Consistent cleaning is one of the simplest ways to extend the life of your RowErg. Wiping down the monorail, seat rollers, and high-contact surfaces helps prevent dirt and debris from causing unnecessary wear while keeping the machine operating smoothly. 

Routine Inspections: Periodic inspections of your machines can help identify small issues before they become larger problems. Checking components such as the shock cord, chain, handle, footrests, and monitor ensures the machine remains safe, reliable and ready for daily use. 

Timely Replacement of Wear Items: Parts that naturally wear over time should be replaced as needed rather than waiting for them to fail. Staying ahead of routine maintenance helps minimize downtime, maintain performance, and keep rowers in service for years to come. 

You can see a full list of recommended maintenance for the Concept2 RowErg here. 

While even a machine with over 20 million meters is an extraordinary number, the milestone is really a reflection of consistent use over time. Thousands of members, years of workouts, routine maintenance, and equipment that remained ready for use day after day all contributed to the achievement. As Lizzy explained, “To us, Concept2 is the gold standard. We have used a tremendous amount of fitness equipment over the years, and we don’t believe there is another rowing machine we would trust to withstand this level of use while remaining this reliable and serviceable.” 

She added, “Reaching that many meters on a single machine didn't make us think, ‘We can’t believe this machine survived.’ It reinforced what we’ve experienced with Concept2 all along: when you teach people to use these machines properly, maintain them consistently and treat them with respect, they are built to last.” With Concept2 equipment, proper use, routine care, and consistency can go a long way. 

We’re curious – do you have an Erg with millions of meters? Send us a photo of your Erg’s lifetime meters screen to [email protected]