· Steve Callanan · 5 min read
If you are shopping for an air rower, the Concept2 rower is the name you will hear first. It is the machine most rowing workouts, classes and testing protocols are written around. MasterKraft sells it, and we also make our own air rower, the Air Rower Pro.
Both are good machines, and both use the same type of resistance. They suit slightly different buyers, though, and this guide sets out how they compare so you can choose the right one for your room.
What the two rowers have in common
The Concept2 RowErg and the Air Rower Pro are both air rowers. A fan spins as you pull, and the harder you pull, the more it resists. That gives both machines the qualities that make air rowing popular:
- Self-regulating resistance, so the same machine handles an easy warm-up and a flat-out interval without changing a setting.
- A smooth, natural stroke that builds with effort.
- Low impact whole-body training for the legs, back and arms.
- Some fan noise, rising with effort, which is part of how every air rower works.
If you are still deciding between air, magnetic and water resistance in general, start with our guide to how to choose a rowing machine.
The Concept2 rower: the reference machine
The Concept2 RowErg we supply comes on standard legs, which is the configuration most commercial floors buy. It pairs air resistance with the PM5 monitor's measured output.
Its biggest strength is comparability. Because so many gyms, coaches and athletes use the same machine, the numbers it produces can be compared from one machine to the next and from one gym to the next. A time or a split on one Concept2 rower means the same thing on another. That is why testing protocols and class programming are so often written around it.
The Concept2 rower suits:
- Gyms and studios running rowing-based classes or testing, where members expect the numbers to match what they see elsewhere.
- Athletes and coaches working to programs that quote targets on this machine.
- Home users following rowing programs that quote targets on this machine, who want their results to line up.
The Air Rower Pro: a heavy-duty air rower
The Air Rower Pro is MasterKraft's own air rower. It uses a heavy-duty 27 inch fan on a frame built from 30 x 60mm oval steel tubes, with a steel and aluminium construction and a compact footprint.
Its published specifications cover the things home and studio buyers usually ask about:
- Seat adjustment. An ergonomic, sweat-proof seat with 11 height settings, front to back sliding adjustment and tilt, so it can be set up for users of different sizes.
- Connectivity. Optional Bluetooth and Ant+ connectivity, and compatibility with 5kHz chest belts for heart rate monitoring.
- User weight. A maximum user weight of 159 kg.
- Size. 2,540 mm long, 510 mm wide and 990 mm high when assembled.
- Warranty. 5 years on the frame and 2 years on non-wearable parts.
It also fits MasterKraft's wall-mounted Bench & Rower Rack, which is designed to hold the Air Rower Pro along with MasterKraft utility benches, so a home gym can store both on one wall.
The Air Rower Pro suits:
- Home gyms that want a solid air rower to train on, and do not need results that match a specific program's machine.
- PT studios and functional training rooms using the rower as one station in a circuit.
- Fit-outs where the rower sits alongside other MasterKraft cardio and storage, and a matching range matters.
Side by side
| Concept2 RowErg | Air Rower Pro | |
|---|---|---|
| Resistance | Air | Air (27 inch fan) |
| Monitor | PM5, measured output | Optional Bluetooth and Ant+, 5kHz chest belt compatible |
| Best known for | Comparable numbers across gyms | Heavy steel frame, seat adjustment |
| Published max user weight | Check the product page | 159 kg |
| Storage | Check the product page | Fits the MasterKraft Bench & Rower Rack |
Where a cell says to check the product page, that detail is not published on our page for the machine, so confirm it with us before you buy if it matters to your space.
How to decide
Ask yourself one main question: do your numbers need to match anyone else's?
- Yes. If you are running classes or testing, following a program that quotes targets on a Concept2 rower, or comparing results with other gyms, choose the Concept2 RowErg. Comparability is the point of it.
- No. If you want a well-built air rower for your own training, circuits or general conditioning, the Air Rower Pro does that job and gives you clear published specifications on seat adjustment, connectivity and user weight.
A few practical checks apply to both:
- Measure the floor. Both are long machines. Allow room to step on and off at the back, not just the machine's own length.
- Plan storage. If the rower will not stay set up, check how it stores before you buy.
- Put it on flooring. A rubber mat or gym flooring protects the floor and keeps the rower stable through hard strokes.
Some larger studios choose both: Concept2 rowers for classes and testing, and other air rowers in circuits and functional areas.
Choosing your rower
There is no wrong choice between two well-built air rowers. Choose the Concept2 rower when standard, comparable numbers matter. Choose the Air Rower Pro when you want a heavy-duty air rower with clear published specs and storage that matches the rest of your MasterKraft kit.
Browse both on our rowers page. If you are planning a cardio line for a studio or commercial floor, our fit-out team can help you work out the mix.