The Concept2 rower is the one piece of cardio equipment where buying used is almost foolproof. After 25 years of buying and reselling commercial equipment, I can tell you there is no rower we trust used more than a Concept2. It is the industry standard, it is nearly indestructible, and every part on it is cheap and user-replaceable. If you want a rower, a used Concept2 is usually the smartest money you can spend.
Here is exactly which one to get, what to check before you hand over cash, and what a fair 2026 price looks like.
Buying a used Concept2 rower: the short answer
Quick answer
Buy a Concept2 Model D (now called the RowErg) with a PM5 or PM4 monitor. It is the industry-standard air rower used in gyms, CrossFit boxes, and Olympic training, it lasts decades, and every wear part is cheap and easy to replace. A used one in good shape runs roughly $600 to $900 versus about $990 to $1,100 new, so the discount is smaller than other used equipment because these hold their value. That is a good sign, not a bad one. Check the monitor, chain, seat rollers, and flywheel and you are buying one of the lowest-risk used machines in fitness.
Why the Concept2 is the only rower worth buying used
Quick answer
Concept2 is the standard because the design barely changes year to year, parts are universal and cheap, and the air-resistance flywheel has almost nothing to wear out. A 15-year-old Concept2 takes the same parts as a new one. No other rower can say that.
Most rowers, especially magnetic and water rowers from smaller brands, are a parts gamble used. The Concept2 is the opposite. The company has kept the core design consistent for decades, so a part for an old machine fits a new one. The resistance comes from a simple air flywheel with a damper, so there is no magnetic unit or water tank to fail. That mechanical simplicity is why gyms run them for 15 to 20 years and why a used one is a safe buy. For the broader logic on this, see our used vs new commercial gym equipment guide.
Concept2 models: Model D, Model E, and the RowErg name change
Quick answer
The Model D, now sold as the RowErg, is the standard and the one to buy. The Model E sits higher off the floor (easier to get on and off) and costs a bit more. Avoid the much older Model B and most Model C units unless the price is very low, because they are dated and harder to fit with a modern monitor.
| Model | What it is | Buy used? |
|---|---|---|
| Model D / RowErg | The standard. Same machine, renamed RowErg in 2021. Seat about 14 inches off the floor. | Yes. The default choice. |
| Model E | Taller frame, seat about 20 inches off the floor, easier on and off. Black finish, slightly heavier. | Yes, if you want the higher seat and the price is right. |
| Model C | Older generation, late 1990s to mid 2000s. | Only at a low price. Parts mostly fit, but it is dated. |
| Model B | Oldest, single-piece monorail, very old monitor. | Skip unless nearly free. |
PM3 vs PM4 vs PM5: the monitor decides the price
Quick answer
The performance monitor (PM) is the single biggest price driver on a used Concept2. The PM5 is current, with Bluetooth and ANT+ to sync to apps and heart-rate straps. The PM4 is close behind. The PM3 still works fine for tracking your row but lacks the modern wireless. Buy a PM5 or PM4 if you can; you can also upgrade an older machine's monitor later.
Concept2 has used the same mounting for its monitors across generations, so the PM you get is partly a price question and partly an upgrade-later question. The PM5 is the current monitor: Bluetooth and ANT+ for app sync (ErgData, Kinomap, and others) and heart-rate straps. The PM4 does most of that with older wireless. The PM3 records all the real rowing data accurately but has no wireless. If you find a clean machine with a PM3 at a good price, know that you can buy a PM5 separately and drop it in later.
💡 25-year operator note
Do not overpay for a PM5 if the rest of the machine is rough. The monitor is the one part you can swap in five minutes with two screws. Buy the machine on the condition of the frame, chain, and seat track, and treat the monitor as a separate, upgradeable line item. A mechanically clean machine with a PM3 is a better buy than a beat-up one with a PM5.
5 things to check on a used Concept2
Quick answer
Check the monitor powers on and counts, the chain pulls smooth and clean, the seat rolls without grinding, the flywheel spins freely with a working damper, and the frame folds and locks at the center joint. Every one of these is a cheap, user-replaceable part if it is worn, which is what makes a Concept2 so safe used.
- Monitor. It should power on with a couple of AA batteries (or when you pull the handle) and count strokes and distance. Confirm which PM it is. A dead PM is a swap, not a deal-breaker, but price it in.
- Chain and handle. Pull the handle through a full stroke. The chain should run smooth and quiet. A dry or rusty chain just needs cleaning and a light oil. The handle grip should be intact.
- Seat and rollers. Roll the seat the length of the rail. Grinding or catching means worn rollers, which are a common wear item and a cheap, easy replacement. The monorail should be straight.
- Flywheel and damper. Spin the flywheel by hand; it should spin freely and coast. Move the damper lever from 1 to 10; it should move easily and change the airflow. Listen for any grinding in the flywheel housing.
- Frame and center latch. The Concept2 separates at the center for storage. Check that it locks together solidly with no cracks or bends at the joint or the front legs.
The same disciplined inspection applies to any used machine; our guide to inspecting used commercial equipment covers the full process for cardio and strength.
What a used Concept2 actually costs in 2026
Quick answer
A new Concept2 RowErg with a PM5 runs about $990 to $1,100. A clean used Model D or RowErg typically runs $600 to $900 depending on the monitor and condition, and an older Model C or a PM3 unit can be less. These hold value better than almost any other cardio machine, so do not expect the 60 to 70 percent off you see on used treadmills.
The smaller used discount on a Concept2 confuses people who are used to seeing commercial treadmills at 60 to 70 percent off retail. The reason is simple: Concept2 rowers barely depreciate because they last forever and demand is constant. A used one at 20 to 40 percent off new is the normal market, and it is still a good buy because the machine has decades of life left. If a used Concept2 is priced at half of new, check it carefully, because that price usually means a rough machine or an old monitor.
Where to buy a used Concept2
Quick answer
Buy from an outlet that has inspected and serviced the machine, or from a private seller only if you can run the five checks yourself first. The Concept2 is forgiving enough that private-sale risk is lower than with a treadmill, but an inspected machine with a known monitor still saves you the hassle.
Because the Concept2 is so simple, private-party buys carry less risk than they do for a motorized treadmill. Still, an outlet that has cleaned the chain, checked the seat track, and confirmed the monitor takes the guesswork out, and it is usually the same price as a private listing once you account for a part you would have had to replace. For the wider question of where used commercial equipment comes from, see our where to buy commercial gym equipment guide, and if you are weighing a rower against another cardio piece, the used Stairmaster guide covers that side.
FAQs about buying a used Concept2 rower
Is it safe to buy a used Concept2?
Yes, it is one of the safest used machines in fitness. The design is simple, parts are universal and cheap, and there is no motor or magnetic unit to fail. Run the five checks on the monitor, chain, seat, flywheel, and frame and you are in good shape.
Which Concept2 model should I buy?
The Model D, now called the RowErg, is the standard and the best value. Choose the Model E only if you want the taller seat for easier on and off. Avoid the old Model B and most Model C units unless the price is very low.
What is the difference between PM3, PM4, and PM5?
They are the performance monitors. The PM5 is current with Bluetooth and ANT+ for app and heart-rate sync, the PM4 is similar with older wireless, and the PM3 tracks your rowing accurately but has no wireless. You can upgrade an older machine to a PM5 later.
How much should I pay for a used Concept2?
Roughly $600 to $900 for a clean Model D or RowErg, depending on the monitor and condition, against about $990 to $1,100 new. They hold value, so a deep discount usually signals a rough machine.
How long does a Concept2 last?
Decades. Gyms run them 15 to 20 years, and with basic chain cleaning and the occasional cheap part they keep going. That long life is exactly why buying one used makes sense.
Bottom line: is a used Concept2 worth it?
Yes. A used Concept2 Model D or RowErg with a PM4 or PM5 is one of the best used buys in all of fitness equipment: industry-standard, nearly indestructible, cheap to maintain, and holding decades of life. Pay $600 to $900 for a clean one, run the five checks, and upgrade the monitor later if you need to. If you want a rower that will outlast everything else in your gym, this is it. For the bigger used-vs-new decision across all equipment, see our used vs new guide, and for strength, our power rack buying guide.