The same year that the Apple Corp. was founded in CA another highly innovative American company was founded in a barn in Vermont. I first used a Concept2 rowing machine while working as a personal trainer at Plus One Fitness in Soho, NYC in 1986. The Model A ergometer had recently been introduced to the market and it was a crude version of the high-tech Concept2 rowing machines we use today. At the time I had little interest in rowing but I appreciated the benefits of the machine in providing a great workout. I’m not so sure my Soho clients did.
Plus One was one of Manhattan’s first personal training gyms and catered to a celebrity clientele that included actors, musicians and artists. In the 1980s Soho was home to many of the city’s artists and I remember many of my clients telling me how much they loved the new Macintosh computer, the erg not so much!
In 1986 both companies were ten years old but they were not the globally recognised brands they are today. Four decades on they have come a long way and I doubt their founders ever imagined the impact their products would have on how we live, train and compete in 2026. I am a big fan of both and use them daily.
Soon after the introduction of the Model A erg the first indoor rowing competition took place in Boston and the sport of indoor rowing was born. Now there is a World Indoor Rowing Championships which takes place in a different country every year.
I have a keen interest in the intersection of fitness and technology. I believe that if you want to improve any component of fitness you need to measure it. The ergometer measure “the work” that goes into your workout. There are now countless fitness apps that enable you to connect a mobile device or computer to a Concept2 ergometer to track all sorts of data like heart rate, calories, power output and more and even to row live online with others. You can also sync the Apple Health app or watch with a Concept2 machine.
In our Community Rowing classes I use a desktop application that enables us to row together or race as teams in the same on-screen boat. Thanks to technology many indoor rowing competitions now take place virtually.
However sometimes technology can have a downside. Ironically rowing can be the antidote to the constant distraction of a smartphone because it requires you to focus intently and to pay attention to your technique, timing and your effort. More rowing and less scrolling will go a long way to improving your physical and mental well-being.
Summer’s Coming
Following the popularity and success of our Winter erg challenge at Shoreline Greystones Community Rowing will celebrate the start of the 2026 summer season with a Concept2 50th Summer Solstice half marathon team-relay race. Teams of 4 people will complete the 21k distance with each team member rowing a minimum distance of 1k, 2k or 5k in succession.
A relay-team can consist of 4 men or 4 women or a mixed crew of 2 Men and 2 Women. The winners in each team-relay category will each receive a €50 Apple Gift card and all participants will receive a C2 Summer Solstice challenge event t-shirt.
June 21 is only ten weeks away. Sign up below to receive more information.
