Concept2
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Sporting goods, fitness equipment |
| Founded | 1976 |
| Founder | Dick Dreissigacker, Pete Dreissigacker |
| Headquarters | Morrisville , United States |
Area served | Worldwide |
| Products | Rowing ergometers (RowErg), SkiErg, BikeErg, oars, StrengthErg |
| Website | concept2 |
Concept2, Inc. is an American company specializing in the production of rowing apparatus and fitness equipment, with its headquarters located in Morrisville, Vermont. The firm is renowned for its air resistance indoor rowing machines—often called "ergometers" or simply "ergs"—which are widely accepted as the benchmark devices for training and performance assessment among competitive rowers and are commonly installed in fitness centers worldwide.
Concept2’s rowing ergometers serve as the official equipment for prominent competitions including the CRASH-B Sprints, the British Rowing Indoor Championships, and various stages of the CrossFit Games such as the Open and qualifying rounds. Beyond rowing machines, the company manufactures oars designed for both sculling and sweep rowing disciplines, in addition to two other flywheel-driven fitness products: the SkiErg, tailored for cross-country skiing training, and the BikeErg, intended for cycling workouts. In October 2024, Concept2 broadened its product portfolio by introducing the StrengthErg.
History
Concept2 was established in 1976 by brothers Dick and Pete Dreissigacker, who were competitive rowers developing carbon fiber oars while preparing for the 1976 Summer Olympics. After failing to secure a spot on the Olympic team, they founded the company to commercialize their innovative oar designs. Starting operations from a converted bread truck, they eventually purchased a farm in Morrisville, Vermont, which now serves as their corporate headquarters.
Oars
Concept2 rapidly became influential within the oar manufacturing sector, gaining early endorsement from rowing athletes. The company revolutionized blade design in 1991 with the introduction of asymmetrical "hatchet" blades, which quickly became popular; by 1992, these blades were utilized by most Olympic teams. Alongside Croker oars, Concept2’s products dominate at international regattas.
As of May 2024, Concept2's lineup includes several blade models such as Comp, Fat2, Smoothie2 Vortex Edge, Smoothie2 Plain Edge, Big Blade, Macon Blade, and Bantam Blade. Additionally, they offer a variety of handle and shaft configurations including Ultralight, Skinny, and Skinny Coastal (exclusive to sculling), accommodating a broad range of rowing styles.
Ergometers
Ergometers quantify power output and are commonly referred to as "ergs" or "ergos" within competitive rowing circles. Concept2 markets multiple ergometer variants: RowErg, SkiErg, and BikeErg.
RowErg
The Dreissigacker brothers introduced their first indoor rowing machine—the Model A—in 1981. This device incorporated bicycle components coupled with an air resistance flywheel system. Priced at $600—substantially less than competing models that cost around $3,000—it quickly gained market traction. Subsequent iterations included Model B (1986), Model C (1993), Model D (2003), Model E (2006), and Dynamic (2010).
The Dynamic RowErg distinguishes itself by featuring a moving foot stretcher instead of a sliding seat, minimizing upper body movement to more accurately replicate on-water rowing mechanics.
Until 2006, Concept2 offered only one indoor rower model concurrently. That year marked the debut of the Model E aimed at prosumer customers alongside the existing Model D. The Model E featured taller and sturdier legs paired with a higher retail price. In early 2021, these models were rebranded: Model D was renamed "RowErg," while Model E became "Elevated RowErg," characterized by longer legs that raise the seat height from 14 inches to 20 inches. This renaming strategy aligned product names across RowErg, SkiErg, and BikeErg to maintain brand uniformity.
Concept2’s RowErgs are standard fixtures at major indoor rowing competitions such as BIRC and CRASH-B Sprints. In 2018, CrossFit officially selected Concept2’s Models D & E as their designated rowing machines for The CrossFit Open and Games after determining that alternative machines failed to meet required performance criteria.
To improve longevity and minimize upkeep requirements, components susceptible to friction wear—such as chains—are treated with nickel plating.
SkiErg
Debuted in June 2009, the Concept2 SkiErg is a ski ergometer crafted to enhance strength and stamina tailored specifically for Nordic skiing. It operates on the same mechanical design principles as Concept2’s indoor rowing machines but is used while standing. Utilizing two handles, it replicates the double-pole skiing motion, activating the arms, shoulders, core, and legs. This results in a full-body workout targeting key muscle groups including the triceps, chest, abdominal muscles, and back.
BikeErg
Introduced in 2017, the Concept2 BikeErg is a stationary cycling machine that incorporates a flywheel technology akin to that found in Concept2’s rowers and SkiErgs. This product broadens the company’s fitness equipment portfolio by applying its established air resistance system to cycling workouts.
Performance Monitors
Concept2 incorporates various "Performance Monitors" across its product range to capture essential training data such as stroke rate, split times, elapsed time, calories burned, and distance covered. The newest iteration, Performance Monitor 5 (PM5), launched in August 2014, comes standard with all new RowErg, SkiErg, and BikeErg models. It offers enhanced user interaction through improved data tracking capabilities and connectivity options.
DYNO
The Concept2 DYNO was an air resistance-based strength training device available from 2001 until 2007. It facilitated exercises including bench press, leg press, and seated row by utilizing a flywheel for resistance. Although no longer in production, the DYNO marked Concept2’s venture into strength training apparatus.
Online logbook and world rankings
Since 1999, Concept2 has maintained an online logbook and ranking platform that cultivates a worldwide community of users. During the 2014 season (May 2013–April 2014), over 47,000 participants recorded upwards of 10.2 billion meters across indoor rowing, on-water rowing, SkiErg sessions, and outdoor skiing activities. This system supports club memberships and year-round virtual challenges designed to boost engagement and foster business growth through ongoing user participation.
Online challenges
Concept2 organizes multiple annual events focused on promoting consistency and cumulative distance rather than speed, motivating users to maintain regular exercise routines.
Virtual Team Challenge
Held every January, the Virtual Team Challenge (VTC) invites teams to collectively accumulate as many meters as possible between January 1 and January 31. Teams may be virtual groups consisting of friends, family members, colleagues, or teammates from around the globe or physical clubs. Only meters logged on the Indoor Rower or SkiErg are eligible. The current record holder is Greenwich Crew from Cos Cob, CT, who secured victories for three consecutive years (2018–2020).
See also
- Exercise equipment competitors
External links
- Articles with short description
- Manufacturing companies based in Vermont
- Rowing equipment manufacturers
- Sporting goods manufacturers of the United States
- 1976 establishments in Vermont
- American companies established in 1976
- Exercise equipment companies
- Morristown, Vermont
- 5
- Companies of the United States by year of establishment