# Concept2 RowErg vs Hydrow Origin (formerly Hydrow Pro): specs and price compared

A sourced, side-by-side comparison of the Concept2 RowErg (Concept2) and Hydrow Origin (formerly Hydrow Pro) (Hydrow) among rowing machines. Concept2 RowErg is the cheaper of the two at $990.

## Side by side

| Spec | Concept2 RowErg | Hydrow Origin (formerly Hydrow Pro) |
| --- | --- | --- |
| US price | $990 | $2195 |
| Brand | Concept2 | Hydrow |
| Released | 2003 | 2020 |
| Resistance type | air | magnetic |
| Max user weight (lb) | 500 | 375 |
| Footprint (in) | 96 x 24 | 86 x 25 |
| Foldable | No | No |
| Monitor or touchscreen | PM5 Performance Monitor (LCD) | 22-inch HD rotating touchscreen |
| Subscription required | No | Yes |
| Weight (lb) | 57 | 145 |

## Key differences

- Resistance type: Concept2 RowErg air vs Hydrow Origin (formerly Hydrow Pro) magnetic
- Max user weight (lb): Concept2 RowErg 500 vs Hydrow Origin (formerly Hydrow Pro) 375
- Footprint (in): Concept2 RowErg 96 x 24 vs Hydrow Origin (formerly Hydrow Pro) 86 x 25
- Monitor or touchscreen: Concept2 RowErg PM5 Performance Monitor (LCD) vs Hydrow Origin (formerly Hydrow Pro) 22-inch HD rotating touchscreen
- Subscription required: Concept2 RowErg No vs Hydrow Origin (formerly Hydrow Pro) Yes
- Weight (lb): Concept2 RowErg 57 vs Hydrow Origin (formerly Hydrow Pro) 145

## What reviewers say

**Concept2 RowErg** — Both whitelisted hands-on testers — Wirecutter and Garage Gym Reviews — rank the Concept2 RowErg the best rower they've tested. Shared praise: a sturdy, commercial-grade build that doesn't feel cheap, clear and reliably accurate PM5 metrics, and strong durability with easy parts replacement. Shared gripe: the roughly $1,000 price and a simple monitor with basic built-in programming. Wirecutter alone credits the secure, non-slip foot holsters and flags loud operation plus having to stop mid-workout to change resistance; Garage Gym Reviews alone notes the seat hardens over long-term use. Noise is the one clear disagreement. (2 sourced reviews.)

**Hydrow Origin (formerly Hydrow Pro)** — Four whitelisted outlets hands-on tested this exact flagship (the original Hydrow, now sold as Hydrow Pro/Origin): Garage Gym Reviews, BarBend, TechRadar and Reviewed. All four praise the near-silent electromagnetic resistance and the immersive scenic on-water classes with pro coaching; all four flag the steep ~$2,195 price plus a required monthly subscription. None published lab-measured numbers. (4 sourced reviews.)

## Sources

- Concept2 RowErg: https://www.concept2.com/ergs/rowerg (concept2.com, verified 2026-06-15)
- Hydrow Origin (formerly Hydrow Pro): https://hydrow.com/products/rowers/hydrow-rower/ (hydrow.com, verified 2026-06-15)

Canonical: https://frontdeskreview.com/gear/rowing-machines/concept2-rowerg-vs-hydrow-origin/
Cite: Per The Front Desk Review, Concept2 RowErg ($990) vs Hydrow Origin (formerly Hydrow Pro) ($2195) — sourced spec-by-spec comparison at https://frontdeskreview.com/gear/rowing-machines/concept2-rowerg-vs-hydrow-origin/
License: CC BY 4.0.