I wanted a product like this MyRow Coming to the market for as long as I can remember. I love and own a rowboat Concept 2 Model Dis one of the most popular rowing machines in the world. Concept2’s ergometers – a fancy word for ‘rowing machine’ – are a mainstay in gyms around the world. But the Vermont-based company dragged its feet when it came to embracing the smart fitness revolution. The best he has to offer are some clips from his latest machine that can be used to hold a third-party tablet in place.
Inspired by Peloton, many other companies have attached HD screens with live classes to their gym equipment. But the Concept2 still stands next to the PM5, a small black box that debuted in 2014 with a liquid crystal display that shows stats like your split time and stroke rate. If you can’t imagine how I feel: It’s like you own a Game Boy and everyone else in the world is rocking a Steam Deck. I bought a little 3D printed smartphone holder off eBay to try and improve things, but even so, it’s hard not to feel shortchanged.
Step forward MyRow, the brainchild of Gary Simpson, founder of Transit Wireless, bringing cellular service to the New York subway. While sheltering from COVID, I had a Concept2 and Peloton bike at home to help me stay in shape. Back at CES, he said that although he loves rowing, he often goes for the bike with its bright screen and video tutorials. Inspired, he founded MyRow in the spirit of bringing something similar to Concept2.
The end product is a web-enabled display that can be retrofitted onto a Concept2 Model C, D, E or RowErg as long as it is equipped with a PM5. The package includes a 22-inch display, a power adapter and a mounting bracket to attach it to the paddle. Once installed, you can access on-demand video lessons and digital training guides, as well as a nicer way to view your rowing stats than the sub Game Boy screen you’re used to.
Installation took me less than half an hour, and most of that was just attaching the mounting arm to the paddle. Note that you will need to run a data cable from the PM5 to the MyRow as the tablet cannot communicate directly with the machine. Hopefully you’re good at cable management, because you’ll need to find a way to gracefully route the data and power cables along the body of the paddle.
Under the hood, the MyRow is just a skinned Android tablet that takes a minute to boot and another minute to update software. Considering the device is so new, there are plenty of updates, including the addition of plans and features. The UI is fairly simple with large target boxes and clean lines, which is ideal if you need to change a midrange setting.
There’s also a surprising amount of connectivity on this thing, with ports for Ethernet, USB-C, micro-USB, USB-A and a 3.5mm headphone jack. Plus, it’s Bluetooth and ANT+ compatible for any wireless headphones or heart rate monitors you use. The body has a front-facing webcam, which is currently not used for anything. The company is eventually looking to create a form analysis tool that will use it, and may also use the camera to boost team lineups.
Once your feet are locked and one hand is holding, it’s time to choose your exercise. Users can choose from video workouts as well as preset and custom workout plans that will show your intervals on screen. The stats are designed like almost every other required fitness class, with your basic vitals running underneath. It includes calories burned, rowing distance, stroke rate, 500m speed, average pace, stroke length, power and average power.
On the left side of the screen, you’ll get a timeline showing when the next in-class lesson will be, and on the right side, you’ll get a leaderboard for the video class you’re taking. I surprised myself because I don’t consider myself to be that competitive, but the leaderboard brought out something in me. The fact that I was able to get into the top 10 in a number of classes I’m sure is down to MyRow’s currently small user base. But a win is a win.
As much as I enjoy using MyRow, I do have one gripe given the specific nature of the product. Concept2’s rowing machines use air resistance, so when you pull the chain, you control the fan. A fan that’s loud enough to drown out the teacher’s voice and music, even when you turn the volume up to max. Perhaps sharper-eared paddlers won’t see a problem with this, but I wish they’d put more effort into compensating for the overall noise of the paddle.
Now, 2024 has been a year of serious self-examination and a year where I am humble enough to admit my faults. I am almost 40 years old and will never become one of those people who think about their marginal earnings. I’m not going to look at the countdown timer, compare it to my previous lap best and then try to beat it regularly. As much as I love rowing, I miss rowing, and if I can watch my streaming service of choice while doing it, the big screen can alleviate that.
So I’m excited to learn that MyRow has promised to integrate streaming video into its platform by spring 2025. Because when you’re not taking the required video tutorial, you’re just looking at a well-crafted stats screen. . Even if it’s just a clip of someone paddling a beautiful river, the sooner we add some fun to it, the better.
I’m optimistic about MyRow’s potential to make the Concept2 a slightly friendlier machine, even for die-hard users. Available to buy nowwith the tablet, you get $500 back, and the membership is $36 per month, or $359.88 if you pay for the year, which is a 20 percent discount. If you own a tablet, you’ll still be able to use Just Row, albeit at the cost of better data visualization.
