Total gym GTS vs Concept 2 Model E rower
This is a comparison between the Total Gym GTS and the Concept 2 Model E rower. Follow the links for more details.
Overview and review of the concept 2 model E
The Concept 2 Model E comes in at $1100. In this article you will learn more about the product itself, its Pros and cons and alternatives you might want to consider. This article has originally been published in the overview "Which conditioning equipment to buy from Rogue".
Overview of the Concept 2 model E
The
concept 2 model E tower is one of the top of range rower options from concept 2. The main difference to other rowers is the seat height and protection of the chain. Think of this as a beefed up version of towers that you can easier get on and off.
Concept 2 also delivers the PM5 Monitor with the
Model E rower. This computer gets very good feedback a across the board in the industry. It enables you to link multiple rowers together to have a race. Whatever you get, make sure that it has a function to store your times and race against yourself. That is very satisfying and useful. The
concept 2 model e rower comes with the following specifications:
The
concept 2 Model E is a great option to beef up your existing rower assortment or to directly start with a model that has been perfected over time.
Pros of the concept 2 model E
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Static arm
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Higher seat
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PM5 monitor
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Bulkier frame
The PM5 monitor is fixed on a status arm compared to other rower models. This makes it easier to keep it in place and the material is less likely to fail. Even though the adjustable arms seems nice they actually cause more trouble than extra value. Over time you have to tighten the screws and take care so that monitor will not be all over the place during a challenge challenging workout. A static arm is much preferred in my opinion as long as it fixed at a height that makes sense to do the readings.
A higher seat has several advantages. If you have very big athletes or someone who can not get on the lower seat option from other rowers, than this is the solution. It is also great if you want to switch between workouts quickly in circuit training.
The PM5 monitor is also an advantage of other models. This monitor is becoming standard across the concept 2 range but just check before purchase whether it is really on or you need to select another option. I hear a lot of good about this monitor.
The bulkier frame will make it possible for the
model E to take more of beating if your intention is to use it in a gym setup.
Cons of the concept 2 model E
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Price
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Specificity
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Space requirements
The price of the
model E is quite a bit higher than for most other rower options. If you only want to row you might be able to save the worth of a barbell or a couple of plates by going for a different option.
Rowing is not very specific to most sports except CrossFit and rowing itself. If you are building a team that competes in some kind of major league you will still need treadmills besides the rowers. In addition, the higher seat is also less specific to actual rowing. The Olympic rowing boats are tiny and you sit very closely to the ground.
The last disadvantage of a rower is the space requirement. Compared to a bike, especially for a home gym, the length of the unit can turn into a real headache.
Alternatives to the Concept 2 model E
The
concept 2 model d rower would be the logical choice if you want to save some money. It is basically the same machine, just with slower seat and less fancy. If you want to row and be budget conscious this might be the option for you.
The
Rogue echo bike is a solid alternative for the home gym to kick your butt. It costs considerably less than the
model E and delivers a challenging, maybe even better impact on your cardiovascular system.
The
air assault runner is the budget option for self-propelled running. It is still a lot triple the price of the
model E. If you are running an establishment to produce the best you probably need a rower and one of these self-propelled machines.
Summary for the Concept 2 model E
The
model E is a sound upgrade on the
model E aimed at rehab or big boys. It is also one of the best things money can buy from concept 2. Is it worth the extra money compared to the
model D? Probably not if you care more about the budget than having the best things in life.
Further reading
Overview and review of the Total gym GTS
This is an overview of the features and alternatives to the Total Gym GTS. This article was originally published under "which total gym to get". Follow the links for more details.
Related articles
Total Gym GTS $3.700 - $4.666
The
total gym GTS is the flagship of the
total gym generation which can be directly sold to customers. This is the top-end product with all bells and whistles included and therefore also comes with the biggest price tag of $3.700. These are the features you will be getting with the
Total Gym GTS:
- FREE streaming workouts with Total Gym TV Basic.
- 22 Levels of Resistance
- Workout DVD included
- Over 200 Exercises on One Home Elite Gym
- 650lb User Weight Capacity
- Hydraulic rail lift assists with level changes & easy two-step folding.
- 5-year Warranty on Frame, 1-year Warranty on Parts & Upholstery, 90-day Warranty on Foam & Rubber
In addition to this, you will get a multitude of addons that lets you emulate any machine you could possibly imagine in a professional commercial gym. If you want to use this machine all day around and do not have space for a full circuit of machines, this is the machine to get.
Pros of the Total GYM GTS
The
total gym GTS comes with a lot of attachments and even lets you add free weights to it so you can increase the resistance even further on certain exercises. The extended warranty and sturdiness of the 650lb capacity give it good protection against break downs under heavy use. Read this 650lb not just as a maximum capacity, but also an indication of how long the machine will last. The sturdier the material the less likely it is to break. This is the right
total gym to use around the clock with many clients of different needs. If you have a rehab clinic that wants to cover from old people to recovering high performing athletes, this is a good pick.
Cons of the TOTAL GYM GTS
For this price tag, it is not really a feasible option for most home users, which is a shame as it provides the most variety of exercises. If you have space in your facility you can also seriously consider building a full gym instead of getting just one
Total Gym GTS. YOu may have fewer warranties on each individual item, but more variety and the possibility to train more people in parallel.
Alternatives to the TOTAL Gym GTS
The true form trainer is a self-propelled treadmill that will fit the needs of the top-performing athlete. It works with a slight arch to soften the impact of your feet. As it is set up with bearing it becomes easier to run at top speeds and do interval training compared to conventional treadmills. You will also not need as much power and there is no motor that can break down and needs to be maintained or replaced.
If you have space and wanted to run spinning classes you can also get
5x Rogue Echo bikes for the price of one
Total Gym GTS. Admittedly you will not have the same range of exercises to build strength and tone, but if you are looking for indoor cardio you can either save yourself a lot of money or make more customers happy at the same time.
For $4.000 you can also get a top-end free weight section from a leading supplier like Rogue fitness. An example configuration can be:
Total: $3530
This will provide a full gym with weights to go into every direction. The shipping will be free with Rogue for this package. The tax might push it over $4000 depending on the country you buy from. Still, A great alternative if you have space and like to lift heavy compared to the
Total Gym GTS.