Concept2

Concept2 is an exercise-equipment company founded in 1976 by brothers Peter and Dick Dreissigacker. The founders started the business in a Vermont barn with a focus on developing rowing products for training and racing. The company says that its original aim of encouraging rowing, both indoors and outdoors, continues to inform its work. Its best-known offering is the RowErg, which Concept2 says it first made in 1981. The company presents the machine as a full-body, low-impact training option used by athletes, commercial gyms and home users, and emphasizes precision and consistency for training, testing and racing. Its other current exercise machines include the SkiErg, which uses motions associated with cross-country skiing; the BikeErg, an indoor cycling machine; and the StrengthErg, which uses air resistance for strength training. Concept2 also offers ErgData, a free app described as connecting users to the Concept2 community and supporting shared workouts. The company says it has a worldwide reputation and serves a community that extends beyond rowing. In January 2025, the Concept2 Perpetual Purpose Trust was established to take on the company's perpetual ownership. According to the company, the trust's stewardship committee, which includes founders and designated employees, directs management and operations to maintain continuity. Concept2 describes customer support, product improvement, sustainability, and giving to local and athletic communities as continuing areas of focus.

Concept2 was founded in 1976 by brothers Peter and Dick Dreissigacker. The founders began the company in a Vermont barn, intending to create innovative, quality rowing products for training and racing. Rowing remained the company's original focus, and Concept2 says its mission includes encouraging the growth of rowing indoors and outdoors. The company made its first rowing machine in 1981. Its RowErg became the central offering in a product range associated with rowing training, testing and racing. Concept2 says the RowErg is used by Olympians, commercial gyms and home users, and describes its precision and consistency as reasons it has become a standard for those uses. Over time, Concept2 expanded its exercise-equipment range beyond rowing. The SkiErg applies the motions of cross-country skiing to a full-body workout, while the BikeErg brings the company's stated accuracy and quality to indoor cycling. The StrengthErg uses air resistance to provide a strength-training option without requiring weight plates, racks or barbells. The company also developed ErgData, a free app that it describes as connecting users to the Concept2 community and supporting shared workouts. Concept2 describes its customer community as having grown well beyond rowing and says it continues to improve its products and support customers. It also identifies sustainability and giving to local and athletic communities as ongoing priorities. In January 2025, the Concept2 Perpetual Purpose Trust was established to take on perpetual ownership. The company says the trust's stewardship committee includes the founders and designated employees, and directs management and operations with the aim of maintaining continuity and carrying forward the founders' vision and mission.

• 2025

  Perpetual Purpose Trust established

• 1981

  First rowing machine made

• 1976

  Concept2 founded in Vermont

A specialist exercise-equipment brand centered on rowing and indoor training, positioning its machines around precision, consistency, and use across athletic, commercial-gym, and home settings.

• RowErg

  A rowing ergometer presented as a full-body, low-impact workout machine used for training, testing and racing.

• SkiErg

  A machine using the motions of cross-country skiing for total-body exercise that builds strength and endurance.

• BikeErg

  An indoor cycling machine that brings Concept2's stated accuracy and quality to cycling workouts.

• StrengthErg

  An air-resistance machine for strength training that measures and displays the user's result.

• ErgData

  A free app that connects users to the Concept2 community and supports shared workouts.

1. 1Concept2 | The Standard in Rowing & Exercise Since 1976concept2.com
2. 2About Concept2concept2.com
3. 3Concept2 | The Standard in Rowing & Exercise Since 1976concept2.com