Rogue Fitness Review - Consumer Spy

Highlights
Pricing Info
Pros & Cons
General info
Gifting
Customer service
Packaging & shipping

Highlights

Rogue Fitness rowing machines are a half to a third of the price of Hydrow rowers, NordicTrack rowers, and Peloton workout equipment. Although the screen and training experience is not part of the Rogue Fitness rowers, they still give the user major results that they want to see from a rowing machine. For example, the Black Concept 2 Model D rower, at the price of $900, has ergonomically designed handles, adjustable foot rests, and a flywheel designed for smooth movement with minimal noise. This rower also has a comfortable seat, with an aluminum monorail, and a stainless steel track for back and forth slide. Rogue Fitness rowers are what rowing feels like- they work the same muscles as the rowing machines that are double and triple the price, and they provide a very complete full body workout. It's very easy to learn how to use Rogue Fitness rowers, a user or gym simply sets them up and starts rowing.
All the Rogue Fitness rowers have a really easy breakdown and storage process. For example the Gray concept 2 Model D rower has the ability to be quickly folded and be rolled on wheels anywhere in a home or gym. The entire unit folds into compact sections using the quick release frame lock mechanism. There are no tools needed for this breakdown process or making the rower mobile. Also, this rower is only 57 lbs and the heaviest rower Rogue Fitness has is 67lbs. A user or gym owner can purchase an additional Rogue rower hanger to store as many rowers as they want in a gym or just the one roller at home. Since it? lightweight for a rower, hanging it on a wall at home is doable.
The PM5 performance monitor on the Rogue rowing machines is very comprehensive and easy for anyone to use whether they're a beginner rower or an Olympic rower training in a gym. It tracks a user's distance, speed, pace, calories that are burned, and watts. All of this information is presented on a very simple screen that only has three main buttons-units, display, and menu. The PM5 performance monitor connects to a wireless heart monitor via Bluetooth and can give users optional data to track a more detailed workout. This monitor is great for athletes to be able to improve on their workouts weekly. There is also a USB flash drive that's compatible and built for machine vs. machine racing- two users can race on two different rowing machines using this USB flash drive compatibility.
The Rogue Fitness rowers all use a flywheel and damper system to help change the resistance of the rowing experience. This air resistance is generated by a fan flywheel- a user sits on their rogue fitness rower (they all use the same technology) and begins by pulling the aluminum bar which activates the flywheel. The flywheel acts as the air resistance the user would feel if they were actually on the water. The Model D rower includes a damper adjustable that goes from a set of one to ten. The setting from one to ten affects how much energy will be needed to accelerate from one stroke to the next. Setting ten allows in the most air for more wind resistance- the higher the damper adjustment, the harder and more wind resistance there is. It's a very simple system that can be really great for a class setting, new users, and users that don't want anything but the rowing experience. This system is also really great because it's very user-intuitive to comprehend. In a class setting, if an instructor asks everyone to adjust their rower's resistance, they know ten is high resistance and one is low resistance. That's how fitness equipment in gyms has been working for years.

Price range $900 - $1,100

The cost range of the Rogue Fitness machines begin at the price of $900 and only increase to $1,100. There are only four options for the Rogue Fitness rowing machines. There is a Black Concept 2 Model D rower which is $900, the Gray Concept 2 Model D rower which is also $900, and then there is the Black Concept 2 Model E rower which is $1,100 and then the Gray Concept 2 Model E rower which is $1,100. There are two models, in two different colors, and at two different prices. The Model E is newer, bigger, 10lbs heavier, and the height of the seat from the ground is 6·taller.

Cost Compared to Competitors

All Rogue Fitness rowing machines are the lowest price of any rowing machine competitors. Compared to Hydrow, the Rogue Fitness rowers are $1,400 cheaper. Compared to the NordicTrack rower, Rogue Fitness rowers are about $500 to $600 less expensive. Compared to any Peloton workout machine, Rogue Fitness rowers are ? or ? of the price.

Pros:

The Rogue Fitness rowing machines are priced at $900-$1,100. They give the same physical experience it's competitors offer for way higher prices. This rower works the same muscles that their competitors do, and they offer an incredible workout to any user. They are priced at $900, compared to their competitors which are priced at $1,500 or more. They are the most affordable rowers amongst competitors, and therefore, the most attainable for larger groups of people, and for gyms to purchase in bulk. In general, the Rogue Fitness Machines that have concept 2 rowers are priced well and therefore attainable for more users. Concept2, which is what Rogue Fitness sells, is the most popular brand of rowing machines in the world and has been around since 1976.

The Rogue Fitness rowing machines are very easy to assemble. The assembly process is user-friendly and includes everything a user needs for a quick set up process. The front legs are installed using screws, and there are clear instructions included in the box that is shipped. Within 20-30 minutes of opening the box, any of the Rogue Fitness rowers are ready to use. There is no other setup process needed- there are no apps, there are no memberships, and anyone can start rowing right after setting up. The Rogue Fitness machines are user friendly in assembly and use, which is good for all skill levels and ages.

Another Pro of the Rogue Fitness machines are the max user's weight of all their rowers is 500 lb. Compared to competitors, some only have a max weight of 300 lb. The Rogue Fitness rowing machine equipment is meant for a broader group of people to use because of the max weight limit reaching 500lb, it's easy to use for all ages, and easy setup. The fact that the max weight is 500lbs allows anyone to get onto this machine and start rowing. These machines are definitely made for more of the general public than for a specific group of people or a small demographic.

Another Pro of the Rogue Fitness rower is the shipping process. If orders are placed by 3 p.m. they ship exactly the same day, and because the company has been around for thirteen years, their shipping is highly reliable and their customer service within shipping is productive and helpful. Their system allows users to track their order from the time they place the order, to the moment it shows up at the shipping address. Rogue Fitness products ship flat rate within the continental US. Because of Covid-19, it is now taking about 5 to 7 days for orders to ship once the order has been shown as processed. This delay is not typical, however. Usually how Rogue Fitness Shipping works is that it's designed to get new products to users as fast and efficiently as possible- usually they ship on the day of a user's order if the item is well stocked. The online shipping tracker allows anyone to follow how their order is being fulfilled.

Cons:

A con of Rogue Fitness is that it does not provide the user experience that other competitors do. Rogue Fitness doesn't have any training HD screens or memberships that allow instructors to teach their rowers digitally. The Rogue Fitness rowers are made just for the machinery.

The Rogue Fitness rowing machine is not an attractive looking piece of gym equipment. The physical look of the rower is not what this rower was made for. Compared to the Hydrow, NordicTrack, or any Peloton machine, the Rogue Fitness rowers can? compare. Rogue fitness rowers are made to endure and made to row.

A design con of the Rogue Fitness rowers is the seat. Within the customer reviews section, one customer talked about the comfortability of the Rogue Fitness rower seat. Personally, I've used the Rogue fitness rowers, and I can see how this could be a design flaw. The rower seats aren? very comfortable, (but no rower seat is usually comfortable.) Most seats on rowing machines are small and hard. The seat comfortability is something that could be changed about the actual design of the Rogue Fitness machines, but not vital.

The Rogue Fitness rowers are currently all out of stock. On their site, there isn't any notification as to when they will be in stock- a customer only has the ability to say notify me, or "Add to wish list". Obviously with Covid-19, a lot of companies have found themselves low on stock, or unable to keep up with demands- but it's still a bad look for a company to not be able to supply the amount of product they need to their customers. It also is a con because it makes users more upset if they were expecting a product to be available and there is none in stock. Rogue Fitness is losing money by not having enough of their rowers available. It? a con for them and for their customers.

IDEAL CUSTOMER

The ideal target market for the Rogue Fitness rowers is definitely a gym owner. Because of their price at $900, compared to competitors they are already more attainable for a gym to purchase multiple than buying ten $4,000 machines from Peloton. On the Rogue Fitness website, they offer ten packs of their rowers- the model D- for $9,000. The way these rowers are easily stored and have a rolling feature is very gym friendly. Concept 2 rowers from Rogue Fitness have been used in gyms all over the world since 1976. Another feature that makes these rowers gym friendly is that they don't have a screen in front of them and therefore a real instructor at a gym can teach a class without distracting screens. Another ideal target market would be any person building their own home gym or a college gym as well. Individuals can more easily afford the concept 2 Model D- compared to competitors, users are rowers only paying for their rower with Rogue Fitness. Users are not paying for a membership, or an app, or training sessions that add up and need to be renewed monthly/annually. Ideally, the target market would be anyone from ages 20 to 65, but for people who will actually purchase this/have the space to own one- ages 28-65.

How long does the product last?

Rogue Fitness rowers are estimated to last 10+ years.

Coupon/sales

Currently there are no sales for the Concept 2 rowers by Rogue Fitness because they are completely sold out. There is no financing option shown for these rowers. There are no coupons or sales shown specifically for these rowers. Rogue Fitness has daily shipping deals and an entire deals page online- but currently the rowers are not on the deals page.

GOOD FOR GIFTING?

Rogue Fitness rowers are an expensive gift and will only be gifted once. Because they are $900-$1,100, they are more attainable as a gift, but they aren't a common or everyday purchase.

CUSTOMER SERVICE

The Rogue Fitness customer service is very responsive and also very helpful. Their warranty plan for their rowers is also very reasonable- they offer a comprehensive fully transferable warranty. However, there have been several complaints on the Better Business Bureau about Rogue Fitness customer service since Covid-19. Right now, there is a huge distribution delay from Rogue Fitness, and their response team is making customers wait two to three days for a customer service response. This not typical for their company. On the Better Business Bureau, there are a ton of complaints saying that orders aren't filling, the status of the order hasn't been answered, and several other delayed shipments. On the Better Business Bureau there? one customer complaining about a delay in their order, and Rogue Fitness respond saying that they've gone through a growing process of doubling their team and opening multiple new distribution centers in the last six months because of the pandemic. Typically, their customer service is incredible- but it? currently delayed, understaffed, and a lot on their website is out of stock, including the rowers.

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Packaging

The Rogue Fitness Concept 2 rowers are shipped in a cardboard box. They include detailed instructions, assembly tools, and a folded rower (in stored position).The Box arrives with the folded rower, with the seat attached, and the two ground stabilizers for either end of the rower. After the ground stabilizers are attached with screws and a screwdriver, the rower is folded out from its stored position, the screen is turned on, and the user is ready to row. It takes about 20-30 minutes to assemble and there are barely any steps to follow.

shipping

The Rogue Fitness rower shipping process is ideal for fitness equipment. If orders are placed by 3 p.m. they ship exactly the same day, and because the company has been around for thirteen years, they're shipping process is highly reliable and their customer service within shipping is productive and helpful. Their system allows users to track their order from the time they place the order, to the moment it shows up at the shipping address. Rogue Fitness products ship flat rate within the continental US. Because of Covid-19, it is now taking about 5 to 7 days for orders to ship once the order has been shown as processed. This delay is not typical, however. Usually, how the Rogue Fitness Shipping works is that it's designed to get new products to users as fast and efficiently as possible- they usually ship on the day of the order, if not 1-2 shipping. The online shipping tracker allows anyone to follow how their order is being fulfilled.

Rogue Fitness

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