Concept 2 Rower with PM5 monitor

My rower arrived last week on August 5th, but we were out of town, just getting back in last night so the first chance I had to play with it was today.

It was packaged well and very simple to put together.  Four bolts securing the support arms to the base and another four bolts connecting the support arms to the flywheel.  Concept2 even shipped a hex head screwdriver.  Connecting the seat tube to the flywheel tube was a little tricky, but exactly as the instructions described.

After that it was a quick power on and start rowing.  That was one of the primary motivators for the Concept2.  I am familiar with it and have used one on and off for the last 5 years.  

Poking around through the manuals and online, I have yet to find a comprehensive tutorial.  The PM5 has a lot of functionality.  Although I intend to use it primarily (exclusively?) for high intensity interval training, it also has a host of pre-programmed workouts, games and even options to connect with other rowers for indoor racing.  I can also connect the rower to an online app and insert a USB stick for saving user profiles and workout data.

I am very excited and am sure that I will get a lot of use from the rower.  

It does have a substantial footprint when folded down.  When folded up, it does get substantially out of the way, but there are not that many hiding spots in the garage.