Second this. Nearly all rowing clubs here in Germany buy concept2 for a reason. The monitor is a bit old fashioned but does the trick. Machines are sturdy and last for a long time.

Concept2 is pretty well the standard: https://shop.concept2.com/indoor-rowers/298-model-d-with-pm5...

RP3 seems to be the new standard. It replecates the movement of a boat better.

Concept 2 Rowerg Model D is one of the best. https://www.wodarmour.in/collections/concept2/products/conce...

Also you can usually find them in abundance at a discount, due to the “purchased but not used” phenomenon of home exercise equipment :)

Also purchased by ambitious parents with visions of college admissions, despite limited (or less) interest by their children.

Concept2 is the gold standard, and it's not even the most expensive. It's the only machine competitive rowers use, from high school to the olympics. C2 supports their machines to an insane level, going so far as to provide replacement parts all the way back to their first machine from 1981.

Yes concept 2 is the standard. But you would have more fun joining a club and going on the water. For the most part people hate the erg. And this is coming from someone that owns two concept2's and rows on the water or the erg about 6 times a week.

Determined by your goals:

I am casually interested in indoor rowing as a fitness goal: get a cheap (<$500) water rower.

I have decided that I like indoor rowing as a fitness activity and have a history of sticking to exercise goals: an expensive water rower ($1500)

I have decided that I like indoor rowing and would even engage in indoor competition: Concept2 ($1000) because that is what the competitions use.

I want to learn to row, and do it for real on the water: do not buy a rowing machine and start pulling. You will learn terrible form and the first time you lift your oar over your knees you'll end up in the water. Learn to row first, then get a rowing machine. Join a club. They'll start you on a concept2 but someone will be teaching your good form.

I prefer water rowers to Concept2s, but opinions differ. I've owned two concept2s and one cheap water rower, and I prefer the water rower now.

I have owned a Concept 2 Model D for quite a while. It has been one of my best investments. It just works. There has never been anything that has come close in dollars per work, no gym, no other equipment, not even running shoes.