Speediance Gym Monster 2 Rower Review: Is It Worth the Upgrade?
➡️ Gym Monster 2 Rower (affiliate link): https://speediancelifetechnologyinc.sjv.io/gRNqrr
I have used a lot of rowers over the years. Concept2, water rowers, and a few budget options as well. I know what a good rower feels like and I know what a bad one feels like. So when I tell you the rowing attachment on the Speediance Gym Monster 2 surprised me, that is not something I say lightly.
What It Is and Who It's For
Before getting into what makes this rower stand out, let me be clear about what it actually is.
The rower is an attachment that comes with the Gym Monster 2 Family Plus package. It is not a standalone rower. It comes as a separate rail with a seat and foot plate and cannot be used without the Gym Monster 2 or some type of digital resistance machine to pull from.
If you are buying the Gym Monster 2 anyway and you enjoy rowing, this is a significant bonus. If you are purely a rower looking for a dedicated machine, this probably is not for you. But if you want strength training, cable work, and a legitimate cardio rowing option all in one compact footprint, keep reading.
Setup
Setup is fast and straightforward. The rower comes with a separate stand, seat, and foot plate that stands vertically out of the way when not in use.
When you are ready to row, here is what the process looks like:
Drop the rower platform down and push the two front pads all the way forward so it sits stable on the Speediance base. There is a center line on the Speediance platform so you can line everything up perfectly.
Take the pin on the side and drop it down to lock the rower in place.
Slide the handles down the uprights. There is a rowing icon on the upright so you know exactly where to position them.
Attach the rowing handle to both sides. It plugs into the attachment ports on each side of the machine.
That is it. You are ready to row in under 30 seconds. The transition from cable strength work to cardio rowing is genuinely seamless.
Software and Rowing Modes
You have two options for how you set up your rowing session.
Free Lift Modeis what I use personally. From the main menu you select free lift, search for aerobic rowing, confirm, set your resistance from 1 to 10, hit turn on, and you are off. Simple and clean.
Guided Classesare also available if you want structure. There are interval classes, cardio rowing sessions, and even outdoor HIIT rowing workouts where you follow a guided video. There is plenty of variety here if you want someone to program the session for you.
I prefer to run my own workouts, but the guided content is a solid option for anyone who wants more direction.
Foot Straps and Build
The foot straps are better than expected. There is a velcro strap and a larger strap to accommodate bigger feet, plus adjustable tabs at the top for longer or shorter feet. Getting in and out is easy and the straps hold firm throughout the entire rowing session. No slipping, no loosening mid row.
The rowing handle that comes with the package is a standout piece on its own. It is rubber padded, comfortable to grip, and slightly wider than a Concept2 handle. It feels premium and the material quality is noticeable.
One concern I had going in was whether the two attachment points would create an uneven or awkward pull. With a Concept2 or water rower you have a single attachment point in the center. With this setup you have two. In practice it is not an issue at all. The stroke feels balanced, stable, and easy to control from catch to finish.
The one minor thing worth mentioning is that the seat occasionally catches slightly on the rail. It does not happen often and a little oil on the rollers would likely fix it completely, but it is worth knowing going in.
How It Feels Compared to Other Rowers
This is where the Speediance rower genuinely separates itself.
A Concept2 gives you air resistance that ramps up the harder you pull, with a specific flywheel feel to it. A water rower has a fluid, slightly heavier sensation through the stroke. The Speediance rower uses digital magnetic resistance and the feel is its own thing entirely.
It is insanely smooth. There is no flywheel, no air, no water. Just clean, consistent resistance from the moment you initiate the pull all the way through to the finish. Even at higher resistance levels the smoothness holds up. Every person I have put on this machine for a warm-up or a rowing session has said the same thing: it feels awesome.
It is a different experience from a Concept2 or a water rower. Not a worse one.
Stats and Screen
The screen tracks everything you need while you row:
Speed per 500 meters
Power output in watts
Distance in meters
Strokes per minute
The numbers are displayed clearly at the bottom of the screen and easy to read without breaking your form or losing focus. Beyond the live metrics, the machine also tracks your total workout history over time, including calories burned, total distance, and total volume. You are not missing anything on the data side.
Final Verdict
When I first got the Gym Monster 2, the rower sat in my office for weeks. I treated it as an afterthought. That was a mistake.
The rower has turned into one of my favorite parts of the Gym Monster 2. The feel is smooth, the build quality is solid, the foot straps are secure, the handle is comfortable, and the stats tracking gives you everything you need to train with purpose.
If you have already made up your mind on the Gym Monster 2 and you are deciding between the standard package and the Family Plus, the rower alone makes the upgrade worth it. You are already spending a few thousand dollars on the machine. Maximizing what you can do in that compact footprint is a no-brainer, and the rower does exactly that.
Check out the Speediance Gym Monster 2 Rower here:https://speediancelifetechnologyinc.sjv.io/gRNqrr
Disclosure: This review contains affiliate links. If you purchase through my link I receive a small commission at no additional cost to you.
