How To Clean A Concept 2 Rower (Complete Guide) 

Regular cleaning and maintenance is essential to maintain any piece of machinery, and a concept 2 rower is no different.

To clean a Concept 2 rower you’ll want to perform a light clean after every use, and a deep clean every 250hrs of use. The daily clean will keep the equipment clean and hygienic, while the deep clean will involve maintaining the chain, flywheel, and slide to prevent your rower from seizing up.

In this guide, we’ll share our foolproof strategy to keep your rower clean and running smoothly for a long into the future.

Why Do You Need To Clean Your Rower

Cleaning your rower is essential for two very important reasons. 

• Hygiene
• Preventative maintenance

I know it is tempting after working out to just put off cleaning until later. Unfortunately, human nature forms a habit rather quickly, and procrastination births more procrastination. Before you know it, dirt, sweat, and bacteria have introduced potential problems for you.

1. Hygiene – Not cleaning your rower can result in making you seriously ill.

How? Well, according to the “Centers for Disease Control and Prevention” (CDC), staph is found on fitness equipment, including one of the worst which is MRSA which can cause life-threatening sepsis.

If you use other shared equipment at a gym, you can carry the bacteria home to your concept 2 rower where, without routine cleaning, it can thrive and make you sick.

2. Preventative maintenance – Not cleaning your rower can cause your machine to rust, seize up, or break down long before it should

Like any piece of equipment, routine cleaning and maintenance will greatly extend the life of your concept 2 rower, ensuring great workouts for years to come.

How Often Should You Clean Your Concept 2?

Recommended Maintenance Schedule:

Daily (or after every use)	– Wipe down the machine with soapy water or glass cleaner – Wipedown the monorail
Weekly (or after 50hrs of use)
Monthly (or after 250hrs of use)

Cleaning After Each Use

It’s a good idea to wipe down your Concept 2 rower after each use to remove any sweat or dirt. Here’s how to do it:

1. Use a damp cloth to wipe down the entire rower, including the rail, seat, and handles.
2. Wipe down the monitor with a microfiber cloth.

2. Cleaning Every Week or 50hrs

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3. Cleaning Every Month or 250hrs

Monthly routine care and inspection are more involved, of course, and target more components of your rower. The monthly aspect of how to clean a Concept 2 Rower keeps the parts functioning properly and alerts you to any need for repairs.

It’s also important to give your Concept 2 rower a deep clean every once in a while. Here’s how to do it:

1. Remove the seat and rail from the rower.
2. Use a damp cloth to wipe down the entire rower, including the chain and flywheel.
3. Apply lubricant to the chain and rail.
4. Reassemble the rower.

This video from the Concept2 Youtube channel shows exactly how to clean the rower

How To Clean A Concept 2 Rower (5-Step Guide)

1. How To Clean A Concept 2 Rower Chain

Cleaning the chain is a simple matter of wiping it down with a damp cloth, then drying it with a dry one. Drying prevents a chain from becoming rusted.

Since the chain is what powers your rowing machine, it’s rucial to keep it free of dust or oils from your hands. A building-up of bodily oil causes chain slippage. 

On the other hand, oiling the chain with household oil extends the life of the chain and makes it move smoothly. 

To apply Oil to the Chain:

• Don’t use oil that contains W-D 40
• Apply the silicone or household oil to the underside of the chain
• Pull on the handle until the chain goes the length of your machine. Doing so lubricates smaller parts around the chain, such as nuts and bolts, pulley wheels, and so on. As you go, look for loose parts, links, or fraying.
• Tighten the chain and wipe off the excess oil with a cloth.

2. How to Clean A Concept 2 Rower Rail

The roller rail contains a lot of grease on it. This part provides friction for use. Simply dampen a microfiber rag and wipe the rail down, much like the other parts. 

Be sure to wipe the bottom down so that the seat doesn’t start to resist moving when in use.

Tip: Rubbing alcohol works by removing any extra sticky residue or grease.

1. Wipe down the rail with a damp cloth to remove any surface dirt and debris.
2. Apply a small amount of rail lubricant to the cloth.
3. Wipe down the rail with the lubricated cloth, making sure to cover the entire length of the rail.

Inspect the rail for cracks and flaking which will cause further resistance when trying to move within the machine correctly. Depending on how flaking you find, you may need to replace the rail.

3. Cleaning The Flywheel 

If the Flywheel is filled with dust, the dust pushes out the air. This results in your concept 2 rower having changes in the drag during use. When this happens, you’ll need to clean it and create better airflow.

• Loosen the screws around the flywheel housing and then remove them one after another.
• Take off the outer panel, and set it on the side.
• Use your vacuum hose to sweep the area out. 
• Once finished with vacuuming, wipe out with a damp rag to get any remaining dust.
• Replace the outer panel, then screw all the screws back in place.

4. Monitor Maintenance

The monitor shows you the pace you are keeping during your workout. Cleaning is simple, as is checking for routine use issues.

• Wipe the monitor with a mild cleaner or glass cleaner. Spray the cloth, not the machine. Use it to clean off the dust.
• Make sure the cord is plugged all the way in and that it is in good repair. You don’t want to be in the middle of a workout and suddenly lose the visuals of the pace you are keeping, which is very frustrating, to say the least!

 You are done with your cleaning routine but have discovered your rower needs a replacement part. Several choices come to mind for parts.

Concept 2 Rower – FAQ

Q1. Where can I Get Spare Parts?

Any shop that sells rower parts may have them. Additionally, some gyms will sell Concept 2  rower parts. Strictly speaking, however, the best place to order then is from the Concept 2 store. These parts are specifically for the Concept 2 Rower 

Q2. How Do I Perform Preventative Maintenance On My Rower?

To keep your Concept 2 rower in top condition, it’s important to perform preventative maintenance. Here are a few tips:

1. Store your rower in a dry, cool place.
2. Avoid using your rower on uneven surfaces.
3. Check the tightness of bolts and screws regularly.

By following these steps, you can ensure that your Concept 2 rower stays in great condition and provides you with an excellent workout for