Does Unserviced Concept 2 Machine Affect Calories and Meters?

Concept2 machines are known for their consistency and reliability, which is why they’re trusted in gyms, competitions, and training centres around the world. But when a machine hasn’t been serviced in a while, many athletes notice something feels off, workouts feel harder, calories accumulate more slowly, or meters don’t seem to add up as fast.

So, can a poorly maintained Concept2 machine affect both calories and meters?

The short answer: yes indirectly and almost always in a way that makes both harder to earn, not easier.

How Concept 2 Calculates Calories and Meters

Concept2 machines do not directly measure distance or calories. Instead, everything starts with flywheel speed.

Here’s the simplified process:

• Your effort accelerates the flywheel

• The monitor measures how quickly the flywheel slows down between strokes

• From that deceleration, the monitor calculates power (watts)

• Power is converted into:

• Calories

• Pace (split time per 500 meters)

• Pace is then used to accumulate meters

Because both calories and meters come from the same flywheel data, anything that affects how accurately the flywheel spins or how efficiently your effort reaches it can influence both metrics.

How Lack of Servicing Can Affect Calories and Meters

1. Dirty Flywheel Housing

Dust and debris build up inside the flywheel cage over time.

What happens:

• Increased internal air resistance

• Flywheel decelerates faster than expected

• Monitor reads lower flywheel speed and power

Impact:

• Calories accumulate more slowly

• Pace appears slower

• Meters take longer to add up

You’re doing more work, but the machine isn’t showing it.

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2. Dry or Worn Chain

A chain that hasn’t been cleaned or oiled introduces unnecessary friction.

What happens:

• Some of your effort is lost before reaching the flywheel

• Less flywheel acceleration is detected

Impact:

• Lower displayed watts

• Slower split times

• Reduced calorie and meter accumulation

3. Damper Lever vs. Drag Factor Confusion

The damper lever does not control resistance drag factor does.

On unserviced machines:

• Dust buildup can significantly change the drag factor

• The damper lever may feel heavier or lighter than expected

• Athletes fatigue more quickly

Impact:

• You struggle to maintain flywheel speed

• Calories and meters accumulate more slowly, even though calculations remain mathematically correct

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4. Sensor Issues (Rare but Possible)

In heavily neglected machines, the flywheel sensor may become dirty or misaligned.

What happens:

• Flywheel speed is read inconsistently

• Power and pace calculations become unreliable

This is uncommon, but it can directly affect both meters and calories if it occurs

What an Unserviced Concept2 Does Not Do

• It does not inflate distance or calories

• Performance PM5 monitors do not drift over time

• Two properly functioning machines producing the same power will always display the same meters and calories

• The math behind the monitor does not change as the machine ages

If something feels “off,” it’s almost always mechanical, not computational.

The Real-World Takeaway

A poorly maintained Concept2 machine almost always:

• Makes meters harder to earn

• Makes calories feel more expensive

• Causes workouts to feel heavier or less responsive

Performance usually declines before the monitor becomes inaccurate.

In short: an unserviced machine punishes effort — it doesn’t reward it.

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How to Verify the Issue

If calories or meters feel unusually slow:

Check Drag Factor

• Monitor → More Options → Display Drag Factor

• Typical rowing range: Place the Damper at 10 and range should be between 200 – 214. New C2 Equipment 220 +

Compare Machines

• Row the same workout on a well-maintained Concept2 if possible

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Final Thoughts

Concept2 machines are built for consistency, but they still require basic maintenance. When servicing is neglected, both calories and meters become harder to earn not because the math is wrong, but because the machine can no longer accurately translate your effort into flywheel speed.

Regular preventative maintenance and upkeep don’t just extend the life of the machine they preserve the integrity of your training.