# Concept2 Rowing Machines: Dick and Peter Dreissigacker

- Show: [How I Built This](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this)
- Published: 2024-05-27
- Length: 1h 00m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2024-05-27-concept2-rowing-machines-dick-and-peter-dreissigacker

## Summary

Brothers Dick and Peter Dreissigacker, former Olympic-level rowers and Stanford engineering graduates, founded Concept2 in a Vermont barn to design and manufacture lightweight carbon fiber rowing oars. They later pivoted to building stationary indoor rowing machines using bicycle parts and air resistance, initially targeting competitive rowers before finding massive success when CrossFit founder Greg Glassman adopted the equipment for his gyms. The company remains privately held, profitable, and assembled in Vermont, maintaining a minimalist hardware philosophy by avoiding built-in entertainment screens in favor of open data integration for third-party apps.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2024-05-27-concept2-rowing-machines-dick-and-peter-dreissigacker#t=0) Introduction: Dick and Peter Dreissigacker and Concept2
- [4:22](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2024-05-27-concept2-rowing-machines-dick-and-peter-dreissigacker#t=262) Olympic Rowing Background and Engineering Education
- [11:42](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2024-05-27-concept2-rowing-machines-dick-and-peter-dreissigacker#t=702) Founding Concept2 and Manufacturing Carbon Fiber Oars
- [29:59](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2024-05-27-concept2-rowing-machines-dick-and-peter-dreissigacker#t=1799) Developing the First Indoor Rowing Machine Prototype
- [35:32](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2024-05-27-concept2-rowing-machines-dick-and-peter-dreissigacker#t=2132) Early Sales, Manufacturing in Vermont, and Market Challenges
- [40:24](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2024-05-27-concept2-rowing-machines-dick-and-peter-dreissigacker#t=2424) Failed Health Club Expansion and the Rise of Spinning
- [46:26](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2024-05-27-concept2-rowing-machines-dick-and-peter-dreissigacker#t=2786) CrossFit Adoption and Mainstream Growth
- [51:15](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2024-05-27-concept2-rowing-machines-dick-and-peter-dreissigacker#t=3075) Product Philosophy, Open Data, and Company Legacy

## Topics

- [Starting a product company](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/starting-a-company)
- [Prototyping & iteration](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/prototyping)
- [Manufacturing partners & offshoring](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/manufacturing-partners)
- [Direct-to-consumer & e-commerce](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/direct-to-consumer)
- [Pricing, margins & unit economics](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/pricing-and-unit-economics)
- [Growth, exits & acquisitions](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/growth-exits-and-acquisitions)

## Most relevant to

founders before launch, companies scaling up

## Mentioned

- Concept2 (company)
- CrossFit (company)
- Greg Glassman (other)
- North Face (company)
- Yale (company)
- Harvard (company)
- Peloton (company)
- Strava (company)
- Stairmaster (product)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [#019 - Chairless chair, with Keith Gunura of noonee, Switzerland](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-hardware-entrepreneur/2017-03-29-019-chairless-chair-with-keith-gunura-of-noonee-switzerland) (The Hardware Entrepreneur)
- [T-24-005 : Kaleen Canevari - Mechanical Engineer to Connected Fitness CEO](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/tradeoffs/2024-12-11-t-24-005-kaleen-canevari-mechanical-engineer-to-connected-fitness-ceo) (TRADEOFFS)
- [#054 - Kickstarter Pre-launch - a home gym challenges the "No pain No gain" crowd, with Joey Atlas of SCULPTAFIT Global, USA](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-hardware-entrepreneur/2018-05-09-054-kickstarter-pre-launch-a-home-gym-challenges-the-no-pain-no-gain-crowd-with) (The Hardware Entrepreneur)
- [S6E28 Paul Vizzio | Engineering Naval Submarines, Pet Products, & Elite Sports Training Machines](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2025-07-11-s6e28-paul-vizzio-engineering-naval-submarines-pet-products-elite-sports-trainin) (Being an Engineer)
- [382: Shmorts and shmeels](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/making-it/2022-12-23-382-shmorts-and-shmeels) (Making It)

## Citing this page

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