Vulcan Scull Rower Review (2024): We Tested This Concept2 Lookalike 

You may be landing on this Vulcan Scull Rower review because it’s often compared to the Concept2 RowErg, which is considered one of the best rowing machines on the market. And we should know; we’ve tested more than 20 rowing machines—everything from high-quality and interactive rowers to budget home gym rowers. 

In our in-depth Vulcan rower review, we’re going to provide insights into our hands-on rowing experience and let you know if this Concept2 imitation is worth the investment. 

Fitness Pros At Your Service 

Before we dive into the details, let’s establish who we are and what we do: Garage Gym Reviews is staffed with expert product testers who double as fitness industry professionals. Our team ranges from certified personal trainers to Olympic-level athletes. 

For this Vulcan Scull Rower review our resident cardio expert, Lindsay Scheele, put the rowing machine to the test. Lindsay is our lead reviewer for Garage Gyms Reviews Everything and an ISSA-certified personal trainer. To ensure our testing process is fair, Lindsay uses our detailed fitness equipment testing methodology to score eight different categories on a scale of 1 to 5, including, but not limited to, price point, durability, ergonomics, customizations, and customer experience. 

Vulcan Scull Rower

Vulcan Scull Rower

GGR Score: 4

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Product Highlights

• Air rowing machine
• Solid 47” monorail 
• 350-lb weight capacity
• Simple console
• Tracks variety of metrics
• 8 built-in programs

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Adjustable foot straps
• Heart rate chest monitor is included
• Lifetime frame warranty
• Free shipping

Cons

• Basic LCD display
• Large footprint
• Fairly expensive

Bottom Line

The Vulcan Scull Rower provides home gym owners with an easy-to-use rowing erg with the ability to track workout metrics like stroke, time, distance, calories, pulse, paddle width, cycle, and watts. The console is a simple LCD screen and offers eight built-in programs including quick start, game, distance, time, calories, and three different interval programs.

A Quick Look at the Vulcan Scull Rower

Vulcan Strength Training Systems has a wide variety of exercise equipment and some of the best home gym equipment you can find for the price. The brand manufactures everything you need for weightlifting including power racks, barbells, bumper plates, and dumbbells. 

You’ll also find Vulcan-branded cardio equipment—like the Vulcan Thrasher Air Bike—in addition to Concept2 equipment available on the website. 

Before You Buy

• The Vulcan rower is backed with a lifetime warranty on the frame. 
• The monitor that comes with the Vulcan Scull rower is a basic LCD monitor and may leave much to be desired. 
• For an additional $60, you can upgrade to a monitor with Bluetooth so you have connectivity options for apps and devices. 

Vulcan Scull Rower Full Video Review

Is the Vulcan Scull Rower Worth It?

We’ve reviewed and hand-picked some of the best budget rowing machines on the market with price tags starting around $1,000—which we know is still a hefty chunk of change. However, in the rowing machine market, there are some heavy-hitter luxury options like the American-made Ergatta Rower, which will cost you about $2,500. 

Regardless, our testers agree the Vulcan Scull rower offers a fair price at $850 (and often goes on sale). While it’s a super sturdy machine with a lifetime frame warranty, the price tag and offerings are super similar to the Concept2, which is the gold standard air rower for CrossFit, Olympic athletes, and home gym owners alike. That said, the Vulcan still earns a 4-out-of-5-star rating when it comes to price and overall value. 

RELATED: Does Rowing Build Muscle?

Vulcan Scull Rower Specs

Workout Experience With Vulcan Scull Rower

GGR expert tester Lindsay performed several rowing workouts on the Vulcan before giving her full review. She completed several long endurance sessions, short sprints, and a handful of HIIT rowing workouts. 

Although we make quite a few comparisons to the Concept2 RowErg in this review, Lindsay says, “I actually really love this rower.”

“There are some things I think the Vulcan does really well and a couple things that just don’t compete with the Concept2—however my overall experience on this rower is great,” she adds. 

Footprint and Portability

The Vulcan Scull rower earns a 4.5 out of 5 stars for footprint and portability. At about 100 pounds it’s not the lightest rowing machine we’ve tested, but our tester Lindsay says it’s not the heaviest either. She reports it’s fairly easy to move and shouldn’t be a problem for most home gym owners. 

“In comparison, most of the magnetic and water rowers we’ve tested are heavier than the Vulcan Scull,” says Lindsay. Plus, it has transportation wheels and can be stored upright. 

For upright storage, keep in mind it’s 94 inches long (almost 8 feet) and 25 inches wide. The seat height is 15 inches off the ground. 

RELATED: Best Magnetic Rowing Machine

Durability and Construction

The Vulcan Scull Rower earns a 4-out-of-5-star rating with a sturdy, locked-to-the-ground feel and quality steel and aluminum construction. As mentioned above, it’s about 100 pounds, which helps this machine stay stable even during high-intensity interval training. 

Our tester Lindsay says, “I didn’t experience any shaking or rocking, even when I had the resistance damper turned all the way up to level nine.” 

It also has a 350-pound user weight capacity, which we find to be more than the industry standard but not quite as much as the Concept2 (with a 500-pound weight limit). 

The Vulcan features a chain drive system, which in general is pretty durable but may require more maintenance (like occasional lubrication) than a belt drive system. Lindsay also notes the chain drive felt very taught. “The chain sort of pulls you back to the console quickly, but I think it will loosen up over time,” she says. 

RELATED: Rowing Workouts for Beginners 

Customizations, Adjustability, and Ergonomics

When it comes to comfort during the rowing experience, Lindsay appreciates a high-quality handle, adjustable footplates, and cushioned seat. Lindsay says the Vulcan checks all three boxes when it comes to comfort features and scores this category 4.5 out of 5 stars. 

The seat was firm but comfortable, the footplates were not set too narrow and offered adjustability, and the handle offered a slightly smaller diameter than most rowers (which Lindsay liked, but we know not all folks will). 

And speaking of the rower’s seat, it’s rather roomy, measuring 10 inches long and 12 inches wide. Plus, it’s 15 inches off the ground which makes it so you don’t have to squat ass-to-grass to get on the rower. The Vulcan also has a 47-inch-long monorail, which will accommodate a wide range of users, but the brand doesn’t offer specifics for inseam length or maximum user height. For reference, Lindsay at 5 feet and 4 inches was totally fine, and another GGR tester who is 6 feet tall didn’t max out the monorail. 

When it comes to customizations, the main factor we’re looking for is an adjustable resistance. Lindsay gives the Vulcan 4 out of 5 stars because it has an easy-to-use manual damper to manipulate how much air intake you’ll use while you row. This feature helps adjust the difficulty level to accommodate everyone in your home and all styles of training. 

RELATED: How to Use a Rowing Machine

Technology and Conveniences

The Vulcan Scull Rower comes with a no-frills LCD screen. While our tester Lindsay wasn’t too impressed with the basic display, she appreciates the fact your purchase will come with a chest strap heart rate monitor. 

Overall, the Vulcan rower didn’t score very high in this category—Lindsay gives it a 1-star rating in the tech department—but we thought it would be a good idea to outline the workout metrics you will be able to view on the basic display: 

• Stroke rate: Stroke (row) per minute
• Stroke: Total number of strokes
• Time: Workout time accumulated from 00:00 to 99:59
• Distance: Workout distance accumulated from 0 to 9,999 meters
• Calories: Accumulated calories from 0 to 999
• Pulse: If you’re wearing the included heart rate monitor chest strap, heart rate can be displayed between 40 to 220 bpm
• Paddle width: The distance between each stroke can reach from 0 to 99 meters
• Watts: Power generated from 0 to 999 watts

For an additional $60 you can buy a V2.0 monitor with Bluetooth capabilities so you can connect to the best rowing apps, but it does not come with the standard purchase. 

Vulcan Scull Rower vs Concept2 Rower

Concept2 RowErg

Concept2 RowErg

GGR Score: 3.9

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Product Highlights

• Priced around $1,000
• Uses air resistance generated by the fanned flywheel
• Advanced PM5 Performance Monitor
• Low impact full-body workout fitness machine
• Lightweight and easily portable
• Can be broken down into two pieces for storage
• Can also be hung for storage

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Best-selling rowing machine in the world
• Easy assembly
• Accommodates users up to 6.6 feet tall and 500-pound weight
• Ergonomic seat and handlebar
• Seat is 14”
• 10-degree angle on handle for natural grip
• Air-resistance
• Adjustable airflow
• Performance Monitor 5 (PM5) monitor
• Nickel-plated steel chain
• Adjustable footrests
• Easy to store
• Limited 5-year warranty

Cons

• Priced around $1,000
• Few built-in workouts

Bottom Line

The Concept 2 Model D Rower is the best rowing machine we've tested and reviewed, including those that are much more expensive like the WaterRower. There's a reason you can find Concept 2 products in nearly every gym in the world, including CrossFit Boxes, and home gyms. After having the Model D for over two years, we are still as satisfied with it as we were on day one.

We’ve made a ton of mentions of the Concept2 rowing machine in this review and it’s because these machines are remarkably similar. Both rowers have manual adjustable air dampers for resistance and are practically the same size. The Vulcan Scull offers a lower price point, but only by $140. 

The main difference between these two machines is the user weight capacity, monorail length, and display. The Concept2 has an impressive 500-pound user weight capacity and a simple display, but it can connect to your personal device via ANT+ or Bluetooth connection. 

The top benefit we see in this comparison is the lifetime frame warranty on the Vulcan, but that said, the Concept2 website offers replacement parts for nearly every component on the RowErg. We have a lot more to say about the classic rower in our Concept2 RowErg review. 

Customer Experience 

The Vulcan Scull comes standard with a lifetime warranty policy on the frame, two months on moving parts, and 90 days on soft parts like foot straps. To contact the company for warranty claims (or anything related to your order) you will have to use the general inquiry form on the Vulcan website or call the number listed at the bottom of the website (877-986-4313). 

Additionally, the brand offers a standard 30-day return policy if you obtain a return authorization number. You’ll want to hold on to the original packaging in case you want to make a return and plan to cover the shipping fees to send it back. The website also notes there is a 20% restocking fee if you’re not making an exchange. 

It’s also worth noting that you will be able to finance equipment, but your only option is through PayPal Pay Later. At the time of writing this review, the Vulcan Scull Rower was out of stock but there was an email sign-up to get notified when it comes back in stock. 

Customer Reviews

On the Vulcan website, the rowing machine has a 4.8 out of 5 average rating from customers, with very few negative comments. There are many customers who compare the Vulcan Scull to the Concept2, and state they are happy with their purchase and decision to go with Vulcan. 

Final Verdict of Our Vulcan Scull Rower Review

The Vulcan Scull Rower is a solid choice if you’re looking to add more conditioning to your routine and want a solid, well-built machine. The air damper with nine different settings makes the rower more comfortable and usable for a variety of users, which we think is ideal for home gym owners. Plus, with a no-frill machine like the Vulcan rower, you’ll have less technology and components to maintain and worry about. It’s an excellent machine if you just want to hop on and row. 

Full Rating

Vulcan Scull Rower

The Vulcan Scull Rower provides home gym owners with an easy-to-use rowing erg with the ability to track workout metrics like stroke, time, distance, calories, pulse, paddle width, cycle, and watts. The console is a simple LCD screen and offers eight built-in programs including quick start, game, distance, time, calories, and three different interval programs.

Product Currency: $

Product Price: 849.99

Product In-Stock: InStock

Editor's Rating:
4

Vulcan Scull Rower: FAQs

Lauren Strong, CPT

Lauren is an NSCA-Certified Personal Trainer working with clients of all ages and skill levels. She specializes in coaching the squat, bench, and deadlift and enjoys introducing beginners to barbell training. Before becoming certified, she worked in marketing roles after graduating from the University of Maine with a BA in Journalism. Writing for Garage Gym Reviews blends her two passions: writing and lifting. Lauren spends her leisure time in the kitchen, reading fiction, and taking nature walks. She's also an avid downhill skier, learning how to ski when she was just two years old. She lives in Maine with her husband and two cats.

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