Concept2 marks 50 years with anniversary campaign and new gear

Concept2 will celebrate its 50th anniversary on Nov. 6, highlighting five decades of rowing and indoor training equipment built in Vermont. The milestone comes as the company expands its lineup, launches anniversary programs and leans into long-term stewardship through a purpose trust.

Why it matters: - Concept2 has spent 50 years building products used by elite athletes, fitness facilities, military units, first responders and everyday users. - The company’s anniversary underscores how a Vermont-born brand became a global fixture in rowing and indoor fitness. - The milestone also comes as Concept2 emphasizes long-term stewardship through its Perpetual Purpose Trust.

What happened: - Concept2 will celebrate its 50th anniversary on Nov. 6. - The company was founded in 1976 in a dairy barn in northern Vermont. - Founders included Dick Dreissigacker, Peter Dreissigacker, Bari Dreissigacker and later Judy Geer. - Concept2 said its anniversary year includes a dedicated digital experience at concept2.com/1976, the What Moves You? user-generated content campaign and the Concept2 50th Challenge on Nov. 6.

The details: - Concept2 first changed competitive rowing with the world’s first carbon-fiber oars. - The product line later expanded to the Concept2 RowErg, SkiErg, BikeErg and StrengthErg. - The StrengthErg was introduced in 2025. - Concept2 equipment is used in schools, gyms, rowing clubs, CrossFit boxes, HYROX events and homes around the world. - The company says its equipment is trusted by athletes and training facilities across multiple disciplines. - Concept2 also says its products are known for durability, precision engineering and customer support. - The company is headquartered in Morrisville, Vermont. - Concept2 designs and manufactures rowing oars and indoor training equipment for rowing, skiing, cycling and strength.

Between the lines: - The anniversary messaging ties the brand’s history to its current product strategy and community focus. - The company is framing the 50-year mark as both a celebration and a signal that its purpose and ownership structure are meant to outlast individual product cycles. - Judy Geer said the community of users has been central to Concept2’s survival and growth over five decades.

What's next: - Concept2’s 50th Challenge is set for Nov. 6. - The company says it will continue anniversary activities through its 2026 campaign. - Concept2 is positioning the StrengthErg and its presence in events like HYROX and the upcoming World Rowing Indoor Championships as part of its next phase. - The Perpetual Purpose Trust is intended to preserve the company’s purpose and values for the future.

The bottom line: - Concept2 is using its 50th anniversary to reinforce a simple message: the company’s growth, community and product reputation are all built on long-term durability.