When four people started building carbon-fiber oars in a Vermont dairy barn back in 1976, they could hardly have imagined that their venture would, half a century later, become the gold standard in indoor fitness. That is precisely the milestone Concept2 reaches this week.
Concept2 employees celebrating 50 years at the Concept2 50 Global Summit.
Concept2 RowErgs in action as athletes tackle the grueling demands of a HYROX fitness racing event.
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Founded in 1976 in a Vermont barn, Concept2 celebrates 50 years of making equipment trusted by athletes, fitness facilities and everyday users around the world.
MORRISVILLE, VT, UNITED STATES, November 5, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ — On November 6, Concept2® will officially celebrate its 50th anniversary. The company’s roots trace back to a dairy barn in northern Vermont, but its reach has expanded into a global enterprise recognized for both rowing oars and indoor fitness machines. Over five decades, the brand has balanced thoughtful innovation with rugged, high-performance products, all while nurturing an international community bound by a passion for fitness, performance, and lifelong movement.
The company was founded by Dick Dreissigacker, Peter Dreissigacker, Bari Dreissigacker, and later Judy Geer. They started by shaking up competitive rowing with the world’s first carbon-fiber oars. That pioneering drive eventually produced the Concept2 RowErg®, widely considered the gold standard in indoor rowing, and later expanded the lineup to include the SkiErg®, BikeErg®, and most recently, the StrengthErg®, which debuted in 2025.
Today, Concept2 equipment is relied upon by elite athletes, training centers, fitness competitions, military units, first responders, and fitness enthusiasts across the globe. Its machines are a common sight in schools, commercial gyms, rowing clubs, CrossFit boxes, HYROX events, and countless home workout spaces.
“At its core, Concept2 has always been about community,” says Co-Founder Judy Geer. “The people who use our products and believe in what we do are the reason we’re here 50 years later.”
Throughout 2026, Concept2 has marked its 50th anniversary by celebrating that very community. Anniversary initiatives have included a dedicated digital hub at concept2.com/1976, the What Moves You? user-generated content campaign, and the Concept2 50th Challenge, which takes place on November 6. These programs are designed to honor the people behind the meters, miles, workouts, and personal records, giving them a platform to share their stories and get involved.
The milestone arrives amid continued growth and fresh innovation. Concept2 recently added the StrengthErg to its product family, and its equipment plays a central role in diverse fitness settings, including HYROX and the upcoming World Rowing Indoor Championships. In 2025, the company established the Concept2 Perpetual Purpose Trust, a move intended to ensure long-term stewardship and preserve the company’s mission and values for future generations.
Performance Starts Here, Since 1976.
About Concept2
Founded in 1976 and headquartered in Morrisville, Vermont, Concept2 designs and manufactures performance driven rowing oars and indoor training equipment for rowing, skiing, cycling, and strength. Trusted by elite athletes, fitness professionals and everyday users around the world, Concept2 is known for its uncompromising durability, precision engineering and exceptional customer support. With a commitment to long term stewardship through its Perpetual Purpose Trust, Concept2 builds products and relationships designed to last. Learn more at concept2.com or follow us @concept2inc on Facebook and Instagram.
Media Inquiries and Interviews
Concept2 welcomes media inquiries and interview requests in recognition of its 50th anniversary. Interviews with company leadership and other appropriate spokespeople can be arranged upon request.
Sheila Wailonis
Concept2
sheilaw@concept2.com
Why it matters: Concept2’s 50-year run is a rare story of endurance in a fitness industry often defined by fleeting trends. By establishing a Perpetual Purpose Trust and continuing to expand its product line, the company is signaling that it intends to be a fixture for the next half-century, not just a nostalgic footnote.
