Rogue Launches Air Rhino to Take On the Concept2 StrengthErg

Rogue enters the plate-free strength market with a direct shot at Concept2

Rogue Fitness has launched the Air Rhino in the UK, a flywheel-based strength trainer that uses air resistance rather than plates or weight stacks, and which the company says has been eight years in the making. The machine appeared on Rogue's UK site at £1,152 with the Rogue X social account announcing availability around 3 July 2026. UK fitness media coverage followed, with Boxrox publishing an editorial article on 15 July 2026.

The arrival of the Air Rhino puts Rogue in direct competition with the Concept2 StrengthErg — the machine that has largely defined plate-free, adaptive-resistance strength training since its own launch. The StrengthErg is listed by UK retailer North Sports at £1,749 with the PM5 monitor. The Air Rhino, at £1,152, is therefore approximately £597 cheaper at launch.

What the Air Rhino actually is

Rogue describes the Air Rhino as "eight years in the making and born as a fusion of the Rogue Rhino and the flywheel from our Echo machines." The company says it was originally conceived in 2018, evolving through multiple design concepts before arriving at a final configuration based on the Rogue Rhino Belt Squat, with a flywheel derived from the Rogue Echo Rower and Echo SKI.

The core principle is velocity-dependent resistance: the harder and faster a user pulls, the greater the resistance the machine generates. There is no eccentric load — meaning resistance only acts on the way up, not on the way down — which Rogue says eliminates the stretch reflex and forces genuine explosive power from a dead stop. The company also notes that the absence of eccentric loading significantly reduces muscle soreness, making more frequent training and injury rehabilitation practical.

A dedicated Rhino Mode increases resistance by up to three times. According to Rogue's official posts, standard mode delivers a maximum potential resistance of around 400 lbs; with Rhino Mode engaged, that figure rises to approximately 1,200 lbs. The flywheel is described as precision-engineered and low-inertia, slowing significantly after each rep to eliminate stored momentum between pulls.

Specifications at a glance

• Monitor: 4.7-inch LCD console (the M2 Monitor) with Bluetooth and ANT+ connectivity; self-powered, no mains socket required; two D-cell batteries included for backup
• Data: Real-time readouts of force, velocity, cadence and reps; built-in memory logs previous workouts automatically
• App: Pairs with the Rogue App for workout syncing and performance tracking; also compatible with Garmin, Suunto and ANT+/Bluetooth heart rate monitors
• Movements: Belt squats, deadlifts, upright rows, curls, presses, seated rows and more
• Construction: Heavy-duty metal frame, aluminium structural components, steel base; textured black powder coat finish; oversized turf wheels for repositioning
• Deck height: 7.2 inches (18 cm) from the ground
• Shipping weight: Two boxes totalling approximately 171 lbs
• Warranty: Five years on the frame; two years on moving parts and monitor

Competition use and XENOM mode

Rogue unveiled the Air Rhino publicly at its first XENOM™ event, where the machine is the official equipment for Event 007 — the 5RM Rhino Pull. XENOM is described by Rogue as a stadium-scale, two-day competition of ten events measuring total human performance through a standardised points-based scoring system, and is trademarked as the Decathlon of Fitness™.

The Air Rhino includes a dedicated XENOM mode that replicates official competition settings. Athletes set the damper to maximum, engage Rhino Mode, and select XENOM on the monitor; once the first pull begins, they have 30 seconds to complete five deadlift reps, mirroring the competition format.

Rack mounting and future accessories

The Air Rhino can be used as a standalone unit or mounted within an existing rack. A rack mount kit, described by Rogue as "available soon," will allow anchoring into a Monster or Monster Lite power rack to add air and magnetic resistance to pull-ups and other traditional bodyweight movements.

How it stacks up against the Concept2 StrengthErg

Both machines rely on air-resistance flywheel technology and deliver concentric-only loading without plates or a barbell. The headline difference is price: £1,152 versus £1,749. The Air Rhino is notably heavier — approximately 171 lbs across two boxes compared with the StrengthErg's 90 lbs — and its footprint on the UK listing page is not confirmed in centimetres, whereas the StrengthErg measures a compact 154 cm by 66 cm.

Discussion on Concept2's own community forums has noted the comparison directly. One forum poster summarised early impressions as: "way heavier; marginally cheaper; claims to emulate PM stats; adopted by some Crossfitters."

It is worth noting that Rogue already stocks the Concept2 StrengthErg on its own US site, meaning it now sells a direct competitor alongside its own new product — a pattern it has followed before with the Echo Rower and Echo SKI, both widely regarded as lower-cost alternatives to Concept2's RowErg and SkiErg.

The Air Rhino is listed on roguefitness.com/gb at £1,152. Writers and buyers should verify the current price directly with Rogue at point of purchase, as the brief notes a secondary listing at £960 in one accessories sub-category on the same site.