Concept2 Forum

Purchased a Skierg a couple months ago when I injured my knee as I can use it sitting down (Which works great BTW!). However, for longer sessions, it starts to really suck holding onto the handles, have people figured how to put regular nordic handles on the machine so I'm pulling against straps instead of testing my grip strength . I'd love to have my nice wide nordic skate straps on those sweaty handles!

fischer70 wrote: ↑

December 18th, 2018, 11:40 am

for longer sessions, it starts to really suck holding onto the handles, have people figured how to put regular nordic handles on the machine so I'm pulling against straps instead of testing my grip strength . I'd love to have my nice wide nordic skate straps on those sweaty handles!

I would like to know this too and what people are using. I changed the handles to using Flexfab 3/4" ID heater hose a couple of months ago, and stopped using the regular ones. In addition to being too slippery, they hurt my hands and I could never get a good grip. I'm considering to try 7/8" or 1" ID hose, but would also like to try regular nordic straps and handles, provided they would work and have a reasonable price.

The old handles had a strap, ask concept2?

The kind and fast-responding Concept2 help desk had a stock answer ready for me. Good Suggestion! Can't seem to attach an image of any size here for some reason, so here's a link to the image: https://ibb.co/Nm1D7nS

I'll likely give this a go tonight.

fischer70 wrote: ↑

December 18th, 2018, 11:40 am

Purchased a Skierg a couple months ago when I injured my knee as I can use it sitting down (Which works great BTW!). However, for longer sessions, it starts to really suck holding onto the handles, have people figured how to put regular nordic handles on the machine so I'm pulling against straps instead of testing my grip strength . I'd love to have my nice wide nordic skate straps on those sweaty handles!

I have skierg extensions that can be used for sit-down workouts. These were purchased from Rogue, right around $15. US. The handles loop through the palm without having to grip, similar to swimming open handed. Most of my workouts are done standing using the standard grips but extensions add some versatility to that. Will be interested in hearing about your loop extensions.

I don't see why there would be an issue with the current handles. Using a normal grip your palms rest nicely on the "shelf". I have no issues with grip no matter how sweaty I get. I can actually have a pretty loose grip on them until the last part of the stroke. IMO straps would just get in the way.

About the only reason real XC skiers have straps is so that they don't drop their poles, not for grip.

I take the prescribed grip to be with fingers wrapped around the "leg" of the green handle in a loose grip, foot of the handle pointing outward, force of the pull taken by the metacarpal (first, hidden bone) of little finger. I use this maybe 50% of the time.

Somewhat less than 50% of the time I shift the grip to the top of the green handle; proximal phalange (second bone) of thumb on top of handle, cord at web of thumb and first finger, foot of green handle pointed outboard, remaining fingers loose and relaxed, force taken by proximal phalange of thumb.

Perhaps 10% of the time I circle the ankle of the green handle with thumb and forefinger, foot of the handle jammed well into the web between thumb and forefinger, force of pull taken by palm of the hand or fleshy mound and metacarpal at base of thumb.

Swapped out the stock handles for an old pair of swix wrist straps and had a very comfortable 10k skierg yesterday. For me at least, it was a significant improvement! The only downside is it makes it harder for my kid to use as the straps are much to large for her, so they just get in her way. So, if it's a shared use erg, this may not be so great. Either way, the switch was easy, but I recommend a helper to hold the cord for you while you remove and replace the handle. Thanks to Concept2 for the directions. I heartily recommend the swap out for anyone who is doing longer workouts!

I too shifted my fingers around on the handles as I skied. I would tend to slip my pinky off the shelf and rest on my ring finger for a couple minutes occasionally as my pinkie sometimes starts to feel a bit smashed. That definitely helped some, but knowing that my ski straps are comfortable for hours made me decide to try to go to that.

@kini62 As far as "real skiers", as a "real skier" you're a bit mistaken on the use of the straps. It's actually quite reversed, almost all of the force is born by the strap and the handle is little more than a guide to control the pole on the swing. You open the hands and release the pole at the end of the stroke. To be fair, my muscle memory wanting to release at the back of the stroke maybe why I tended to slip a bit more than you!

For posterity, I used a X-fit strap on a cork grip. Links for anyone curious:

strap:
https://www.swixsport.us/shop2/Poles/No ... -3.0-Large

handle:
https://www.swixsport.us/shop2/Poles/No ... than-16-mm

These handle hooks hold the handles at pm5 height for easier access, which is where I keep them when not skiing.

fischer70 wrote: ↑

January 2nd, 2019, 5:29 pm

Swapped out the stock handles for an old pair of swix wrist straps and had a very comfortable 10k skierg yesterday. For me at least, it was a significant improvement! The only downside is it makes it harder for my kid to use as the straps are much to large for her, so they just get in her way. So, if it's a shared use erg, this may not be so great. Either way, the switch was easy, but I recommend a helper to hold the cord for you while you remove and replace the handle. Thanks to Concept2 for the directions. I heartily recommend the swap out for anyone who is doing longer workouts!

You do not have to use the screws in the handles, which makes them much easier to change.
I can change mine in two minutes, but don't bother anymore, because the flexible heater hose is much more comfortable.

However, I definitely want to get a pair of Nordic wrist straps and handles and use those.
Besides working well, they need to be a reasonable price (less than those posted), and light enough to use in the summers.

Handle hooks for the win! Those are great, hadn't seen those. The XC straps are offensively expensive purchased separately, I just have a closet full of old ski poles that I could pull a pair off of. FYI, they aren't hot at all, I use the same for roller skiing in the summer without any problems, so that's not an issue. I got up to 15k last week (trying to work up to a 1/2) and it's much more enjoyable for me than the stock handles. Happy Erging!

https://www.rollerskishop.com/swix-pro-fit-3d-strap-xl/

Straps for the win! I ordered the handle hooks today. I will probably order some cork handles next.

RayOfSunshine wrote: ↑

March 26th, 2019, 6:14 am

Straps for the win! I ordered the handle hooks today. I will probably order some cork handles next.

Good for you, Ray! I'll be interested to see how you like them.
I've been wanting to order the straps and cork handles, but haven't been sure of which ones to get. I've been using 7/8" ID flexfab heater hose in the meantime, cut to 5 1/2" lengths. They're1.25" diameter on the outside, about double the yellowish "green" ones, and multitudes better. I never use the yellow green handles anymore.

Handle hooks are SOOO nice.

RayOfSunshine wrote: ↑

April 2nd, 2019, 2:30 pm

Handle hooks are SOOO nice.

Yes, indeed. They're constantly in use on my Skierg.