RowErg sitting on SkiErg floor stand ?

[HornetMaX]

Hi all,

I'm pondering adding a SkiErg to my RowErg (short legs) but I'm a bit short on floorspace.

I can't wall-mount the SkiErg so I need its floor stand. I'm wondering if it is possible to put the back "legs" of the RowErg on the SkiErg platform, just in front of the flywheel.

I'd say that having the RowErg "tail" in between your feet when you use the SkiErg is not a problem. The SkiErg floor stand seems to have rubber feet under it, so maybe just a matter to add a few more of them (same thickness) to better support the weight of the RowErg (+mine) ?

Thoughts ?

MaX.

[gvcormac]

I read your post a couple of times, but I'm afraid I don't understand what you're proposing to do. Can you explain further, perhaps with a diagram?

[HornetMaX]

I read your post a couple of times, but I'm afraid I don't understand what you're proposing to do. Can you explain further, perhaps with a diagram?

A picture, worth a thousand words ?

Something like the below. Or the other way around (RowErg front leg sitting on the SkiErg floor stand), but it looks more problematic.

[winniewinser]

Would work but the rower may feel unbalanced and the rear would be a touch higher (rowing uphill). The width of the front supports are pretty much the same as the width of the floor support for the Skierg so may be tricker to get onto the floor support.

Can you not just store the rower in pieces or upright when not in use?

[JaapvanE]

A rowerg expects a level floor, so you might need something to compensate for that. And wouldn't your arms hit the rail of the skierg?

[HornetMaX]

Would work but the rower may feel unbalanced and the rear would be a touch higher (rowing uphill). The width of the front supports are pretty much the same as the width of the floor support for the Skierg so may be tricker to get onto the floor support.

Can you not just store the rower in pieces or upright when not in use?

A rowerg expects a level floor, so you might need something to compensate for that. And wouldn't your arms hit the rail of the skierg?

Yes, I would need to put something under the RowErg front (or rear, depending on what sits on the SkiErg floor stand) to keep it level. But that's easy, really not a problem.

The goal would be to position the 2 machines like that and use them like that, without moving them at all.

At the moment the back of my rower is sitting between a dips/pull-ups station and I have enough clearance for my arms/elbows when rowing + enough clearance to use the pull-ups station, without moving stuff around at all.

But yeah, with the SkiErg arms clearance (when rowing) may be a problem: that's why one may envisage to put the front of the rower on the SkiErg instead of its back. But then it's less sure you can use the SkiErg comfortably.

[gvcormac]

I'm not sure of the configuration of your room, but I'd be inclined to stand the rower upright on the SkiErg stand, and pull it down when you row or ski.

You may have physical clearance to use them as configured (nice picture!), but I think that having the SkiErg supports that close to your shoulders/elbows, and that straddling the RowErg when skiing, would be disconcerting. Can you make another picture of what I'm suggesting?

For your configuration, it should not be a problem to use chocks to raise the front of the RowErg. Just make sure they have a rubberized surface so the Rower doesn't walk. Also, put something protective between the back feet and the SkiErg platform, so it doesn't wear.

[HornetMaX]

I'm not sure of the configuration of your room, but I'd be inclined to stand the rower upright on the SkiErg stand, and pull it down when you row or ski.

Storage is not my problem. My problem is that when I want to row, I won't have any other place where to put the rower except as in the drawing.
Moving stuff around is a pain: I could move the RowErg away when I want to use the SkiErg, but moving the SkiErg away when I want to use the RowErg would be really annoying (due to cramped space around them).

You may have physical clearance to use them as configured (nice picture!), but I think that having the SkiErg supports that close to your shoulders/elbows, and that straddling the RowErg when skiing, would be disconcerting. Can you make another picture of what I'm suggesting?

Straddling the RowErg tail when skiing doesn't seem a problem to me, you just have your feet left and right of it (rail end).

But yeah, the SkiErg U-bar clearance for elbows (when rowing) is something I can't be sure. Width is surely not enough (can't row with the elbows inside the U-bar at the end of the drive) but I suspect my elbows will be above or before the U-bar at the end of the drive, eventually moving the RowEreg a bit away from the SkiErg flywheel. It also helps I'm not that tall (so my RowErg seat doesn't travel a lot towards the end of the slide)

Anybody with the two machines (rowerg and skierg) willing to give it a try ?

[gvcormac]

I have both but I'm not able to move stuff around enough to do a test. In any event, it depends on how much distance you have between the back of the rower and the front of the end.

If you have enough ceiling height, you can tip the rower on end when you ski, which I think would be more pleasant than straddling. One of the advantages of the ski is that you can move your feet around a bit, unlike the rower.

I'm not sure that the slope from having the rear of the rower elevated is a big deal, but it is easy enough to put the front of the rower on something of similar height. Maybe a slab -- or two pieces -- of wood.

[HornetMaX]

Yeah, at any rate if the RowErg's tail bothers me while skiing, I can always separate it and move it away while using the SkiErg.

Anyway, I'm almost sold on the idea, just need to find a decent price for a second-hand SkiErg: prices of new here in Europe are scary at the moment.

[winniewinser]

Dunno if you've skierg'ed before but if you're anything like me you will sweat a lot when using it......that could make for a very damp rower if it's on the Skierg stand. Just a thought and not a showstopper.

[HornetMaX]

Dunno if you've skierg'ed before but if you're anything like me you will sweat a lot when using it......that could make for a very damp rower if it's on the Skierg stand. Just a thought and not a showstopper.

Never skierg'ed but if it makes me sweat as much as the RowErg then yeah, probably worth to move the rower away when skiing, that's totally doable.

[Rodb]

Anybody with the two machines (rowerg and skierg) willing to give it a try ?

I could give this a try if you want. Let me know how close you'd like the RowErg rail to the SkiErg fan. I'm about your height, so I would guess my rowing stroke is similar to yours.

[HornetMaX]

Anybody with the two machines (rowerg and skierg) willing to give it a try ?

I could give this a try if you want. Let me know how close you'd like the RowErg rail to the SkiErg fan. I'm about your height, so I would guess my rowing stroke is similar to yours.

Oh thanks a lot !

How close ? As much as possible while still allowing rowing and skiing comfortably. Things to look out for:

• clearance for the elbows and the back at the end of the drive
• any bending in the skierg floor stand (wooden board) due to rowerg+rower weight
• anything you notice

Don't feel obliged, but if you can take a picture of the setup (in case that helps). Thanks again !!

[Rodb]

How close ? As much as possible while still allowing rowing and skiing comfortably. Things to look out for:

• clearance for the elbows and the back at the end of the drive
• any bending in the skierg floor stand (wooden board) due to rowerg+rower weight
• anything you notice

Don't feel obliged, but if you can take a picture of the setup (in case that helps). Thanks again !!

So I gave this a try for you this morning, doing 3k on each machine.
Here is a picture of the setup: https://imgur.com/a/3zD4Odb
The end of the RowErg rail had about 1.5" clearance to the the SkiErg fan.
Notes: I am about 5'8" tall and row and erg in socks

No issues for me with clearance while rowing. I don't think my elbows came anywhere close to hitting the SkiErg railings. The only issue I could see with the RowErg would be if you were rowing strapless and doing drills like 'legs only', then you could bang your back or head on the SkiErg.

I didn't notice any bending or bouncing of the SkiErg base while rowing.

I also didn't notice any effect of having the ROWErg slightly elevated (though this was only a 3k row)
The rail of the RowErg between my legs wasn't an issue while general double-poling. It would be an issue if you incorporate striding or balance motions in your SkiErg workouts, such as to mimic certain Nordic skiing situations.
Do need to be careful when exiting the SkiErg so you don't trip - especially after a rough workout.

Good luck