Concept2 Forum

Hello everyone,

I started rowing with the RowErg and learned to love it. Since I've been rowing a little every day, I feel much more comfortable and better. I have seen that the SkiErg is available and am wondering if the two machines would complement each other well in terms of training and especially using as many muscle groups as possible? Do any of you perhaps already have both devices and can tell me about them? Does the combination of both devices make sense if you only use these devices and want to have a holistic training of the body?

Many thanks for your answers and comments!

Well I think the Skierg is a great all around training device. Yep you can just do double poling on it or single arms like in classic striding but there are lots of other uses with a little bit of creativity. Some examples are taking one of Reebok Steps and placing in length wise you can simulate both canoe paddling and kayak paddling, taking the front end off of a Nordic Trak arm section you can do classic ski training using the Skierg for the arms and the Nordic Trak for the legs. You can use a slide board and the Skerg to train doing skate ski technique. Absolutely none of these things I just described are the same as actually being on the snow or water, but they do give you a great workout possibility, besides just using the Skierg as a double poling workout. So I am a big fan of the Skierg, have had mine for a number of years and use it frequently and it shows no signs of wear and tear. Have fun, crank up the music and enjoy this terrific piece of gear.
R.,
Pat

Thank you for your positive feedback. I would probably go on the RowErg on one day and the SkiErg on the other, or one right after the other. Am I doing something wrong or is this the best way to train? It's difficult for beginners to decide. My aim is to use and train as many muscles as possible.

That sounds like a great plan and use of your money and time. Both great exercise and both using the major muscle groups. Stay healthy, eat well, and enjoy the workouts. R, Pat

I started with the rower 3 years ago, added the skierg 1 year ago.
I like both and they complement each other. I typically do all my warm-up and cool-down on the skierg, but my main training on the rowerg.
For the fun I tried a few TTs on the SkiErg (500m, 1K, 10K, HM): it's tough !

2 remarks:

1. SkiErg (when you go all out, like in a TT) works the legs much more than what people (incl. me) may think.
2. Much less people on skierg: the c2 rankings are very sparse compared to rowerg.

I received my SkiErg yesterday and mounted it on the wall. Of course, I already did a workout session yesterday and this morning
For me, it's a wonderful addition to the RowErg and it's great fun - even if the SkiErg totally destroys me

As usual, the workmanship and quality from Concept2 are top notch - a very well thought-out device.

For anyone considering it as an addition to the RowErg: A clear recommendation!

Lacos247 wrote: ↑

August 11th, 2024, 2:59 am

Hello everyone,

I started rowing with the RowErg and learned to love it. Since I've been rowing a little every day, I feel much more comfortable and better. I have seen that the SkiErg is available and am wondering if the two machines would complement each other well in terms of training and especially using as many muscle groups as possible? Do any of you perhaps already have both devices and can tell me about them? Does the combination of both devices make sense if you only use these devices and want to have a holistic training of the body?

Many thanks for your answers and comments!

I had both and tried to use them on alternate days but found I wasn't committing enough to either of them to really do my best on them. It felt like I needed to commit all training to one to really start seeing the improvements....possible due to the different motions and muscles used.

It was great to have both if you just want general training options......just if you want to target PB's you may need to decide on one to focus on. Ultimately I sold the Skierg as it took up too much room and I went back to rowing more.

Lacos247 wrote: ↑

August 24th, 2024, 4:52 am

I received my SkiErg yesterday and mounted it on the wall. Of course, I already did a workout session yesterday and this morning
For me, it's a wonderful addition to the RowErg and it's great fun - even if the SkiErg totally destroys me

As usual, the workmanship and quality from Concept2 are top notch - a very well thought-out device.

For anyone considering it as an addition to the RowErg: A clear recommendation!

I only just got the ski erg a couple weeks ago but I’m loving it. I’ve got a bike and decided the ski would compliment it better than the rower. I’ve only been doing the workout of the days so far but it’s been fun to track progress, today I almost got an average time, getting closer any way, I guess I should go ahead and establish some PBs to track progress that way also

Gator -- glad you are getting into the Skierg. Lots of options there to keep things from getting stale beyond just doing the double poling. Could be as simple as using a resistance band around the ankles you can simulate pretty effectively both classic and skating technique. Don't go too heavy the resistance band. Another thing you can do is get a low chair or platform and with your feet up against the fan (don't push too hard with the feet) you can simulate both kayak paddling and canoe paddling. Have fun and enjoy the gear.

R,
Pat

PGSport wrote: ↑

August 30th, 2024, 8:59 am

Gator -- glad you are getting into the Skierg. Lots of options there to keep things from getting stale beyond just doing the double poling. Could be as simple as using a resistance band around the ankles you can simulate pretty effectively both classic and skating technique. Don't go too heavy the resistance band. Another thing you can do is get a low chair or platform and with your feet up against the fan (don't push too hard with the feet) you can simulate both kayak paddling and canoe paddling. Have fun and enjoy the gear.

R,
Pat

Thanks Pat, the canoe paddling sounds really good. I’ve never been a big workout guy. I do some body weight and running in stretches (usually when I see my weight start sneaking up too high). But after doing this, just WOD, for 3 weeks, it’s the most change in my body I’ve seen from anything I’ve done. Push-ups does pretty good for my arms when I’m consistent with them but I’ve notice nice changes and it’s a tremendous cardio workout.

I bought my Skierg 6 years ago and have hardly used it, think 25k in that six years! Three months ago something changed in my mindset and I wanted to add the skierg to my bike and rowerg workouts so I did, started off slowly but since then I have done 385km on it and absolutely love it. I've done a few TT's but I use it mostly as endurance bot all out power and sprints.

To keep me motivated I connect the skierg to Zwift and use it as a run so I can keep track of all my indoor skierg workouts plus it adds a little distraction watching my avatar workout! I see you've bought the machine now, hope you're enjoying it.

I did all three machines today 5km row (on slides), 5km skierg and 16km bike - more often than not I tend to do 2 machines a day and alternate, keeps it interesting, Good luck and enjoy.