What are benefits of a Bikeerg if already have a rower?

[davidevans1]

First off I'm just someone who wants to be fit and I have a home gym in the garage.
I've had a Concept 2 rower for the past 18 months or so and in the past five months especially have got into this, not great times but mostly improving and rowing 2-3 x 5k a week (and doing 2 x 30 minute a week weights and circuits also).
I don't cycle on roads or mountains - I'm very deaf and I suspect this has affected my balance a bit as I used to crash off a bike regularly when I had one!
When I was a member of a gym (finished this over 2 years ago) I used to do a spinning class 2-3 times a week but haven't been on a bike of any form in the past 28 months.
I put my name down on the waiting list for a BikeErg back in May and am now nearing the top of the waiting list, so it's almost decision time!
What are the main benefits of having a BikeErg as well as a Concept 2 rower? I want to keep doing at least 2 x rows a week and at least 2 x weights/circuits, but can add one day for BikeErg if I buy one and would also plan combining the BikeErg with one or both of the weights sessions.
I add that I particularly want to improve/maintain strong glutes and knees as I found spinning really helped a dodgy knee joint. My weights/circuits routines include squats and lunges.
Finally I'm pretty sure my daughter and son in law would use the BikeErg if I had one (but they aren't keen on the rowing, preferring to run instead)!
Thanks for any advice.

[Slothful1]

Hi David

I bought a BikeErg 2 years ago after having a rower since 2004. My main motivation was to get onto Zwift, and after weighing up a few options I decided on the BikeErg. This was partly because I trust the brand, and also because it uses the same logbook system, and so my metres get added to the various challenges (scaled by half).

I hadn't really thought about how I would integrate it into my training plans, but what I found is that I was doing recovery sessions on the bike more often than the rower, which was still my main focus. It also sometimes seemed easier to force myself to get onto the bike when there was a planned Zwift event, on those nights I might have skipped training altogether.

I've seen Graham Benton (multiple World and British indoor rowing champion) mentioning using the BikeErg to maintain his fitness during a period when he was recovering from a back injury.

My personal experience is that I think it's helping my base cardio fitness, but I do notice that if I spend too long away from the rower then my times when rowing do slip back a bit (might also be technique sloppiness creeping in for me though).

Either way, I don't think you'll regret having both options, especially if there are others in the house who would benefit.

Dave

[davidevans1]

Thank you Slothful1 and the link to buy came through this morning by coincidence, so placed the order and looking forward to it arriving.

[johnlvs2run]

Be sure to request the shorter seat post option, depending on your daughter's inseam/height and if your grandchildren might be using it too.