Rower or Skierg?

[CeWo]

Hey guys and gals!
I need help to decide which erg to get...This will be the last addition to my homegym.
Ideally I would buy both, but I only have the finances for one erg and with everything else coming up in my life it´s going to take a couple of years until I´ll be able to buy the other one.
I train mainly with kettlebells and Original Strength (crawling etc.) and work as a landscaper, which can be physically very demanding depending on the activity (e.g. there are weeks with lots of kneeling which can be hard on the knees for a couple of days).

- I will use the erg for aerobic conditioning. I´d say 80% steady state and 20% intervals/HIIT.
- I have a good amount of experience with the rower from my crossfit days. The experience with the skierg is limited to intervals on the older skierg model
- Correct me if I´m wrong, but in my opinion the rower is a bit more full body than the skierg, but needs more focus on technique otherwise you can get problems, especially lower back. The skierg seems to be more forgiving when technique is slipping or not 100% on point.
- Skierg is more upper body focused, which could help me in my job, as I can imagine it to help with things like shoveling.
- Even though you can split it into two pieces and store it away the rower takes up more space than the wall mounted skierg and the skierg is always ready to go, especially for intervals with changing exercises (e.g. switching between KB swings and skierg)
- IMO skierg complements KB swings really good, because the hip movement is the same just reversed -> skierg is active hip closing while swings are active hip opening
- Rower seems to be better suited for steady state as you can watch tv. Anyone who´s able to watch tv or listen to podcast while steady state skierging?

I´m constantly going back and forth between the two, but have a hard time to settle for one, because both have their pros and cons.
I´d like to hear your opinions on this.
Thanks in advance!

[Ombrax]

but in my opinion the rower is a bit more full body than the skierg

- Skierg is more upper body focused

Welcome to the forum.

I've never used a skierg, but based on what I've seen here I believe these statements are correct.

I wouldn't worry too much about the rower and your lower back. Unless you already have issues there, or do something stupid like slam the damper lever to "10" and "pull as hard as you can" (which you probably already know is not how you row) and do a 2k with horrible technique, you're unlikely to have problems. Use it properly and you'll be fine.

Personally, I think the rower is a better choice if you can only have one or if you're going to get one then add the other later to build a really complete home gym, but if space is a problem, then yes, the skierg will need less space while in use. (of course the rower can be stored standing up, and it only takes a few seconds to tilt it back down for it to be ready for use)

On the other hand, there's at least one poster here who really prefers the skierg (johnlvs2run) so I'm sure he would recommend that. You could PM him if you want more details on that.

Good luck - you can't go wrong with either one, and each can give you a great workout.

[johnlvs2run]

I stopped using the C2 Rowerg about 10 years ago due to the sitting down type of exercise. I felt the constant pressure and rotation on my sitz bones was not a good thing for me to keep doing. Plus my preference is to exercise on my feet for mobility, so I stopped using the RE and went back to running full time. All was well, but then a few years ago a sudden knee pain forced me to stop. I walked for awhile, but my knee still hurt, so I swam and used my bicycle trainer, but they weren't quite the same.

My leg and sitz bone had considerable pain, which kept getting worse to the point of having trouble standing and/or walking very far. Pushing off the wall when swimming was aggravating the issues. I tried all kinds of exercises for remedies and wasn't making much progress. Out of frustration and needing to do something, I finally ordered a Skierg a year ago. The pain went away almost immediately, within a few weeks to a few months was completely gone and hasn't returned.

Since then I've been able to do all kinds of workouts, and the SE has continued to be my favorite form of exercise.

Yes, the Skierg is more forgiving, and takes much less room than the RE. I used the Skierg on a stand at first, then put it on the wall, and prefer the wall 100 percent better. I like to work in the yard and garden, and feel the SE is a great complement to raking, hoeing, using a pick and so on. Yes, it would complement shoveling too. The hip movement on the SE is awesome. I used to do a very similar movement to warm up when I was running and racing quite a bit.

When I've gone on a trip, I've put the Skierg in the back of my car to transport it. I don't have to watch out for pit bulls, bicycles, cars and trucks like when running, and I'm fine with that. Plus I always use the Skierg barefoot, and don't have to wear shoes.

[jamesg]

I need help to decide which erg to get...This will be the last addition to my homegym.

To some extent it depends on your shape and size. The cross-country skiers we see on TV are mostly around 160-170 height and light, since they do a lot of hillclimbing, not unlike cyclists. Lightweight rowers similar, despite having no hills to climb at least on workdays. If you're in that size range, almost any activity can suit you.

But the classic oarsman shape is 1.9m tall and 90-100 kg weight. If you're anywhere near that, I think the C2 rowing machine is the best choice. What I find is that it gives me flexibility (if I bother to warm up and lengthen out), no knee stress, no back problems and a good workout within 30 minutes, with no hassle. It does help to learn how it's done first, which is to say the least a good rule for anything.

[jamesg]

I need help to decide which erg to get...This will be the last addition to my homegym.

To some extent it depends on your shape and size. The cross-country skiers we see on TV are mostly around 160-170 height and light, since they do a lot of hillclimbing, not unlike cyclists. Lightweight rowers similar, despite having no hills to climb at least on workdays. If you're in that size range, almost any activity can suit you.

But the classic oarsman shape is 1.9m tall and 90-100 kg weight. If you're anywhere near that, I think the C2 rowing machine is the best choice. What I find is that it gives me flexibility (if I bother to warm up and lengthen out), no knee stress, no back problems and a good workout within 30 minutes, with no hassle. It's best to learn how it's done first, which is to say the least a good rule for anything.

[CeWo]

Thanks so far!

I wouldn't worry too much about the rower and your lower back. Unless you already have issues there, or do something stupid like slam the damper lever to "10" and "pull as hard as you can" (which you probably already know is not how you row) and do a 2k with horrible technique, you're unlikely to have problems. Use it properly and you'll be fine.

I watched all of the technique vids from Darkhorse Rowing, so I think I have a good grasp about good technique

My leg and sitz bone had considerable pain, which kept getting worse to the point of having trouble standing and/or walking very far. Pushing off the wall when swimming was aggravating the issues. I tried all kinds of exercises for remedies and wasn't making much progress. Out of frustration and needing to do something, I finally ordered a Skierg a year ago. The pain went away almost immediately, within a few weeks to a few months was completely gone and hasn't returned.

That´s one of the pros for the skierg for me. It´s less ROM for the knees and ankles. Generally I prefer to have full ROM, but if you have some issues something with less ROM lets you still get in your workout.
The thing is I don´t have any issues so far and don´t know if "maybe having an issue in the future" is a good reason to go for one over the other.

To some extent it depends on your shape and size.

I´m 6´4/193cm & 230lbs/105Kg

[Ombrax]

I watched all of the technique vids from Darkhorse Rowing, so I think I have a good grasp about good technique

Be careful with those, they can lead you astray. For example, DH says that you aren't supposed to lift your heels at the catch, which in a few specific instances may be correct, but in general is not at all true.

[CeWo]

Be careful with those, they can lead you astray. For example, DH says that you aren't supposed to lift your heels at the catch, which in a few specific instances may be correct, but in general is not at all true.

I´ll stay alert I attend courses and certifications for all the things I do regarding my workouts, so I´m going to attend an C2 indoor rower or skierg course aswell once I decided which one to get.

Any experience regarding steady state and watching tv on the two ergs? For my kettlebell and OS stuff or intervals I stay clear of tv or music, but when doing steady state cardio I really need some distraction

[Ombrax]

Any experience regarding steady state and watching tv on the two ergs? ... when doing steady state cardio I really need some distraction

I know what you mean about needing distraction during long steady-state stuff, because long workouts on the erg aren't the funnest thing in the world, but I find that I have to concentrate on the PM nearly 100% of the time, otherwise I drop off my intended pace. In fact, in the gym where I do most of my rowing, which has only one erg, there's a TV directly in my line of sight above the PM, and I always turn it off so it doesn't distract me.

About the only thing I can offer that might help is that for workouts longer than 5k I break them up into two or three pieces with a 2 or 3 minute rest. You can also program the PM to do variable length pieces. For example, PMs come pre-programmed with a 2000-1500-1000-500 workout, which is great if you want to do a really hard 5k (with rests, of course).

Sorry I couldn't help with the TV thing.

[Dangerscouse]

The two ergs do compliment each other, but I'm a bigger fan of the rower, but you did lay out one of the drawbacks too, assuming that space is an issue. It's a very personal choice as they are both great pieces of equipment but I'd edge towards the rower.

As for steady state, all I ever need is music as I find it almost meditative doing long sessions. I have never watched TV whilst rowing but I know quite a few people do.

[CeWo]

Thanks!
I finally decided for the rower and ordered it today

[Ombrax]

Thanks!
I finally decided for the rower and ordered it today

Congratulations, you won't regret it.

[Carl Watts]

Yeah go the rower, better connectivity to things like RowPro.

A mate of mine has both, but the rower would be my first choice.