I want a ski erg because.....

[xenotheolympian]

I want a ski erg because rowing alone does not train the mid section, and the triceps the way poling does.

[Ultramega OK]

Agreed. I have one and it is a brutal and effective way of hitting the few muscle groups that rowing doesn't.

[RogerR]

I'm not sure. For Skiers this may be a great "summer training" but for general fitness and conditioning there are more effective ways. I add bodyweight workouts incl. Swiss ball/Med balls and dumbbells/resistance bands 2 per week to complement indoor rowing and find it gives me great benefits for core strength and working those muscles being neglected by rowing (chest, tricepshamstrings, etc.).

In fact, you can simulate the Skierg movements very nicely with resistance bands using a door anchor and it comes for a fraction of the costs and you can carry along when traveling for business, etc.

[kini62]

As for the bands simulating the simulating motion of the ski erg, not really even in the same room so to speak.

I have a nice set of bands and they just don't come close to working on the ski erg.

Gene

[carlb]

I had posted this over in the rower group where BioRow found the Skierg to complement the rower....

"31 December 2010 The latest Newsletter: Using Concept2 Skierg for cross training in rowing. "
http://www.biorow.com/RBN_en_2010_files ... News12.pdf

"their shares in power for the Skierg were segments’ shares were 20%:36%:44% (legs/trunk/arms).
This looks like a mirror to rowing, where segments’ shares were 46%:31%:23%"...
These movements make a workout on the Skierg a great full body exercise."

The talk of bands got me thinking one other cardio/strength training I like are Kettlebells. Just the basic swing works upper body and posterior well, and raises HR nicely. Pull seems opposite to Skierg, and diff then rowing, since it pulls from behind the legs and then up. I think the KB swings really work my hams and glutes because the next day they are very sore.

According to ExRx.net http://exrx.net/Lists/KettlebellExercises.html like rowing it does Hip Extension, Knee Extension and Ankle Flexion.
Unlike rowing basic 2 arm swing:

• Shoulder Flexion vs Extension for rowing
  Dynamic Scapula & Clavicle: Upward Rotation vs Retraction for rowing
  Static Spine: Extension vs nada for rowing
  Static Scapula & Clavicle: Protraction and Elevation vs nada

One Arm swing adds....

• Dynamic Shoulder: Flexion and Abduction vs Extension for rowing
  Dynamic Spine: Rotation vs nada

There are just a few other KB exercises. You can do the swing and some other KB exercises ok with a dumbell, the KB design does work better. I got ArtOfStrength KBs because they were made in USA and they are very nice HQ. I'd also trust Rogue. A lot of the cheap $1/lb China KBs have rough handles, smelly paint and low quality steel.

[carlb]

I found this 10 year old BioRow May 2001 newsletter comment about XC ski
http://www.biorow.com/RBN_en_2001_files ... News05.pdf

"What if…you use imitation of cross-country skiing (roller-blading with poles) as an out-of-water
aerobic exercise?
It is a well-known fact that cross-country skiers have the highest values of VO2max. (2). Compared to usual rowers’ aerobic drills (cycling and running), skiing imitation uses trunk and upper extremities muscles, which are very handy in rowing. It is one of a few exercises that use abdominal muscles in aerobic mode that can prevent rib fractures."