The onset of winter signals the time to hang up your running shoes and take out your skis for many athletes. Having lived in Colorado for a few winters, I sometimes counted myself as one of those athletes. Nordic skiing is a killer workout that can get your heart rate and VO2 max higher than running. But you might not even need the snow with the Concept2 SkiErg.
It’s ski season year-round now! The Concept2 SkiErg brings my favorite winter activity indoors. Now, it’s possible to get a similar full-body workout all year long. It’s a novelty among the masses of treadmills, exercise bikes, and rowing machines we test, but for the right exerciser, the SkiErg might be better than these more popular options.
I’ve tested the Concept2 BikeErg and RowErg, but the last of the trio seemed the most intriguing and novel. Read the rest of our review of the Concept2 SkiErg to find out more.
Concept2 SkiErg Review: Bottom Line
- Star Rating
- PriceMSRP: $850
- ManufacturerConcept2
- Typeskier
- Workout Experience8
- Specs / Features8
- Dimensions / Storability5
- On-Board Workouts & Apps6
- Build Quality10
If actual Nordic Skiing is not on your to-do list for the foreseeable future, you could still benefit from the Concept2 SkiErg. It is a great full-body alternative to the more traditional cardio machines. One thing I love about the SkiErg is that you stand up to use it. I know rowing and cycling are great activities, but I sometimes feel guilty continuing to sit down during my workout.
The Concept2 SkiErg might have caught your attention with its novel design, but you should stick around for its promising performance and construction. Concept2 has a deserved reputation for building simple but high-quality equipment. Read the rest of our review for the details.
- It offers a total body, low-impact, cardio workout.
- It is best for all kinds of users, especially if you’re a Nordic skier looking to stay in shape during the off-season.
- The flywheel offers unlimited tension to pull against and has a damper with ten settings to change the feel of the stroke.
- The machine can be mounted to the wall or to the floor stand for use in various spaces.
- The handles allow for double and single-armed pulling.
- This machine offers a unique workout and is found in homes and commercial gyms.
- The flywheel generates sound, which might not be appropriate for some users’ homes.
- It is tall and requires a high enough ceiling to use.
- The movement is technical and can take some getting used to initially.
Exercising and Experimenting since 2010…
As I said, we’ve reviewed the RowErg and BikeErg and compiled full written and video reviews. For this review of the SkiErg, we relied heavily on our experience using those machines.
Unfortunately, we don’t have the Concept2 SkiErg in our studio to test yet, but because we are very familiar with Concept2’s other equipment, we can get a good assessment of how the SkiErg works and performs. We’ve been testing equipment for years, so we know what to look out for in product descriptions and specs to help you determine if a machine will work for you.
Table of Contents
ToggleDimensions/Storability
The Concept2 SkiErg has dimensions of 16″ L x 85″ H x 19″ W (at bottom) x 20.5″ W (at top) with the wall mount. When using the floor mount, the dimensions are 50″ L x 23.5″ W x 85″ H. The SkiErg is always ready for you to hop on and start working out, but this means that it isn’t storable. To use the SkiErg, it must be mounted either to the wall or used with the floor mount.
Concept2 recommends attaching the SkiErg to 16″ wooden wall studs to properly mount it to a wall. It will need to be drilled into the wall at the top with the wall mount and at the bottom of the wall at the bottom of the machine.
The floor stand is a wooden base with transportation wheels and a U-bar that connects from the SkiErg to the base. The wheels extend behind the SkiErg, while the wooden stand extends out in front of it. You stand on the wooden base in front of the machine. The bottom of the SkiErg fastens into the wooden base. The U-bar looks like handles on either side of the machine that attach to the floor stand. However, it just provides extra stability to the SkiErg.
The floor stand and U-bar are only about 23.5″ wide, so there isn’t too much room width-wise. If you plan on using the SkiErg while sitting, either mount option should work. For the floor stand, you will need a narrower place to sit, like on a weight bench. If you’re in a wheelchair, it might not fit on the SkiErg when it’s on the floor stand.
The floor stand is sold separately, so the SkiErg requires a little more floor space than when it’s wall-mounted. If you mount it to your wall, it’s important to give yourself enough room to stand and move in front of it.
Onboard Workouts & Apps
Concept2’s console, the PM5, is very high-quality. We loved its performance on the RowErg and BikeErg, so expect the same from the SkiErg.
PM5 Workouts
The PM5 Monitor tracks your metrics like speed, distance, pace, stroke rate, watts, and calories. In addition to general metrics tracking, you can see a breakdown of your metrics, your force curve (the power of your strokes), a bar chart of your watt output, and program-specific paces to keep up with the monitor.
Your metrics are tracked and displayed on the screen as soon as the flywheel starts moving. The PM5 Monitor allows you to compete with other SkiErg owners online. This monitor has Bluetooth connectivity to work with apps like ErgData for more metrics tracking. There is also a Concept2 Logbook online to save your stats and the ErgRace App for competing.
You can program and set goals based on time, distance, and calories. You can also play games while using the SkiErg.
In our experience using the PM5 Monitor, it has more than meets the eye and offers plenty of workout options.
Console
The PM5 Monitor is on Concept2’s RowErgs, BikeErg, and SkiErg. Among other rowers and bikes, the PM5 has been proven to be very functional and not your average battery-powered console.
Once you pull one of the handles, the monitor will turn on. It is backlit, which is great if you have lower overhead lighting. The buttons are easy for navigating the LCD screen. It is easy to change the display and metrics with the buttons below the console. The side buttons let you choose whether to connect to a device or select a programmed workout.
It’s unclear if the monitor can be adjusted like on the BikeErg and RowErg. The console comes with a phone/tablet holder. Regarding storage for other items like your water bottle, there isn’t a set place on the machine. You’ll have to set your water on the floor or a table nearby.
Build Quality
The Concept2 SkiErg is designed to mimic Cross-Country skiing. This machine is a great way to stay in shape in the off-season and is also an excellent piece of cardio equipment in general. The motion works your full body, with primary activation in your upper body, core, and anterior chain.
The SkiErg isn’t weight-limited, so just about anyone can use it. It can be used standing, sitting, or kneeling, and users have been known to use it in wheelchairs, too.
Frame
On its own, the Concept2 SkiErg is pretty light. It is made out of aluminum, like the RowErgs and SkiErg. By itself, the SkiErg weighs 46 lbs. If you use it with the floor stand, then it is heavier. The floor stand is 35 lbs on its own.
Even though we haven’t tested the SkiErg yet, we expect it to be just as solid and durable as other Concept2 equipment. It has been used in competitions like the CrossFit Games, so it’s been proven to withstand heavy use. The SkiErg is for home and public gyms, so we expect its quality to be superb.
Because the SkiErg is about 7 feet high, you must ensure you have a high enough ceiling to use it. Your ceiling should be slightly taller than the machine, if not taller for assembly.
Flywheel
Our team is very familiar with the SkiErg’s flywheel. It is the same as the RowErg and BikeErg. This flywheel is a fan with fan blades on the inside. There are vents on the outside that let air into the fan for the blades to move against. This creates tension to pull against.
What makes the Concept2 equipment so effective for conditioning is that all of the machines give more resistance the harder you work. So, the harder and faster you pull the handles on the SkiErg, the more resistance you’ll feel. You can’t outmuscle and outwork this machine.
Like the Concept2 RowErg and SkiErg, this flywheel has a damper. The damper has ten different settings. Setting 1 allows the least amount of air into the flywheel, and setting ten allows the most. Because of this, setting one feels easier, and setting ten feels harder. As I mentioned, you’ll also be able to control the resistance with your intensity.
Because the SkiErg has a fan attached and uses wind resistance, it will make some noise. If you live in a shared space or an apartment, it probably won’t be the best option. However, in homes where noise isn’t an issue and garage gyms, the SkiErg should work well.
Handles and Drive Cords
The SkiErg handles are bright green, so they stand out. They appear firm and are said not to absorb sweat. They don’t have straps to fit around your wrists like ski poles, so you can simply grab them and start skiing.
Being about 5’1″, I feel nervous about the handles’ height. Shorter folks, like myself, might have trouble reaching them. Considering the machine is about 7 feet tall, and the handles are attached at the top, I might not be able to reach them without getting a stool, bench, or hopping. While I’m not opposed to looking like a fool and often do, especially when I struggle to reach tall things, others might not want to.
Fortunately, Concept2 sells handle hooks and cord extensions for reaching the handles while sitting. These are also helpful for shorter users like me.
Each handle is connected to a drive cord. The drive cords are lightweight and said to be stronger than steel and “responsive and smooth.” They allow for double and single-arm pulling.
Warranty
Concept2 includes a 5-year warranty for the frame and a 2-year warranty for parts. This is the same as the BikeErg and RowErgs.
Should You Buy the Concept2 SkiErg
If you’re a cross-country skier looking to stay in shape during the off-season or just looking for an excellent low-impact cardio workout in general, check out the Concept2 SkiErg. While we don’t have this machine in our studio to test yet, we expect it to perform like Concept2’s other equipment.
The SkiErg is fairly lightweight and proven durable since it’s often found in public gyms and has been used in competitions. The SkiErg uses air resistance, so it will make some noise. It also requires being mounted on a wall or in a floor stand from Concept2 to be used.
We love its simple, ready-to-use design and the fact that it doesn’t require electricity. The PM5 Monitor is one of our favorite battery-powered consoles for metrics tracking and pairing with compatible tracking apps. We expect the same quality as the Concept2 RowErg and BikeErg in the Concept2 SkiErg.
Concept2 SkiErg Q&A / FAQ
What muscles does the SkiErg work?
The SkiErg works the abdominal muscles, the lats, the triceps, the biceps, and even the leg muscles. The Concept2 SkiErg is a full-body workout.
Which is better, the SkiErg or RowErg?
The SkiErg can be used while standing, sitting, or even while in a wheelchair. It can be mounted to the wall or set on its floor stand. The RowErg is easier to store and more around than the SkiErg and may be suitable for more spaces. Either provides a high-quality, full-body workout.
How long should you use the SkiErg?
Beginners should start with short sessions on the SkiErg with 10 to 30-second intervals alternated with periods of rest for as little as 5 to 10 minutes. More experienced exercisers and SkiErg users can work up to sessions of 30 minutes to 1 hour (or even more if desired).
Will the SkiErg build muscle?
The SkiErg will help new exercisers build muscle, but it is better for developing cardiovascular fitness. Resistance training with weights, resistance bands, or bodyweight exercisers may be more effective for muscle hypertrophy.
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