Lower damper settings allow less air into the flywheel housing, making it easier to spin the flywheel. The only place the SkiErg has any plastic is housing the flywheel. Made for novices as well as experienced athletes, this bad boy delivers high quality at a lower price. This is because 10 seconds of rest isn't near enough to recover from a 20-second sprint. Many people can't even finish this type of workout if they are doing it correctly. The SkiErg uses the same flywheel resistance and electronic monitoring systems as our indoor rower, the proven choice of rowing athletes around the world since 1981, so you can rest assured that the machine is made to last. As well as being durable and well built, the SkiErg is sophisticated too, with an advanced monitor that provides immediate, accurate performance data.

When using the double-pole technique, each pull engages the arms, shoulders, core and legs in a downwards “crunch,” using body weight to help accelerate the handles. Watch the technique video and you’ll see the legs raising the body weight on each stroke, much as they do when skiing on snow. A workout on the SkiErg provides a true full-body workout that exercises the legs at least as hard as the upper body. Below is a good video that shows exactly what you should be doing and is a lot easier to understand than a written description.Because it has a flywheel, the Concept 2 SkiErg can be noisy. It’s not much louder than a dishwasher, and many say it’s quieter than a treadmill. Still, the noise can disturb other people you live with or your neighbors if you’re in an apartment or condo. Key Features of the Concept 2 SkiErg Durability:We wanted to find ski ergs that would last for many years of use. We looked at the materials used in construction, as well as the warranty offered by the manufacturer. Heart rate monitoring: Compatible with ANT+ and Bluetooth Smart wireless heart rate monitors (not included) The Concept 2 SkiErg comes with a hefty price tag. The cost is justifiable due to the materials' quality and durability. Still, it puts the machine out of reach for people with tight budgets. The Floor Stand Is Not Included

The Concept 2 SkiErg also offers a trainer to choose the variation of how a person rows. With the SkiErg you can pull both arms simultaneously or together, depending on what you are training for. Compared to the Rower, a single chain/single pull machine. The monitor also lets you save each workout and look up your workout history. This is an excellent feature because you can review past workouts to see how you’re progressing. Preset and Custom Workout Options You can also add custom workouts, which come in handy if you get workouts from a coach or want to pre-program a work you find online. Bluetooth Compatibility Step up to the machine. Stand about one and a half to two feet behind the flywheel with your feet shoulder-width apart.Just winging it can lead to bad form or having your triceps be on fire after just a minute of skiing, like mine were when I first started using a ski erg. The handle on the SkiErg 1 (the grey SkiErg manufactured from May 2009–July 2014) features a strap. Use the handle strap and grip as you would use a Nordic ski pole. Slip your hand up through the loop and then come down over the strap and grasp the handle. If you are looking for a good ski erg for less money, the Xebex Ski Trainer would be a good option. But for those looking to just increase their fitness or to train for CrossFit competitions, the Concept 2 SkiErg should not go overlooked. It comes with equipment to mount it to the wall or you can buy the floor stand to make it free-standing.

The Concept 2 SkiErg is a relatively new piece of equipment in the fitness community and is not a very common piece of equipment you will find in many gyms. This may be in part due to the price of the rig, but I believe there is also an aspect of some people just don’t know about the Concept 2 SkiErg. Get into the starting position by grabbing the handles and pulling them slightly until your elbows are at a 90-degree angle. The small footprint and relatively low height make it ideal for small or crowded gyms. Battery-Powered OperationThe first thing would be to add the same pulley system that is on top, and apply it to the bottom of the machine. This would add an element of versatility and another range of motion to work on. If you are looking for something high end, then the FluidPowerERG by First Degree Fitness could be for you.

The SkiErg provides excellent sport-specific training using the poling motions that are integral to both techniques of Nordic Skiing. It also provides a range of resistance similar to that found on snow. The convenience of training on a SkiErg is hard to beat, especially when rollerskiing just isn’t an option—whatever the weather or conditions, the SkiErg is always available. It’s safer than training in traffic and is an easy way to add poling to your indoor workouts. Measurable, Comparable ResultsDependable and robust, the drive system depends on high-strength, lightweight cords to deliver smooth, responsive performance. Using the same flywheel air resistance as the high quality Concept2 indoor rower, the SkiErg responds to your effort on every stroke, giving you full control of your workout intensity. Switching your resistance from a flat terrain to a steep climb is easy using the spiral dial. With a strong aluminium frame, the machine is solid and built to last. You no longer have to wax your skis to benefit from the full-body impact-free workout of Nordic skiing: the SkiErg provides all the aerobic and strength benefits, and is available even when there’s no snow or you can’t get to the trails. Even if you've never put on a pair of skis, the SkiErg is the perfect tool to help you reap the benefits of a skiing workout. An Effective Full-Body Workout As much as I enjoyed using the Concept 2 SkiErg during my CrossFit days, I don’t recommend it for everyone.