Concept 2 SkiErg - The best CARDIO machine? 

Anyone else using a SkiErg and loving it (or hating it 🤣 ) ?

Brilliant content Mark, ime 66 and recovering from prostate cancer surgery, I am entering the Hyrox event at the NEC this year. I was inspired to enter after watching your channel, the training I have been doing has helped enormously with my recovery post surgery . Hope to give you shout out in October, love the channel.

Combine the ski erg and row erg; 5x500m row 2 min rest, then 5x500m ski erg 2 min rest. Same damper settings on each. Go full tilt each time [i.e. 2k row erg 500m time splits], 14-15 min total work time. Fantastic for pushing the pain and lactate build up thresholds, followed by a foetus position rest!!. I do this once a week as my vo2 workout and at 57 yrs young keeps me honest. Swapping legs in a constant lunge to simulate telemark ski position really gets the core and balance motor skills engaged also [on the ski erg].

Started using one of these at the gym recently and really love it, far more of an arm workout than I was expecting. Bonus points since not many people use it it's almost always free at the gym I go to as well

Love the SkiErg. Use it 3 times a week. I have a background as competive skier and biathlete. Great content, but you have to work on your technique ;) you are working harder then you have to for less distance per stroke! Arms closer to your body, stiffen them, then do a crunch. Use the big muscles like abs and back instead of arms. And never ever do butterfly strokes on a SKIerg, haha!

Of course. I already have the rower and bike by C2. Now I have to complete the trifecta. Thanks Mark....

Mark try the assault bike! It is also a full body cardio beast. All legs, all arms, or a variable combo depending on where you place your effort. You can also focus on the push, or the pull with the arms to change it up. Measure your work in calories or time or distance. It’s my favorite by far.

Just recently started using one. Been training for 40 years I'm now 57. Cardio is always what I base my fitness on but throw in the weights also. Every cardio day I feel like I'm up in court. Love/hate relationship with the c2 rower but know it must be done. Reluctant to add another c2 machine into the mix but so glad I did.

Love mine. It uses almost exactly the opposite muscles to the rower, so supersets of both are my favourite.

Always loving your channel 👊🏾✊🏾

My favorite fitness channel on RU-vid. Keep it up Mark!!

I've recently purchased a ski erg and absolutely love it!

Running low on motivation today, watching this has got me back out and working hard, new sub here 💪

Lovely set up and call back Mark.

Great piece of kit. My gym has one and its mostly unused in the corner of the "fitness studio". I usually go in there and set up a circuit, alternating between the Ski Erg and free weights.

Excellent video! I kept thinking about the 80/20 rule! Which I’ve made a point of drumming into my psyche! 80% run easy/20% run hard! Does Mark even manage any easy runs, I wonder to myself? I myself have a similar philosophy regarding training. As much as I love strength training, it’s never a be all and end all form of training. Since cancer recovery, I’ve focused on longevity. I have a young son, I lost my first when he was 35. I want to be around when my youngest reaches his twenties. So I live very much to that long term goal, with many smaller goals along the way. So my training routine, includes hourly easy runs, with the recent addition of hill runs, or faster intervals, and soon to be threshold runs, so as I can ease back into a bit of off road racing. I want my two new hips to last a little longer than me so to speak. Today for example I did a boxing session, which I probably enjoy more than anything! Although at 65 I’ll only box periodically, perhaps weekly, but mainly when I feel like it? I love it. I’m moving house soon, from a smallish city home, to a larger village home. So I’ll be looking at something extra in terms of kit? Sauna, punch bag, or the above, which mark has so eloquently sold me on. I must admit to laughing out loud(rare if you’re me) on seeing the speeded up footage of Mark on the ski erg in the garage! Think I’ll watch it again now😎👍🏽

I think you just convinced me on which cardio equipment to get. This thing looks great and universal to use.

Am hyped up about the "how to run properly and avoid injury" video because i've been having knee pain that sets back all of my progress, keep on ! Mate

When comparing your performance on the ski-thingy with rowing, I think you might slightly underestimate how good of a rower you are (or could be). I was inspired heavily by your "attempt to beat rowing record"-video and also picked up rowing as my cardio in the gym - mainly because I initially thought "pff, I can do that". I'm 31, decently fit (but shorter), and the best time I've been able to do on a 2k was 6:56 so far. Granted, I don't work hard on this particular part of my training (i.e. I don't actively row to become better, I just use it for cardio, I lift mainly), but your 6:24 "I just really went for it"-attempt (if I recall correctly) is *really good*. 6th overall in a fitness event is, quite obviously, not bad either.

Love it - just started using Skierg as well on top of my rowing. Want to see you do the 15 calories challenge on Skierg now

I loved using this at my local gym, I also did it pulling both hands to the left then the right, just to mix it up. Think I want one 🤔 🤣

I am into the running on a treadmill, jumping off to do some strength work before getting back on the treadmill and the repeating this. Crossfit type of stuff (but not handstands). I have a treadmill at home as I have run for many years but the real reason for the treadmill was so my wife could use it rather than hitting the streets in the winter months. I can honestly say my dog has slept on it my times than she has used it. It is now in my office so I can have a quick blast when I need a fix and break from work. Love the videos with the added humor.

Great content as always. Absolutely love the SkiErg. It is almost killing me the same way the rower does😂👍

Love the ski erg! Great video!

Mark you inspired me to add some rowing to the end of my interval session today. My gym doesnt have a ski machine. I got 3400m of rowing then ran the 2.5k home.

Love it Mark.....I'm fast on that than I am on the rower.....My fav distances are 10k, 1hr and 1/2 marathon

Awesome vid Mark! I got my RowErg in April and have been loving it. Now you've got me thinking of the SkiErg... hmmmm

Love the ski-erg! great bit of kit thats never used in my gym! result!

I really like using it as part of a circuit for interval training. When it's freezing outside and you can't get warm...the Ski erg will sort you out!

It’s the only piece of equipment I have at home, it’s a soul crusher! I love the app and love to see what’s possible on the leaderboard, some amazing times!

I'm a 21 stone 6ft beefcake and used to really enjoy the Concept 2 rower when I was leaner. Now I have a belly in the way and knackered knees, treadmill isn't great and the rowing machine is just downright uncomfortable. My gym has five of these and NOBODY uses them. Just like TRX systems in gyms, people won't use stuff they're not aware of. I youtubed the Skierg and had a go at it, I love it and it's a briliant piece of kit, really helping me a lot. Another excellent video by Mark.

Only really used one once. Met up with some friends for a bit of training on the rowing machines. Decided to finish off the afternoon with a 500m competition on the ski erg. I went last and knew what I had to do to win. After about 200m I was thinking this should be easy, but by 300 I was struggling. I managed to hold on and beat the best time by 0.1 seconds, then immediately collapsed. I'm never usually wiped out like that. Great piece of kit!

Would love a video on how to run properly, just your story what worked what didn’t etc.

Found a lost SkiErg in my gym today. Hideous thing, I love it. Will be using regularly going forwatd

I love the SkiErg. It helps me get ready for big running races. I like the upper body alternative in my cardio workouts.

Just been to gym 1st time this year and in ages ,and this was there ,used for 1st time it's fantastic

Looking forward to the cross country skiingvideos this winter

My gym has one of these in "the weird corner" with the ropes and hammers/block-busters Will have to give it a go 👍

The Skierg was developed for cross country skiing and is used extensively by elite skiers. The technique used by them is a bit different since they want to use the technique that let them go fast on skis. Fot inspiration, here's a playlist with different skierg workouts by Lager 157, one of the top professional teams in Ski Classics (that race longer distances than they do in the world cup and the olympics) ru-vid.com/group/PLQpQ4AWtHmN1sPBeUA_4Ex4y31Gfu6KMY. Unfortunately, its in Swedish, but they film the display so you can compare with them while working out .

Excellent video.

30 second challenge clearly works best of you're dehydrated. Great content as always

Had to take a week or so off from running. This video reminded me that my gym has a SkiERG. Man, did it kick my butt in a good way.

Mark you have me in stitches with the one liner at the end 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

OK. I'm convinced. I'm getting one

I have the original skierg model. Still going strong. Probably the only downside for people is if they like watching TV while working out. But obviously, that's not your kind of workout. I tend to use the 500 meter sprint until I feel nuked. usually 5-6 of them, with a 1minute rest between each. I play a game of trying to keep the watts >200 the whole time (hard for me). Doing it your way as part of a circuit makes sense though. Will have to try that soon.

The skierg sound great for me. I’ve been running for a while but it’s tough to run when it’s over 100 degrees outside every day.

I've had my C2 erg since 2004, and have even done marathons on it, but have only used a SkiErg twice. It felt harder than the rower, but that's probably partly due to technique

You pretty hard on the rower . I think the Rowerg is awesome. Everyone has there preference. The skierg is definitely in my radar next. I have weak knees, and problem feet , so can’t run much. You are endurance /cardio focused , and look extremely fit. I can’t lift heavy anymore , but like a balance of resistance training and cardio. Thanks for video. Stay healthy

Great vid... Great comedy line at the end. 😂

Had one a few years now.. intervals and 60min sessions.. managed to get my parents on it too it’s that damn good although the pm5 can get a little flaky after awhile. Great work mark..

Another cracking video

Cool video as always Mark ! Bulk up on them 'essentials' and show Eddie what you made of !

Also great to use the erg data app and they have a Workout of the day every day with leaderboards across the world. I absolutely love the ski erg! 1km best time is a tough one and a good measure of power and endurance! Eddie halls brother James hall has the record which is an insane 2:40!!!

It would be interesting to see you trying Cross-Country Skiing, since this is what the SkiErg is trying to emulate. I have tried it a couple of times and can recommend it, you can get a great cardio session while in the middle of a snowy forest and even though I'm not really any good at it, I felt like a badass all the way.

Love SkiErgs and have been trying to decide on whether I should get one for the home gym, this might have sealed it.

That intro is spot on 😆

Best outro line ever.

Ski ERG is always my warmup at the bouldering gym

I bought one in Covid luckily just before they became difficult to get, use it once twice a week with my other sessions from flat out 100m intervals to 10k love it but bloody hard work.

The Ski Erg burns out my triceps when I go for it. Its a good piece of kit.

Love your videos!! Is there a link to the standup comedy footage you sometimes show of yourself?

Loving the GPz sat there :)

Ahhh Mark, your a funny funny man... and inspiring. Keep it up bro!

Best advice seen today "Put stuff almost literally in your way and you can't help engage with it."!

Great video and looks a decent bit of kit Mark 👌 When pulling down on the handles can you do them independently so left side, then right side, and so on? If so that would really change the dynamic as-well on working on your side muscles. Keep up the great videos 👍

you're a beast mark

Awesome vid. I hated rowing up until I upgraded to an iFIT / Nordic Track machine, and will now happily do 30 minutes on it before breakfast. Basically the distraction of having a screen with trainer and scenery to look at completely changed it for me. Conversely, I'm a cyclist (don't even own a car these days) and I can't stand the static bike - probably like you on a treadmill, it just feels all wrong and I'd rather be outside cycling than stuck in my garage

Coming from competitive cycling 10 years ago, still zwifting, but training in a Hyrox style the last 7 years, I’ve found that the ski erg is probably the single best interval and aerobic machine out there. It’s totally awesome and after 7 years of it it still gives me gains and a huge challenge.

loved the vid, mark, tx for posting...picking up a ski erg tmrw...as a long time, now-middle-aged competitor sprint kayaker and recreational deadlifter, can i recommend going for your PBs in bare feet?

@MarkLewis Unrelated to the ski erg. But i just wanted to say thanks for the motivation and inspiration. I have been an on/off park runner, weight loser and then regainer who has never really managed to get all my ducks in a row. Then i started watching your videos about hirox and one thing lead to another. A month on and i am down from 15st 12 to 14st 12, just done a 27:30 park run smashing my previous pb by 1m 20 and broke thanks to fitness gadgets (garmin fenix 7 and shokz. Not really broke all in sensible moderation). The ducks are aligned for diet and exercise for the 1st time since i left the military and theres even a plan for a hi-rox next year....maybe. Now i just need to banish these mother ducking leg cramps!!

can't wait for you to discover the assault bike!

Nordic skiing, THE cardio sport!

My dad has the rowing machine where the main resistance is water. I would go on it just to listen to the sloshing of the water and dissociate from reality for an hour, exactly how i like my cardio. I don’t know if a ski-erg can compete with that!

Wow! I never knew it existed till yesterday when I did it in the gym. I'm 2 months into trying to be less lazy.

The SkiErg is the bomb

Would love to see a video of you trying the 4 min challenge on the SkiErg.

You should connect your ski erg to zwift. It is very fun do races with that machine. It gives you more motivation and It would be fun to see how your race goes?😃

I've been using one for a couple of years as I used to do X country skiing in the Army and wanted to replicate the workout you get but there's not much snow in Hampshire (UK) :-)

This guys humour is seriously underrated.

Been using the row erg for around 25 years- same rower, model C, got the skierg about 3 years ago. I zwift as well. Just recently got a kBox eccentric trainer. I'm going to say that the kBox is better overall than either.

Did 500 metre intervals on this today....500 on 1 minute 15 rest for 10 sets (5000 metres)....great workout.

I did a marathon on a c2 once 42km and a bit - took over 3hrs I conquer it hurt, a lot

5weeks until my first 90km ski race.. for preparing, the skierg is OK if there is no snow around When using the skierg, try using your core more and your arms less. Will make you stronger and last longer ❤ compare with cross country skiers technique 😊

Used to use one at the gym to warm up for upper body lifting days. Never liked it as something for cardio if you're going to rapidly bend over hundreds of times. Always seemed like a great way to have a disc go shooting out of your spine.

Surely it would be more efficient to stand square on (non staggered stance) and begin the movement by dropping your hips whilst keeping your arms extended? (I.e. using your bodyweight to provide the initial momentum for the stroke) Then engage the abs and arms to finish the stroke. I suppose the downside is that it would burn your quads / glutes a bit more, which could be an issue for Hyrox ... but burn that bridge when you get to it, eh? I'd love to see a follow-up vid of you trying different techniques out. But mostly we're looking for an update on Jen's progress!

god if i lived close to you ,id pay to use your gym, better than some iv seen for sure

Decided to give this a try because I have Achilles tendinitis right now and can't (or rather "shouldn't" be running). It's been agonizing trying to find something new, but I haven't felt such an intense interval workout in such a long time! And I'm a young guy (23), so I don't know how you old timers do it lol

Use one of those half ball balence things to stand on and dont reach up so high or down so low.

Mark. Love your content. Had a go on the ski erg 2 days ago and like you I may well get hammering this a lot more. Random question....what sort of dog is Nixon? Thinking of finding one of his cousins for our first family mutt.

Lol love you vids I started watching your stuff at 117 kg and now I’m down to 103kg I’m 6 foot I did a 5 k run in 30 min

I've been wanting to give this a go for sometime but find it a bit scary. I shall soon though!

The ski erg is the only machine that I can go beast mode on and watch the calorie count go backwards. That thing is the destroyer of abs and triceps! couple of things to note in your 30s sprint. Get some padding on the floor - you're slipping a lot, which will waste time and effort. And your offset stance is interesting - was this a conscious decision? would recommend standing as square on as possible to avoid twisting your midsection. Also in my experience - if you're built for a rower, then you're built for a ski erg. Its a tall person machine!

I hated the rowing machine, then realised that meant I needed to attack it! I'm now discovering the ski machine and the same thing again. One day rower, one day ski machine, great switcheroo!

What's next? Kayakpro? Paddlesport Adapter for the Rowerg or Skierg? Cheers. Suggest check out CXC Academy on RU-vid for improved technique, or Jens Burman videos. Surprisingly, Eddie's technique is actually not bad in that video. Thanks for this... probably going to order one!

I got a Skierg back in 2014 when my wife had an ankle injury - it helped her stay in shape when she couldn't do treadmill or other work. I've gotten some use from it over the years - added RowPro software to it to make it a bit more interactive and to track historical rowing data better. There are times when I've used it a few times a week but, on the balance, it's definitely gone more weeks without use than with use. The Zwift bike gets more default use from me for indoor cardio, the elliptical gets more use from my wife as her default indoor cardio. The Skierg is a good core workout and can definitely get your heart rate up - we just never really gravitated to it regularly with everything else we have in the home gym. On the bright side, it's built like a tank, never required any maintenance, and, as you noted, takes up very little space.

Hey Mark, have you ever tried a long-distance ruck march? I think you’ll enjoy the challenge.

Love your content mate. Been following for a while. Random question , what lighting set up do you use ? Looks great!

Awesome! One day when I have a house or a garage 😂

How long is the podium footage going to be used? Will the duck podium become standard footage? Very funny, great vid.

Speaking about how to run correctly to prevent injuries being another video, can you make that other video.