Row, Bike or Ski. Which is best for MTB and Why. 

Kudos for the material, though I have a comment as for the rower benefits. It’s a common misconception that the work effort on a rower is in the pulling motion, whereas in fact it’s a pushing movement (predominantly in the quads and glutes) that is generating ca. 60% of the power. Yes, the hip hinge and hands pull are each responsible for 20% of the effort, but one should think the 1st phase in terms of doing pretty much a squat movement, where you press your legs towards the footplate. Try it and you will see the difference.

Yet another great video! Thanks, Johnny!

Excellent description/review bloke! I’m fortunate enough to have all three of these at home and agree with most of your comments. If I was to personally choose one I would go with the assault bike because I believe it gives the most bang for the buck $. I often do similar workouts to the one you prescribed. The only thing I will say is that the transition to the rower in 15 seconds can be quite difficult if you are working out with others and having to change foot positions.

Lucky to be living in Austria (and Appenzell, Switzerland 1 week a month) so I can do cross-country skiing, to have a gym that has rowers, and to get an assault bike for Christmas. My life is perfect. Now I need to get in the Top 3 of the local cup (was 5th this year). 😅

Cheers Jonny. Great video, very informative.

Thanks for the review. I have the concept2 rowerg and I love it. I chose it exactly because of what you said, it works muscles that don't get used. I plan on buying the others and a smart bike (stages sb20) or concept2 bikerg. 👍

fantastic content as always!

Great video and I’m very pleased to hear your verdict as I have a C2 rower at home and do around 50k a week. It’s pretty addictive once you get into a good plan snd get involved in the regular C2 challenges. One thing that is critical is good technique, to both make the machine go fast and prevent lower back injury. I see the rowing machine used a lot by pro MTBers in various RU-vid clips and the form quite often makes your eyes bleed. 😂

I’ve got tacx neo and Concept2 rowing machine at home. A great combination for XC amateur competitor. Also doing 4-5 times per week CrossFit and weight trainings. At summer I am adding twice a week 10-13km running sessions. Works awesome for me. Next thing I am gonna buy for home is the skiErg. Tried it few times and it’s a blast!

Fantastic video, thanks. I’ve recently discovered your channel and love it, watching all the videos and learning a lot. I’m lucky to have all these three machines in my gym, how long would you recommend to carry this 45/15 routine? And how many times a week? Thanks a lot!

I ride the tricycle, not because it is easy, but because it is hard.

Here for the Assault Bike!

How would you rate the elliptical trainer for MTB training? Thanks and keep up the excellent content!

Had a go at the assault bike tonight, think I lasted 3 mins, it's a killer machine

Hi Johnny what sort of time domain are we looking at for this working Amrap 15 or 30?

I did have a rower, but didn’t use it as much as I should have because of the noise Turned to running outside and longer kettlebell sets…seems to be a good mix so far

Rower because it's used in the open

Thanks Jonny. Great information. One question came to mind watching this: how would you rate something like a RipRow as a tool for off season workouts? I live in a very snowy and icy place where winter downhill riding is a rare luxury, so this interests me.

What about maintenance and reliability of those 3 machines? Juste curious. Great content.

I did a self challenge on the Ass Bike a couple years ago, 100 calories for time, I'm pretty sure I got just under 5 min if memory serves. My God the quad pump was borderline take me to the hospital LOL

If you were to get one machine for motocross, which would it be?

I'd like to know your opinion on the cross training benefits of bouldering/rock climbing? Several climbing gyms have popped up close to me, its seems a fun challenge in it's own right but wondered how the motions transfer to MTB strength? Thanks for all the fantastic information you share!

assault bike plus some kettlebell swings will get ya in balance

What cardio equipment do you use and why?