Has someone tried to use a Concept2 SkiErg for dryland swim training? Looks like it should work, all you would have to do is replace the handles with some paddles. At $770 much cheaper that the Vasa Erg.
New gym has one…
My local gym has one and I’ve tried it. It’s sort of workable but you can’t replace the grips on it which makes it a non-starter IMO. Also, your shoulders get fried in short order from “recovering”.
Did you ever try out the Concept2?
I would suggest just using the rowing Erg. Even though is is “mainly legs and core”, because you have to transfer your leg and arm power through your upper body, you get enough cross training for it to be very beneficial in the pool…then just go to the pool and get swim specific. Use the rowing erg for general body conditioning and you’re set
I have one and use it a lot. I bought it because my kids are XC skiers and their team has 4 of them, they wanted one at home and and my wife and I also wanted one.
I think it is great for swimming, you can hold the base of the handle between your thumb and index finger and get the same arm motion as a high elbow catch. I was also thinking about modifying a set of paddles to “latch” on to the handles which should not be too hard.
I have been mixing it into some strength sessions where I do the 500 M ski, then use the 1 minute recovery to do push ups, situps, squats. Its a killer workout. If you do good double poling technique it also works your abs, and there is a calf raise / small squat in each pull.
Thanks for the response. That’s what I was kinda thinking after doing some research this morning. Is the floor stand required?
I dont have the floor stand. You bolt it to the wall at the top of the unit and at the bottom. There are two floor bolts go into the base plate 2" x 4" of a regular framed wall, the top are 16" on center so they hit the vertical studs of a framed wall on center. You can buy the floor stand if you plan to move it around. I have it in my basement pain cave. It costs $40 for UPS delivery and I had it assembled and working in 30 minutes max. It is really solid.
My local gym has one and I’ve tried it. It’s sort of workable but you can’t replace the grips on it which makes it a non-starter IMO. Also, your shoulders get fried in short order from “recovering”.
You can replace the grips if you want. There are small set screws in the bottom of the handles and you take those out to get to the loop of rope. In a first generation unit they had a XC ski pole handle and regular strap but too many people did not know how to use them correctly so they switched to the current green handles that have the flanges at the bottom. You can buy the older design if you prefer those.
Concept 2 is primarily designing things now for cross fit gyms so the new handles were better for people who just want to grab and go.
Thanks for the response. That’s what I was kinda thinking after doing some research this morning. Is the floor stand required?
I don’t swim but, I’ve had mine since February of this year. I also have the C2 rower. The rower is pretty much all posterior and the skierg nearly all anterior. It certainly provides a great core, arm, upper back and shoulder workout. Incredibly aerobic too. Great for HII training. All around a terrific piece of equipment.
Also, with the new one you can “single pole” with it so you can sort emulate the free style. I believe there are some youtube vids regarding using the skierg for swim cross training.
I bought one. Do you think it’s help you with your swimming?
Even if it doesn’t for me, I like the workout and it looks fun.
My gym has one of these. What does a workout on the ski erg look like? 5 min, 30 min, endurance, intervals, etc.?
My gym has one of these. What does a workout on the ski erg look like? 5 min, 30 min, endurance, intervals, etc.?
Any workout you want from a long slow distance type to HIIT to anything in between.
I think it is great for swimming, you can hold the base of the handle between your thumb and index finger and get the same arm motion as a high elbow catch. I was also thinking about modifying a set of paddles to “latch” on to the handles which should not be too hard.
I just recently got a SkiErg. I agree that the motion of the lats and triceps is similar to what one does when swimming. The difference is in the motion the hips: Correct technique with the SkiErg involves hip flexion with each downward stroke which is not done when swimming.
I’ve been thinking the same thing. Seems like attaching paddles (“Deluxe Swim Paddles” or “Power Paddles” made by the Vasa Swim Trainer folks) to it would allow you to more closely mimic the high elbow catch.
Using it as intended will help your swimming strength endurance for sure but ideally you should modify the technique to suit swimming if that’s what you are using it for…
Wouldn’t these work? https://www.roguefitness.com/ski-erg-handle-extension-pair
Wouldn’t these work? https://www.roguefitness.com/...andle-extension-pair
Those would work fine if the handle was a little closer to the green handle, just so you can reach all the way forward.
I have a DIY ski erg using a bike trainer mounted up near the ceiling, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P81cRegipUw I use it a fair amount. I’ve modified it since that video with a dowel connected to the chain and them XC ski pole grips on the ends of the dowel. I have issues with the chain skipping around on the cassette. It would be better to have a single cog, but I use the different cogs for different resistance. I don’t swim at all in the Winter, I do some XC ski racing, so this is a specific workout for that. I think it keeps your upper body in good swimming shape. I rollerski too (as well as actually XC skiing, but I live in South Central PA, so that is usually a couple hour drive). I would love to have a Concept 2 ski erg, but the cost keeps me away.
I would suggest just using the rowing Erg. Even though is is “mainly legs and core”, because you have to transfer your leg and arm power through your upper body, you get enough cross training for it to be very beneficial in the pool…then just go to the pool and get swim specific. Use the rowing erg for general body conditioning and you’re set
The rowing erg is a great cross training tool which helps in all aspects. However the SkiErg appears to be more swim specific (lats and triceps) and may be a better substitute for swimmers who cannot always get to a pool.