Ski Machines

To use a ski machine effectively, stand facing the unit with your feet shoulder-width apart and grip the handles with both hands. Start with your arms raised overhead and your body in a tall, upright position. Initiate the movement by driving your hands downward in a powerful motion while bending at the hips and slightly at the knees — similar to a double-pole action in Nordic skiing. Engage your core and use your lats and upper back to pull through the motion, bringing your hands down to your thighs. Return to the starting position in a controlled manner and repeat.

Maintain a steady rhythm, and focus on using your full body — not just your arms — to create power. Breathe consistently and monitor your technique to avoid overloading the lower back. Beginners should start with short intervals (e.g., 30 seconds on, 30 seconds off) and gradually increase intensity or duration. The built-in monitor on machines like the Concept2 SkiErg provides real-time feedback on your pace, calories burned, and distance, helping you track progress and train smarter.

Ski machines are ideal for full-body conditioning, high-intensity interval training (HIIT), and low-impact cardiovascular workouts. They’re suitable for all fitness levels and especially beneficial for improving aerobic capacity, upper body strength, and core stability.

Stand facing the SkiErg with feet shoulder-width apart and grip the handles with both hands above your head. Begin by pulling the handles down powerfully, bending slightly at the hips and knees. Drive your hands past your hips in a smooth, controlled motion, engaging your core, back, and arms.

Return your arms to the top position steadily, maintaining good posture throughout. Avoid using just your arms — the power should come from your full body, especially your core and lats. The harder you pull, the more resistance you create, thanks to the flywheel system.

Use the PM5 monitor to track time, strokes per minute, calories, and distance. It’s great for interval training, endurance work, or low-impact cardio. The SkiErg can be mounted on a wall or used with a floor stand for flexibility.

A SkiErg machine is a piece of cardio equipment designed to simulate the motion of Nordic skiing. It provides a full-body, low-impact workout that primarily targets the upper body, core, and legs. Users pull down on two handles in a smooth, rhythmic motion — similar to double-poling on skis — making it ideal for building strength, endurance, and aerobic fitness.

The most popular model is the Concept2 SkiErg, which uses a flywheel resistance system and a PM5 performance monitor to track metrics like pace, calories, and distance. It’s widely used by athletes, CrossFitters, and general fitness enthusiasts as an effective alternative to rowing machines or treadmills, offering intense workouts with minimal impact on the joints.

The SkiErg can be wall-mounted or paired with a floor stand, making it suitable for gyms, studios, or home training setups.