Concept2 SkiErg Review: A Full-Body Conditioning Powerhouse

In the world of functional fitness, few machines have made as significant an impact as the Concept2 SkiErg. While Concept2 may be better known for its iconic Concept2 RowErg rowing machine, the SkiErg has carved out its own niche as an elite-level conditioning tool favored by athletes, fitness enthusiasts, CrossFitters, and HYROX competitors alike. With its Nordic skiing motion and low-impact mechanics, the SkiErg delivers a brutally effective workout that challenges both strength and cardiovascular endurance.

This review will take a deep dive into the Concept2 SkiErg—its design, performance, key benefits, and how it stacks up against the competition. Whether you’re training for a race, enhancing your CrossFit performance, or just looking for a new way to get fit, the SkiErg is a machine worth considering.

What is the Concept2 SkiErg?

The Concept2 SkiErg is a vertical exercise machine that mimics the poling motion of cross-country skiing. Using a pair of retractable cords and handles, users pull downward in a powerful movement that activates the upper body, core, and lower body in unison. The motion resembles double-poling in Nordic skiing, making the SkiErg not only a great cardio machine but also a valuable tool for ski-specific training.

Like its rowing machine counterpart, the SkiErg uses a flywheel and damper system to generate resistance. This air-based resistance adjusts automatically based on the intensity of your pulls, meaning the harder you go, the more challenging it becomes.

The SkiErg can be mounted on a wall or used with a freestanding floor stand, making it versatile for both home gyms and commercial training spaces.

Key Features

• Air Resistance Flywheel – Provides smooth, scalable resistance that mimics real ski-poling effort.
• Performance Monitor (PM5) – Offers real-time data tracking, including watts, pace, calories, heart rate (with compatible monitor), and stroke rate.
• Ergonomic Handles – Non-slip, sweat-resistant handles provide a firm grip and natural motion.
• Durable Build – Steel and aluminum construction with a powder-coated finish ensures long-term durability.
• Wall-Mounted or Floor Stand Options – Can be customized to suit different training environments.
• Connectivity – The PM5 supports Bluetooth and ANT+ for syncing with apps and heart rate monitors.

SkiErg in Competitive Fitness: CrossFit & HYROX

The SkiErg has become a staple in high-intensity functional fitness workouts, particularly in CrossFit and HYROX competitions.

In CrossFit, the SkiErg is used as a conditioning station that complements weightlifting and bodyweight movements. It’s prized for its ability to push athletes to their cardiovascular limits without the joint strain of running or jumping.

In HYROX, the SkiErg is one of the official workout stations. Each HYROX race features 1,000 meters on the SkiErg as part of its hybrid endurance format. Competitors train to hit fast splits on the machine, making SkiErg-specific workouts a regular part of their programming.

Its presence in both sports speaks to the machine’s scalability and effectiveness across a wide range of fitness levels and goals.

Why Every Garage Gym and Home Gym Should Have a SkiErg

If you’re building out a garage gym or upgrading your home workout space, the Concept2 SkiErg should be high on your list of must-have equipment. It checks all the boxes for the modern home gym user: compact footprint, full-body training, scalability, and unmatched durability.

Space-Saving Design:
Unlike a treadmill or full-size rower, the SkiErg takes up minimal room. When wall-mounted, it only requires a few feet of vertical space and about a 4×2 ft training area. For those with limited floor space, this is a game changer. Even with the optional floor stand, it fits easily into most garages, basements, or spare rooms.

Low Maintenance, High Reward:
Home gym owners don’t want equipment that breaks down or needs constant calibration. The SkiErg is famously low-maintenance—built with the same rugged quality as Concept2’s rowing machines. You can hammer out session after session without worrying about wear and tear.

Year-Round Conditioning:
Cold weather? Rainy season? No problem. With the SkiErg, you have a consistent, effective way to get in your cardio without ever leaving the house. It’s perfect for warmups, cool-downs, or full training sessions—rain or shine, no excuses.

Efficient for Time-Crunched Schedules:
Home and garage gym users often value quick, effective workouts. The SkiErg delivers exactly that. Just 15–20 minutes of interval work can leave you drenched in sweat, torching calories while strengthening your core, lats, and posterior chain.

Silent Killer (in a good way):
Compared to other cardio machines, the SkiErg is relatively quiet. The swishing of the flywheel is far less intrusive than a treadmill’s pounding or a bike’s whirring chain. That makes it a perfect fit for early morning or late-night workouts without disturbing others in the house.

Trusted in Competitive Environments:
If it’s good enough for CrossFit athletes and HYROX competitors, it’s more than enough for the home user. You’re not buying a gimmick—you’re investing in a battle-tested machine that professionals rely on.

In short, the SkiErg is one of the best pound-for-pound additions you can make to your home or garage gym setup. Whether you’re training for performance or general fitness, this machine delivers results—without taking over your entire space.

Benefits of Training with the SkiErg

1. Full-Body Workout

The SkiErg activates more than just the arms and shoulders. It engages the lats, traps, core, glutes, and even the hamstrings when performed with a proper squat-pull motion. It promotes coordination and full-body power transfer—hallmarks of efficient athletic movement.

2. Low-Impact Conditioning

Unlike running or plyometrics, the SkiErg is easy on the joints. The pulling motion is smooth and controlled, which makes it ideal for people recovering from injury or those looking to maintain high-intensity training without overuse strain.

3. Scalable Intensity

Because resistance is generated by the air flywheel, users can adjust intensity simply by pulling harder or easing off. This makes it beginner-friendly while still delivering a serious challenge to advanced athletes. The damper setting allows for fine-tuning resistance to simulate different skiing conditions.

4. Cardiovascular and Muscular Endurance

SkiErg workouts can be structured as short sprints, long endurance sessions, or interval-based circuits. In each format, athletes build both aerobic and anaerobic capacity, making it one of the most effective tools for conditioning and fat burning.

5. Compact and Versatile

The SkiErg’s vertical design takes up less space than a treadmill or rower. Wall-mounting keeps it out of the way in smaller spaces. It’s a strong option for home gyms, physical therapy offices, or multi-use athletic facilities.

6. Mental Toughness

There’s no coasting on the SkiErg. Once the workout starts, your output is constantly displayed on the screen, pushing you to maintain or beat your pace. It’s a humbling machine, and it quickly exposes any gaps in your stamina or grit.

Sample SkiErg Workouts

• Sprint Intervals: 10 rounds of 100 meters with 1:00 rest
• Endurance Session: 5,000 meters for time
• Tabata Protocol: 20 seconds on, 10 seconds off for 8 rounds
• HYROX Prep: 1,000 meters at race pace, rest 2:00, repeat 3–5 times

These sessions can be tailored to your training phase—whether you’re building an aerobic base or testing max effort output.

Learning the Power Zone

Concept2’s Reputation and the PM5 Monitor

The Concept2 PM5 monitor is one of the best in the industry. It offers detailed data and can track progress over time with memory storage and app syncing via Bluetooth. The monitor supports a wide range of workout types, including custom intervals and target training. It also allows users to race against previous sessions or challenge friends remotely via the Concept2 Logbook.

Concept2 has a sterling reputation for durability and support. Their machines are built to last, with thousands of rowing and SkiErg units still in use at gyms after a decade or more.

Competitors to the SkiErg

While the SkiErg is the most widely recognized ski machine, it’s not the only player in the market. Here’s how it compares to some alternatives:

1. Xebex Ski Trainer

• Pros: Similar air resistance design, often comes at a lower price point. Also features a performance monitor with interval and wattage tracking.
• Cons: Monitor lacks the refined accuracy and features of the PM5. Some users report a less fluid pull.

2. Assault Fitness AirRunner (as a cardio alternative)

• Not a direct competitor, but the AirRunner appeals to similar users looking for low-impact cardio that builds serious endurance. It offers a different experience (running vs. pulling) but might appeal to CrossFitters and HYROX athletes as a comparable station.

3. Technogym SkillMill & SkillRow

• High-end cardio equipment focused on athletic training, but significantly more expensive and bulkier than the SkiErg. They offer more built-in workouts but aren’t ski-specific.

4. ThoraxTrainer Pro

• A Nordic-specific machine used in professional ski training. Offers a different resistance system (magnetic or hybrid), with a steeper price and less availability in the U.S.

Overall, Concept2’s combination of affordability, performance tracking, and community (via online challenges and logbooks) gives it a distinct edge.

Is the SkiErg Worth It?

For anyone looking to boost their cardio fitness, power output, and mental grit, the Concept2 SkiErg is an excellent investment. Its ability to scale across all fitness levels, provide low-impact conditioning, and deliver reliable feedback makes it suitable for athletes, military personnel, physical therapy patients, and weekend warriors alike.

The fact that it’s used in elite competitions like HYROX and CrossFit speaks volumes. It’s not a trendy gimmick—it’s a proven tool that punishes weaknesses and builds serious fitness.

Final Verdict

Pros:

• Full-body, low-impact workout
• Durable and space-saving
• Excellent data tracking via PM5
• Trusted in competitive events like CrossFit and HYROX
• Scalable for all levels

Cons:

• Can be monotonous without programming variety
• Not as well-known outside of the CrossFit/endurance community
• Pull motion may require some technique adjustment for beginners

If you’re serious about conditioning or hybrid fitness, the Concept2 SkiErg deserves a spot in your training arsenal. It’s brutal, effective, and endlessly scalable—exactly what a functional fitness machine should be.