Concept2 is known for creating a lot of great options to help you work out all of your muscle groups and ensure that you can feel amazing when you are done. Two of the machines that customers love are the Concept2 SkiErg and the Concept2 Rower. Both will work your muscles and can help make for an intense workout, but which one should you choose?
When choosing between a SkiErg vs rower, it is important to know the benefits and negatives of each one. So let's take a look at which one is best for your home gym.
Quick Comparison Of The SkiErg And Rowing Machine
Both the SkiErg and the Rowing machine are great for providing a full-body workout for your home gym. They will make you want to get one of each to work out the whole body, and there are even full exercise routines that utilize both to complement each other.
If you have to choose just one, you may wonder which one is going to be the winner. Here is our opinion on which one is the winner in multiple categories!
Feature | SkiErg | Rowing Machines |
|---|---|---|
Footprint In the Home | Cell | |
Workout Experience | ||
Weight & Height Capacity | Cell | |
Aesthetics & Build Quality | Cell | |
Integrated Tech Features | ||
Resistance Power | Cell | |
Performance Monitoring | Cell | |
Ease of Assembly & Set-Up | Cell | |
Purchase Price & Ongoing Costs | Cell |
SkiErg Vs Rower – Which Concept2 Cardio Machine Is Best?
Footprint In The Home
When you are limited on space, you need to work with the SkiErg machine. This one does come with an optional floor stand if you want, but it is designed to hook right up to the wall. This makes it easy to put out of the way and use whenever it is time to do a good workout.
The rower will take up a bit more space, but not a ton. Users will need to put it on the floor of their home gym and have enough length to stretch out and do the work. It does break apart for easier storage if you can’t leave it out. This makes it easier to save space, but the SkiErg is more convenient.
Comfortable & Realistic Workout Experience
The SkiErg allows you to choose where to hook up the machine so that it is the right height for your needs. You should measure this out ahead of time to ensure that it is not too tall or hard to use for your needs. It does adjust to make it work for more than one user too.
The rower is easier to adjust between more than one user, though. The seat sits about 14 inches from the ground, with an optional change to 20 inches for those who need extra height. You can also move the seat up or down between each use, so this is a better choice if more than one person will use the rower.
Weight & Height Capacity
The Concept2 Rower does weigh more and take up more space than the SkiErg, as long as you use them properly. Since the user of the rower will need to sit on the device to use it and needs room to push back and forth, it makes sense that it takes up more space and weighs more.
If you use the SkiErg the right way and place it as a wall mount, the device is lighter. However, some users prefer to have it attached to a floor stand, which can add an additional 35 pounds and makes it much heavier than the rower.
Aesthetics & Build Quality
Both the Concept2 Rower and the SkiErg are nice machines to add to your home gym. They are built out of the same material of aluminum to make them strong and sturdy, no matter how often you plan to use it.
When it comes to being aesthetically pleasing and staying out of the way, the SkiErg is one of the best choices. It is designed to hook to the wall and just pop out when you are ready to get the workout started. Push it all back together when done.
The build quality of the rower is great, with a frame that adjusts to different heights and a weight capacity of up to 500 pounds, making it usable by most people who want to get a great workout. It may take up more space in your home gym, though, so keep that in mind when setting it up or deciding on which one to use.
Integrated Tech Features
There are several software options that come with Concept2 products, making them more efficient to use. The Concept2 Utility is a free software that will help you manage the data from the workout into a USB LogBook or the LogCard from Concept 2. This helps you back up the data, chart the progress, and analyze how much you have improved.
ErgData is a good choice to use too. This can work on your smartphone, connecting wirelessly via Bluetooth. Once connected, it can help you see more statistics and monitor more about the workout you are using. Both of these machines will allow the user to input other rowing apps and software of their choice to help make the workout more efficient. You will need to choose which app and some are going to cost a little more to use.
Performance Monitoring For Weight Loss
Both of these machines utilize the Performance Monitoring 5, one of the best in tracking and monitoring for weight loss and more. This app, which comes standard on both devices, will track your heart rate, speed, target training, and more.
There are several games on PM5 that make it easier to pick up speed, work harder, and see results. You can play the fish game to modulate your intensity. The darts come to help you keep a consistent tempo, or the biathlon that will combine sports together to keep you moving hard with all of your goals. This will help you have a good workout and help you lose weight.
Ease Of Assembly & Set-Up
The rower is considered easier to put together. The design is meant to help bring the machine out for a good workout and then put it back away when you are done.
This makes it easier to assemble in the first place. It will not take long to put it together the first time for a great workout.
The SkiErg will take a little longer to put together.
This is because it comes with all the hardware you need to hook it up to the wall, and you will likely need two people to install it.
However, once installed, you can just fold everything up, and it is out of the way, making it easier to maintain.
Purchase Price & Ongoing Costs
Both of these machines are competitively priced for what you are going to get. The rower does cost a little more after initial costs, shipping, and upgrades at around $1,000, compared to the SkiErg that is just under $900. With additional features and the ability to easily use between more than one person, this may make the rower preferable to the SkiErg.
Both use the PM5 for monitoring, games while working out, and more, which will not cost extra. The Concept2 Rower is able to hook up to other apps and special heart rate monitors if you would like, but these will cost more. The costs depend on the exact app you wish to use.
Concept2 SkiErg Overview
The Concept2 SkiErg is a high-end product that can give anyone a full-body workout in no time. Once it is set up, it will help build up strength and endurance, helping you to keep strong throughout the whole body.
Many customers love that this machine does not take up a lot of space. Just hook it up to the wall and use it when you want. You can also get the floor stand, but that comes separately and is not as efficient.
Customers can enjoy the flywheel response that is easy to adjust based on how much effort you wish to put into the workout that you do. And there are many components that come with it, including a smartphone cradle, user manual, performance monitor to track progress, and more.
This all-in-one machine is perfect for those who are serious about their workout. It costs more than many other models, but it is easy to install, tracks progress, and gives a full-body workout all in one, making it a great choice.
Pros & Cons Of The Popular Concept 2 SkiErg
What We Like
What We Don’t Like
Concept 2 Rowing Machine Overview
- Integrated Device Holder allows you to keep...
- 14-inch seat height fits most uses....
- Indoor rowing is an effective full-body and...
- Includes the Performance Monitor 5, giving...
The Concept2 Rowing Machine will work all your muscles as you row down the stream and enjoy a good full-body workout. It comes with a low impact workout that will still work the whole body, making it perfect, regardless of your health.
Want to track your progress? This is possible with the reliable real-time data provided through the Performance Monitor 5. You can use the PM5 standard with the machine, but any heart rate belts and other apps will need to be added for extra costs.
This rower is designed to fit most users, with an adjustable seat and footrests and a comfortable handle to row with. For easy storage, you can separate the machine into two pieces and put it away, or you can keep it in one place in your home gym.
Pros & Cons Of The Popular Concept 2 Rower
What We Like
What We Don’t Like
People Also Ask (FAQs)
Can you convert a Concept2 rower to SkiErg?
There are some adjustments that you can do to the Concept2 Rower in order to get it to behave similarly to a skiing machine like the SKiErg. There are a few differences, so it is not exactly the same, but it can still give you a good workout and can make sure you hit more than one muscle group at a time.
Do they make a SkiErg and rower combo?
While these are two separate machines, there are exercise and workout options that will combine them together so that you can get the best of both pieces of the machine. This mixed workout will balance the muscles, alternate the muscle groups, and add more variety to the movements that you are going to enjoy.
Is SkiErg a full body workout?
The SkiErg machine is a great option to use to help build up strength and make sure that you are able to work out the whole body. Many other exercise machines are going to just focus on one part of the body at a time. This one will make many muscles work together for the best workout each day.
Can you build muscle with SkiErg?
It is possible to build muscle with the SkiErg machine. This machine is going to provide resistance through the fan, making it safer on the body and easier to prevent injuries compared to using other weight-building options like dumbbells and barbells.
Conclusion
Both the SkiErg and the Concept2 Rower are great options for you to use. The Rower is a great choice to help get a full-body workout, but the SkiErg can use different muscle groups and can be utilized as a rower, too, if needed. Both can help make your home gym complete, giving you the best workout possible.
Last Updated on April 20, 2022
