We’re excited to announce the arrival of a brand new machine for Village Gyms: the Concept2 SkiErg Machine! 

We know that the same workout routine, day in and day out, can get boring quickly - and that boredom could steer you off your fitness path. To keep things fresh and exciting, you can introduce new machines and workouts into your routine to switch it up, work new muscles or keep you motivated to keep on keeping on.

We can proudly say that all 33 of our locations now house a SkiErg to get you on the road to your fitness goals. To try out this new SkiErg machine for yourself, find your local Village Gym on our location finder. Read on to find out what exactly a SkiErg is and how it could work those arms and tone that stomach.

What is a SkiErg?

You might be asking yourself, what exactly is a SkiErg? We don’t blame you! We’ve done the research, so you don’t have to. A SkiErg is a piece of workout equipment that works the arms, legs and core - and it’s ideal for all levels of fitness. The machine was initially designed as a cross-country skiing training tool for Nordic skiers to build and tone their bodies so they can zip through the slopes with ease. In a nutshell, a SkiErg is shorthand for ‘skiing exercise machine’ and, although initially for training purposes, the machine has been adapted to give you a full-body, low-impact workout. 

This versatile and innovative machine ranges in price from £815 to £1040, so you can rest assured that you’re getting the most bang for your buck when you sign up for a gym membership at Village Gym.

Although it has been compared to rowing machines, the difference is that the SkiErg machine focuses on arms, legs, and your core. In addition, the SkiErg machine can be used with a chair for those with disabilities or those recovering from lower body injuries. Not only is this a fantastic choice for those with workout restrictions, but the seated position can provide an intense core workout for great results with continued use. With the correct position and stance, you can ensure you’re getting the most out of the workout and its pull motion. You’ll really feel the burn with this one!

Benefits of the SkiErg Machine

The SkiErg is a powerhouse when it comes to full-body conditioning. Whether you're a seasoned skier or just looking for a new way to boost your fitness, here’s why you should consider adding the SkiErg to your routine:

Full-Body Workout

It engages all the major muscle groups—arms, shoulders, back, core, and legs—ensuring you achieve maximum results in minimal time.

Low Impact, High Intensity

Ideal for those wanting to protect their joints, the SkiErg offers a low-impact workout without sacrificing effort. It’s also great for injury prevention and rehabilitation!

Boosts Cardiovascular Endurance

The rhythmic pulling motion elevates your heart rate and quickly improves your aerobic fitness, making it perfect for heart health and stamina.

Builds Real Strength

It’s not just about cardio; every pull works your upper body, core, and lower body in one fluid motion.

Enhances Ski-Specific Performance

By mimicking the action of ski poling, it’s essential for anyone training for the slopes. It helps develop endurance, power, and coordination just like skiing.

Efficient Fat Burning

With its blend of strength and cardio, the SkiErg helps burn calories and supports healthy fat loss—great if you’re aiming to tone up.

Versatile for All Fitness Levels

Whether you’re a novice or a seasoned athlete, you can control the intensity. It’s easy to adjust and tailor to your personal fitness goals.

Time-Saving

Since it targets multiple muscle groups simultaneously, even a brief session yields significant results—perfect for those with busy schedules.

How to Use a SkiErg Machine

Looking to give the SkiErg machine a go? Here’s how to get started with your workout:

1. Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart in front of the machine. 

2. Grip the handles so that your hands are above your head and slightly bent. 

3. Next, pull the handles down in front of you while bending your knees and pushing your hips back, mimicking a cross-country skiing motion. 

4. Pull the cables down and back until your hands reach your thighs, keeping your arms parallel to your torso. Straighten your arms as much as possible. 

5. Then, reverse the movement to bring your arms back up to the starting position while lifting onto your tiptoes.

6. Immediately pull back down, lowering your heels to the ground, and keep repeating this movement.

To get the most out of your time on the machine, make sure to engage your entire body while pulling on the handles. Start from a fully extended position, then flex your core and lean forward slightly, hinging your hips back and bending your knees.

Is SkiErg a Good Workout?

The SkiErg provides the opportunity to work on leg, arm and core muscles, as well as toning up as you go! It’s an excellent addition to any workout routine. For those interested in skiing, this workout is unmatched for training for the slopes as the machine’s structure is similar to using ski poles and works the same muscles in the body, helping to build up strength where you need it most. Essentially an upright row machine, the SkiErg is an efficient way to boost fat loss and improve overall endurance, strength and power with an intense, low-impact workout.

The payoff for dedicated and efficient SkiErg use is fantastic at an estimated 400 calories in just 30 minutes - that makes it equal to a 30 minutes treadmill session but with less intensity and impact. The calorie burn is really down to your routine, how hard you push yourself and other factors, but expect to burn at least 50 calories every five minutes with a fast speed and correct stance. Not bad, if you ask us! We recommend recording your time for sets as this can help track your progress and motivate you to reach your calorie goal during your SkiErg workout routine.

What Muscles Does SkiErg work?

Primarily, the SkiErg works the triceps, abdominal muscles, hip flexors and shins but can also work the quads, back, hamstrings, glutes and more. When using the correct form and stance, these muscles should work together in harmony to create a fluid, continuous and smooth motion during your pulls. 

Is a SkiErg or a Rower Better?

Deciding whether a SkiErg or a rower is better really comes down to your individual fitness goals. The rower provides a comprehensive workout that heavily targets the legs, back, and core, making it perfect for building endurance and efficiently burning calories. It's especially beneficial if you're aiming to boost your cardiovascular fitness and need a high-calorie-burning option.

On the other hand, the SkiErg focuses more on the upper body—particularly the lats, triceps, and core—while still engaging the legs in a unique way, all while standing. This makes it an excellent choice for those who prefer upright workouts or need to avoid sitting due to back problems. Additionally, the SkiErg is gentler on the lower back and simpler to master in terms of technique.

Both machines provide low-impact cardio, but if you're looking for overall conditioning, the rower typically has the advantage. However, the SkiErg excels in building upper-body endurance and core-focused cardio. Ideally, using both in your training regimen can lead to well-rounded fitness results.

SkiErg Workouts

You might be wondering how to incorporate the SKiErg into your current routine and how best to use the machine to achieve the best results. Don’t worry, we got this one. We’ve outlined below some SkiErg workout routines to get you started:

1. Short Rest Intervals

• Start off with a set of 10 of the following intervals (40 seconds hard, 20 seconds easy)
• Take a three-minute break
• Do a second set of 10 intervals
• Still got some juice left? Go for another set or two but remember, don’t push yourself without a proper warm-up and cool-down session

1. Three-Minute Intervals (10 minutes)

• Ski pulls for three minutes at a comfortable pace
• Rest for two minutes with an easy interval
• Ski for another three minutes, increasing your speed and intensity
• Rest again for another two minutes
• Repeat if desired until you work up a sweat and feel the burn! 

Get Started Today

Now that you have all the information you need and some workouts to get you started, you’re well on your way to incorporating the SkiErg fitness machine into your normal routine. There’s no better way to experience a full-body, heart-pumping workout for the arms, core and legs than with a session on the SkiErg! What are you waiting for? Sign up for a Village Gym membership and use of this fantastic machine and many others at our state-of-the-art gym facilities. 

At Village Gym, we pride ourselves on our state-of-the-art gym equipment and always stay ahead of the curve when it comes to exciting, new machines to ensure you’re getting the very best out of your fitness experience. As a high-tech gym, we’re always looking for new innovative ways to introduce fresh workouts to your routine to help you reach your fitness goals.

Find out more about our equipment on our website, and have a look at what is included in each of our membership types, as well as exercise classes, personal trainers and more. You can find your local Village Gym on our locator. Be sure to also check out our Village Life section for more information on Village Gym and for fitness tips.