Tried and tested: How good is the SkiErg as a SUP trainer?

The "aha"came a few years ago after a long skating tour. Exactly the same muscles were flat as after a SUP race. Cross-country skiing is the best endurance training and, from the entire core muscles to the important extensors in the upper arm, the same muscles that provide stability and propulsion when paddling are used extensively. "Good snow is expensive" is unfortunately increasingly the winter motto. The SkiErg is supposed to help as a training device for dry rooms. We have now been able to try it out for three weeks. Here you can also find the interesting Rental concept like the "Concept2" rowing ergometer, which could pay off for smaller training groups.

First impression: The part is ready to go in 15 minutes It looks quite space-consuming in a normal living room. The towing tower looks extremely stable and is firmly attached to the platform. The pull ropes run smoothly and very quietly, the resistance is generated by a large fan wheel that can be adjusted continuously. First impression: professional quality.

Second impression: The grab factor is enormous. Whether adults or children, nobody can resist grabbing one of the handles and pulling and tugging at it - perhaps a primal instinct from the time when we were dangling from trees...

Third impression: Training. Contrary to our preconceptions, the movement is much more varied than expected. After a while, the whole body is involved and the feeling is overwhelmingly real. The pull builds up well depending on the speed of the pull, and the handles are almost powerless in the hand during release. Always in view: the large display, which provides all the important information and ensures precise training control. In addition to distance, speed and time, you can also monitor stroke rate, power and (with optional chest strap) heart rate at all times. With good technique, the power comes from the legs, the torso and from pulling and stretching the arms.

You can find a good technical video here...

Whether in double-decker operationor alternating, the entire upper body works together, the direction of movement is a good complement to pulling machines, where you pull backwards as in rowing. Depending on the setting and pulling speed, you can train either endurance or power. Unfortunately, the design means that a television cannot be placed within sight for longer workouts ;-) MP3 or radio are the only options. And if all this is still not exciting If you think you have enough experience, you can bring the device even closer to paddling with a wobbly base, such as a Sensoboard. However, this is a real challenge for advanced paddlers when the wobble board is slightly adjusted.

Conclusion: A professional training devicewith certainly great benefits. Not exactly space-saving (it can, however, be mounted directly on the wall without a base plate, taking up less space, but is no longer mobile) but very solid-looking, with the air wheel as a resistance unit, tried and tested for decades in rowing machines.

All information: www.concept2.de

And so we have the device for the SUP tuned again: