The first time I stepped into a CrossFit box, I ended up nearly collapsing with exhaustion.

No, it was not because of the WOD. I have managed both, the FRAN and the Filthy 50. But it was intervals on the Concept 2 Rower that left me half-dead, gasping for breath.

Rowers are designed in hell. Don't believe me? Hop on one, raise the intensity a notch and go full steam at them.

I believed that they were the death wish for anyone who's got inflated opinions about their own fitness levels. But, then I discovered the Skierg, another brutal workout machine from the same brand. 

After working out on the Skierg for a while, I was convinced that this is as good as the heaviest of duty hardcore rowers. workout Rower. Or is it better?

Turned out that a lot of others also have the same doubt. That's why I decided to create this blog post, to add my two cents to this, and clear some doubts, once and for all.

Quick Overview of the Concept 2 Rower & Skierg

In case you are unaware, both of these are pieces of cardio equipment from Concept 2. Well, calling them cardio machines is an understatement.

Both rowing and skiing, are full body compound moves. So, I call them full body workout machines.

These machines will get your heart pumping out of your rib cage for sure. But that's not the only advantage. They will also recruit your glutes, quads, hamstrings, back shoulders, arms and hip flexor muscles.

One is a rowing machine while the other mimics the upper body movement of Skiing. 

Here's a closer look at each one.

Concept 2 Rower

The Concept 2 Rower is one of the best full body cardio workout machines you can get your hands on. It consists of a flywheel and a monorail, which guides the sliding seat backwards and forwards. It mimics the body movement and muscle recruitment of real rowing in a boat.

In fact, the rower is a polished and fine-tuned iteration of a rudimentary rowing machine that was created by former Olympians Dick and Pete Dreissigacker.

Since then, the Rower has become one of the most popular heavy duty rowing machines for burning calories, to get your heart rate up, and lose weight.

Specs

• Length - 8 feet

• Width - 2 feet

• Monorail length - 4 1/2 feet

• Max User weight - 227 kilograms

• Frame - Aluminum and Steel

• Monitor arm - Nylon (Adjustable)

• Monitor - PM3

What I like about it

There are a lot of things that make the Concept 2 rower such an effective choice for cardiovascular exercise, strength as well as overall fitness. 

Here's what I like the most about it.

Low impact but high intensity workouts

• Allows you to rev up your heart rate even if you are struggling to walk after a heavy leg routine. That's because rowing uses concentric movements.

• Involves multiple muscle groups of the upper and lower body

• Hell of a core workout

• Improves your spinal health and posture

Concept 2 Skierg

The Concept 2 Skierg is also an ideal option for those of you who do full body exercises often. This machine consists of identical flywheel and an adjustable monorail, which guides the handles. 

The Skierg imitates the upper body movement of skiing on snow with your arms, which makes it more upper body dominant, as opposed to the rower.

While there will be gluteal muscles and quadriceps recruitment, the primary muscle groups will be the shoulders, back, abdominals and arms. It's particularly helpful for folks with skinny arms - if you want to bulk up on your biceps and triceps, this is the machine for the job.

That's what makes the Skierg such a great complementary machine to the rower. 

In fact, my coach calls it 'The Vertical Rower'. 

Specs

• Height - 85 inches

• Depth - 16 inches

• Frame - Aluminum

• Coating - Powder coating

• Machine weight - 46 lbs.

• Monitor - PM5

What I like about it

As I said, Rowing, despite all the advantages is more ‘lower body’ focused. While it appears that your back and arms are doing all the work, you generate the power from the glutes - for a natural rounded booty.

In contrast, the Skierg requires brute strength in the upper body and helps you initiate muscle growth in this area for a bulky build, if you do not have it already. 

Here's what I like about it:

• The term 'vertical rower' best describes what I like the most about the Skierg. Not only does it engage all the major muscles in your upper body, but it's also low impact, which is great if you've had any injuries. And the best part? this rowing machine won't cause any harm to your back. 
• It increases upper body endurance. Ever get the feeling that you still have gas left in the tank (breath), but have to stop an exercise prematurely? That's lactic acid build up. Skierg prevents this by increasing your upper body stamina and endurance. 
• You recruit muscles that you never knew existed (talk about upper and lower lats, and other small muscle groups), in ways that are impossible with any other exercise or machine. 

Concept 2: Rower vs Skierg, Which One to go for?

If you are looking to pick one of these two for personal or home use, I'd say that you go with the rower.

Despite all the perks that the Skierg offers, rowing holds the edge. It's a much better workout with more muscle fiber recruitment, in both upper and lower body.

It's like you're combining rowing and cycling, but doing it on one machine.

If you can, go for both. These are like two opposite ends of a spectrum and if I personally could, I'd buy both. But if it's a toss-up, the Rower is the winner.

Which One Is More Portable?

Both, the concept 2 Rower and the Skierg have very similar dimensions. One is around 96" in length horizontally, while the other is 84" vertically.

If you are looking to park it in a basement gym with low ceiling, the rower is a better bet.

But if you are looking to place this in a living room, a small workout room, or a basement with tall ceilings, then either one works. 

Which One Is Better for Smaller Places?

Depends on whether it's horizontally small or vertically small. There's very little to choose between the two when it comes to dimensions and size.

Which One Is Quieter?

Both these machines have a similar flywheel and monorail based design. So the amount of noise that they produce is pretty close too.

Based on my personal experience with the two, the Rower tends to produce more noise purely because people row more intensely than they ski. 

This is just my personal opinion mind you. The seated position, the extension of the legs and arms, allow you to put more energy into rowing. On the Skierg, you are standing and bending down to pull the handle.

This kind of limits the intensity, making it slightly quieter during operation. 

Which Is More Durable?

Both machines have frames made of aluminum, with stainless steel secondary parts and attachments. There's a powder coating which prevents scratches and rust.

So, it's pretty even-steven here.

It's the average hallmark of most self-respecting rowers out there, you will find similar build quality on other rowers like Hydrow, Ergatta, Nordictrack RW500 or the RW900.

I know because I have used most of these rowers myself, so much so, that I even compared Nordictrack's RW900 to the Concept 2 rower, did the same for Nordictracks RW200 and Concept 2 rower as well, and honestly, I wasn't disappointed by either.

Which One Is Easier to Assemble?

The Rower is easier to assemble. That's not because it as fewer moving parts, mind you. It's just because you can assemble the whole thing while seated. The Skierg on the other hand is about 7-foot tall and has attachments on the upper end - more like a lat pulldown machine.

Not a very comfortable assembly.

Which Is Better for Beginners & Seniors?

Rowing in general is considered one of the low impact exercises that's beginner and senior-friendly.

So are other cardio machines really, be it one of those advanced treadmills, mini exercise bikes, recumbent bikes, upright exercise bikes, or even elliptical trainers.

While form is undoubtedly the key to rowing correctly, the learning curve is pretty low. 

You can pick up the basics fast and within no time, you should be rowing on higher intensities comfortably.

Skierg on the other hand involves a lot more posture and lower back. The chances of you pulling a back muscle or recruiting more shoulders than necessary are quite high.

Also, seniors will prefer the rower because it's a seated exercise.

How Do They Fare Price-Wise?

The Rowerg with standard-sized legs is priced at $900. This is the most affordable rowing machine from Concept 2's range. The Dynamic Rower, also called Model D is priced at $1,250. 

The Skierg costs $770 on the official Concept 2 website. Add around $180 for the floor stand and it comes to $950.

So, very little difference price-wise too.

What about The Warranty?

Both machines have a limited 2-year warranty on moving parts and the PM5 monitor. The warranty on the frame is 5-years.

What Do Customers Think of Each Product?

I have spoken extensively to CrossFitters as well as recreational fitness buffs who have used both, the Rower and the Skierg for years.

Based on the overall feedback, there are more takers for the rower. Part of it can be because its been around for much longer (1981 vs. 2014 for the Skierg). Also, there are a lot more clinical studies with credible evidence about the benefits of rowing. 

That does not mean that the Skierg is rated poorly. There are a lot of people who use both of these as part of a well-rounded fitness program. They should give you pretty much the results you would get with lat pulldown or seated row exercises... at a lower intensity.

If you work out in a club where you have access to both, use both by all means. 

Concept2 Rower Customer Reviews

For a product that has been around for over 30 years, the Rower's reviews have remained stellar. Most people who use the machine speak about how easy it is to assemble, and how low impact the activity is.

The Rower seems to outlast most other electronically powered fitness machines. Negative reviews are rare. But the ones that do exist, are about the monitor failing or the monorail acting up after a while.

Concept2 Skierg Customer Reviews

For the Skierg, the reviews are consistently good too. There's a lot of chatter about how much it helps with lower abdominal muscle recruitment. Also, it looks similar to a cable pulley system.

But when you actually start to use it, it will make you weep.

The only possible quibble that people have with it is that it's more upper body focused than full body, like the rower is. That's not necessarily a deal breaker for a lot of people though.

Closing Thoughts: Concept 2: Rower vs Skierg

For me, the Rower is the slightly better pick. But I have my own reasons for selecting it over the Skierg, which is also a tremendous machine. 

It will give you more of a full body workout, without being too taxing on the lower back. The Skierg is no slouch either. But it's not as broad in scope as the rower. 

So, I'll go with Concept 2's signature product for now until Concept-2 or another company comes up with something better.

Which one of these two finds your fancy?

Related Readings: 

• Shock the Muscle Myth - Is It Really a Myth?
• Should You Workout 6 Days a Week?
• DIY Lat Pulldown Bar
• Leg Extension Alternatives
• Nautilis R614 Vs Schwinn 270
• The Best Low Profile Treadmills for Low Ceilings, Basements, & Apartments

References:

1. https://www.concept2.com/indoor-rowers
2. https://www.concept2.com/skierg/concept2-skierg