(It’s Not Just for Skiers!)

If you’ve spotted the SkiErg in the gym and thought “That looks intense…” — you’re not alone.

The good news? The SkiErg isn’t just for elite athletes or people who’ve been skiing since childhood. In fact, it’s one of the best all-round exercise machines for building strength, improving fitness, and supporting joint-friendly movement.

And because you control the pace, it can be as gentle or as challenging as you like.

So, this month we’re encouraging you to give it a go — and we’ll show you how to use it comfortably and safely.

The SkiErg is a brilliant full-body cardio machine that works your upper body, core and legs, and it’s easier to use than it looks once you know the basics. Start by setting the damper (the lever on the side) to around 3–5 for a smooth resistance — higher doesn’t mean better, it just feels heavier. Turn on the monitor and select “Just Row” for a simple session, then stand facing the machine with your feet hip-width apart, a slight bend in your knees, and your core engaged. Reach up and grab the handles with your arms straight or nearly straight, keeping your shoulders relaxed. To begin the movement, pull the handles down smoothly using your back muscles (your lats) rather than just your arms, and as the handles pass your chest, add a small hinge at the hips and engage your core for extra power. Finish each pull with the handles near your hips or thighs, then return to the start position slowly and under control — a great technique tip is to pull down fast and recover slowly, as this keeps the movement efficient and protects your shoulders. For beginners, aim for a steady rhythm of about one second down and two seconds back up, keeping everything smooth rather than rushed. Common mistakes include relying only on the arms, shrugging the shoulders, bending the elbows too early, or letting the handles pull you upward on the recovery, so focus on staying tall, using your core, and controlling the return. If you’re new to SkiErg, a simple first workout is five to ten minutes: start with an easy warm-up, build into a steady moderate pace, and finish with a gentle cool-down — and remember the cue, “Tall, pull, crunch, finish, slow up,” to keep your form strong.