Rower or SkiErg which gives a better overall workout?

[dachshund]

Hi, I came to this website to learn more about the concept 2 rower after hearing about how great it is for getting fit. I was looking around the website and discovered that concept 2 also sells the "SkiErg" which people on this board also say gives a great workout. I just would like to know which one gives a better overall workout and will get a person in better shape, the rower or the skierg? Thanks for your help

[luckylindy]

If you've never done either, my guess is that you'd have an easier time completing long workouts on the rower than the SkiErg (since you're sitting and rowing is a more natural movement). More time on a machine = "better shape", so I'd have to vote on the rower for a recreational athlete.

However, your caloric expenditure, max HR, etc are probably similar on both at maximal effort. This means the quality of workout is likely similar (even though they both work different muscles) ... but I'm guessing that it would be rather difficult mentally to pound out 100k on a SkiErg every week, while people routinely do that on a rowing erg.