Nordictrack SE3i elliptical vs concept 2 skierg
This is a comparison between the Nordictrack SE3i elliptical and the concept 2 skierg including pros, cons and alternatives. Follow the links for more details
Overview and review of the Concept 2 skiErg
The Concept 2 SkiErg comes in at $770. In this article you will learn more about the product itself, its Pros and cons and alternatives you might want to consider. This article has originally been published in the overview "Which conditioning equipment to buy from Rogue".
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Overview of the concept 2 skiErg
The concept 2 skierg is a machine which simulates cross country skiing. The concept 2 rower flywheel has been adapted to keep the athlete in an upright position. This way of going about solves several challenges.
The design of the skierg uses a lot less space than bikes, treadmills, and rowers. Mounted to a wall it takes almost no floor space which makes it a great option for home gyms with limited space. Based on the nature of the movement it can also be used by athletes who have disabilities or rehab from injuries. You can still get a great workout in while seated with the skierg. The skierg has the following specifications:
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Assembled in the us
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Color black
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Weight 46 LB
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Length 52”
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Width 24”
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Height 85”
The concept 2 Skierg is great value for money, especially if you want to mainly focus on your upper body.
Pros of the Cncept 2 skiErg
The pros of the concept 2 ski erg are:
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size
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Can be used by people with disabilities
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Price
The size of the concept 2 skierg is one of its main benefits. Mounted to a wall it takes up no floor space in your gym whatsoever. This is especially good if you want to fit a big rack into a small space and still be able to do cardio.
The concept 2 skierg is one of the few options for endurance training on the market which I know that suits people who can not stand or walk because of their wheels. The only other option I would know is the hand driven ellipticals which are bigger and provide less bang for the buck.
The price is also very attractive to many other cardio options. From the rogue website, it is one of the lowest priced options available.
Cons of the concept 2 skiErg
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Specificity
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Not a real full body workout
Not many people compete in skiing, at least compared to running which is applicable to almost any team sports. Therefore the skierg will not provide a specific movement relevant to the sport your athletes and clients do, except you live in Norway or Switzerland. This means you will also have to provide another machine apart from the skierg.
Even though the marketing claims it is a full body workout I would doubt that you get the same amount of a response from the skierg than a rower or a fan bike. The legs are just too stationary and passive for that. Still a hard workout.
Alternatives to the Concept 2 skiErg
Alternatives to the Skierg are
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TrueForm runner
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Concept 2 rower
The Rogue echo bike will probably give you the better full body workout at roughly the same price. You will need minimally more floor space. This is a great option if you want to burn maximum calories per minute per square foot.
The TrueForm runner would be the best option in the market today to simulate real conditions on a treadmill as close as possible. This also comes at a hefty price tag. Based on the reviews I have seen it is worth every penny.
The concept two rower would be the solid option for a full body workout for every age group. I think this one of the best options for home use if you have the space for the entire family. The only downside is that you would have to free up quite some space to fit it into most homes.
Summary for the Concept 2 SkiErg
The concept 2 skierg is a great machine which fits in any corner. With this, you can train hard and burn your calories. The only downside is that you will mainly focus on your upper body while the legs stay stationary.

Overview and review NordicTrack SE 3i 849
This is a review of the NordicTrack SE3i including pros, cons, and alternatives. This article has been originally published in “which NordicTrack treadmill or elliptical to get in the UK”. Follow the links for more details.
Overview of the NordicTrack SE3i
The SE3i elliptical is the cheapest elliptical from Nordictrack you can buy in the UK market to date. Its main features are 5-inch backlit display, 14kg flywheel, and 32 preset workouts that come with the machine. The full list of features reads as followed:
- 5” Backlit Display
- iFit Bluetooth - 1 Years Membership Included
- Integrated Tablet Holder
- 14 kg. Effective Inertia-enhanced Flywheel
- SMR™ Silent Magnetic Resistance
- 22 Digital Resistance Levels
- EKG Grip Pulse
- 125 kg. User Weight Capacity
- Oversized Pedals
- SoftTouch™ Upper Body Grips
- 32 Preset Workout Apps
- Transport Wheels
- Product Weight 54kg
- Assembled Dimensions - 158L X 66W X 175H cm
- Boxed Weight 60kg
- Boxed Dimensions - 64L x 42W x 132H cm
- Warranty - 5-Year Frame Warranty, 2-Year Parts and Labour Warranty, subject to registration within 28 days of purchase.
Pros of the NordicTrack SE3i
The pros of the SE3i are:
- Low price
- Big flywheel
The most attractive feature about the SE3i is the price tag. There is no other NordicTrack elliptical that can beat this. For this price, you are also getting a big flywheel which makes the machine last for longer. If you want a cheap workhorse, or better said, donkey as a cardio machine in your house, this is it.
Cons of the NordicTrack Se3i
The cons of the SE3i are:
- Out of date display
- Space requirements
This machine will eat up a lot of space in your home or gym and has an out of date design. NordicTrack has already modernized its fleet over in the US, but this facelift has not come through to the UK yet.
Alternatives to the NordicTrack SE3i
This can be alternatives to the SE3i elliptical:
The Nordictrack SE5i is the big brother of the SE3i. It only costs a little extra and gives you a bigger flywheel. Go for this one if you are not considering to buy in multiples of 10 or even 100.
The concept 2 model D rower is a reliable staple in the fitness industry for decades. If you don't want to stand while doing your cardio and like to row, this is a safe bet which does not break the bank.
The Rogue echo bike is my personal favorite when it comes to home gym cardio. This machine is sturdy, affordable, and will make you sweat. The only downside is that it does not come with a lot of multimedia options.
Summary for the NordicTrack SE3i
While it is the cheapest rear-drive elliptical from Nordictrack for the UK i would still go with the SE5i instead, if I was to buy an elliptical.