HIT THE SLOPES INDOORS

Get shredded, build power, and improve endurance with these three different Ski Erg protocols.

- ANDREW GUTMAN

YOU'RE FAMILIAR with the standard cardio players-the treadmill (both motorized and nonmotorized); the spin, recumbent, and Airdyne bikes; and the StairMasterbut we'd like to introduce you to a lesser-known member of the roster: the SkiErg.

Released by Concept2 (the same company that invented the popular Concept2 Rower, or Erg) in 2009, the SkiErg emulates the double-pole technique used by Nordic skiers. The user stands in front of the tower-like machine and grabs a handle in each hand. Then she uses her full body to pull the "poles" down before butterflying her arms back up to smoothly transition into another rep. The result is an upper-body-heavy cardio sesh that's easy on the joints and, according to Equinox trainer Dan Daly, C.S.C.S., promotes postural health. "The SkiErg can encourage tall long posture with the overhead reach, followed by a deep sit into the hips," says Daly, who also notes that the user should start to adapt to the foreign mechanics of the machine in two weeks.