Don’t feel like roller skiing in the rain and cold? Worried about falling or catching a cold? A great alternative to outdoor double poling is double-poling trainers. Do you know what options are available on the market and how they differ in terms of functions, installation, price, and other parameters?

A common question is which double-poling trainer is better – SkiErg or Ercolina. The investment in these training devices is relatively high, and you don’t want to make a mistake. Let’s introduce both brands so you can decide which one suits you better.

SkiErg

The SkiErg by Concept2 is a trainer that utilizes air resistance, which can be adjusted with a damper in a range of 1 to 10, determining the amount of air that flows into the flywheel.

A considerable advantage of the SkiErg is the advanced PM5 performance monitor, which can measure a wide range of values. These data are key for evaluating performance and testing athletes.

What does the SkiErg measure?

• Time and “distance” covered.
• Pace, typically displayed as time per 500 meters (e.g., 2:05/500m), is a standard unit for measuring speed and intensity.
• Actual power in watts.
• Estimated calories burned based on power output.
• Stroke rate: the number of pulls per minute, helping you monitor technique and rhythm.
• Power curve: this advanced feature displays a graph of how you apply power during each pull, helping you identify weak spots and improve efficiency.
• Heart rate: the PM5 monitor can wirelessly connect to chest straps (Bluetooth or ANT+). This value is essential for training in different intensity zones.
• Splits: automatic division of training into set distances (e.g., every 500m), allowing you to track and compare pace in sections.
• Thanks to the mobile app, you can even race friends remotely and compare results.

Also Read: The best workouts on the double-poling trainer

Ercolina

The Ercolina is a resistance trainer that you must set in motion using adjustable cables/ropes. The basic version cannot measure power, pace, or burned calories, and you have to adjust the resistance level manually. However, the newer version, the Ercolina Moto, includes an electric motor that allows you to easily and precisely set the trainer’s resistance.

Ercolina Moto

A total of 20 options (profiles) are available for you to use in your training. You can set the time or distance, and then the resistance level from 0 to 6. This feature makes the Moto model very suitable for interval training or for “imitating” a real track. Other settings are also available.

Data displayed during the workout includes, among other things, power in Watts, cadence (number of strokes) in real time, strokes per minute, time spent, distance covered, and speed. After the workout is finished, the data is saved to memory.

In the case of the basic Ercolina model, you can only focus on two measurable parameters, which are often tracked manually: adjustable resistance (which is not 100% accurate) and time, which you must measure using a stopwatch or a sports tracker on your wrist.

Installation of the trainers

The SkiErg is a free-standing machine, so you don’t have to drill holes in the wall, and thanks to wheels, you can move it around easily. If the free-standing version takes up too much space, you can also mount it on a wall.

The Ercolina must be fixed to a wall or hung from a wall. However, you can also use it flexibly outdoors or take it with you to training camps, as it fits into a car like a smaller piece of luggage. In accommodation facilities, you don’t need to drill anything – it’s enough to hang it, for example, on a fence.

Read More: Autumn season begins – Training for skiers before the snow arrives

How to stay entertained?

Some people can’t imagine training on trainer equipment. Some need music, others like watching Ski Classics events or other stimulating footage. Even a regular movie works, as long as you’re not doing intervals. You may be surprised how long you can last.

If you like watching something on a TV or computer, the SkiErg’s central support column will block your view. You’d need to place the screen to the side (but that requires unnecessary rotation) or above, inside the V-shaped frame – but even then, the view won’t be perfect. With the Ercolina, it’s easy to place a screen right in front of your eyes, for example, on a shelf or stand.

Price comparison

The basic model (Ercolina Upper Body Power) costs around EUR 1.060,00. The extended model with a power meter (Ercolina Upper Body Power with Power Meter) is more expensive, costing approximately EUR 1.670,00.

The SkiErg Concept2 PM5 (wall-mounted version) costs approximately EUR 1.040,00, and if you choose the free-standing version with a stand, the price is around EUR 1.310,00.

Both types of double-poling trainers are made of high-quality materials and guarantee long durability.

Differences in technique indoors and outdoors

Some skiers try to make the double-poling technique on the trainer resemble roller skiing and skiing as closely as possible. One option is to place a board in front of the trainer and move back and forth on roller skis.

Consider what you need

If you need a more affordable version of a double-poling trainer, it pays to get the SkiErg or the basic version of the Ercolina.

However, if you are looking for a space-saving option with quality features and the ability to be transported to another location, the Ercolina Moto will be a more suitable training tool for you.

Read More: Where to go for a quality autumn training camp?

Are you interested in training for long-distance, traditional cross-country skiing, and biathlon? Click HERE and read more about it.