SkiErgs and upper body cardio machines are a fast-growing category of gym cardio machines, designed to deliver intense cardiovascular training with a strong upper body and core focus. Compact, versatile and highly effective, these machines are popular in commercial gyms, PT studios, performance facilities and serious home gyms.
Unlike traditional cardio equipment that focuses on the lower body, upper body cardio machines challenge the cardiovascular system through pulling, pushing or rotational movements.
The SkiErg is the most recognisable in this category, simulating Nordic skiing with a vertical pull and flywheel resistance. Intensity scales with effort, engaging the lats, shoulders, arms, core and hips, making it a powerful cardio machine with a small footprint.
But there are other options, including the Torque Relentless range, Matrix Upper Body Cycle and Nohrd WaterGrinder. These use alternative movement patterns – pushing, pulling or rotating the hands – to bring variety to functional training, rehabilitation and high-performance conditioning.
With compact footprints for maximum floor efficiency, many of these cardio machines also offer freestanding or wall-mounted options, making them ideal for small home gyms as well as high-traffic commercial facilities.
Suited to athletes, performance-focused users, functional training facilities, PT studios, serious home users and commercial gyms diversifying their cardio offering, many of these pieces of equipment are also inclusive, unlocking high-quality cardio workouts for those in wheelchairs.
In short, these compact, durable, highly effective upper body cardio machines are a powerful addition to any modern training environment.
