SimDay

Ski erg

A distance piece on a ski erg; standing double-pole pulls, judged off the monitor.

SimDay default
1 km (0.62 mi)
Loaded
No
Plates change between heats
No
Space per lane
About 1.2 m × 1.5 m per machine including the athlete’s stance.

The standard to brief

The athlete pulls until the monitor shows the target distance, standing on the platform (or the floor in front of a wall-mounted unit). Damper setting is the athlete’s choice unless you fix it.

Common no-reps

  • Letting go and walking away before the monitor reaches zero.
  • Using the machine before the judge has reset it to the distance piece.

Judging notes

  • Preset the monitor to the distance piece; a ski erg uses the same monitor menus as a rower, so one briefing covers both.
  • Ski ergs are easy to knock over when the floor stand is not weighted — check the base before each heat.
  • Tap the split when the monitor hits zero and the athlete leaves the machine.

Setting it up in a gym

  1. Compare drag factors across machines before the event; on a SkiErg the damper is usually run lower than on a rower (Concept2 suggests 3 or below as a starting point).
  2. Give each machine a clear arc in front — handles swing out on the recovery.
  3. If you only have one or two ski ergs, stagger lanes so two athletes never need the same machine at the same moment (SimDay heat sheets show who is due when).

Equipment

  • Ski erg per lane (floor stand or wall mount)
  • Charged monitors
  • Spare handle straps

Scaling for beginners

Drop to 500 m, or swap for a second row if you have no ski ergs (and say so on the format).

Formats that use it

Sources

  1. Concept2 — What is the best damper setting for me?

Checked 17 October 2026.