How is a cross country skiing machine for cross-training?

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I have a Concept2 SkiErg and it's great for days/periods when you're beat up from the pounding of running and/or want to change it up, especially during the winter. You can generate high HR and work your shoulders and core in ways that running doesn't. I bought one two years ago now and it's held up well and takes up very little space. Also good for thighs and other muscles involved in squatting, but without pounding. I would buy again.

Thanks for the feedback. The concept2 is interesting; it looks like you are mainly working the arms/shoulders/upper body since there are no skis. I had the nordictrack classic pro skier in mind; where there are skis that slide back and forth as well as something for the arms. It seems like from what I've read that this model is quite popular. Any experiences/opinions on that?

I have an old nordic track ski machine that I got for free. I was interested in it since Paula Radcliif mentions using one when she was injured, in her biography. And in Peter Snells biography he mentions that when he was tested for endurance at UCLA, the only athletes they'd tested who had more endurance were cross country skiers.

I have been Dealing with peroneal tendon issues that ruined a couple of years of running. But finally the season is going well again. I got the nordic track back in august. and decided against using it. Due to the ankle. But during my tests I did find it easy to get my heart rate up. Which i had not been able to do in over a year with my legs on land due to inability to deal with impact and take off. nordic was zero impact. and felt very plausibly useful. I would use it with a heart monitor. and likely not use the arm exercise part. The older machine is a bit gimmicky. as far as setting it at the same setting each workout and changing settings. My work around would be to use it with the heart monitor and possibly a metronome.

One thing that surprised me was the mechanism of resistance. It's basically just a simple strap applying friction to a flywheel.

anyway . now that I've healed a few more months and the ankle is doing way better I think I will use step aerobic and the old ski machine and pool for cross training. an obvious problem with the ski machine is everything stays in that one track. setting up the situation to get pretty strong in one situation of balance and direction. while getting pretty weak in tangential situations. I would guess it would be useful to include cross training which brought in more angles and balance as a protection for more real life surfaces. so you dont just get very strong going straight with flat feet.

Thank you for sharing about the Nordictrack. I think I'm leaning towards this (but the current model); I would like to be able to work both arms and legs like actual cross country skiing.

I agree about the lack of lateral muscle activation if this is all you do, but for me this would be just once or twice a week along with a lot of running, so I think it should not matter. Just looking for a really good aerobic exercise, no impact and full body, that is similar to running. It seems like this is the best.