Yes, I ordered a Rogue Echo SKI when the first batch went up for sale last week. While Rogue Fitness sold out very quickly, I got my order in and it was delivered this past Friday.
And since I got my hands on it before almost anyone else, I decided to share my thoughts on the latest machine by Rogue Fitness.
ASSEMBLY
The Rogue Echo SKI came in two boxes, both around 50 pounds each. One box was for the SkiErg and one was for the floorstand.
Rogue supplies all of the necessary hardware and tools to put together the Echo SKI, including two D-batteries for the console.
From the time I started until it was completely built and ready to go, it took me 57 minutes. It got a little tricky on a couple steps with assembling it myself, but overall it was very doable.
If you have your own socket wrench, that would save some time as using the supplied wrench is a bit of a pain. I have one, but used what Rogue included in the packaging for the review.
GEAR SPECS
The Echo SKI is made of heavy-duty aluminum and steel frame, basically the tank that you have come to expect from Rogue Fitness. The Echo SKI itself weighs 55 pounds, while the floor stand adds another 44.5 pounds to the total weight.
It is 85.5 inches tall, just slightly taller than the Concept 2 SkiErg.
The footprint with the floor stand is 51″ long by 28″ wide.
OUTPUT CONSISTENCY
Similar to the Rogue Echo Rower, the Echo SKI was built to match the output of the Concept 2 SkiErg. Rogue worked with S-E-A, a third-party engineering firm, to ensure that all of the outputs were the same as the Concept 2 machine such that both could be used in the same competition.
FLOOR STAND
The Echo SKI floor stand is 20% wider than the Concept 2 SkiErg. While the Concept 2 SkiErg is 23.5″ wide, the Echo SKI comes in at 28″.
When I use the Concept 2 SkiErg, my feet are touching the base of the rails that secure the machine to the floor stand. I have plenty of room on the Echo SKI.
Another new feature on the Echo SKI are six lines on the floor stand to help assist foot placement. Honestly I’m not sure if this feature is needed as you will quickly get a feel for where you stand, but maybe someone will find it useful. I bet Brent Fikowski would like it.
TURF TIRES
Honestly, this is one of the biggest selling points of the Echo SKI. These giant 8.5″ diameter polyurethane tires make moving the Echo SKI (or Echo Rower) super easy.
On my Concept 2 SkiErg, the small wheels makes it difficult to move around in my garage gym. Between cracks in the rubber flooring or mats of different heights or even just tipping it too far can bring the Concept 2 SkiErg to a halt.
The Rogue Turf Tires eliminate all of that and make moving it around the floor a breeze.
MAXIMUM STABILITY, MINIMAL FLEX
Ok, so I said that Rogue worked with an engineering firm to ensure the output of the Echo SKI matched that of the Concept 2 SkiErg. However, while testing the Echo SKI I noticed that there was less give in the arms of the Erg. It just felt rigid and smooth.
I could see a situation where there is talk in the coming months that the Echo SKI is “easier”. While I don’t think that is accurate, I do think heavy-duty steel and aluminum construction of the Echo SKI allows a better power transfer from the handles to the flywheel.
Does this make the flywheel move faster or easier? Perhaps.
CONSOLE & SELF GENERATING POWER
The console comes with two D-batteries. However, Rogue mentions that the console has self-generating power, implying that when using the Echo SKI it is charging the internal battery. As such, the D-batteries are there for back-up and not as the primary battery source.
This will be a lifesaver for CrossFit affiliate owners everywhere!
RED HANDLES
Yes, they are red. Yes, they look great in person.
PRICE COMPARISON
When comparing the Echo SKI and Concept 2 SkiErg on the Rogue Fitness, it appears that the Concept 2 SkiErg is priced lower than the Echo SKI.
However, when you actually compare like-for-like, the Rogue Echo SKI costs less.
With Floor Stand:
$995 USD Rogue Echo SKI
$1,070 USD Concept 2 SkiErg
Without Floor Stand:
$825 USD Rogue Echo SKI
$850 USD Concept 2 SkiErg
As you can see, when you price both models with or without a floor stand, the Rogue Echo SKI comes in at a lower price.
WALL MOUNT (coming soon)
The Rogue Echo SKI can be purchased with a floor stand or with a rig attachment. Currently, it does not come with a wall mount option. So if you are looking to replace a wall-mounted Concept 2 SkiErg with the Rogue Echo SKI, you probably want to wait a little bit until that is available. Rogue said it is coming soon.
SHOULD YOU GET A ROGUE ECHO SKI?
The Rogue Echo SKI has plenty of great features – red handles, turf tires, wider floor stand, more solid construction, self-generating power for the console, etc.
On top of that, the Echo SKI has been calibrated to have the same output as the Concept 2 SkiErg.
So should you buy the new, shiny Echo SKI?
If you already have a Concept 2 SkiErg in your garage and it works fine, honestly it’s probably not necessary. Now if you have extra cash laying around and want the fun, new toy, you won’t be disappointed.
If you don’t already have a SkiErg, I would go with the Rogue Echo SKI. It costs less and it has all the features I mentioned above.
If you are a CrossFit affiliate owner and you need another Ski machine, it will depend. I think the Rogue Echo SKI will hold up to the abuse that equipment receives inside a CrossFit gym. And if you’re adding to a fleet of Concept 2 SkiErgs, you can know that the Rogue Echo SKI won’t be the unfair advantage.
However, you will probably have a few members fighting over it during class.
But there is something to keep in mind as an affiliate owner…and that is the floor stand width. While it is great while using, if space is an issue, adding an extra 4.5″ to each Echo SKI could create some space issues if you have a bunch of them.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Rogue Fitness has once again built a great machine. From the Rogue Echo Bike to the Rogue Echo Rower and now the Rogue Echo SKI, Rogue continues to innovate and create best-in-class machines.
If you are in the market for a new Ski machine, I would highly recommend the Rogue Echo SKI. You can buy it here at RogueFitness.com.
Just keep in mind potential space concerns.
