During these times where daily rituals and routines are being disrupted for many (especially for all of us gym rats), I wanted to plug my favorite company in the fitness world: Concept 2.
I’ve fallen hard for the SkiErg (thank you Amy Pakula at Momentum Physical Therapy), and have always been fond of the Concept 2 rower at the gym (Amanda–my wife–goes beast mode on that thing), but it’s the BikeErg I’ve been most excited to take for a spin. I felt like a dirty bastard sneaking in my last lift and spin at the gym before it shut down for the duration (shelter in place). The next day, after talking to Amanda (with her encouragement), I knew the solution. Concept 2.
As a mountain biker living in the far north (where Montana winters are merciless and stretch on for seven months), I spend a lot of time on a trainer/stationary bike. But we’ve been itching for a bike for the entire fam, enter the BikeErg. This thing is so solid and so smooth. The clutch flywheel is brilliant and the pedal stroke inspires a natural rhythm, making for a lively ride and real bike feel. The damper easily adjusts the resistance and the higher RPM you spin at, the more resistance you feel regardless of damper setting. The drop bars and seat allow me to replicate the positioning and feel of my drop-bar gravel bike–adding to its versatility. It’s easily adjustable and fits right where a bike should: in our living room. It comes equipped with the Concept 2 PM5 computer (my favorite for its simplicity and stats). It trashes your legs and puts a smile on your face. Seriously, I smile every time I walk into my office and see my Thunderbolt and Cutthroat (mountain bikes), and now, the entire family smiles when we put in a big effort on the BikeErg—or little efforts too. We (myself, my wife and 12-year-old-daughter) have already logged many hours and miles on the BikeErg, and while I believe it’s an optimal training tool for anyone looking to get into cycling shape (or simply looking to add a bomber piece of cardio equipment to the quiver), this bike, more than any other I’ve ridden, seems especially suited to mountain bikers and gravel riders. Whether you’re putting in long 12-20 minute sweet spot sessions, or shorter 4-8 minute threshold efforts, or big bursty climbs, the BikeErg has you covered and has become my go to training tool for mountain biking and gravel riding (thank you Jameson).
Right now, more than ever, it’s important for us to support businesses that we believe in while supporting our health—we are big believers that there’s no money better spent than on our health—physical and mental. What could possibly be a better financial investment in our health than a BikeErg, a SkiErg, a good counselor and physical therapist? I can’t even wrap my head around shelter in place without these two training tools (two of the best anti-depressants I know).
Like many others in the cycling community, I’m choosing to stay off the mountain bike for the time being. When the dirt roads dry up, I’ll head to my secret stash and pedal my way down some old country roads, but I’ll spend most of my time safely spinning in the living room, honoring my summer bike goals, while respecting the coronavirus crisis our world is facing today. Mountain biking is an inherently dangerous sport (I’d argue that road biking is even more dangerous, but that’s another topic, for another day). We all have near misses more often than we care to admit, and I simply don’t want to be that guy, taking up space in a hospital bed, taking up the time of a doctor, when I can suck it up and dig deep on the BikeErg.
When I was first diagnosed with ankylosing spondylitis as a nineteen-year-old college athlete, my rheumatologist told me, the best lotion for the joints is motion. This means I swim, I spin and I lift. After a three-week bout of the flu (everyone around me thinks it’s highly likely that it was COVID-19) and now shelter in place, the pool hasn’t been an option, and the gym is shut down, but thanks to Concept 2, we are not only staying sane, we’re thriving. Concept 2 makes our seven month winters more tolerable while keeping us moving during lockdown, and creating a tool that enables us to develop climbing legs for those long summer days in the saddle. For all of you fellow spondy warriors out there, I encourage you to check out Concept 2’s offerings.
I can’t sing Concept 2’s praises enough. Their offerings are spartan (in the best sense), sport specific and solid. Their BikeErg and SkiErg are durable and surprisingly affordable. Put the two together and you’ve got a total body HIIT workout that will take your training to another level. And their customer service is legendary (big shout out to Greg, Nathan, Ben and my man Jameson–a fellow knobby tire rider with an affinity for dirt). When it comes to bang for the buck, there’s no money better spent. When in doubt, check them out (Concept 2).
And to all of you still choosing to ride outside, now more than ever, be careful, thoughtful and responsible. Ride safe, have fun and keep pushing pedals.
Take care, stay strong, and be healthy!
PS: even the baby boy (Elvis—our rez dog) loves the BikeErg because he knows these training sessions mean steeper and deeper climbs out of the gate when the trails are ready to ride.