Paddles talk about the Vasa Kayak Ergometer

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Click here to read OFFICIAL Product Reviews of the Vasa Ergometer written by experts in sports and fitness.
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Featured Testimonial

"I have used our VASA Kayak Ergometer for the last 6 weeks and am truly impressed with how real it feels. I am sure it will allow me to keep my skills up during the winter. The quality of construction is unsurpassed and it is the best fitness investment I have made. We also use it for the swim mode which is awesome also. The staff at VASA are exemplary and were great to deal with. We are definitely very happy customers and will urge others to purchase one." - Glenn Leach

"I purchased the Vasa with the intent of reconditioning Soldiers recovering from upper extremity injuries or surgery as well address the cardiovascular needs of Soldiers with lower extremity injuries that were temporary limited from impact activity. I�ve searched long and hard for a machine that could do a better job of incorporating multiple plane resistance as opposed to the standard upperbody ergometer which primarily addresses one plane. I was also very impressed with the versatility of the Vasa. I can use it to simulate the motion of kayaking, canoeing, and swimming as well as isolate resistance to nearly any motion for rehabilitation. I first used our Vasa testing it out at the National Training Center in preparation for our deployment to Iraq. It surpassed my expectations and served as a great stress reliever for Soldiers in a taxing environment."
- Physical Therapist, MPT, CSCS, OCS

"I want to thank you again for all your support. I want to let you know how much the Vasa has helped me this past year. I�m a competitive triathlete and nationally ranked Adventure racer. Last summer coach Al Lyman mentioned to me about this piece of training equipment that would save me time from traveling to and from the pool. I was finding I was having an increasingly difficult time getting there. Well I made the point of seeing you and demonstrating the Vasa Ergoemter up at Lake Placid. It felt very fluid. I was pretty sold on the Vasa then, but when you mentioned it had a kayak and canoe paddle attachment I was really sold. I demonstrated the kayak attachment and it felt as close to actual paddling as anything I had experienced.

Well, I received my Ergometer and it�s been heaven ever since. The 70.3 Ironman World Championship in Florida was the first race for which I trained using the Vasa Ergometer. After only 6 weeks training with the Vasa Ergometer, I swam the race in the same time that I had done previously after 1 year of training in the pool. Winter came and I used the Vasa Ergometer exclusively for swimming and Kayaking. The results were incredible. I won the first 2 races of the year, and I paddled like I had been paddling all year. I haven�t been swimming in the pool since and have had my best times with just the Vasa Ergometer training.

I can go on and on about how much I love this piece of equipment. I sing your praise whenever I can..."

Peter Spagnoli

"I recommend the VASA kayak ergometer enthusiastically. The unit has a very realistic feel. The resistance unit was originally designed for elite swimmers, so it is not surprising that it replicates the progressive resistance of water so well. Resistance is adjustable, so it range from from the level of resistance you experience paddling a fast kayak at speed (I paddle a Van Dusen Mohican, which is very fast once up to speed) to paddling shallow water in a slow boat (good for transferring weight room strength to early season power). The unit is also extremely versatile.

In addition to the kayak mode, one can replicate canoe paddling (especially good if you buy a wall mount, which allows you to switch sides without worrying about a central support shaft getting in the way. The computer monitor is excellent, and calibrated to monitor kayak specific distances and speeds. The point that distinguishes the VASA unit from other top-level units is its versatility. The unit can also be used for swim training, and with the right options (ask the company about this when ordering) it can be used for cross-country ski double-pole training as well. Finally, Rob and Karen at VASA are fantastic- they really care about the needs of athletes, and want to do everything they can that helps the unit meet those needs.

In sum, the VASA ergometer has a great water-like feel, it's very well made, and it's extremely versatile. It really is a great investment."

Rating: 10 of 10
Submitted by: JeffN on Paddling.net
11-02-2009

"I purchased the Vasa kayak paddling ergometer about 2 years ago and reviewed it 18 months ago for the first time. This is an update a year and a half later.

The ergometer, I am pleased to report, still works, feels and sounds exactly the same as on the first day. There is no noticeable wear and tear whatsoever. It's been inside my garage for all this time with no maintenance whatsoever. Dust, etc., seems to have no ill effects on the machine. Best of all, the Vasa ergometer has allowed me to train consistently year around and gradually increase my paddling range to the point where I am able to paddle about 20 miles - in a Scupper Pro sit-on-top kayak, that is, not a fast sea kayak.

Last summer I finally fulfilled my dream of paddling/sailing to and circumnavigating Catalina Island, which involves a 22-mile open water crossing. Since then, I have gone two more times, each time paddling longer distances. (see http://www.topkayaker.net/Articles/Destinations/CatalinaIsle.html)

I feel that without the Vasa kayak ergometer the crossings to Catalina Island may never have happened or would at least be much harder or less predictable in outcome. I don't even train more than once or twice a week, but I ALWAYS paddle at least once a week, rain or shine, sick or healthy. And when I do train, I can set the resistance of the machine to match the conditions (e.g., head winds) I will encounter in the open ocean.

All around, I feel that the Vasa kayak ergometer was one of the best investments I've ever made. As the saying goes, "You get what you pay for." "

Rating: 10
Submitted by: Robert Hess on Paddling.net
08-27-2009

"I received the Vasa Kayak Ergometer about two weeks ago, and it has surpassed all my expectations. It has & will be worth every cent. My sport involves swimming, kayaking and board paddling and the Ergometer replicates each leg precisely. It will be fantastic during the winter months to paddle in the comfort of my home."

- Scott Prosser, Australia

I have been using the Vasa Kayak Ergometer for 2 winters to replace paddling when the local waters freeze; I can say that it keeps me in good enough condition that I am able to get back to my fall best times in just a few short weeks. My son-in-law and I use the Vasa at least 3 or 4 times per week each and after 2 winters of use we have had no problems and there are so far no signs of wear.

This machine really gives a good workout and I never feel it lacking in any way. I always feel I am better conditioned than my usual competition in the early spring races. I would highly recommend the Vasa to anyone looking to maintain kayaking fitness or just wanting a good winter workout. The folks at Vasa are great to work with and sent me a better suited seat in the beginning when I felt the usual seat did not work for me.
Rating: 10 of 10

Submitted by: Rich B on Paddling.net
06-04-2009

I purchased my Vasa Kayak Ergometer about 6 months ago:

The machine has exceeded my expectations. After 6 months of working out on the machine once or twice a week between my regular paddling session on the weekend, I am hooked. Not only has it increased my endurance, it also helps me to psychologically bridge that awful gap between weekends.

As the previous reviewer said, the stroke is surprisingly similar to the real thing, and with multiple settings, from very light resistance to a lot of resistance, I can simulate paddling in different types of conditions. The standard padded seat is very comfortable, and a new non-padded, but contoured seat is now available.

The whole unit is extremely sturdy, can easily be moved around on wheels below the main unit, and can also be used for swimming exercises (that's what the Vasa trainer was originally designed for), as well as for general strength and endurance exercises. Great versatility not shared by other kayak ergometers.

Perhaps best of all is the company itself. I met the owner, Rob Sleamaker, at a San Diego Swim Coach Convention, and I must say he's the nicest, most sincere person I have ever met in a business context. He listened very carefully to my specific training requirements and needs, and repeatedly assured me that I can return the machine within 90 days if I don't like it for any reason. The same goes for his front office - super nice, responsive, very good to deal with. No sales pitches, pressure, etc. Just straightforward information.

Whenever the paddling bug bites me midweek, I just jump on my machine now and go for a quick "paddle" in the garage - very therapeutic in more than one way.

In short: I can strongly recommend the Vasa Ergometer. It's not cheap, but it's worth every penny.
Rating: 10 of 10
Submitted by: Robert Hess on Paddling.net
03-11-2008

A nationally renowned physiologist claims that the Ergometer helps develop strength in the muscles used throughout the entire stroke pattern and is an effective means of transferring that strength to the water. He notes that some studies indicate a direct correlation between swimming power on the swim bench and actual swimming performances, especially in shorter distances. He believes the Ergometer is a great testing tool for strength, endurance and power. "You can set up necessary tempos on the Ergometer for individual swimmers and monitor their work, force and distance per stroke, and even find swimming paces for them," he says. "The machine is also beneficial because it includes core muscles used in swimming because the body is moving up the machine."
Quoted from product review in Swimming World Magazine, January 2006

I just wanted to thank you once again for all your help and patience in the process of placing our Swim Ergometer order. In addition I also wanted to let you know that we got the Ergometer yesterday!

We assembled it last night. Everything went just fine. The Ergometer is operational and runs as expected. My nephew and family are really excited about it. It was quite a challenge to convince him to leave the room with the Ergometer for a while and join us to have dinner. :)

I guess now it will take us a few days to get to know the Ergometer and to learn all the details in regard to its proper use. This will definitely hone my English skills in the field of swimming... :)

I checked with your website but I was unable to find a customer's feedback section besides the more serious one named Success Stories. If I'm missing something and you'd like me to post feedback comments in regard to your excellent services, selling internationally, etc, just let me know!

Additionally I'm not really sure how well Vasa is known in Bulgaria since I found out about your equipment directly on the Internet and not from someone around here. If it is not a company secret and we are your only customer from Bulgaria then we could spread the good word about your equipment as I'm sure my nephew and family will be quite satisfied with the Ergometer. As I think of it now even if we do not do something in purpose it will kind of happen by itself one way or another... Like my nephew telling to his swim mates an so on...

- Vladimir Dochev