Yes, you can. When you go through the motion, you work out your upper and low back muscles, lats, shoulders, and triceps. While pulling the cord, you also strain your abs to transmit the power into each stroke. With the double-pole technique, besides the upper body, each pull engages the legs in a downward crunch, using body weight to accelerate the handles. The classic (or alternating pulling technique) ski technique engages fewer muscles than double-poling and has less leg involvement. Nevertheless, it's superb ski-specific training for Nordic skiers.