Exercise bike
A bicycle ergometer (also exercise bike , keep-wheel or English indoor cycle , spinning , speed bike and similar) is a fitness machine which, in its design a bicycle is configured similarly, and usually saddle , pedals and having handles. Bicycle ergometers can be used on the one hand for fitness training , in particular to build up fitness , and on the other hand for ergometry . The ergometry is done by sensors that measure data such as the pedal speed or the pulse and calculate the corresponding training values (e.g. average and maximum heart rate , energy consumed in kcal or average speed of the flywheel). Derived virtual values can also be calculated, for example a distance that would have been covered with a conventional bicycle with the energy used.
Structure and functionality
The simple equipment and ease of use make the bicycle ergometer a popular fitness device for light endurance training at home. It offers the opportunity to keep fit in everyday health and sport and to train from home regardless of the weather. Unlike z. B. on the cross trainer , which trains the entire upper body, the movement on the bicycle ergometer mainly demands the legs .
The construction of a bicycle ergometer is similar to the construction of a conventional bicycle . It usually has saddles , pedals and handles that replace the bicycle handlebars . Unlike bicycles, however, a bicycle ergometer does not have wheels , instead a flywheel is driven by the pedals . This can be attached directly to the pedal shaft so that it is located centrally below the device, or it can be offset in the longitudinal axis and driven via a drive belt. The flywheel is equipped with a brake ( magnetic brakes , eddy current brakes or shoe brakes are often used, and also electromotive brakes in higher-class devices ), which, however, is not operated via a brake lever . Instead, a constant braking effect is set before training begins, which creates training resistance. This can be adjusted manually or via an electrical control and thus significantly influences the intensity of the training. In connection with a control console ( training computer ) attached to the front of the bicycle ergometer , inclines can be simulated, for example .
Some components such as saddle and handlebars are usually adjustable and can thus be adapted to the size of the user. A correct sitting position is important for training that is easy on the back. The console with the training computer shows the most important training data (distance, calories burned, heart rate) and offers setting options if necessary. The pulse is measured by hand pulse sensors on the handlebar; alternatively, a chest strap can be used.
Similar to conventional bicycles, there are also special variants for bicycle ergometers. In the style of recumbent bicycles , for example, bicycle ergometers are available that train in a lying position instead of a sitting position. Mobile or collapsible versions that require less space or space are also available.
Another special form is the spinning bike (also indoor cycling bike ), which is used for indoor cycling . Compared to conventional bicycle ergometers, spinning bikes have a significantly larger flywheel with a diameter of 65 centimeters and a mass of around 20 kilograms. It therefore has a significantly greater moment of inertia , which is intended to convey a more realistic driving experience. In addition, the effort required when accelerating is significantly higher, which also adapts better to the specific sequence of movements and makes the movement more economical. A simple mechanical brake usually acts as a resistance on the flywheel.
Legal requirements for exercise bikes and exercise bikes
In linguistic usage, the term “exercise bike” is often used as a generic term for “bicycle ergometer”. According to the European standard , however, both device types must be clearly separated from one another. Accordingly, ergometers and exercise bikes must meet different standards, which on the one hand define the safety requirements and on the other hand separate the device classes from one another.
The European standard EN 957-1 classifies fitness equipment under the aspect of accident prevention and environmental compatibility. The standard is divided into six groups for the different types of equipment. Ergometers are assigned to the device group EN 957-1 / 5, sub-class A. For this device class, the standard prescribes a display of the power provided in watts, an adjustable wattage of at least 250 watts and free-running. The actual output may differ from the displayed output up to 50 watts by a maximum of five percent, with a higher wattage by a maximum of ten percent. The power measurement in watts has the advantage that the training load can be precisely controlled and individual load limits can be precisely adhered to. For this reason, ergometers are used in therapeutic and medical areas as well as in professional sports.
To be distinguished from the ergometer are those bicycle trainers that do not have a power measurement in watts. These exercise bikes are assigned to subclasses B (high quality exercise bikes with free-wheeling, adjustable braking force and a flywheel mass of at least 5 kg) and C (simple exercise bikes) within the device group EN 957-1 / 5. Exercise bikes are only approved for private use.
history
The sports medicine specialists Zuntz and Voigt developed a bicycle ergometer as early as 1900.
Individual evidence
- ↑ C. Raschka: Endurance sports at home - with the right ergometer - exercise bike: row, step, cycle or swing . In: Naturarzt . 9th edition. No. 129 , 2011, pp. 26-33 .
- ↑ Peter Dietrich: An exercise program (BISFR) for the therapy of back pain A prospective, controlled study on the effectiveness of the "exercise in a pain-free space" program in patients with chronic back pain. Inaugural dissertation to obtain the doctoral degree in medicine from a high medical faculty at the Ruhr University Bochum . Bochum 2001, p. 29 .
- ↑ Stationary training equipment - Part 1: General safety requirements and test methods; German version EN 957-1: 2005 . November 2005.
- ↑ Stationary training equipment - Part 1: General safety requirements and test methods; German version EN 957-1: 2005 . November 2005.
- ↑ Wildor Hollmann, Theodor Hettinger: Sports medicine . 4th edition. Schattauer, Stuttgart 2000, ISBN 3-7945-1672-9 .