Indoor cycling attracts many gym-goers and fitness enthusiasts. Cycling is especially appealing to older crowds and people recovering from injuries because it is low-impact. During winter months and stormy weather, cyclists turn to indoor stationary bikes to exercise. Anyone looking for a great cardio workout often turns to stationary bikes.
Magnetic resistance bikes increase the popularity of cycling because they offer controlled, efficient, and customizable workouts. Adding a magnetic resistance bike to your gym floor can enhance your fitness center in many ways while providing your clients with fantastic workout opportunities. What makes magnetic bikes different from others? Learn how commercial magnetic resistance bikes work and why your gym should invest in this advanced fitness equipment.
Understanding Resistance in Exercise Bikes
Biking up an incline increases exertion, burns calories, and enhances muscle engagement. Resistance mechanisms in stationary bikes are meant to recreate this experience. The higher the resistance, the harder it is to pedal, simulating the experience of ascending a hill or riding against a strong headwind.
Understanding the differences between the types of resistance is essential when choosing an exercise bike for your gym. Each type of resistance—friction, air, and magnetic—has benefits and drawbacks.
Friction Resistance
Friction-resistance bikes use a pad that applies direct pressure on the flywheel to create resistance. Users can manually adjust the resistance by tightening or loosening the pad’s pressure on the flywheel. While these bikes are less expensive and provide a good workout, they have several disadvantages. The friction produced between the pad and the flywheel can generate noise, which could be disruptive for other gym-goers. The friction pad can also wear down over time, requiring replacement.
Air Resistance
Octane’s ADX fan bike and air resistance bikes offer unique resistance training. A fan wheel spins and pulls air inside when the user pedals. The faster they pedal, the more air the fan draws in and the greater the resistance. The primary advantage of air resistance bikes is that they provide a variable resistance that adjusts according to the cyclist’s speed, making them suitable for high-intensity workouts.
Like friction-resistance bikes, most air-resistance bikes can generate substantial noise due to the spinning fan. Air bikes also lack manual resistance adjustments, as the resistance is powered by how much air passes through. This bike may not suit everyone, especially beginners or people seeking a low-intensity workout.
Magnetic Resistance
Magnetic resistance bikes offer several advantages over both friction and air-resistance bikes. These bikes use magnets near the flywheel to create a magnetic field. Users can adjust the resistance by changing the distance between the magnets and the flywheel. The closer the magnets are to the flywheel, the greater the resistance. These bikes operate silently and smoothly with no physical contact between the flywheel and the resistance system.
The Fundamental Principle: Magnetism
The operation of magnetic resistance bikes revolves around the fundamental physics of magnetism. In physics, the law of electromagnetic induction asserts that a change in the magnetic field within a closed loop of wire induces a voltage in the wire. Magnetic resistance bikes leverage this principle.
When you pedal a magnetic resistance bike, you set the flywheel in motion. The flywheel is typically made of a conductive material like aluminum and rotates within the magnetic field established by the stationary magnets. As the flywheel spins, it cuts through the magnetic lines of force. This interaction between the moving conductive material and the static magnetic field generates an electric current in the flywheel, also known as an eddy current.
The eddy currents oppose the flywheel’s motion, which creates a resistive force that the cyclist must overcome to keep the flywheel spinning. The result is a smooth, quiet, and adjustable resistance that makes the workout as easy or challenging as the user wants.
Adjusting Resistance Levels
The force exerted by the bike’s eddy currents is directly proportional to the speed of the flywheel, or how fast you pedal, and the strength of the magnetic field. You can modify the latter by changing the distance between the magnets and the flywheel: the closer the magnets are to the flywheel, the stronger the magnetic field and the higher the resistance. Conversely, moving the magnets further away decreases the magnetic field and reduces the resistance.
Benefits of Magnetic Resistance Bikes
Magnetic resistance bikes offer many benefits for your clients and your gym. Some of the most attractive benefits of magnetic resistance bikes include the following:
Smooth Cycling
Magnetic resistance bikes provide a smooth biking experience. The magnetic resistance mechanism creates a fluid transition between resistance levels and an enjoyable ride. The absence of physical contact between the magnetic flywheel also reduces friction and guarantees a smoother cycling experience.
Silent Operation
An advantage of magnetic resistance bikes is their silent operation. Since the resistance is generated using magnetic fields with no touching parts, the bikes operate noiselessly. Users can enjoy their workouts without any distracting or irritating sounds.
Minimal Maintenance
Magnetic resistance bikes require minimal maintenance. The absence of friction means the components sustain minor wear and tear, reducing the likelihood of mechanical issues. General upkeep for this bike is much simpler than traditional stationary bikes, which require regular lubrication and friction pad replacements. Magnetic resistance bikes only require the basics of dusting and cleaning.
Long-Term Durability
The contact-free mechanisms of magnetic resistance bikes minimize wear and tear. These bikes will remain functional and efficient over an extended period. A durable bike ensures great performance and reliability, translating to fewer interruptions in workouts. Durable bikes also present a cost-effective solution by minimizing the need to pay for repairs, replacements, and maintenance.
Easy Adjustability
Magnetic resistance bikes are renowned for their easy adjustability. A simple turn of a knob or a click of a button on the digital interface can vary the resistance, offering a customizable workout experience for the user! Adjustability also encourages users to explore different workout modes, keeping exercise routines exciting, engaging, and challenging.
Choosing the Right Magnetic Resistance Bike
Magnetic bikes offer various benefits and experiences. Knowing how commercial magnetic resistance bikes work can help you understand what to look for when choosing bikes for your workout space. Some additional aspects to consider when finding the right magnetic resistance bike include the following:
- Comfort features
- Technology advancements
- Size
- Workout customizability
- Structural quality
Octane’s commercial magnetic resistance spin bike, Surge, is a durable, advanced, and high-performing machine. Your gym members can enjoy smooth cycling while you get a valuable investment. Offer unmatched cycling experiences at your gym with the Surge magnetic resistance spin bike. Contact an Octane representative today!
