Exercise bikes have long been a convenient alternative to outdoor cycling. Whether in a gym or at home, these bikes provide a reliable workout experience when it’s raining outside or you’re low on time. Magnets and friction are two of the most common types of resistance in exercise bikes, but electromagnetic resistance (EMR) has emerged as a considerably stronger option.
EMR alters the way exercise bikes operate and provides benefits that enhance the cycling experience. Discover what EMR is, how it compares to other resistance systems, and how it can take your cycling experience to the next level.
What Is Electro-Magnetic Resistance (EMR)?
Electromagnetic resistance (EMR) is the creation of controlled electric currents to create magnetic fields that oppose motion. This type of resistance is common in high-end exercise bikes as it provides a greater level of control compared to traditional exercise bikes, which use physical magnets or pads.
How EMR Works: Explained
Electromagnetic resistance utilizes an electromagnet, a temporary magnet created by passing an electric current through a coil, which generates a magnetic field. The magnetic field creates an opposing force on the bike’s flywheel, increasing resistance. When the electrical current increases, the strength of the magnetic field increases, generating a greater opposing force.
EMR vs. Traditional Resistance Systems
A wide range of resistance technology is available for exercise bikes. While each system has its benefits, they also have some drawbacks. Typically, the more you move away from mechanical parts and toward electrical components, the greater the cost of the equipment will rise. However, the functional benefits also tend to increase.
EMR vs. Mechanical Flywheels
Most exercise bikes operate with flywheels. These weighted metal discs spin with the pedals and store rotational energy to better mirror real-life cycling. Heavier flywheels typically have greater potential for resistance, providing a smoother and more realistic cycling experience. Flywheels are present on both magnet and friction-based bikes.
Some EMR bikes, such as the Speediance VeloNix, don’t feature a flywheel. The AI smart bike instead uses a 2300W electric powertrain to deliver resistance changes, making it safer and quieter than a bike with a heavy spinning flywheel. While the momentum carried by flywheels helps with the realistic feel, being unable to stop suddenly can pose a safety risk, especially if your feet slip off the pedals.
EMR vs. Friction-Based Resistance
The main alternative to magnet-based resistance is friction. Friction bikes use brake pads, typically made of felt or leather, to press against the flywheel and oppose motion. Instead of electronically adjusting resistance like on EMR bikes, the resistance on friction bikes is adjusted by tightening or loosening a knob.
Friction-based bikes offer a high level of maximum resistance since the pad is in direct contact with the flywheel. However, the adjustment knobs on these bikes offer much less control over resistance than EMR bikes, whose electronic adjustments deliver precise and instant changes.
Friction-based exercise bikes are generally cheaper than magnetic-based alternatives, but they require more maintenance, as the pads will wear out and need to be lubricated or replaced. The wear and tear of the pads can affect the accuracy of the resistance over time. The friction also creates more vibration, noise, and dust than magnet-based bikes.
EMR vs. Air Resistance
Air bikes are a unique type of exercise bike that replaces the flywheel with a large fan. The fan pushes against the air to create resistance, so the harder you pedal, the greater the resistance. These bikes typically have handlebars connected to the pedals, engaging your arms as your legs pedal. Air bikes feature progressive resistance, as they adjust to the amount of effort put in.
Air bikes are best suited for HIIT workouts because they engage the entire body and burn an ample amount of calories in a short amount of time. While this makes them useful for strength training, the lack of resistance control makes them difficult to use for endurance training.
Air bikes are often bulky and noisy, making them unsuitable for home workouts. They generate a great amount of air, which offers a cooling effect, but can cause discomfort or blow nearby unsecured items away. They are not designed to mimic authentic cycling, as the volatile resistance changes create a less fluid ride.
EMR vs. Magnetic Resistance
EMR is an advancement on magnetic resistance technology. Magnetic resistance uses physical magnets near the flywheel to create an opposing force. The closer the magnet is to the flywheel, the greater the opposing force will be. EMR eliminates physical magnets and instead creates a greater magnetic force to increase the opposing force.
EMR and magnetic resistance are very similar in function, but EMR offers a greater deal of precision and speed. Where magnetic shifts experience a bit of a lag, EMR technology delivers instant adjustments for a more realistic road feel.
EMR vs. Weight Stacks
Weight stacks are often the most common type of resistance system you’ll find in a gym. They are used in strength training machines that use a cable and pulley system. Weight stacks are a series of metal plates stacked on top of each other, each with a hole in the center where a metal pin is inserted. When you engage the pulley handle, the cable will lift the selected weight plate and all the plates above it.
Weight stacks aren’t used with exercise bikes, but many cable machine exercises can target muscles and motions that improve cycling, such as leg presses, cable squats, and rows. Weight stacks have the benefit of injury prevention due to guided motion and no need for a spotter. They typically offer plenty of resistance potential and are easy to use. However, weight stacks are very limiting for cyclists compared to EMR.
Typically, weight stacks have a five-pound difference between each weight, and the weight cannot be adjusted during an exercise. EMR, on the other hand, uses the strength of electrical currents to increase resistance, offering pinpoint adjustments.
The ability to digitally make adjustments allows you to instantly increase or decrease the resistance while exercising. There is less noise involved in EMR bikes compared to the clanking of weights involved in cable machines, and though they are safer than free weights, weight stacks still pose a safety risk with so many moving parts and heavy weights.
The Benefits of EMR for Indoor Cycling and Smart Strength Training
Electromagnetic resistance offers several benefits over its predecessors. Whether you’re an avid cyclist or a gym-goer, EMR bikes can improve your cycling experience in many ways.
Instant and Precise Resistance Control
EMR offers a level of control over resistance changes that alternative systems cannot reach. EMR systems allow fine adjustments, and digital control of resistance levels permits riders to make seamless and immediate changes. Electromagnets are more accurate and consistent than friction-based systems, since the pads on the latter can wear and become less effective.
Immersive Experience
EMR creates a smooth and controlled riding experience, mimicking outdoor cycling. The seamless and fine adjustments add to that authentic feel. Smart bikes can adapt to virtual gradients, mirroring real-world inclines and declines, and even include the ability to replicate gear shifts.
Quiet Operation
Because no pads are rubbing against the flywheel, EMR bikes produce much less sound. Smart bikes without a flywheel reduce even more sound for a near-silent experience.
Less Maintenance
EMR bikes have fewer moving parts than their competitors. They don’t have friction pads that must be routinely lubricated or replaced. They also don’t have adjustable knobs that can wear and loosen, and some don’t even have a flywheel. With fewer mechanical parts involved, there is less upkeep needed to maintain EMR bikes.
Smart Features
Electromagnetic bikes often offer smart features. The Speediance VeloNix comes with an HD screen for entertainment or training visuals, and has seamless integration with apps like Zwift, Strava, and Apple Health for added immersion and fitness tracking. It offers real-time metrics and AI insights, and can even mimic gear changes for a more authentic ride experience.
Who Benefits the Most from EMR-Driven Fitness Equipment?
Electromagnetic resistance helps a wide range of people, but it can be most beneficial for certain people or in certain situations.
Home Gym Owners
EMR systems offer several benefits for home gym owners. They’re nearly silent since they don’t have anything coming into contact with the flywheel. Plus, they deliver pinpoint and instant resistance changes for a more authentic feel. Lastly, they’re customizable and often offer smart features that improve the experience.
Fitness Enthusiasts and Athletes
EMR technology offers a smooth and controlled biking experience similar to the real thing. Professionals and veteran gym enthusiasts using EMR technology can benefit from the high level of resistance, and smart features such as simulated gear shifts and visual gradients can create a more immersive experience.
Beginners
While EMR systems offer plenty of benefits to professionals and seasoned gym-goers, they’re also helpful for beginners. The great range of resistance and precision provided by the technology allows beginners to start at a low difficulty and very gradually work their way up.
People with Joint Issues
EMR systems create very smooth and consistent motions, providing a gentle, low-impact exercise for those with joint issues. They help improve cardiovascular health, joint strength, and overall wellness without placing too much stress on the knees.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Does Electromagnetic Resistance Mean?
Electromagnetic resistance refers to the resistance created by controlled electrical currents that generate magnetic fields, which place an opposing force on the flywheel to restrict motion. The strength of resistance is adjusted electronically for immediate changes, offering a more immersive experience than manually adjusting magnets.
Are Magnetic Resistance Bikes Good?
Magnetic resistance bikes offer several benefits. They’re an effective vehicle for cardio and building lower-body strength. Plus, they’re quiet, customizable, and mimic realistic cycling, making them ideal for home fitness.
Which Is Better, a Friction or Magnetic Resistance Exercise Bike?
Magnetic resistance bikes provide many benefits over friction bikes. They offer more control over resistance, and because the magnetic fields don’t touch the flywheel, they are practically silent. Plus, because the pads on friction bikes are constantly pressed against the flywheel, they will wear and need to be replaced.
EMR-Based Smart Bikes Combine Power and Precision
Electromagnetic resistance creates a new level of immersion in exercise bikes. Whether you’re a casual gym-goer or a seasoned cyclist, EMR bikes can change the way you exercise for the better. With more precise resistance control and real-time adjustments, EMR bikes are as close as you can get to the real thing. Experience a whole new world of cycling with the Speediance VeloNix. The smart bike offers an authentic ride with app integration and AI features for a more immersive experience.
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