ELITE AIR BIKE VS ERGO ELITE BIKE: EQUIPMENT COMPARISON AND TRAINING EFFECTS

ELITE AIR BIKE VS ERGO ELITE BIKE: EQUIPMENT COMPARISON AND TRAINING EFFECTS

To better understand the differences and similarities between these essential fitness tools, it’s important to first know what each one offers. Although technically both are bikes, they are quite different and produce different effects on the body, which results in different stimuli.

Let’s explore the various physiological stimuli these two machines can offer, and how coaches or athletes can incorporate them into their training:

Limiting Factor in Training Sessions

When we refer to the limiting factor of an exercise or training session, we mean the area we aim to improve, for which the routine should be designed to target. For example, if someone has deadlift limitations, they will work on that movement, or if running long distances leaves them breathless, training in that modality will improve endurance.

One of the most notable differences between both pieces of equipment is that the Elite Air Bike predominantly uses the upper body, while the Elite Ergo Bike targets the lower body.

During training, blood circulation is essential. Blood is there to transport oxygen to the muscles, remove carbon dioxide, and carry oxygen ions. While our blood is highly efficient in completing these processes, the more blood we need to send to different muscle groups, the faster we will reach our training threshold, which leads to hitting a limit where intensity starts to decline.

Put simply, there is a limited amount of blood flow circulating in our body, and if we are exerting pressure on both the upper and lower body, like on the Elite Air Bike, we are more likely to reach cardio-respiratory performance thresholds sooner than on the Elite Ergo Bike, where fewer muscle groups are engaged simultaneously.

From this perspective, the Air Bike is a superior method for improving cardio-respiratory endurance. In contrast, the Elite Ergo Bike focuses only on the lower body, so it will not be as demanding on the cardio-respiratory system.

Combination of Movements

When it comes to using our equipment in combination with other movements, the Elite Air Bike, unlike the Elite Ergo Bike, requires us to understand what each offers to maximize training effects.

Let’s refer to a multimodal training method, where we implement two or more movements in one time-based routine. Starting with the Elite Air Bike, which uses a greater number of muscles and focuses primarily on the upper body, if combined with upper-body movements like muscle-ups or jerks, we would experience pre-fatigue in the upper body after using the Elite Air Bike. This fatigue could reduce our intensity in the mentioned movements.

While this example may be an effective way to pre-fatigue the upper body and, therefore, train localized muscular endurance, it’s not necessarily the most effective way to build work capacity. However, combining one of these movements with the Elite Ergo Bike, which diverts blood flow to a different area than the one targeted in the second movement (muscle-ups or jerks), should allow us to maintain higher intensity since the muscles used on the Elite Ergo Bike won’t conflict with the following movements.

Whatever the limiting factor or goal we are focusing on, the training session will revolve around it. To conclude this example, combining the Elite Air Bike with upper-body exercises will likely limit your localized muscular endurance, while combining the Elite Ergo Bike with the same movements will be more taxing on your cardio-respiratory system.

When it comes to multimodal training, the combinations are limitless. What are your favorite combinations? Consider these tips the next time you work on a limiting factor or have an area to improve.

Using Equipment in Isolation

Now, let’s explore these concepts in isolation. If you’re performing a workout using only one of these machines, an athlete might complain about feeling their legs burn out faster on the Elite Ergo Bike, meaning the work will focus on localized muscular endurance in that area, as well as fatigue resistance. In contrast, on the Elite Air Bike, their cardio-vascular endurance would be more compromised, as mentioned earlier, due to the greater number of muscles engaged at once.

Of course, there are no absolutes when it comes to isolated training. This is not to say that the Elite Air Bike won’t train localized muscular endurance, or that the Elite Ergo Bike won’t train your central cardio-respiratory system. It comes down to percentages. For example:

– Elite Air Bike: 60% cardio-respiratory endurance training and 40% localized fatigue.

– Elite Ergo Bike: 60% lower-body peripheral endurance and 40% cardio-respiratory endurance training.

However, when it comes to testing total anaerobic endurance, meaning how much power you can exert or watts you can produce and maintain, nothing beats the Elite Air Bike. For instance, a 30-second max calorie or watt sprint.

In conclusion, training something will improve your ability to do that specific activity. With all of this in mind, which bike suits your specific needs better? Both options can be fundamental in programs aimed at improving fitness, performance, and overall health.