Exercise equipment reviews: How we test
Putting them through their paces
The treadmills - and the testers - went through some gruelling routines
To say we've tested these machines rigorously is almost an understatement.
The exercise bikes, cross-trainers, and treadmills - and the testers - went through some gruelling routines
We sent them to two university departments that specialise in engineering and sports science. Expert staff assembled, inspected, measured, probed, transported, rode and scanned the machines - all to find out which is the best for you.
Engineering assessment
Our engineering team measured a number of key aspects to check how well the exercise machines were built and to see what differences there were.
For example, we checked the accuracy of display panels on the bikes and cross-trainers by operating them at fixed speeds and checking the display corresponded accurately.
We also tested durability for all equipment types. For treadmills, each model endures 12,000 impacts from a tyre to simulate foot falls. For the other types, we set the equipment to a resistance level of 80% of the maximum and used volunteers to work out at 60 RPM for 15 minutes, rest for 15 and then resume until 12,000 cycles were completed.
The team also rated how easy it was to assemble each product.
Our testers cycled and ran for miles during our tests.
Hard labour
In addition, our sports scientists and a squad of energetic – and not so vigorous - volunteers investigated what it's like to use the equipment.
They spent hundreds of hours pedaling, running and striding to check the usefulness of the features and the suitability of the machines for different people - from the elderly, infirm, or unfit user, to the demanding exercise enthusiast.
They rated how easy it was to use each model, from adjusting seats and setting the programs, to comparing them for comfort.