Surely you have had to winter period spend boring hours keeping fit on an exercise bike. Short days and bad weather are forcing many to pedal at home, but now there's a gaming platform called Zwift that can offer something more exciting than boring solo rides on a bike simulator
Zwift has developed a video game platform that allows you to compete in races with anyone in the world from the comfort of your home. The founders of the company have sufficient experience in the field of both cycling and computer games, so they wanted to create something that would bring us as close as possible to the cycling reality and at the same time be simple and easy to use.
How does the Zwift racing simulator work?
Before starting a race, players enter the name of the bike model, create a virtual set of components, and add their actual weight, age and gender. This customized profile will be an avatar on virtual roads. Then you need to select a race distance (options include the popular real-world Gran Fondo races in New York and Rome) and start pedaling. In the Zwift simulator, as in real life, if you ride behind someone, air resistance decreases. Riders here earn prize credits and bonuses, which in the future may not become virtual.
Undoubtedly, the main advantage of the Zwift platform is that it can connect to wide range devices, and you can use it with an exercise bike you already have or a bike placed on a machine or treadmill. You can also use your power meter and cycling computer. For $10 a month, you can compete with similar riders around the world. In theory it is possible to ride Zwift using just a power sensor, but having a trainer that can read data from Zwift plus the sensor itself will provide a more accurate simulation.
Zwift's competitors look less preferable in this regard. So, BKool only works with the exercise machine that you purchase from them. Tacx sells hardware that only works with their software. At the same time, companies also offer beautiful landscapes and a virtual peleton that appears on the TV screen or computer monitor. Both companies have the ability to play with other players online at the same time, but in both cases you can't use your own hardware.
BKool even allows you to upload your own GPS data or test your capabilities at a local race course. The hills will be virtual, but your machine will automatically increase the resistance, simulating pedaling on an incline. In CompuTrainer you can also create your own racing distances, but this simulator does not have the option to race online with other real participants.
No purchase required with Zwift special simulator for $650 or be in the same room with your opponents. Any machine will work for you, although preferably one with electronic controls that can automatically increase resistance when simulating a climb, such as Wahoo's Kickr or Elite machine.
Zwift offers a limited number of distances. The creators of the project emphasize that their main goal was to create the opportunity to compete with other cyclists. Here you cannot upload your own GPS data and you will not be able to drive alone. The idea is that when limited quantities available distances you will always find your opponents. There is also a business idea in this. Zwift hopes to be able to secure sponsorship from the organizers of some of the world's most popular real-life races. It is possible that in this case the best riders will be able to receive real prizes and incentives (jersey and other equipment), and not just virtual bonuses. The platform is currently undergoing beta testing, but you can already try the simulator - to do this you need to register on
My computer mouse once broke, and before throwing it away, I thought: shouldn’t I do something like that with it? My gaze fell on the exercise bike standing nearby, and the idea was born by itself.
Background: Most exercise bikes have a reed switch cadence sensor. For each full revolution, the sensor closes once. My exercise bike is like this:
The steering wheel computer is removable, and a wire runs from the sensor to it, ending with a standard 3.5 mm mono mini-jack. So I thought, what if I could make pedaling simulate pressing a mouse button, connect the mouse to the computer and write some software (a toy or something else) to make pedaling a more interesting activity?
The procedure is simple:
1. Take a two-core wire and solder it to a 3.5 mm mono female connector:
2. We disassemble the mouse, unsolder the microphone used for the middle mouse button (roller) and solder our wire with a connector at the end there. You can also unsolder the LED, because it is not needed:
3. It's done. Assembling the mouse:
4. Remove the computer from the exercise bike, connect the mouse to the wire going to the reed switch and secure the mouse (I used a regular rubber band):
The hardware (sounds serious!) is ready. All that's left is the software. I quickly wrote a simple “toy”:
On the base there is a swinging “board” on which lies a “ball”. If you don’t turn the pedals, the board itself begins to tilt to the right, and the ball can move off it. The goal is to keep the board balanced by selecting and strictly maintaining a certain pedaling rhythm. It would seem that it couldn’t be simpler, but in reality everything turns out to be not so simple, because... an exercise bike has a certain inertia, and you can’t quickly adjust the pedals to the desired rhythm, and it’s not easy to maintain the frequency. Overall, it turned out to be quite funny. Without noticing, I pedaled on the simulator for a full half hour at a very intense pace.
What's next?
Based on such a simple interface, you can come up with a lot of other “bicycle programs”. For example:- Accounting and statistics program. Each family member logs into the program under his or her name, sits on an exercise bike and pedals. The program counts the number of pedal revolutions made. You can organize small competitions between family members and view statistics on the use of an exercise bike for a day/month/year. Encourage the most active (“in a month you will generate 50 thousand revolutions, I’ll have to go to a restaurant”). :) The best part is that all these statistics can be combined with any other “cycling program”, i.e. collect it in the background.
- Computer games that are similar in spirit to the process of pedaling. Like Ugh , Balloon Fight, Helicopter Maze), etc. The principle is simple: when you pedal harder, you fly higher or go faster; when you slow down your pedaling pace, you go lower. In the game, you can also use the left/right mouse button or the scroll wheel to control the direction of the hero's movement.
- Virtual bike rides. Imagine that you are drawing a real route in Google Earth (for example, from home to work, or along the Moscow Ring Road:), or Route 66, or along the Great Wall of China, or even along the entire equator - whatever your heart desires, and then roll along this route while sitting on an exercise bike. At the same time, your current virtual position on the map, statistics are displayed on the monitor; photographs of the surrounding area taken from Panoramio / Flickr, etc. can be displayed on the side. Naturally, the program must remember current position on the way between sessions. But in a month or two you will be able to proudly boast to your friends that you have already cycled from Moscow to Berlin and are now moving towards the English Channel. On this you can build something like a social service with the exchange of tracks and general statistics. In general, you can throw a wagon and a small cart of ideas.
Managing “bicycle programs” using the mouse
We used the middle mouse button for the pedals, but we still had two buttons and a scroll wheel. With this set it is easy to organize a menu-like interface for selecting/setting application parameters, and even enter data. The left mouse button acts as a back (cancel) key, the right one as a forward (apply) key, and the mouse wheel can be used to change position in a menu/list. Those. The mouse here is a self-sufficient input device (oh, yes, and pedals!).Ways to improve the design
- Firstly, it goes without saying that you should use a Bluetooth or radio mouse instead of a wired one, so as not to pull the wire to the computer.
- Secondly, ideally, do not turn off the standard computer (which measures the pulse and all that), but make sure that the mouse is connected to the slot between the reed switch and the computer, and attach it in a more convenient way.
- Well, ideally it would be to make sure that manufacturers of exercise bikes themselves provide a similar interface in their computers. The price of the issue is plus 100 rubles to the cost of the simulator, but the pleasure can be disproportionately greater.
A very funny combination of an exercise bike and an exciting race along the track on small cars that children love so much has recently appeared on the market. But this attraction appealed not only to children, but also to adults who were bored of simply pedaling somewhere in the gym or during fitness training. It’s much more pleasant and fun to get together with a noisy group and organize an endurance competition, and at the same time show who is the fastest on the track!
The tactics for winning this race can be very different, from driving slowly and measuredly in the hope that your opponents will soon become exhausted, to a sharp start and trying to make a powerful break at the very beginning. See how fun and the right way combine fun and exercise. Especially if such an attraction with cars will be located somewhere in a fitness center or in a closed area children's park.
Recently we saw that a similar attraction was being made with sound control - such a “trick” would undoubtedly be suitable for equipping karaoke clubs!
We are ready to make for you both the options presented in the video and implement other principles of controlling cars in conditions of such tracks.
Let us remind you that the size, color, design, branding of such attractions is carried out individually for each Customer.
Answers to the most popular questions:
We make such attractions only to order for sale; we do not rent them out, since we do not make them for storage.
We can make such attractions in three versions depending on the number of exercise bikes/microphones and the number of tracks.
2 exercise bikes - 2 tracks - 2 cars
4 exercise bikes - 2 tracks - 4 cars
4 exercise bikes - 4 tracks - 4 cars
We configure all tracks with the Customer, into 2 tracks (both with the possibility of changing lanes - with support for 4 cars and support for cars changing tracks during the race, and without it) - these are purchased professional digital tracks, we produce and supply the 4-track track ourselves with your own handwriting software.
About the dimensions. Taking into account the peculiarities of the geometry of the 4-lane track, the track cannot be small, the size of the track itself is optimally 3x4 meters, plus about a meter for placing exercise bikes/microphones, in total we get either 3x5 or 4x4 meters. If the track has 2 tracks, then its dimensions will fit into approximately 2.5x3.5 meters, plus a meter for exercise bikes/microphones. In total we get approximately 3.5x3.5 meters.
Regarding bollards for amusement rides, all bollards, no matter what they are sheathed with (metal, wood, anti-vandal plastic), are built exclusively on a metal welded frame (dismountable to varying degrees). For a stationary version of the cabinet, we recommend wood or plastic casing. For the option that is intended to be rented out - to make the process easier and simpler, we recommend making a collapsible metal frame and making “ears”. On these “ears” on the grommets you can pull a banner in a circle (either yours or the event you are renting for, some kind of “branding”, let’s say).
Regarding the simulators. In a project like this, we only use club-level simulators. They are guaranteed to be used in conditions high loads 24/7. Cheaper home devices in our other projects lasted for three months, then they had to be replaced or repaired, and all this time the exhibit did not function, which negatively affected all participants in the process. Therefore, of course, we can reduce the cost by using simulators, but in principle we do not provide a guarantee for home devices.
We are ready to advise on price depending on the configuration of the attraction.
A healthy lifestyle and exercise are becoming more and more popular. And here's what's interesting. Nowadays, it is no longer necessary to visit the gym, go to individual or group training to pump up your abs or improve your overall well-being. Today all this is becoming available everywhere. And for the next workout you don’t even need to leave the house. Exercise equipment and various sports complexes are becoming more and more accessible. Now almost each of us has a real opportunity to equip our own gym in our house or apartment. Well, or as a last resort, your own sports corner (if the area does not allow you to create something larger).
It would seem that today we are healthy, pumped up, fit and simply beautiful people there must be a lot of it. But for some reason, in reality, even those who have the opportunity to exercise at home do not always look good enough. In other words, many of us have ab boards, fitness platforms, dumbbells, treadmills and exercise bikes in our homes. But not everyone finds the time and desire to take advantage of all this. What is the reason for this state of affairs?
Today we will focus on such an amazing invention as a bicycle trainer or just an exercise bike. In fact, this is an ordinary bicycle that we usually ride on the street, stretching our petrified body after winter. Only now we have the opportunity to use a bicycle right in the apartment or in the house.
The exercise bike is a wonderful invention sports world. But it has some disadvantages. It is because of them that many abandon their home workouts.
The first drawback is monotony. You simply sit on the exercise bike and start pedaling. Of course, the main thing here is physical activity. And it is present here in all its glory (if you have used an exercise bike, then you know how well this machine warms up almost every muscle in your body). But no matter how wonderful the load your body receives, you will definitely feel some monotony. Boredom, if you will.
You just sit, look at one point and pedal. And so on all the time. All day long. The landscapes don't change. You see the same objects. And it’s good if there is a TV nearby with an interesting film. But often there is just a wall nearby. Boring, gray, monotonous. This is the first drawback of exercising on an exercise bike (in fairness, it is worth noting that treadmill). But he's not the only one.
The second disadvantage is loneliness. You just sit, pedal and think about something. There's no one to even talk to. It’s unlikely that you have a whole fleet of exercise bikes at home that you ride with your friends.
These are the two main disadvantages that all exercise bikes in your home have. It has always been this way. But it seems that thanks to the efforts of developers from Activetainment, the situation may soon change dramatically. After all, the guys presented to the public a film that does not have the above-mentioned disadvantages. He is not boring and not lonely.
An exercise bike that simulates riding on forest and city roads
The Ebove B\01 exercise bike from Activetainment seems ready to revolutionize its field. This is an ideal solution for all those who do not have the opportunity to ride their bike on forest and mountain trails in reality, but really want to. The reason may be the time of year, harsh climate, remoteness of mountain and forest trails for cyclists. It doesn't matter at all. After all, the Ebove B\01 exercise bike practically replaces a real bike and real tracks.
The simulator is installed on a special moving platform. Above the handlebar, which can be turned like a real bike, there is a large 14-inch display. In addition to the steering wheel, of this simulator there is a complete imitation of the front part of a real bicycle. Here you have a movable steering wheel that rotates as it should be on a real bike steering wheel. There is also a “fork” here, and even front wheel. And all this is movable. It all works. Spinning. And it behaves just like in real life.
But the most interesting thing is the connection between the simulator and the display (via Bluetooth). As you already understand, the screen is needed to simulate a real track while driving. That is, when you board the Ebove B\01, a virtual route appears in front of you along which your path will pass. And you will have to turn not only the pedals, but also the steering wheel, and also work with your whole body to climb hills, carefully go down slopes or overcome obstacles.
When you ride a stationary bike, virtual hands and the front of the bike (handlebars) are displayed on the screen. All movements of your avatar on the display exactly repeat your own movements. As in computer game. Only you control not from the keyboard or gamepad, but from the simulator. Also on the screen you can see the distance traveled, heart rate and calories burned.
Naturally, the speed at which you pedal on the simulator determines how quickly you can complete a particular route. In fact, all this turns out to be very interesting and exciting. And the various tracks only add interactivity and beauty to the entire production.
By the way, when you get tired of the tracks available on board, you can always download new ones on the company’s website. It must be said that the routes are very different. They are located in different parts light, have different lengths and complexity. There are paths passing through mountainous or forested areas, there are real tracks, and there are just city streets. But that's not all.
The developers have added a unique opportunity for group rides to the Ebove B\01 simulator. Now, by going to the company's website and selecting the desired online race, you can compete with other home cyclists. Moreover, these are not just some tables with record values. These are full-fledged virtual races on simulators.
You select the competition you like, and other racers participating in the race will immediately appear on your display. And then everything is like in real racing. Whoever pedals his exercise bike more productively leads the race. Fantastic!
All that remains is to wait for the start of sales to find out how much this miracle will cost sports equipment. Of course, the price will be considerable. But it's worth it. It's hard to imagine a more motivating exercise bike than the Ebove B\01.
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