Comparison Hop-Sport HS-095R Spike vs Hop-Sport HS-100AR Roam

The value of the maximum allowable load on the design of the simulator (due to the weight of the athlete). If the weight of the athlete exceeds the threshold value, then the structural elements of the equipment may fail. The most common user weight limits are: up to 100 kg, up to 120 kg, up to 140 kg and over 140 kg.

— Magnetic. To counteract the efforts of the athlete, a set of stationary magnets is used, which carry out their work due to the force of spontaneous attraction. Such a load system is autonomous and, unlike an electromagnet (see paragraph "Electromagnetic"), does not require connection to a household electrical network. The user of the simulator can, at his own discretion, set the required degree of load. Does not require periodic maintenance.

— Air. Counteraction to the efforts of the athlete is carried out due to the operation of the pneumatic cylinder. The mechanism is completely autonomous, does not require connection to a household electrical network. The degree of load can be controlled by acting on the air valves of the cylinder. The system requires periodic maintenance, the owner of the simulator needs to pump lubricant from time to time and change the rubber seals with gaskets on the piston heads.

— Magnetic-air. This load type provides a more realistic boat rowing simulation. The main load is created due to the classical mechanism of magnetic action (see the “Magnetic” paragraph above), and the additional load is due to the pneumatic spring in the frame. The strength of the athlete is counteracted by both the magnetized rowing handles and the sprung frame of the simulator. Because of the latter, the athlete a...lso needs to maintain the balance of the position of his body, since the frame structure is not rigid, but movable, due to the presence in the structure of the so-called. "air rack". The magnetic air load makes the training process more complex and effective. Due to the movable frame of the simulator, a greater number of athlete's muscles are loaded.

— Water. The simulator counteracts the efforts of the athlete due to the work of the water cylinder. The principle of operation is similar to the principle of operation of an air cylinder, but the load is created due to compression of the liquid in the working chamber. The system does not need to be connected to a household power supply. The degree of loading can be adjusted by changing the volume of liquid in the chamber. Such a system requires periodic maintenance.

— Electromagnetic. The system works on the basis of the action of magnetic attraction forces. Unlike stationary magnets (see paragraph "Magnetic"), which function under the influence of spontaneous attraction, an electric magnet works due to magnetic induction that occurs around a DC conductor. The mechanism is very simple in design and does not require periodic maintenance, but for the operation of the simulator it is necessary to connect to the mains or use batteries. The athlete can regulate the load in a very wide range of values, the electromagnet allows for fine adjustment of the degree of load.

— Hydraulic. This type of loading is the most accurate way to imitate rowing on a boat, since the simulator is equipped with a semblance of real oars. Allows you to achieve a more accurate muscle load when simulating rowing. People of different age categories and physical fitness can train on such simulators.

The weight of the flywheel affects the stroke length of the propeller handles. The higher the weight, the more the machine can provide a higher degree of load.

The ability to adjust the length of the leg rests allows you to adjust the machine to the height of any user.

With this mechanism, you can install the rowing machine in a perfectly flat horizontal plane, even if the base of the sports field has an uneven surface. The design of the simulator has height-adjustable supports. Usually, the simulator is placed on 4 supports. Height adjustment is carried out manually using an open-end wrench or a special clamping nut with a handle. The accuracy of the level of compliance with the horizontal plane of the simulator is checked using the "level" (by the way, the "level" can be built into the frame of the simulator).

Training programs allow the athlete to purposefully carry out loads on certain muscle groups. The most common types of programs are: muscle strength training (the simulator creates an optimal load in order to quickly and effectively strengthen the main muscle groups), cardiovascular training (the simulator creates loads that can effectively strengthen the athlete’s cardiovascular system), training to increase the tone of the body, etc.

Pulse-dependent is a type of training programme in which the load is adjusted depending on the heart rate (pulse) of the athlete. Simply put, you just need to set the desired frequency — and the rowing machine with heart rate-dependent programs will automatically adjust all training parameters so that this frequency is maintained for the desired time.

The simplest version of the heart rate programme is the constant heart rate mode, when the heart rate is maintained at the same level throughout the entire workout. However, this set of such programs is not limited. As in the case of training, the wider this set of heart rate-dependent programs, the more opportunities you have to choose the best option for each specific moment.

However, for the operation of heart rate-dependent programs, it is necessary to acquire a heart rate sensor, because the measurement of pulses using the simulators themselves is not carried out.

Competitive mode is a separate type of exercise (training) in which you fight with a virtual opponent. The rowing parameters of both the current user and the virtual opponent will be displayed on the screen. In fact, a virtual opponent acts as an effective motivator, forcing the user to put in more effort during training in order to win.

The presence of a Bluetooth wireless module in the rowing machine allows you to synchronize with the user's smartphone, tablet or laptop / PC. Thanks to data synchronization, the user will be able to control the results of training in a convenient form. Additionally, Bluetooth wireless communication can be used to download new training programs to the on-board computer of the simulator and synchronize with the heart rate monitor via the ANT protocol.