Fitness equipment manufacturers require extreme accuracy
Interface specializes in developing solutions for testing and monitoring parts and entire systems that move and generate force. One of the industries where this is crucial is the fitness industry. Equipment and fitness machines, whether designed for home use or professional training facilities, must function safely and accurately.
Using interface sensors and instruments, the performance of various fitness equipment is measured in various test protocols throughout the product life cycle. Rigorous testing is carried out at every stage: R&D, design, manufacturing and post-market use. These tests measure performance data as well as the reliability, durability, fatigue and safety of the devices. Fitness equipment manufacturers also use feedback from sensors to monitor users' experiences in real time. This means they need accurate data for all types of user profiles, strength variability, weights and experience levels.
The global fitness market also needs a partner for testing solutions as the industry is set to experience solid growth in the next few years. In fact, Allied Market Research predicts that the fitness market will reach $2028 billion by 14,8, with a year-over-year CAGR of 3,3% during this assessment period.
Interface recently captured a number of use cases showing how our test and measurement products are used in the fitness industry for testing and OEM applications. You can read the entire case study here: Interface measures fitness equipment with extreme accuracy.
Challenges in manufacturing fitness equipment
When developing fitness equipment, a lot of investment goes into the manufacturing and engineering process to ensure that the equipment is safe and reliable for users. On a treadmill, for example, the wheels that move the treads must withstand different speeds and forces over an extended period of time. This requires torque and load testing. Additionally, the sensors on the handrails that emit a pulse to measure the user's heart rate must provide accurate data for health and wellness applications. Manufacturers want to build sensors into their devices that measure various forces and provide the user with fitness data or data that doctors can use to monitor patients as they exercise. These fitness equipment manufacturers and product designers need sensors that can be easily integrated into the product or adapted to existing products to enable smart features and IoT capabilities.
Interface testing and measurement solutions for fitness equipment
Interface offers a variety of measurement solutions used by manufacturers and test engineers in the fitness equipment sector. This includes our load cells, Torque transducer, multi-axis sensors and Miniature load cells as well as the popular wireless products and measuring devices. Our products are used in a variety of fitness applications, including elliptical trainers, leg presses, rowing machines, mobile and stationary bicycles, and physical training and therapy equipment. Interface's sensor technologies are preferred by product developers in this area due to their precision, accuracy, variety of options and quality.
The following use cases provide an overview of how Interface serves the fitness industry.
Development of fitness equipment and machines
A fitness equipment manufacturer wanted multiple load measurement systems for its various fitness equipment such as elliptical trainers, leg presses, rowing machines and cable machines used in gyms of all types. The purpose of installing sensors in the devices is to ensure that the devices are functioning properly to prevent injuries. The sensors can also be used for trainers who want to conduct strength and endurance tests. Interface provided a combination of products including the WMCFP Overload Protected Sealed Miniature Stainless Steel Load Cells, SSB Sealed Beam Load Cells and AT103 Axial Torsional Force and Torque Transducers. In conjunction with the appropriate instrumentation from Interface, the forces can be measured, graphed and displayed during the test phase. Interface's products all effectively measure the forces required for training and sporting activity. This not only ensured that the devices developed worked properly, but also that users could track their endurance performance and consider future design improvements based on consumer usage. Read more about this use case.
Rehabilitation on the treadmill
A medical device manufacturer sought a force measurement system for its experimental rehabilitation treadmill for patients who have difficulty with pelvic mobility. For example, patients who have suffered a stroke often have difficulty walking. The aim was to measure the forces acting on the pelvis when the patient walks on the treadmill and to record any pelvic deviations. The treadmill had a special harness with two actuators on either side of the patient when in operation. Interface suggested installing two sealed miniature stainless steel load cells on the actuators that measure the forces acting on the patient's pelvis. The force results would be measured using the SI-USB4 4-channel USB interface module and could be graphed and logged on the customer's computer using the included VS3 software. With this solution, the medical company was able to capture various pelvic deviations in its experimental rehabilitation treadmill using interface products. Find out more here.
Bicycle power pedals
A bicycle manufacturer wanted to evaluate the functionality of its power pedals. He needed a reliable system to measure how much force the cyclist was exerting on the pedals, and he preferred a wireless system that could be connected to his computer to review the data results. Interface proposed four Low Height S-Type Load Cells of the SML model, which are installed in the pedals of the bike. The four SMLs are paired with two WTS-AM-4 Wireless Strain Bridge Transmitter Modules, which transmit the cyclist's force data to the WTS-BS-6 Wireless Telemetry Dongle Base Station Dongle, which is connected to the customer's computer. With Interface's products, the bicycle manufacturer was able to measure the pedaling force exerted by the cyclist. Read more here.
Interface's load cells, torque transducers and data acquisition systems are ideal for many fitness applications, especially those designed for IoT connectivity. Interface offers products that measure all types of forces for necessary fitness applications. And if we don't have a product that fits your exact needs, our custom solutions team will work with your design and testing engineers to develop the most effective and efficient solution based on the unique specifications.