How Elliptical Machines Produce Resistance
Elliptical machines produce exercise resistance mainly in two ways:
- Magnetic Resistance
- Acceleration Resistance
Magnetic Resistance
Most modern elliptical machines use a magnetic resistance (or magnetic brake) device to create a smooth and quiet workout load. In this system, a metal flywheel rotates near a set of magnets. The magnets do not need to touch the flywheel, so the resistance can be produced without frictional contact.
When the flywheel rotates through the magnetic field, electrical currents are induced inside the metal flywheel. These currents are called eddy currents. The eddy currents create an opposing magnetic effect that resists the rotation of the flywheel. This opposing force is what the exerciser feels as resistance.
The resistance level can be adjusted by changing the gap between the magnet set and the outer ring of the flywheel. The closer the magnet set is to the flywheel, the higher the resistance.
Magnetic resistance is smooth, quiet, adjustable, and low-maintenance because the magnets do not rub against the flywheel. This is why it is widely used in elliptical machines, exercise bikes, and other indoor fitness equipment.
Acceleration Resistance
Acceleration resistance is different from magnetic resistance. It comes from the force required to change the kinetic energy when the exerciser speeds up the pedal stroke.
Conventional Ellipticals Favor Lower Resistance
A conventional elliptical machine is essentially a four-bar linkage mechanism driving a flywheel. The flywheel rotates at the same rate as the pedal stroke, limiting the amount of kinetic energy that can be stored in the system.
Kinetic Constraint
The limited kinetic energy storage is not enough to smoothly carry the system through the low-torque zone at high resistance. Therefore, conventional elliptical machines are usually designed to produce low resistance and are more suitable for aerobic exercise.
Modern magnetic resistance systems can easily generate higher braking forces on flywheel.
However, the limitation is not the braking system itself, but the amount of kinetic energy (KE) available within the drivetrain.
Geometry Constraint
Conventional ellipticals also tend to use a long, predominantly horizontal stride. This geometry creates a longer low-torque zone during each pedal cycle. At higher resistance levels, maintaining smooth motion through this extended low-torque zone becomes increasingly challenging.
For these reasons, conventional ellipticals are generally optimized for sustained cardio exercise rather than high-resistance training.
LB007: A Different Resistance Profile
Broad Resistance Span
The LB007 employs a two-stage transmission system that allows the flywheel to rotate 15 times faster than the pedal stroke rate. Because kinetic energy increases with the square of rotational speed, the flywheel can store substantially more energy.
The higher kinetic energy capacity enables the system to maintain smooth movement even at higher resistance levels, making the machine suitable for both cardio and resistance-focused exercise.
LB007 is designed with a broad resistance span adjustable across 8 levels.
Highly Responsive Acceleration Resistance
The 15× flywheel speed also significantly increases acceleration resistance. When the exerciser increases the pedal stroke rate, additional energy is required to accelerate the high-speed flywheel and the kinetic energy stored in the system.
As a result, the machine responds immediately to changes in pedaling effort. Faster pedaling demands greater power output, while slower pedaling requires less. This responsive relationship between effort and resistance creates a more dynamic, engaging, and natural exercise experience.
Responsiveness...
Responsiveness describes how quickly and noticeably an exercise machine reacts to changes in the exerciser's effort. A highly responsive machine provides immediate feedback when the exerciser pedals faster or slower, creating a stronger connection between effort and exercise intensity.
Vertical Elliptical 5×11 Profile
The LB007's Vertical Elliptical 5×11 Pedal Motion Profile combines a relatively short stride length with a substantial vertical lift. Compared with conventional horizontal ellipticals, the pedal path is more compact and produces a shorter low-torque zone during each cycle.
The shorter low-torque zone reduces the demand for kinetic energy transfer, while the higher vertical lift naturally supports stronger downward force application. Together with the high-speed flywheel system, this geometry is particularly well suited for higher-resistance exercise and lower-body strength training.