An outdoor stepper for fitness on three wheels
12/6/2023
Translation: machine translated
A Danish inventor has created a new machine that combines a stepper and a bike to get fit while you're on the move. His machine gave me the motivation to move around like a kangaroo.
How do you get an outdoor activity fan like me on a stepper? Well quite simply by equipping the fitness machine with wheels and making it a combined fitness machine and means of transport.
The Me-Mover actually looks like a stationary stepper, like the ones you've probably seen in gyms. Equipped with three wheels and a clever transmission system, it rolls over asphalt and forest and country paths, as long as they're not too rocky or bumpy.
The Me-Mover is the invention of Dane Jonas Eliasson, who wanted to develop a piece of sports equipment and a means of transport that he could take with him everywhere. Many prototypes later, the first Me-Movers were ready for fitness fans and people who wanted to get from the bus stop or train to their place of work quickly. And all without batteries, apps or other gadgets.
Source: Stefan Munsch
Carving, single-legs and kangaroo jumps
What fascinated me about this machine was the upright position as well as the ability to move both legs independently of each other, each leg separately or together like kangaroo jumps. This means I can vary my training and never get bored. What's more, the Me-Mover videos gave me the impression, at first glance, that riding was really fun. Especially with the slalom. Since then, I've had time to try it out and yes, I love it.
So about two years ago I ordered a Me-Mover from Denmark, on which I've since covered several hundred kilometres (according to my Garmin watch, 1878.2 kilometres in total, including about 90 kilometres last week alone). This figure is proof positive that I'm enjoying myself.
Compared to cycling, I find the position more comfortable for my back and neck. The core muscles are also exercised throughout the activity; you also have to keep your balance, which is fun and at the same time strengthens the core. My favourite exercises are carving and kangaroo jumps: the former because it allows me to roll down small hills in complete relaxation and the latter because it's both fun and very strenuous.
Balance and new movements
Assembling the Me-Mover was simple. I can't say the same for my first few minutes on it. The movement is very different to what I'm used to on a bike or stepper, as the two frame struts are flexible and can, to some extent, slide relative to each other. This allows me to do some carving, which I hope will prepare me for the ski season, but also requires a certain amount of balance. What's more, propulsion is initiated by pulling the legs upwards. This seems strange at first, but after a few minutes my movements become more fluid.
Source: Stefan Munsch
I use the Me-Mover as a training device, but also to actively recover after mountain runs. The movement is smooth and gentle on my joints; my legs quickly get back into shape after a low-intensity session. I sometimes use the Me-Mover for short runs. It folds up in a jiffy so you can pull it like a shopping trolley, so it could also be suitable for commuting, but I haven't used it for that yet. Still, I appreciate that the Me-Mover is compact when folded, as it allows me to stow it in the car when I want to explore new trails.
Source: Siri Schubert
Thoughtful transmission and disc brakes
The centrepiece of the Me-Mover and what took Jonas Eliasson the longest to develop is its sophisticated transmission. When you sink your foot lower, you change gear and can ride faster in a straight line or downhill. When you're climbing a hill, you can simulate a shorter walk by making quick, less sweeping movements.
One thing is certain: the Me-Mover is not a mountain bike. It excels mainly on relatively flat terrain. Hills are tough and I reach my limits fairly quickly, although some people manage to climb hills of 15% or more. Over longer distances, I reach an aerobic speed of between 16 and 18 km/h, with a heart rate of 130 to 150 beats per minute. The maximum speed of the Me-Mover is around 35 km/h, a speed I reach from time to time on moderate gradients.
Source: Stefan Munsch
The Me-Mover is robustly built, but some models go up to 23 kilos. There are now two models, the Speed Pro and the Fit, both with aluminium frames. The Speed Pro has 16" wheels and the Fit has 12.5" wheels. In my opinion, the Speed Pro is a little smoother on dirt roads and handles inclines a little better. A plus: both models work with standard high-pressure tyres (4 bar/50 psi) like the Schwalbe Marathon plus 12.5 x 2-5″. Admittedly, I've only had one puncture so far, but I was glad to be able to replace the inner tube on my stepper without any problems.
Source: Stefan Munsch
The wheels are fitted with disc brakes at the rear and front. Both models are suitable for people weighing up to 100 kilograms and up to around two metres tall. As the Me-Mover works by pressing on the pedals, it is not suitable for children under 30 kilograms.
The mobile stepper works solely by muscle training and has no motor. I like the well-thought-out details, such as the parking brake, thanks to which the device doesn't roll away when I get off briefly. The manufacturer sells other accessories such as a luggage rack. The bell, lights and helmet make for a safe ride.
As the Me-Mover was designed as a fitness device, its inventor Jonas Eliasson wanted to find out whether it could actually be used as a sports device. So he had muscle activation measured using a modern method, acoustic myography from Curo Diagnostics. According to the study, six of the eight major muscle groups are activated when cornering; more than when jogging, particularly the trunk and back muscles.
Real fans have competition fever
Since its launch in 2014, the Me-Mover has become a real phenomenon in some countries. Take the Netherlands, for example: there are a whole series of training groups there that meet regularly to exercise on the Me-Mover. There are even competitions already: at the Dutch Championship in September 2022, around a hundred participants pedalled 24 or 36 km. This year, as well as Dutch drivers, Me-Mover fans are expected from Denmark, England, the United States and, perhaps, even Switzerland.
Meanwhile, the Me-Mover is also used by people who want to get back into training after an injury, as the non-impact movement on the asphalt is gentler on the joints than jogging.
For me, the Me-Mover is a piece of sports equipment that I like to use alongside cycling and jogging. As I like to share my enthusiasm, the supplier has made four Me-Movers available to me on loan, on which I offer trials and training. Unfortunately, the Me-Mover is not yet available from Galaxus, but I'll be sure to let you know when it is.
Headline photo: Stefan Munsch
Siri Schubert
Senior Editor
Siri.Schubert@digitecgalaxus.chResearch diver, outdoor guide and SUP instructor – I love being in, on and around water. Lakes, rivers and the ocean are my playgrounds. For a change of perspective, I look at the world from above while trail running or flying drones.
