A Ten-Step Guide to Improving Your ERGYS Sessions
1.
Don’t Set Your Thresholds too High
Think of the thresholds as the stimulus idling point. The ERGYS uses each threshold level to compute the
stimulus level during the "off" portion of a muscle’s stroke. The
threshold setting should be set at the point where the muscle first responds to the
stimulus. If you set the threshold much higher than this you could get a co-contraction
from that muscle which may impede your ride.
2.
Replace Your Seat Cushion
If it’s 5 years old, it’s probably worn out. Over time, the ERGYS seat
cushion will lose some of its "memory." With an old seat cushion, some of your
leg power will be absorbed by the seat instead of being transferred to the pedal crank. A new cushion will help to bring you back into the
optimum ERGYS pedaling position.
3.
Check Your Leg Restraints, They May Need Rebuilt
Try this simple test: Hold each Leg Restraint Arm straight out, one hand under the
"elbow" and the other hand at the end, and remove the hand supporting the elbow.
The elbow joint should flex easily (like butter, as we say here). If the joint is stiff,
if the arm stays straight even after removing your hand, the Leg Restraint Arm is impeding
your ERGYS ride. The same goes for the shoulder joint (the point where the arm attaches to
the seat). If this joint is too stiff you will lose power through the drag in your Leg
Restraint. The Leg Restraints can be
sent to TAI for rebuilding. If they’re 5+ years old, they probably need it.
4.
Replace Your Electrodes
Electrodes increase in their impedance to stimulus with each ERGYS session. At some
point the stimulus will not be dispersed effectively over the electrode, resulting in
diminished run performance. Random open lead messages are a good indication that the
electrodes are worn out. Replace the carbon rubber electrodes every 52 to 78 sessions (4
to 6 months). Replace the self-adhesive electrodes every 10 to 12 sessions. Keep an
ongoing tally of the number of sessions you’ve used a particular batch of electrodes.
And try not to mix old and new electrodes.
5.
Don’t Overextend Your Legs, but Don’t Underextend Them, Either
To the ERGYS, your legs are like the pistons of an automobile
engine. In general, the greater the travel, the more power you will get from each
pedal stroke. But there’s a limit to this. Over extension can be hard on the knees
and may slow you down, as the feet will tend to be pulled up in the boots at the point of
maximum extension.
6.
Upgrade Your ERGYS
Turn your ERGYS 1 into an ERGYS 1.5 with the software upgrade. Stimulus scaling and the algorithm for the
application of pedaling resistance are much improved. Turn your ERGYS 1 into an ERGYS 2
with the Stimulus Engine upgrade. It has all the features of the
software upgrade coupled with a variety of new stimulus waveforms
which may improve your performance.
7.
Plant Your Heels
If your heels are firmly planted at the back of the boot,
your feet won’t tend to slip forward. A forward slipping foot translates into lost
pedaling power. While you’re at it, make sure the white and blue boot inserts
are protecting your feet. Your feet should not come in contact with the boot straps or the
plastic boots. We've made it easier to secure
the feet by adding oversized D-rings and better positioned hook and loop fasteners
to the boot straps.
8. Check that Your Front Sprocket is Locked to the Axle
The front sprocket, axle, and flywheel should be locked
together. The sprocket is locked to the axle with a "keyway" (which almost
always stays in place) and a set screw (which on occasion will loosen). Hand pedal the
ERGYS forward and backward. If the front sprocket slips on the axle as you reverse
pedaling direction, you’ve probably got a loose set screw. You can tighten the set
screw from the front of the ERGYS without removing the plastic drive train cover.
9. Eat Right, Sit Up Straight, Get a Good
Night’s Sleep
If you’ve had a rough day, if you’re worn out, if you're undernourished, your
ERGYS session will reflect it. Eat well, sleep well, and listen to your mother’s
advice. It works for the ERGYS, too! And while you’re at it, sit up as straight as
possible. This will allow for the maximum contribution from your hips as you pedal.
10. Send Us Your Suggestions
Share YOUR secret for getting a better ERGYS session.
We’ll post it here and give you a big THANK YOU. Help your fellow ERGYS riders!
