Perfo rmance

Yeah, but never mind all that, which one gets you fitter faster?

The workout screens are excellent, giving you different things to focus on

Running is notorious for injuries, which often have origins in bad technique, yet it’s nearimpossible to run on the Skillmill with bad form. Because the surface is instantly responsive, intervals sessions are much more efficient and effective. That said, the position of the screen encourages the head to slope forward, or a swing left for a glance at your smartphone. Runners also tend to ignore vital strength training, yet with the constant reminder of the handlebars on the Skillmill, it’s a bit like standing outside a pub; you’re going to go in for a pint eventually.

While the Skillmill is the most beginnerfriendly smart-fitness machine, Wattbike’s Atom is the most serious. It peppers you with serious data, serious stats and graphs, and occasional esoteric words. But it’s helpful too. The ERGO mode, especially, takes the guesswork out of choosing the best gear – get that wrong and your workout could nosedive.

The workout screens are excellent, giving you different things to focus on as the sweat starts to cascade, and is easily flicked between with buttons in the handgrips. It meant we always felt engaged, despite the tedious discomfort of the task in hand. But the inherent problem with cycling is it’s still mostly sitting down, hunched up.

Skillrow is similar in that it offers plenty of visual and cerebral distractions. The live performance data and app make for an all-in-one experience, and you’re more likely to feel involved, committed and stick to your training. Those who haven’t rowed – and it’s the least popular of the three main activities these machines are primarily built for – will find it a very pleasant surprise on the Skillrow. You can do effective and enjoyable workouts for both cardio and resistance – it’s refreshing to switch between the two.

The small downside is that switching between screens requires you to stop rowing and swipe your device, though there’s little to be done about that; rowing requires two hands.