Me-Mover | We have tested and reviewed it

Me-Mover is a machine that is quite difficult to give a specific name to. It is a mix between a stepper, running and cycling machine. It is a machine without a motor, or that is to say, it is the person standing on it who is the motor. So how fast you will go depends only on the size and desire of the “motor”.
Many people think that a Me-Mover is difficult to stand on, but considering that this machine has 3 wheels, this is a problem for few. You will experience when you stand on a Me-Mover for the first time that it seems a little difficult to stand on – but everything at the beginning is difficult – you get used to it very quickly, and it is not the balance that becomes the problem. It also has a fantastic ability to turn very sharply. But you can read much more about that and much more in the test that we at Iloebesko.dk have done.

The story behind Me-Mover

It all started back in the streets of Stockholm, Sweden. Me-Mover’s inventor Jonas Eliasson had an idea, an idea that would turn into a tangible reality.
At that time, Jonas was incredibly tired of his commuter life on the metro, and not least the time he spent getting to and from the metro. Jonas was previously both a skilled and persistent inline skater, but the slightly cobblestoned streets and some sometimes heavy Swedish rains suddenly made this transport option not an option.
Most people probably sit there thinking, why not just take the bike, but there was a very simple explanation for why Jonas didn’t take advantage of that opportunity. They were allowed on the metro at the time (I don’t know if they are now either). And having a bike at every station was a bit “overkill” but also in Sweden you are ravaged by bike theft, and you didn’t know if your bike was there when you arrived..

It was during this process that the idea of ​​a light, flexible and foldable vehicle emerged in Jonas’s mind. And from there things really took off.

Re-review of Me-mover anno 2018

Updated November 2018
We have previously tested and reviewed the Me-mover. But now a few generations have passed, and therefore the launch of this new Me-mover 2.2 FIT with accompanying home trainer was an obvious opportunity to update the memory and effect of this cardio training machine..
In the video below, we go over some of the details that the Me-mover 2.2 FIT comes with and you get a brief introduction to the home trainer that you can purchase for your Me-mover.

Introduction of the Me-mover exercise bike

The biggest differences between the old and new Me-mover

After having had the opportunity to test this new Me-mover version 2.2 FIT, it is obvious to describe the clear differences on the Me-mover. Because there are a few obvious ones that you can both see and feel.

More solid, better folding mechanism

It seems more robust. but it’s not just the appearance that makes it. It has become more solid and robust. And especially the folding and locking mechanism when you pack your Me-mover together has become significantly better. It gives a really, really nice feeling that everything is holding up when you have locked it together.

Nicer finish

Maybe not the biggest useful change in terms of using the Me-mover. But the whole design has become more attractive. A more attractive and “metallic” finish makes for a really nice Me-mover. And it’s a bit like a racing bike. It has to look good too.

Better wheels on the Me-mover 2.2 FIT

The new Me-mover 2.2 FIT has been fitted with better and LIGHTER wheels. At the same time, the tires have been updated, so that rolling resistance has been reduced. In combination with the lighter wheels, this gives a significantly better rolling frequency, meaning you can drive faster on the new Me-mover 2.2 FIT.

Better carving

In connection with the new wheels and tires fitted to the Me-mover 2.2 FIT, your options for lower carving have also increased. There is a better opportunity to utilize the carving effect due to better rolling and better friction in the wheels/tires.

Opportunity for training all year round

Although I think that the Me-mover generally gives you the opportunity to train outside, even in what many would describe as bad weather. Then you can’t help but have days when it’s just more fun or for that matter easier to train inside. Maybe you just want to watch your favorite series on TV, or maybe the sky and sea are one. Then the option that comes with a Me-mover home trainer is a unique opportunity.
It takes no time to strap your Me-mover onto the exercise bike, and in less than 5 minutes you are ready to train inside instead of outside.

But Me-mover 2.2 FIT can run on multiple surfaces

Unless it’s the TV, the time, or something else entirely that makes you want to exercise indoors, I think you should do yourself a favor and try riding your Me-mover on different surfaces. And maybe even with some cardio exercises included.
The video below is a short introduction to how little it takes to get an optimal workout out of your Me-mover. Or a demonstration that, for example, the forest floor is a particularly challenging and FUN place to use your Me-mover.

Me-mover exercises + driving on multiple surfaces

Intro to home trainer for Me-mover

There’s not really much to it. If you know an exercise bike from the cycling world, it’s very similar to them. It’s a small unit that you strap onto your Me-mover.
A very simple exercise where you set up your Me-mover 2.2 FIT in 2 specially designed molds on the home trainer. Then you fasten the Me-mover with 2 straps and make sure to put on friction (this is done with 2 swivel wheels on the home trainer – incredibly easy)
Next, you brake the Med motor on the front wheel, attach load indicators to the handlebars, and you’re ready to whizz “away” inside.

Thoughts quickly turn to spinning

You can do a lot of different exercises on a Me-mover. You can of course do that indoors too. Exactly the same as you can outside. But personally I have used it a bit like interval and spinning training.
It hit me very quickly that you could use music to train your intervals on the Me-mover. This trend you may know from spinning with explosions in shorter periods. It’s actually really good at that. The only thing it probably can’t handle is the instructor who usually sits and yells at you. So it requires a little self-discipline. Unless you get your wife/husband to yell at you.

Below I have made a short video that is cut together from one of my training sections on the Me-mover clamped to the home trainer.
(sorry for the loud music – but I needed some bass for rhythm)

Me-mover 2.2 FIT still has room for improvement

Pedals are still a mystery to me

From day one. Or at least from the first time we had a Me-mover in our hands, or should I say feet. I have wondered why the pedals on the Me-mover are designed the way they are. There is definitely a good reason for that, but personally I think it is a major annoyance. Partly because I have a feeling that I spend more time getting the pedals and its buckle on top to fit properly, rather than enjoying the ride 100% and giving it full throttle.
I have mentioned before that a system like a click pedal (like on a spinning bike) or perhaps something like a ski binding could be an option. Then the foot is fixed, and you can use your energy to create momentum and perform exercises, rather than wondering if the foot is now properly locked in the pedal.
In addition, this time I have experienced a definite pain in the bone on top of my foot. But that could easily be due to stubbornness in not wanting to think about the pedals being “wrong”

Home trainer missing front wheel fixation

Compared to the home trainer, which in its simplicity is a brilliant invention, there are some small things that could be better.
Among other things, I think that the front wheel can quickly become a bit too unstable. But in my opinion there is a very easy solution to that. You can make this fixing plate that you know from a home trainer for your racing bike. Then a small simple plastic gadget that you can put the front wheel on.
At times, during my test of the Me-mover home trainer, I had to fix the front wheel with kettlebells (something that had a bit of weight and bulk).

And you need to find a harder surface

The next little thing is the mat. I would recommend you get a mat when you train on your Me-mover 2.2 FIT indoors. As you have probably discovered, it is a machine where you can get sweaty on your forehead. And therefore also on the floor, so it is a good idea to protect the floor.
But but but you have to be careful with choosing any surface. I started out with a 1½ to 2cm thick exercise or yoga mat. It turned out very quickly that it was simply too soft. The home trainer itself and its large flywheel started to stand and make small rocking movements, and this resulted in a form of instability. So always choose a harder surface.

Conclusion of re-review of Me-mover 2.2 FIT

Even though this exercise machine still has room for improvement, I am still of the firm belief that once you try a Me-mover, you will be a fan. Because it really is a great form of exercise.
And for people (like you) with bad backs and hip problems, a workout session on your Me-mover can be far less painful, but at least as effective. So you might want to think about that a bit.

FUT became the new Me-mover

Back in 2008, they started developing what we know today as me-mover. But it started with a completely different name. In fact, the original name was FUT. It was an abbreviation for what it was. Future Urban Transport. So a means of transport for the future, and inspired by the subway.

Helped along the way by Kickstarter

The company behind Me-mover was founded in 2010, where Jonas made a real effort to assemble exactly the team he thought could help his idea on the right path.
In 2014, they were ready for their first Kickstarter project. They were ready with their first version of the Me-Mover. And it was a completely fantastic success. In a relatively short time, the guys managed to crowdfund 300,000 US dollars, and in early spring 2015, they delivered the first 300 units to customers all over the world.
These customers were used as “test guinea pigs” and it’s not in a negative way. But the company did a great job of getting a lot of feedback from these customers they now had out in the field. They adapted according to what they learned.

It was quickly learned that what a lot of people came back with was that it was really good as a fitness and exercise tool. And they quickly embraced that, and without changing course radically, they built on the idea of ​​a Me-mover that accommodated the basic principles that had been laid down, and then with the fitness and exercise characteristics built in. The current version was born, Me-Mover FIT. That is the model we see today.

Kickstart for Me-Mover FIT

Also in version 2.0 they chose to go the kickstarter route, and again with a distinct success. A success to such an extent that they had the Me-Mover FIT able to go into production. This time it was just developed a little more for fast driving in the city, with a touch of fitness and exercise. It is made so that you can very easily get around corners in the city quickly, and you can do that because of the unique carving mechanism that is in a Me-Mover. It turns really smoothly and quickly, you just have to get used to it.
The idea with Me-Mover FIT is also to try to change people’s view of exercising. It is of course still a really great means of transport, but the intention is also to try to make exercise more fun. People should not see exercise as a bad thing. Me-Mover will make exercising fun, easy and intelligent.

Me-Mover is constantly being upgraded

New ideas are constantly being played with in developing the Me-Mover. Among other things, the idea that you can train at home on your Me-Mover via a rolling track, ideas are also being worked on about an electric version (then we are more back in the transport mindset, and not so much fitness and exercise) and then lots of ideas are also being thought about accessories. Among other things, less resistant tires have been developed for him or her who would like a little more speed, and work is also being done on a removable “load” that you can click on at the front. So there is always something happening.

The good thing about this mindset, seen as a consumer, is that Jonas and the other boys always think of it as a modular project, so that if you have bought a Me-Mover, the things are just additional purchases that you can put on your own Me-mover. So you don’t have to go out and buy new ones every time.

Me-Mover looks funny, but it works and is super effective

My first experience with Me-Mover

It was a Saturday that I received an email from Jonas. He asked down to earth if we at Iloebesko would like to try testing and maybe even review a Me-Mover. It didn’t take us very long to get that agreement in place. I quickly called Jonas and told him that the product he presented to us here looked incredibly useful, especially for our target group. After many minutes of talking about the whole set up that both Me-Mover and we had, it was agreed that we would meet the following week for a test drive and a handover of 2 Me-Moveres.
In the conversation, Jonas said, among other things, that marathon runner Henrik Them Andersen had used a Me-Mover with great success to recover from an injury. And that’s exactly why he had thought of us as test subjects. So it can also be used for that…

It was with a little bit of butterflies in my stomach that I signed the contract and drove off to meet Jonas at the agreed place on Tuesday. You basically didn’t know what you were getting into. Of course, I had done my homework properly and researched what I could about a Me-Mover. But still, you’re always a little excited..
Jonas showed up, introduced himself, and then it was time for the first introduction to a Me-Mover. I got a short introduction to which positions, which movements, and which position on a me-Mover were recommended for a beginner like me.
And then it was off on a short intro ride around the terrain (asphalt, we met at a larger fuel station). What I was most nervous about was actually the fact that I could now also keep my balance, but that came to me surprisingly quickly. What quickly disappeared, however, was my air. Not only is it super fun to ride, but it is also relatively hard on the legs to ride. This is due to several things, and I describe myself as being in relatively good shape, and with an okay amount of leg muscles.
But where you are challenged first and foremost is in technique. I put a lot of effort into getting the technique to fall into place in my legs, and not least in my head. Because Jonas kept driving next to me and saying “you only have to pull with your legs, only pull” and”you have to go much higher and work on the pedals” ! And to be honest, I didn’t understand a damn thing to begin with. In my world it was easier to just keep the pedals down all the time. But I got wiser…..

It wasn’t long before we came to a small hill, and that’s when I really started to see what he meant. It might be a bit hard to explain, but if you start much higher up with the pedals, it becomes easier to accelerate and the whole thing just becomes a little easier. You’ll also be able to see that in one of the videos we’re making for this test.
The same day as this introductory ride, I was going to crossfit and circuit training, and one of the agreements with Jonas was that the Me-Mover I was going to borrow would also be part of this training. It would fit in perfectly as a station exercise. And here I came to training with up to 25 minutes of experience riding a Me-Mover, but fortunately it just confirmed for me that I was not alone in the opinion that it was easier to pedal all the way down every time. That’s how almost all of my training buddies started too. Until I introduced them to working further up the pedals and with much more speed on their legs, then the famous 10øre også hos dem.
As written, Me-Mover was used that evening as a station exercise, which involved driving to a point, turning around, and driving back. It wasn’t terribly far, but I still remember some of the statements:

– Hold on, it feels good on your legs.
– I can feel that I use both my back and stomach.
– I think my calf muscles will feel good tomorrow.

And that’s exactly what a Me-Mover is after. That it becomes a multi-functional product. And that it fits really well into a crossfit mindset is just my assessment. Crossfit is about working with your own body weight, you could also say that the Me-Mover practices that. It’s you who is the engine, you use your body weight and your muscle power to move forward.

After several trips on Me-Mover

After the introduction and training with the guys, it was suddenly time to figure out how to plan a workout on the Me-Mover myself. And I really want to be brutally honest and say that I was very surprised. At the crossfit training, I had proclaimed that in the coming week I would at least take it to work 2-3 times. I have 18 kilometers to work – each way. It didn’t quite turn out that way. In fact, not at all. At the time of writing, and the week has passed, I haven’t gone more than 13 kilometers in a row.

Test ride with Hechmann Running

It’s one thing to ride a Me-Mover alone, it’s another to roll off with a training buddy. In that connection, I had invited Mette from Hechmann Running and Mette Riis Diet and Exercise with us on a test drive.
Mette makes a living by advising runners on training, running and diet, so I couldn’t think of anyone better to help evaluate a Me-Mover.

Of course, there is also the fact that it is difficult to see yourself when you are speeding on it, so now I had the opportunity to see how a Me-Mover works. We had the opportunity to get some film in the box, in order to show different movements on a Me-Mover
Therefore, a test ride with a training bodysuit was an obvious choice.

2 training buddies off on Me-Mover

At the same time, we also tested the aspect that the Me-Mover is a fantastic social training machine. It is a super fun way to train when there are 2 or more of you. You can both challenge each other in different exercises, or you can easily play a lot of speed games. If you ride on “closed path systems” you can easily ride “after the next barrier” just like when cycling you always sprint to the city signs.
And once everyone has mastered the technique, and thus also the pulse, it is certainly also possible to talk to each other if you drive out of there. This test ride with Mette showed that 14 kilometers can disappear very quickly.
It’s important to say that it was Mette’s first trip on a Me-Mover, so 14 kilometers is a relatively long debut trip. But time flies when you’re rushing out of there..

Watch our first test of Me-Mover on video here

First ride on Me-mover

It was on this trip that I learned that those trips at work probably needed to be reevaluated. It was a weekday after work that I was going on this one for the first time alone. And it didn’t take long, I think I had ridden a maximum of 3km, when it hit me that this is not a bed of roses. It’s a super cool workout, but damn… how hard is it. You have to keep yourself going the whole time. And then there was the fact that at that time the technique was still not exactly in the closet, in fact probably far from it. I am convinced that on your many first trips, you spend unnecessary effort on maintaining your technique. It will take a long time for everyone before you think it all feels natural.

I use my Me-Mover all year round, and at all times of the day.

More technology with a Me-Mover

After 3-4 trips on the Me-Mover, I still feel that my technique can be much better. But I also feel that I have taken quantum steps from where I started. There is much more technique involved in taking a trip on my Me-Mover now. And when you slowly learn more of the technique, taking a trip becomes both more fun and more manageable..
Now I have the opportunity to add a few more kilometers, or add other challenges to my trips.
My latest trip (at the time of writing) was 2 x 13km, interrupted in the middle of a crossfit training session of approx. 70min. So there is energy for something more now. But but but, I would like to admit that my legs were shaking when I landed back home after this trip, and the last 4km were unbearable.

Watch our second video about the Me-mover test here

Advantages and disadvantages of Me-Mover

This list of advantages and disadvantages is not exhaustive, and it is of course up to the individual user what he or she thinks are the advantages and disadvantages. So the list below is of course based on our test.

Benefits of Me-Mover

Disadvantages of Me-Mover

Practicing on a Me-Mover

There are quite a few different exercises on a Me-Mover. If you’ve seen our preview videos, you’ll see that even for beginners like us, there are plenty of challenges on a Me-Mover.

You can strengthen the “weak leg”

One of the first things I noticed when I went on my test ride with Jonas from Me-Mover was that it looked a bit strange when I pulled with my right leg. Jonas asked if I had an injury in my leg, or maybe in my hip?
To that I had to say no, but I also had to tell him that I’m basically what you would call a left leg. I’ve played a lot of football, and I’m not saying too much if I say that my right leg was only there to keep my balance.
But it came out very clearly on a Me-Mover. But as Jonas also said that day, I’ve now looked at a lot of people who have ridden this Me-Mover, and I’m in the world of physiotherapists and you quickly learn to spot that kind of thing.

But an exercise came out of it very quickly for me. I had to “work with one leg – the weak leg”
Der er Me-Mover’en heldigvis lavet sådan at du sagtens kan lave fremdrift kun ved at bruge det ene ben. Så anbefalingen til mig var at jeg kunne arbejde på mine ture med at mit højre ben fik perioder hvor det trak læsset alene. På den måde ville det både blive mere smidigt, men selvfølkgelig også stærkere. Det vil have en mulighed for at prøve at indhente mit venstreben i styrke. Fortunately, the Me-Mover is designed in such a way that you can easily move forward using just one leg. So the recommendation for me was that I could work on my trips with my right leg having periods where it pulled the load alone. That way it would both become more flexible, but of course also stronger. It would have the opportunity to try to catch up with my left leg in strength.

You can run on a Me-Mover

If you’ve seen our preview videos, you’ll notice that at one point we talk about “running on a Me-Mover.” And yes, it can actually be done. It’s super hard, and it’s not something you do for miles at a time. But you can get that running feeling into your training.
I’ve done it this way, and in the relatively short time we’ve tested it, I’ve learned that these “running posts” are completely unique to interval training. You really get your heart rate up and are pushed that way. It’s a super cool form of interval training.

You can do box jumps on a Me-Mover

2-foot takeoffs are also something you can see in the videos we’ve made. But if you imagine that instead of alternating one leg high and the other low, you start with both legs up, and you lift both legs up each time. You do a jump each time.
In my world, you can easily compare it to a box jump from the crossfit world. And for those who don’t know what it is, it’s a jump onto a box with your legs together. The differences between a regular box jump and a Me-Mover box jump are that the Me-Mover is much gentler on the joints, and you get both the jumping sensation upwards, and then you get resistance downwards (down from the box)
It’s a super cool exercise. It does require a bit of technique, though, and I have to admit that I didn’t manage to master it completely, also because it’s incredibly demanding on the muscles and breathing.

The long thread and the fast cadence

Not as such an exercise, but still a place where you can feel a significant difference. There is no doubt that the rapid acceleration lies in the high and nimble line. There you can feel a big difference in the pace, compared to the long lines. However, it is not a place you can be for 10 kilometers, because you really work with fast steps when you have to ride up. It is also the position you best climb the hills with. If you want to have proper momentum up the hills, you do yourself a huge favor by switching to small fast steps.
So you’re probably wondering when you’ll need those long, deep threads. You’ll do that when you’ve gotten up to speed and you just want to keep the Me-Mover running at the same pace.

40 kilometers in a weekend – without pain

I think this little observation should be included. The undersigned suffers from a little pain in his hips and knees when working out. It’s usually when you combine too much, that is, if you want to run, spin, do crossfit, etc. Then a little pain can come into the picture.
Over a weekend (where I also trained in crossfit) I rode my borrowed Me-Mover for 40km. Without even knowing in my hips and knees that I had been active for so many hours..

And what do you mean by that? Well, I just wanted to put it into perspective when we claim in our review that a Me-Mover is incredibly good for your joints. And if you are undergoing a rehabilitation program related to running, I am more than sure that a Me-Mover can help you a lot.

If you want to read more about the entire Me-Mover concept, you can visit their website.HERE