At HaB Direct, high quality performance diagnostics and rehabilitation solutions are at the heart of what we offer. The h/p/cosmos Torqualizer Arm EF 900 represents one of the most advanced and versatile upper body ergometers available today. Engineered with precision and built for both clinical and performance environments, it combines accessibility, robust construction, repeatable measurement and movement versatility. This makes it a valuable asset for sports performance centres, rehabilitation clinics, research laboratories and high end training facilities.
Why This Matters: The Role of Upper Body Ergometry in Performance and Rehabilitation
Ergometry has traditionally focused on lower limb modalities such as cycling and treadmill running. However, upper body ergometry plays a crucial role for a wide spectrum of individuals, including athletes, people undergoing rehabilitation and those with restricted lower limb function.
Upper body ergometry provides a substantial aerobic stimulus by targeting the muscles of the arms, shoulders and upper back. This makes it highly valuable for people unable to train using their lower limbs due to orthopaedic injury, neurological conditions or other clinical limitations.
Evidence shows that arm crank ergometry can result in significant improvements in aerobic capacity. A systematic review reported an average improvement of around 21 per cent in VOâ‚‚peak following structured upper body exercise programmes (Herda et al., 2022). This highlights the effectiveness of upper body ergometry as a conditioning tool.
The professional body CASES (formerly BASES) also recognises arm crank ergometry as an important modality for older adults, sedentary individuals and people managing conditions such as spinal cord injury, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, peripheral arterial disease, stroke and chronic heart failure (CASES, 2023).
From a performance standpoint, upper body ergometry offers a method of developing endurance, power and fatigue resistance in movement patterns relevant to sports such as rowing, swimming, canoeing, boxing, climbing and adaptive sport. It also enables athletes to maintain aerobic fitness while reducing loading on the lower limbs.
Key Features of the Torqualizer Arm EF 900
The Torqualizer Arm EF 900 has been engineered to suit both high performance training and structured clinical rehabilitation. Its design allows it to adapt to a wide range of users, protocols and functional needs.
Accessible and Adjustable Design
- Gas spring height adjustable drive unit for simple positioning
- Horizontally adjustable seat that can be removed completely for wheelchair access
- Suitable for either seated or standing use
- Forward and backward crank rotation to vary muscle activation and rehabilitation strategies
These features ensure the EF 900 accommodates users of different abilities, levels of function and training goals.
Advanced Training Modes and Real Time Feedback
The Torqualizer Arm EF 900 offers both RPM dependent and RPM independent training modes. This allows practitioners to prescribe either cadence based or resistance controlled sessions with confidence.
Additional features include:
- A multicolour backlit display that provides clear real time biofeedback
- Monitoring of cadence, load, time, heart rate and other variables
- RS232 connectivity for linking to external software or data systems
- Smooth, stable crank mechanics suitable for rehabilitation, interval work and performance testing
These capabilities make the EF 900 a professional tool for both structured training and precise assessment.
Practical and Facility Friendly Construction
- Operates without mains power for certain functions, allowing flexible placement
- Built with durable components to ensure long term accuracy
- Available in both sport and fitness and medical configurations
- Suitable for clinics, sports science labs, high performance centres and rehabilitation environments
The combination of portability, reliability and professional quality makes it easy to incorporate the EF 900 into a variety of settings.
h/p/cosmos torqualizer arm ef 900 Upper Body Arm Ergometer
The Torqualizer Arm ef 900 by h/p/cosmos redefines upper body and arm endurance training. This innovative ergometer comes in both Sport & Fitness and Medical models, offering RPM-dependent and Independent modes to suit your training needs.
The main working of the h/p/cosmos torqualizer arm ergometer can unit easily be moved up and down for seated or standing work, whilst the seat can also be removed completely to allow easy access for wheelchair users. The unit can be used both in a forward and backward motion.
A multi-coloured, back-lit display provides users with bio-feedback on an easy to read display.
Not only do h/p/cosmos produce their world renowned high-performance and rehabilitation treadmills, they also produce Sport & Fitness and Medical model variant upper body arm ergometers.
Research and Evidence Base for Arm Crank Ergometry
Although published studies may not specify the exact commercial model of arm ergometer used, the scientific evidence for arm crank ergometry itself is strong and highly relevant to the Torqualizer Arm EF 900.
Key research findings include:
- Cardiovascular and Aerobic Benefits
Arm crank ergometry can produce meaningful improvements in VOâ‚‚peak for both clinical and healthy populations. Studies have shown improvements of approximately 21 per cent in aerobic capacity in programmes using structured upper body exercise (Herda et al., 2022). This demonstrates its potential for building cardiovascular fitness when lower limb exercise is limited or impossible.
- Neurological and Clinical Populations
Arm crank exercise is used extensively in neurological rehabilitation. Research demonstrates improvements in cardiovascular capacity, upper limb movement quality, endurance and independence in people with:
- Stroke (Billinger et al., 2012; Katz-Leurer et al., 2007)
- Spinal cord injury (A L Hicks et al., 2003)
- Multiple sclerosis (Henrich et al., 2021)
- Long term neurological and motor conditions
Because arm crank ergometry is accessible from a seated position and allows controlled progression of intensity, it is particularly suitable for individuals with reduced mobility.
- Older Adults and Long Term Conditions
Studies show that arm ergometry helps older adults and people with long term conditions improve cardiovascular function, physical performance and exercise tolerance (M.W. Hill et al., 2015). For older adults and those living with long term illnesses, arm crank ergometry offers:
- A low impact, joint friendly aerobic stimulus
- A workable alternative to walking or cycling
- A safe method to maintain or improve cardiovascular function
- An accessible mode of activity for users with frailty or balance issues
Professional Recommendations
CASES recommends arm crank ergometry as a core training and rehabilitation tool in a range of health and performance situations. This external endorsement aligns well with the capabilities and design of the Torqualizer Arm EF 900.
Performance Applications
In sports and performance environments, the Torqualizer Arm EF 900 offers a highly versatile platform for developing upper body conditioning. It allows athletes to build both endurance and power through controlled, progressive workloads, and it is particularly effective during periods when lower limb loading must be reduced, such as post injury or during deload phases.
The upper body ergometer also provides a reliable way to assess and correct left and right imbalances, as its controlled motion and real time feedback enable practitioners to monitor symmetry and muscular contribution with precision. The EF 900 can be used for incremental tests and structured aerobic profiling, giving coaches and sports scientists the data needed to understand an athlete’s upper body metabolic capacity.Â
It is especially valuable for sport specific conditioning in disciplines such as rowing, kayaking, swimming, climbing, adaptive sports and combat sports, where upper body efficiency is central to performance. The option for both forward and backward crank rotation further enhances its usefulness by adding movement variability that promotes balanced muscle activation and sport appropriate neuromuscular patterns.
Additionally, forward and backward rotation provides additional variation that can assist in developing balanced muscle activation and sport appropriate movement patterns.
Rehabilitation Applications
The Torqualizer Arm EF 900 provides an exceptional platform for rehabilitation across a wide range of clinical needs. It is highly effective in neurological rehabilitation, including for individuals recovering from stroke or living with spinal cord injury, as it supports controlled bilateral movement, improves cardiovascular function and allows gradual increases in workload.
The EF 900 Upper Body Ergometer is also valuable in cardiovascular and pulmonary rehabilitation, offering a safe and manageable way to increase aerobic capacity in people who may struggle with lower limb exercise. Its adjustability and smooth resistance make it suitable for orthopaedic rehabilitation following injury or surgery, allowing upper body exercise without placing strain on healing tissues.Â
For older adults and individuals who are deconditioned, the EF 900 provides a stable and accessible option for improving fitness, mobility and functional capacity. Its design supports a gradual progression from light, seated activity through to more advanced functional exercise, making it suitable for long term rehabilitation pathways.
Exceptional for Stroke Rehabilitation and Neurological Recovery
The Torqualizer Arm EF 900 is particularly valuable for stroke survivors. The controlled circular motion of arm crank exercise helps retrain neuromuscular coordination, ribcage mobility, bilateral arm movement and aerobic conditioning. Its adjustable height, removable seat and smooth resistance make it suitable for individuals with reduced strength, unilateral weakness or impaired motor control.
The upper body ergometer also highly appropriate for:
- Multiple sclerosis
- Parkinson’s disease
- Long term neurological conditions
- Post cardiac event rehabilitation
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
- Long term musculoskeletal disorders
Forward and backward motion provides additional therapeutic benefits by encouraging varied movement patterns and stimulating different motor pathways.
Final Thoughts
The h/p/cosmos Torqualizer Arm EF 900 Upper Body Ergometer is a high quality, inclusive and evidence aligned upper body ergometer suitable for performance training, rehabilitation, diagnostics and accessible exercise. It offers research grade accuracy, clinical compatibility, versatile movement options, and inclusive design for all users.
For any facility that values scientific precision, accessibility and long term durability, the Torqualizer Arm EF 900 is an outstanding choice. Interested in integrating the h/p/cosmos Torqualizer Arm EF 900 into your clinic? Contact us today using the form below.Â
By choosing HaB Direct, more than 30 years of experience supplying medical, sports science and rehabilitation equipment and knowledgeable support from specialists familiar with h/p/cosmos systems. We also offer reliable aftercare, servicing and technical guidance.
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