The Smasher Training Systems gym and the Concept2 test
On My Most Recent Visit
by Szinte Bálint
The reason for visiting the gym
I was in the days following a wisdom tooth surgery. Those who have gone through this procedure know that full recovery can take up to a week. Such an event can easily disrupt the everyday routine of a competitive athlete: for the first three to four days after surgery, training is not recommended at all, and the following days should be focused on a slow, gradual return — this is the essence of the rehabilitation protocol.
This process affects not only the intensity of the load but also its nature, since in the first days of returning to sport, impact-heavy activities such as running can have a particularly harmful effect on the healing area. That’s how the idea of cross-training came into play in my case — a form of exercise that doesn’t involve impact.
Alongside sport, I attend university in downtown Budapest — and I also go there for physiotherapy and other recovery treatments related to training. Although my regular training sessions take place in Újpest, there are days when the best way to fit a specific workout into my schedule is to do it closer to the university.
So, I started looking for a place near campus where I could cross-train. The Margitsziget Athletics Center — or simply “MAC” — turned out to be perfect for this. By that time, I was already able to run again, but I didn’t want to complete the entire session through running, so I did part of it on the bike.
A state-of-the-art gym — in the heart of a historic and widely beloved sports center
As a member of the Danubius Track Club, thanks to Silaghi Darius and Danubius Track Club, I had the opportunity to train at the Smasher Training Systems gym, located in the main building of the Margitsziget Athletics Center (MAC). It was there that I got to try out the Concept2 indoor bike, distributed by Ergométer Kft., which, as it happened, perfectly suited the needs of my workout that day.
Interestingly, I had always thought that every gym was more or less the same — at least until I visited Smasher Training Systems. What surprised me the most upon entering was that, unlike a traditional gym, the space wasn’t particularly large. Yet, once I started looking around, I quickly realized that this was a very specialized, purpose-built facility.
As I entered, I was greeted by Francisco Escalante, a personal trainer better known by his nickname, Cisco. He showed me the bike, and I even recorded a short video with this cutting-edge machine. In a previous blog post, I had already written about the modern features of the Concept2, so in this article, I decided to share my personal impressions and hands-on experience instead.
The Moments When My Skepticism About Indoor Bikes Faded
To be honest, even though I had previously dug deep into the details of this modern training machine, I couldn’t really imagine any major difference compared to a typical high-quality exercise bike.
Even before I got on the saddle, I immediately noticed how versatile the bike’s adjustability was: not only the seat height, but also the handlebar’s height, distance, and the display position could all be easily changed. What’s more, I could even adjust the handlebars while pedaling if the posture felt uncomfortable. In short — the bike is fully customizable from top to bottom!
For a while, I looked for the resistance adjustment but couldn’t find it. On most stationary bikes, it’s controlled by a twist knob mounted on the frame. Then I noticed the engraved numbers on the flywheel, which can be switched between using a lever. The numbers are clearly visible, so it’s easy to shift intensity while riding.
The pedaling experience felt surprisingly realistic! I could honestly say it recreated the full sensation of outdoor cycling. This is thanks to the flywheel’s operating principle — the same mechanism once used to power spinning wheels, known for requiring significant endurance and effort. When I slowed down suddenly and then started pedaling again, the continuously rotating flywheel allowed me to keep moving forward from the bike’s natural momentum — just like coasting on a real road bike. On a traditional indoor bike, in contrast, everything would stop abruptly, as if every slowdown outdoors meant an immediate full brake.
But the positive impressions didn’t stop there. The display test was the final surprise. The training data accuracy was remarkable — the on-screen metrics updated every half second, so the distance counter was flying. The console also supports heart rate monitors and smartphones via USB, allowing users to track a fully pre-planned interval workout in real time.
After a Bit of Riding, I Looked Around in the Gym
That’s when I realized that Smasher Training Systems is far more than just a gym. It’s a place where gym infrastructure, personal coaching, and physical performance development intertwine — an elite workshop for athletes. The focus here isn’t on the quantity of machines, but on the quality of work.
The equipment found in the gym is used and understood best by Cisco, the personal trainer himself, which ensures the highest possible quality of collaboration — of course, provided the athlete brings enthusiasm, energy, and a cooperative mindset to the table.
Even though I only visited this lovely little place as an outsider, simply to take a look around, I could easily imagine myself as someone who comes here to improve their physical capabilities and turn their boldest athletic dreams into reality.