53 www.drivesncontrols.com September 2026 GEARBOXES n Gearing up to power fitness machines For more than 50 years, the German company milon industries has been developing and manufacturing equipment for fitness and health facilities, including strength and endurance equipment. The machines are used for example, for targeted strength training in fitness studios, and to support therapeutic regimes in rehabilitation centres. milon’s Q+ series strength machines combine digital functions with individually adjustable training. They recognise the user automatically, save the relevant training data, and provide adaptive resistance and immediate feedback for programmes tailored individually for each user. The user chooses the required resistance level by pressing a button, and a controller adjusts the load automatically over the entire range of motion. The result is smooth, controlled motion, with both eccentric and concentric loads. Integrated sensors record repetitions, resistance and load, analyse the user’s training progress, and adapt the programmes accordingly. The equipment is suitable for applications ranging from performance-oriented strength training, to weight reduction and therapeutic applications, and it supports training for a wide range of performance levels. Most people using the Q+ equipment are probably not aware the essential drive technology hidden inside. This includes compact helical-bevel gearboxes that are particularly smooth-running – a crucial requirement, especially in the studio and therapy sector. While noise levels are less important in fitness studios, quiet motion sequences and low-noise operation are vital in rehabilitation and healthcare facilities. “That's why we were specifically looking for a drive solution with very smooth operation," explains Wolfgang Zech, head of supply chain management at milon. He chose motors and gearboxes from the drive specialist, Stober. “There are some competitors who offer cheaper alternatives,” Zech admits. “For training and health applications, however, the quality of the technology used and its reliability in continuous operation are crucial.” Stober also supplied the drive technology, which provides precise control of the machines’ movements. Digital networking allows individual adaptation of training and therapy programmes. "We are one of the few manufacturers that produce helical-bevel gearboxes,” points out Stober sales engineer, Florian Sonnenberg. “This allows us to achieve particularly smooth operation and high power density.” Combining the gearboxes with motors created compact drives that could be integrated easily into the limited installation space inside the fitness equipment. The application was unusual for Stober. “At first, we found it hard to imagine that our motor/gearbox combination – which was actually designed for conventional mechanical engineering – could now also be used in a completely different industry, and fit into these quite compact devices,” Sonnenberg recalls. The gearboxes are designed for continuous operation and are lubricated for life. Because they generate only small amounts of heat during operation, and the internal pressure in the gearbox barely increases, the wear on the shaft seals is also low. This contributes to high reliability and long intervals between the need for maintenance. milon is now planning to launch another series of equipment aimed at younger weight-training enthusiasts. In this segment, the focus is on efficiency, load capacity and additional degrees of freedom, while noise levels are less important. n A German manufacturer of fitness and rehabilitation equipment has turned to industrial gearboxes, motors and controls to help provide the smooth, quiet operation that it needed for a range of strength training machines. milon's Q+ machines are used for targeted strength training or for therapeutic use. The compact drive systems have to fit in the limited installation space in the strength machines.
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