A number of cycle ergometers are presently being used in a variety of laboratory applications for which the quantification of power output is required. To calculate the power output of cycle ergometers with varying sized flywheels, the circumference of the resistance track on the flywheel is multiplied by the number of flywheel revolutions produced with one complete revolution of the pedal. This provides the “effective distance travelled,” and by selecting an appropriate combination of pedalling rate plus flywheel resistance, any desired power output can be produced.