A control system for controlling one or more of a plurality of exercise apparatuses (200a - 200c) across a network, each of the plurality of exercise apparatuses (200a - 200c) comprising a brake for applying resistance and being configured to transmit a user identifier and a performance parameter of a user, the control system comprising: a processor; a communication subsystem configured to communicate with the plurality of exercise apparatuses (200a - 200c) across the network; and a memory for storing information about one or more users, the information comprising, for each user: identity information, including a user identifier; weight; and a resistance level indicator; wherein upon receipt of a user identifier from one of the one or more of the plurality of exercise apparatuses (200a - 200c) in the network, the processor is configured to identify a resistance level indicator stored in the memory corresponding to the user identifier; wherein, if the user is using the one or more of the plurality of exercise apparatuses (200a - 200c) for the first time, the processor is configured to set the resistance level indicator appropriate for the user based on the user's weight; wherein the processor is configured to cause the communication subsystem to transmit the resistance level indicator for that user to the one of the one or more of the plurality of exercise apparatuses (200a - 200c) in order that a resistance is applied by a brake of the one of the one or more of the plurality of exercise apparatuses (200a - 200c) according to the resistance level indicator, wherein the resistance applied by the brake during exercise is controllable only by the resistance level indicator stored in the memory, and wherein the resistance applied by the brake during exercise is not adjustable by the user during exercise; wherein upon receipt of a performance parameter of the user measured on the one of the one or more of the plurality of exercise apparatuses (200a - 200c) during the user's exercise in the network, the processor is configured to determine, based on the received performance parameter, whether or not to modify the resistance level indicator of that user stored in the memory; wherein, if the determination is positive, the processor is configured to modify the resistance level indicator stored in the memory, wherein the modified resistance level indicator will be used to set a resistance applied by a brake of one of the one or more of the plurality of exercise apparatuses (200a - 200c) for a next exercise. a processor; a communication subsystem configured to communicate with the plurality of exercise apparatuses (200a - 200c) across the network; and a memory for storing information about one or more users, the information comprising, for each user: identity information, including a user identifier; weight; and a resistance level indicator; identity information, including a user identifier; weight; and a resistance level indicator; wherein upon receipt of a user identifier from one of the one or more of the plurality of exercise apparatuses (200a - 200c) in the network, the processor is configured to identify a resistance level indicator stored in the memory corresponding to the user identifier; wherein, if the user is using the one or more of the plurality of exercise apparatuses (200a - 200c) for the first time, the processor is configured to set the resistance level indicator appropriate for the user based on the user's weight; wherein the processor is configured to cause the communication subsystem to transmit the resistance level indicator for that user to the one of the one or more of the plurality of exercise apparatuses (200a - 200c) in order that a resistance is applied by a brake of the one of the one or more of the plurality of exercise apparatuses (200a - 200c) according to the resistance level indicator, wherein the resistance applied by the brake during exercise is controllable only by the resistance level indicator stored in the memory, and wherein the resistance applied by the brake during exercise is not adjustable by the user during exercise; wherein upon receipt of a performance parameter of the user measured on the one of the one or more of the plurality of exercise apparatuses (200a - 200c) during the user's exercise in the network, the processor is configured to determine, based on the received performance parameter, whether or not to modify the resistance level indicator of that user stored in the memory; wherein, if the determination is positive, the processor is configured to modify the resistance level indicator stored in the memory, wherein the modified resistance level indicator will be used to set a resistance applied by a brake of one of the one or more of the plurality of exercise apparatuses (200a - 200c) for a next exercise.