U.S. patent application number 12/023888 was filed with the patent office on 2008-08-28 for group fitness systems and methods.
This patent application is currently assigned to Nautilus, Inc.. Invention is credited to Michael H. Harding, Patrick A. Warner.
Application Number | 20080207401 12/023888 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39716567 |
Filed Date | 2008-08-28 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080207401 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Harding; Michael H. ; et
al. |
August 28, 2008 |
GROUP FITNESS SYSTEMS AND METHODS
Abstract
A group exercise system may include: a master exercise device
including a variable parameter and being operatively associated
with a control system; and a servant exercise device including the
variable parameter and being in communication with the control
system. In some embodiments, the control system may include a
exercise control program configured to control the variable
parameter in both the master exercise and the servant exercise
device. In some embodiments, the control system may be configured
to receive communication signals from at least the master exercise
device to alter control of the variable parameter in both the
master exercise and the servant exercise device from the control by
the exercise control program. Some embodiments may involve a group
exercise method. Still further embodiments may involve a
computer-readable storage medium encoded with instructions for
performing a group exercise method when executed on a computer
device.
Inventors: |
Harding; Michael H.;
(Longmont, CO) ; Warner; Patrick A.; (Boulder,
CO) |
Correspondence
Address: |
DORSEY & WHITNEY, LLP;INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY DEPARTMENT
370 SEVENTEENTH STREET, SUITE 4700
DENVER
CO
80202-5647
US
|
Assignee: |
Nautilus, Inc.
Vancouver
WA
|
Family ID: |
39716567 |
Appl. No.: |
12/023888 |
Filed: |
January 31, 2008 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60887506 |
Jan 31, 2007 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
482/4 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 24/0087 20130101;
A63B 24/0006 20130101; A63B 2024/0009 20130101; A63B 2024/0093
20130101; A63B 22/0056 20130101; A63B 22/0664 20130101; A63B 22/02
20130101; A63B 2225/20 20130101; A63B 21/0053 20130101; A63B
2024/0081 20130101; A63B 24/0075 20130101; A63B 2230/065 20130101;
A63B 22/04 20130101; A63B 22/0076 20130101; A63B 24/0062 20130101;
A63B 2225/50 20130101; A63B 2230/75 20130101; A63B 22/0605
20130101; A63B 21/0628 20151001; A63B 2024/0078 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
482/4 |
International
Class: |
A63B 24/00 20060101
A63B024/00 |
Claims
1. A group exercise system, comprising: at least one master
exercise device including a variable gradient parameter and being
operatively associated with a control system; and at least one
servant exercise device including the variable gradient parameter
and being in communication with the control system; wherein the
control system includes a exercise control program configured to
control the variable gradient parameter in both the at least one
master exercise and the at least one servant exercise device and is
configured to receive communication signals from at least the at
least one master exercise device to alter control of the variable
gradient parameter in both the at least one master exercise and the
at least one servant exercise device from the control by the
exercise control program.
2. The group exercise system of claim 1, wherein the at least one
master exercise device and the at least one servant exercise device
comprise a virtual group over the Internet.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a non-provisional application claiming
priority to co-pending U.S. Provisional Patent Application No.
60/887,506 titled "Group Fitness System," filed Jan. 31, 2007,
which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its
entirety.
[0002] This application is related to co-pending U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 11/377,600 titled "Apparatus and Methods for
Transmitting Programming, Receiving and Displaying Programming,
Communicating With Exercise Equipment, and Accessing and Passing
Data to and from Applications," filed on Mar. 15, 2006, which is
hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.
[0003] This application is also related to U.S. Pat. No. 7,066,865,
co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/438,715 titled
"Exercise Device and Method for Simulating Physical Activity,"
filed on May, 22, 2006, and co-pending U.S. patent application Ser.
No. 11/644,777 titled "Exercise Device," filed on Dec. 22, 2006,
each of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its
entirety.
BACKGROUND
[0004] This application relates to operation and control of a
plurality of exercise devices. In particular, this application
relates to networking a plurality of exercise devices to allow for
communication between the exercise devices and/or interactivity
between users of the exercise devices.
[0005] Exercise equipment is typically focused on providing an
individual user with some form of exercise, but is not focused on
entertainment, news, network access, communication between users,
etc. Occasionally, a gym will place a television or television in
the work out area. However, users must share the television.
Moreover, gyms like exercise equipment, are typically not focused
on interaction between users, network access, user information, and
other sources of data and information. It is with some of these
issues in mind that various aspects described in this application
have been developed.
[0006] Various classes are known to involve an instructor and one
or more participants each of whom independently operates a similar
exercise device. Interaction between the participants and the
instructor is typically limited to instructions provided by the
instructor for participants to alter their activity and/or to alter
the control of their exercise device.
SUMMARY
[0007] A group exercise system may include: at least one master
exercise device including a variable parameter and being
operatively associated with a control system; and at least one
servant exercise device including the variable parameter and being
in communication with the control system. In some embodiments, the
control system may include a exercise control program configured to
control the variable parameter in both the at least one master
exercise and the at least one servant exercise device.
[0008] In some embodiments, the control system may be configured to
receive communication signals from at least the at least one master
exercise device to alter control of the variable parameter in both
the at least one master exercise and the at least one servant
exercise device from the control by the exercise control
program.
[0009] Some embodiments may involve a group exercise method. Still
further embodiments may involve a computer-readable storage medium
encoded with instructions for performing a group exercise method
when executed on a computer device.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a
layout for a group fitness system.
[0011] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating another example
of a layout for a group fitness system.
[0012] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a
layout for a group fitness system, including examples of
communication/data flow within the system.
[0013] FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating operations that may
be performed in a method for group fitness.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0014] Various details described in this application relate to
group fitness systems and methods in which an instructor exercise
device communicates with one or more participant exercise devices,
either directly or indirectly. For example, the group fitness
systems and methods may provide a classroom setting in which the
exercise class or session is directed by the instructor via the
instructor exercise device. However, it is also contemplated that
the group fitness systems and methods may be employed to provide a
"virtual" classroom setting in which the instructor exercise device
and/or participant exercise device(s) are located remote from each
other.
[0015] As described herein, at least part of the operation and/or
control of the participant exercise device(s) is determined or set
via the instructor exercise device. For example, an exercise
program may be set or selected by the instructor exercise device
and applied to operate the instructor exercise device and the
participant exercise device(s). During execution of the exercise
program, one or more operation parameters of the participant
exercise device(s) may be altered by the instructor exercise
device. Alternatively or additionally, the one or more operation
parameters of the participant exercise device(s) may be altered
based on feedback from the respective participant exercise
device(s). Alternatively or additionally, the one or more operation
parameters of the participant exercise device(s) may be altered by
the individual user(s) of the participant exercise device(s).
[0016] Any exercise device, such as a treadmill, a
Treadclimber.TM., an elliptical, a stepper, an exercise bicycle, a
ski machine, a skating machine, a climbing machine, a rowing
machine, a strength training machine, weight stack equipment,
variable-load weight equipment, or the like, may be employed for
the group fitness systems and methods described herein. In general,
any type of exercise device that includes an adjustable resistance
component may be used. Such exercise devices may include a
respective computer system or electronic circuitry that is adapted
to operate the respective exercise device according to an exercise
program, to allow alteration of one or more operational parameters
and to provide communication for receiving control instructions
and/or for transmitting feedback data.
[0017] In addition to the details described herein, it should be
understood that any of the systems and/or methods described in the
incorporated U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/377,600 may be
employed to realize various group fitness systems and methods. For
the sake of clarity and brevity, the details provided in this
incorporated application are not set forth in this disclosure.
[0018] Also in addition to the details described herein, it should
be understood that any of the systems and/or methods described in
the incorporated U.S. Pat. No. 7,066,865 and U.S. patent
application Ser. Nos. 11/438,715 and 11/644,777 may be employed to
realize various group fitness systems and methods. Again for the
sake of clarity and brevity, the details provided in this
incorporated patent and this incorporated application are not set
forth in this disclosure.
[0019] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a
layout for a group fitness system 100. An instructor exercise
device 10 may be configured to communicate with a plurality of
participant exercise devices 20 (P.sub.1, P.sub.2, through
P.sub.N). In the example shown, the instructor exercise device 10
and the participant exercise devices 20 may be connected to a
network 30 that facilitates such communication. It should be
understood that the network 30 may be any known or hereafter
developed network, either wired or wireless, that is suitable for
communicating data and/or signals between electronic devices.
[0020] In the group fitness system 100, the instructor exercise
device 110 and the participant exercise devices 120 may be
substantially similar devices. For example, they may be of the same
general type (capable of performing the same type of exercise) and
may have similar controls and/or operational features. However, it
should be understood that the instructor exercise device 110 may
include additional controls and/or features that facilitate
operation of the group fitness system 100 as described herein,
which may not be included in the participant exercise devices
120.
[0021] The instructor exercise device 110 may be configured to
communicate an exercise control program and/or an instruction to
set an exercise control program for operation of the participant
exercise devices 120. For example, the instructor exercise device
110 may include or otherwise have access to a plurality of
predetermined exercise control programs configured to operate the
instructor exercise device 110 and the participant exercise devices
120. In such case, one of the predetermined exercise control
programs may be selected at the instructor exercise device 110 and
communicated to the participant exercise devices 120 via the
network 130. Alternatively or additionally, the instructor exercise
device 110 may be configured to receive a custom exercise control
program as input from the instructor, for example, by operating a
control panel of the instructor exercise device 110 or by operating
the instructor exercise device 110 itself to create the custom
exercise control program, or as a download (e.g., from the
Internet, a database or other data source) of a separately created
custom exercise control program.
[0022] Alternatively or additionally, the participant exercise
devices 120 may include or otherwise have access to the same
plurality of predetermined exercise control programs as the
instructor exercise device 110. In such case, the instructor
exercise device 110 may only communicate a selection of one of the
predetermined exercise control programs to the participant exercise
devices 120. For example, selection of one of the predetermined
exercise control programs at the instructor exercise device 10 may
cause a control signal to be communicated to the participant
exercise devices 120 to select the same predetermined exercise
control program at the participant exercise devices 120.
[0023] In addition to setting the exercise control program for the
participant exercise devices 120, the instructor exercise device
110 may determine the operation of the exercise control program for
the participant exercise devices 120 during execution of the
exercise control program. For example, for all of the participant
exercise devices 120 that are participating, e.g., have a current
user, the start, run and end of the exercise control program may be
controlled at the instructor exercise device 110. In other words,
the exercise control program for the participant exercise devices
120 may start, run and end based on the execution of the exercise
control program at the instructor exercise device 110. Thus, the
execution of the exercise control program at the participant
exercise devices 120 may be synchronized with the execution of the
exercise control program at the instructor exercise device 110.
Thus, in addition to the same operation, the same display of data,
such as time, pace, segment, etc., may be presented to the
instructor exercise device 110 and all active (i.e., participating)
participant exercise devices 120.
[0024] The synchronization may also exist between instructor
exercise device 110 and any participant exercise devices 120 that
join while the exercise control program is executing at the
instructor exercise device 110. Thus, new users may join an ongoing
exercise class or session seamlessly, without interrupting the
operation of the instructor exercise device 110 or other active
participant exercise devices 120. In some cases, the participant
exercise devices 120 may be configured to include a separate "warm
up" routine, either predetermined or based on the parameters of the
exercise control program executing at the instructor exercise
device 110, that allows the newly participating participant
exercise devices 120 to provide a smooth transition into the
execution of the exercise control program. This may also provide a
suitable "warm up" to help prevent injury to the new
participant.
[0025] During the execution of the exercise control program at the
instructor exercise device 110 and the participant exercise devices
120, various operational parameters may automatically change in
accordance with the exercise control program. For example, a
gradient or effective "slope" expressed in a percentage of rise
over run virtually traversed by the exercise devices may change.
The gradient experienced by the users of the devices may be
determined by a plurality of gradient segments of various duration
(e.g., time and/or distance) included in the exercise control
program. The gradient may be positive to simulate traversing
uphill, negative to simulate traversing downhill, or zero to
simulate traversing a level grade, as well as transitions between
uphill, downhill and level grade. It should be understood that the
gradient may represent a characteristic other than slope. For
example, the gradient may represent weight, load, mass, velocity,
acceleration, or any other parameter that may be changed during an
exercise session to achieve beneficial fitness results.
[0026] For example, the systems and methods for controlling the
exercise devices may be the same or similar to those disclosed in
incorporated U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/644,777. Such
systems and methods provide a way to accurately simulate physical
activity by taking into account the physics of the activity. In
particular, the simulation involves generating a virtual or
predictive value of a parameter (e.g., velocity, acceleration,
force, etc.), comparing a measured value of the parameter to the
virtual/predicted value, and controlling resistance forces in the
exercise device to cause the user to experience forces that would
be experienced from actually performing the activity.
[0027] For example, in the context of a stationary exercise
bicycle, a force-generating device (e.g., an alternator, a
mechanical device) of a control system may be operatively
associated with, such as connected to, a crank of the bicycle to
vary the resistance force experienced by the user. In such
embodiments, a controller may control the force-generating device
to cause the resistance force to be greater in the forward portion
of the crank's path than in the rear portion of the crank's path.
In some embodiments, a controller may control a variable resistance
force that restrains movement of the crank/pedals and simulates at
least some of the effects of inertia that would be experienced
operating a moving bicycle. In the context of exercise devices
generally, variable forces that tend to resist movement of a user
interaction member may be controlled, for example, based on a value
of a user's input.
[0028] The instructor exercise device 110 may be configured to
allow the instructor to change the gradient manually to override
the exercise control program. Such a change at the instructor
exercise device 110 may be communicated to the participant exercise
devices 120 such that the same change in gradient occurs at the
participant exercise devices 120. The change in gradient will
change the effective "resistance level" or the amount of effort
required by the user. In particular, for exercise devices that are
controlled in a manner similar to those disclosed in incorporated
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/644,777, a change in the
gradient at the instructor exercise device 110 will change the
gradient at the participant exercise devices 120 and the actual
forces experienced by the users of the participant exercise devices
120.
[0029] For example, in the context of stationary exercise bicycles,
changes in the gradient may interact with the participant exercise
devices (bicycles) 120 so that the users thereof experience the
sensation of inertial forces, through the pedals, for example, of
riding over the crest of a hill which transitions from uphill to
flat to downhill. Each user may sense the resistance to rotating
the crank with the pedals becoming less during the transition based
on the change in gradient and the momentum of that user. Similarly,
the users may experience the inertial forces of riding through a
valley bottom, with the momentum gained from the downhill portion
effectively reducing the resistance experienced (amount of
force/effort required) over an initial part of the uphill portion.
Thus, changing the gradient at the instructor exercise device 110
may change the experiences of the users of the participant exercise
devices 120 based on their individual performance.
[0030] In some embodiments, the users of the participant exercise
devices 120 may be allowed to respond to changes in the gradient,
either based on the exercise control program and/or made by the
instructor, to alter their exercise experience. For example, the
participant exercise devices 120 may be configured to include a
plurality of "effective gears" that operate to render the effective
"resistance level" lower (e.g., less torque) or higher (e.g., more
torque). Thus, each user of one of the participant exercise devices
120 may individually select one of the "effective gears" at the
respective participant exercise device 120 to control the user's
experience.
[0031] Alternatively or additionally, the users of the participant
exercise devices 120 may be allowed to individually change the
gradient for their respective participant exercise device 120 to
override the exercise control program and/or changes made by the
instructor at the instructor exercise device 110.
[0032] It should be understood that other parameters may
automatically change in accordance with the exercise control
program, may be changed by the instructor at the instructor
exercise device 110, and/or may be changed by the individual users
at the respective participant exercise devices 120. For example,
changes in resistance, velocity, acceleration or other suitable
parameters may be employed.
[0033] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of
another layout for a group fitness system 200. As described above
with respect to FIG. 1, the group fitness system 200 may include an
instructor exercise device 210, a plurality of participant exercise
devices 220 (P.sub.L1, P.sub.L2, through P.sub.LN), and a network
230 that facilitates communication between the instructor exercise
device 210 and the participant exercise devices 220.
[0034] In the group fitness system 200, the participant exercise
devices 20 may be substantially similar devices, but may be
configured to belong to different performance level groups, e.g.,
Level 1, Level 2 through Level N, as indicated by the subscripts
L1, L2 though LN. Alternatively, the participant exercise devices
220 themselves may be configured differently to operate at
different performance levels, for example, including higher
"resistance levels," different "effective gears" and/or different
structural features (e.g., different flywheel mass). As will be
understood from the following description wherein the participant
exercise devices 220 are substantially similar devices, but belong
to different performance level groups, execution of the exercise
control program and any changes made at the instructor exercise
device 210 or at the participant exercise devices 220 may operate
the respective participant exercise devices 220 differently in
accordance with their performance level configuration.
[0035] The participant exercise devices 220 may be substantially
similar devices and divided into different performance level
groups. The participant exercise devices 220 may be organized as a
predetermined classroom layout, such as a row of devices nearest to
the instructor exercise device 210 designated as "beginner level,"
followed by a row of devices designated as "intermediate level,"
and a row of devices designated as "advanced level" farthest from
the instructor exercise device 210. Such an organization may
facilitate oral instructions and motivation from the instructor to
those who need it most. Alternatively or additionally, the user of
each individual participant exercise device 220 may be allowed to
designate the performance level group for the respective
participant exercise device 220. This may provide more flexibility
for participants and/or remote participation.
[0036] As discussed above with respect to FIG. 1, the instructor
exercise device 210 may be configured to communicate an exercise
control program and/or an instruction to set an exercise control
program for operation of the participant exercise devices 220. The
exercise control program or instruction communicated to each
participant exercise device 220 belonging to a particular
performance level group may be the same. However, the exercise
control program or instruction communicated may vary between the
different performance level groups. For example, one or more
parameters within the exercise control program may be "scaled" to a
higher or lower level for a particular group or a different level
of a corresponding exercise control program may be set at the
participant exercise devices 220 of different groups.
[0037] It should be understood that the scaling or modification of
the exercise control program may be preset or may be performed
automatically, either at the instructor exercise device 210, at the
individual participant exercise devices 220, or at a separate
device (not shown in FIG. 2) also in communication with the network
230. For example, a particular exercise control program may include
versions for different performance levels with synchronized
operation (e.g., similar timing of changes).
[0038] In the case where the participant exercise devices 220 are
configured differently to operate at different performance levels,
the same exercise control program may be communicated to or set for
the respective participant exercise devices 220, but may
automatically result in different performance levels for
participant exercise devices 220 based on their configurations.
[0039] As discussed above with respect to FIG. 1, the instructor
exercise device 210 may also determine the operation of the
exercise control program for the participant exercise devices 220
during execution of the exercise control program. In the group
fitness system 200, however, when the instructor exercise device
210 changes an operational parameter, such as the gradient,
manually to override the exercise control program, the change at
the instructor exercise device 210 may be communicated to the
participant exercise devices 220 in accordance with the performance
level groups such that a proportional change in the operational
parameter occurs at the participant exercise devices 220. In other
words, a percentage of the change may be applied to each of the
participant exercise devices 220 based on the performance level
group to which they belong.
[0040] For example, for all of the participant exercise devices 220
that belong to the "advanced" performance level group, one hundred
percent of an increase in gradient may be applied, while only fifty
percent of the increase may be applied to the participant exercise
devices 220 that belong to the "intermediate" performance level
group and twenty-five percent of the increase may be applied to the
participant exercise devices 220 that belong to the "beginner"
performance level group. It should be understood that such
percentages are only examples and that the percentages may be
selected as appropriate or desired.
[0041] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a
layout for a group fitness system 300, including examples of
communication/data flow within the group fitness system 300. As
described above with respect to FIGS. 1 and 2, the group fitness
system 300 may include an instructor exercise device 310 and a
plurality of participant exercise devices 320 (P.sub.1, P.sub.2,
P.sub.3, through P.sub.N). The group fitness system 300 may also
include a communication server 330 or other device facilitates
communication between the instructor exercise device 310 and the
participant exercise devices 320. Although shown as a separate
element in the group fitness system 300, it should be understood
that the communication server 330 may be integral to or otherwise
incorporated into the instructor exercise device 310. Further, it
should be understood that the communication server 330 may provide
communications via a network, such as an intranet or the internet,
although not shown.
[0042] A web site 340 or other suitable database, computer system,
or the like, may also be in communication with the communication
server 330. The web site 340 may be configured to provide exercise
control programs to the instructor exercise device 310 and the
participant exercise devices 320 as appropriate or desired, such as
discussed above. Additionally, the web site 340 may be configured
to receive workout data from the participant exercise devices 320
and to provide data, such as a class performance profile, based on
the workout data received. A class performance profile may provide,
for example, an assessment of the fitness level or performance
level of the current participant(s) in the class based on their
performance in the current class and/or previous classes. It should
be understood that workout data may be received from the instructor
exercise device 310 as well, although this is not discussed in
further detail for the sake of brevity and clarity.
[0043] Workout data may include, but is not limited to, time (e.g.,
current class time and/or total time), heart rate (e.g., current,
average, and/or percentage of maximum), calories (e.g., total
and/or rate), watts (e.g., actual or average), speed (e.g., actual
or total average), distance traveled, distance climbed, and other
parameters relevant to exercise. In general, workout data may be
anything that may be used to provide a quantitative assessment of
participants' efforts and/or achievements during the exercise class
or session.
[0044] Workout data may be communicated to and stored by the
communication server 300, the web site 340, or any other suitable
storage device. Accordingly, each participant may have an
identification code with which their workout data may be
associated. The participant may enter their identification code at
the participant exercise device 320 being used. The workout data
may thus be provided to each participant, for example, upon logging
into the web site 340 and/or via a personalized e-mail to each
participant. As will be understood, participants may thus be
provided with their performance and progress as they participate in
classes.
[0045] The workout data and/or the class performance profile may
also be communicated to the instructor exercise device 310. The
instructor, the instructor exercise device 310, the communication
server 330 and/or the web site 340 may analyze all or certain
workout data from each of the participant exercise devices 320.
[0046] In particular, any of the performance attributes described
in the incorporated U.S. Pat. No. 7,066,865 and U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 11/438,715 may be employed as workout data,
such as intensity or exertion. The workout data may be used by the
instructor and/or the instructor exercise device 310 to determine
alterations to the operational parameter(s), such as the gradient,
for example, to help meet exercising goals (e.g., calorie burn,
target heart rate, etc.) and/or to prevent over/under exertion.
Alternatively or additionally, the communication server 330 may be
configured to determine alterations to be made.
[0047] It should be understood that the exercise control program
may be executed on the participant exercise devices 320 from the
instructor exercise device 310 and/or from the communication server
330. Thus, information regarding the exercise control program may
be continually or substantially continually (e.g., periodic
communications and/or communications of changes only) provided to
the participant exercise devices 320. This may allow participants
to join late and/or to return after a break without disrupting the
class.
[0048] Further, this may allow the participant exercise devices 320
to be simpler and less costly than the instructor exercise device
310, for example, by allowing the participant exercise devices 320
to be controlled remotely. A simpler console, computer and/or
electrical circuitry may be employed.
[0049] FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating operations that may
be performed in a method for group fitness. It should be understood
that the illustrated operations are only examples at a high level,
and that various details including modifications, omissions and/or
deletions are contemplated other than as shown. Operation may begin
by an exercise control program being set or otherwise selected at
the instructor exercise device [block 400]. As discussed above, the
instructor exercise device may include a plurality of exercise
control programs, have access to another device including a
plurality of exercise control programs, and/or be configured to
generate or download custom exercise control programs.
[0050] Upon setting/selecting the exercise control program at the
instructor device, the exercise program may be transmitted to the
participant exercise devices [block 410]. As discussed above, the
exercise control program may be stored on and run from the
instructor exercise device, a communications server or other
suitable device so as to control the participant exercise devices
synchronously with the instructor exercise device. Alternatively,
the participant exercise devices may include the exercise control
program or have it downloaded. In such case, the setting/selecting
of the exercise control program at the instructor device may
provide a signal to the participant exercise devices to indicate
which exercise control program to use.
[0051] Each of the participant exercise devices may allow an
exercise or performance level to be set [block 420]. As discussed
above, this may be predetermined for a classroom arrangement, for
example, which may be overridden by the user, if desired. The
exercise/performance level may determine particular values of
parameters to apply during operation of the exercise control
program and/or parameters to apply in response to changes made at
the instructor exercise device.
[0052] The exercise control program may be initiated at the
instructor exercise device [block 430], causing the instructor
exercise device and each of the active participant exercise devices
to operate accordingly in synchronized fashion. Control signals may
be transmitted from the instructor exercise device, the
communication server or other suitable device running the exercise
control program. In the case of the exercise program running on
each of the participant exercise devices, such control signals may
be timing signals to ensure synchronization and any alterations,
for example, generated at the instructor exercise device.
[0053] During the operation of the participant exercise devices
according to the exercise control program, feedback data (e.g.,
workout data) may be provided from the participant exercise devices
to the communications server and/or to the instructor exercise
device [block 440], as discussed above. As also discussed above,
one or more operational parameters of the participant exercise
devices may be changed, altered, or otherwise controlled during
execution of the exercise control program [block 450]. Such control
may be automatic based on the feedback, may be manual via the
instructor exercise device, and/or may be manual via individual
participant exercise devices.
[0054] Although not illustrated, it should be understood that the
operation may terminate automatically based on the end of the
exercise control program, may be terminated based on input at the
instructor exercise device, and/or may be terminated individually
via the respective participant exercise devices.
[0055] In general, the foregoing group fitness systems and methods
may allow the instructor to control changes in the exercise control
program applied to the participant exercise devices by controlling
the instructor exercise device. This may provide flexibility, for
example, to allow the instructor to alter the operation of the
exercise control program to coincide with a particular music
selection or change in music selection. This may also allow the
instructor to alter the operation of the exercise control program
to adapt to the current performance of the participants. The
changes may by the instructor may be applied to the participant
exercise devices without regard to the exercise control program. In
some cases, the exercise control program may be overridden until
the instructor wishes to resume the normal preset operation caused
by the exercise control program. Alternatively or additionally, the
exercise control program may automatically be reestablished upon
the next preset change.
[0056] Although not shown, it should be understood that the
controls and/or the displays of the instructor exercise device and
the participant exercise devices may be of any suitable form. Each
of the participant exercise devices may be configured to display,
for example, the current gradient, elapsed time and/or remaining
time for the entire class and/or the current segment, and any other
workout data specific to the current user. Each of the participant
exercise devices may include controls that allow the user to enter
data, such as their identifier, their performance level, etc., to
increase/decrease the "effective gear" of the participant exercise
device, to change the display of data, and/or to alter any other
parameter of the operation of the participant exercise device, as
appropriate or desired.
[0057] Although various details and representative embodiments are
described above, it should be understood that numerous alterations
to the disclosed embodiments without departing from the spirit or
scope of the inventive subject matter set forth in this
specification, including the claims.
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