U.S. patent application number 11/776328 was filed with the patent office on 2008-10-02 for methods and apparatus to control workouts on strength machines.
Invention is credited to Alexandre K. Menektchiev, Gary E. Oglesby.
Application Number | 20080242509 11/776328 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39795444 |
Filed Date | 2008-10-02 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080242509 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Menektchiev; Alexandre K. ;
et al. |
October 2, 2008 |
METHODS AND APPARATUS TO CONTROL WORKOUTS ON STRENGTH MACHINES
Abstract
Systems and methods to control a workout on a strength machine
are described. An example system includes a sensor interface to
receive a physiological condition of a user during use of the
strength machine, and a controller coupled to the strength machine
to cause a change of an exercise parameter based on the
physiological condition.
Inventors: |
Menektchiev; Alexandre K.;
(Cary, IL) ; Oglesby; Gary E.; (Manhattan,
IL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
HANLEY, FLIGHT & ZIMMERMAN, LLC
150 S. WACKER DRIVE, SUITE 2100
CHICAGO
IL
60606
US
|
Family ID: |
39795444 |
Appl. No.: |
11/776328 |
Filed: |
July 11, 2007 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60909283 |
Mar 30, 2007 |
|
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|
Current U.S.
Class: |
482/4 ;
482/99 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 21/00058 20130101;
A63B 21/0557 20130101; A63B 21/0428 20130101; A63B 24/00 20130101;
A63B 2208/0233 20130101; A63B 2230/06 20130101; A63B 21/0552
20130101; A63B 2225/50 20130101; A63B 2230/50 20130101; A63B
21/00069 20130101; A63B 2230/062 20130101; A63B 2230/207 20130101;
A63B 21/154 20130101; A63B 21/155 20130101; A63B 71/0622 20130101;
A63B 2230/00 20130101; A63B 2220/17 20130101; A63B 21/063 20151001;
A63B 21/0628 20151001; A63B 2230/75 20130101; A63B 21/04
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
482/4 ;
482/99 |
International
Class: |
A63B 24/00 20060101
A63B024/00; A63B 21/062 20060101 A63B021/062 |
Claims
1. An exercise machine comprising: a user engaging contact surface;
a pulley or a cam; and a flexible coupling to operatively couple an
automatically controlled strength training resistance to the user
engaging contact surface via the pulley or the cam.
2. An exercise machine as defined in claim 1, wherein the user
engaging contact surface comprises at least one of a handle, a bar,
a strap, a foot pedal, a pad, or a grip.
3. An exercise machine as defined in claim 1, wherein the
automatically controlled strength training resistance is provided
by one of a weight stack or an elastic cord.
4. An exercise machine as defined in claim 1, wherein the flexible
coupling comprises at least one of a cable, a rope, an elastic
band, a chain, or a belt.
5. An exercise machine as defined in claim 1, further comprising a
control unit to automatically control the strength training
resistance.
6. An exercise machine as defined in claim 5, wherein the control
unit is to automatically control the strength training resistance
by changing an amount of weight to be lifted, a number of elastic
cords to be deformed, or a number of repetitions.
7. An exercise machine as defined in claim 5, wherein the control
unit is to automatically control the strength training resistance
based on a physiological condition of the user during use of the
strength machine.
8. An exercise machine as defined in claim 7, wherein the
physiological condition is at least one of a heart rate or an
amount of calories burned.
9. An exercise machine as defined in claim 7, wherein the
physiological condition is at least one of a body temperature, a
skin moisture level, or a blood oxygen level.
10. An exercise machine as defined in claim 7, further comprising a
display to display at least one of the physiological condition or
information associated with strength training resistance.
11. An exercise machine as defined in claim 7, further comprising
an output to output a notification based on the physiological
condition.
12. An exercise machine as defined in claim 5, wherein control unit
is to automatically control the strength training resistance based
on an individualized exercise program for the user.
13. A system to control a workout on a strength machine, the system
comprising: a sensor interface to receive a physiological condition
of a user during use of the strength machine, and a controller
coupled to the strength machine to cause a change of an exercise
parameter based on the physiological condition.
14. A system to control a workout on a strength machine as defined
in claim 13, wherein the controller is to automatically change the
exercise parameter.
15. A system to control a workout on a strength machine as defined
in claim 13, wherein the change of the exercise parameter is
performed by the user in response to a signal from the
controller.
16. A system to control a workout on a strength machine as defined
in claim 13, wherein the physiological condition is at least one of
a heart rate or an amount of calories burned.
17. A system to control a workout on a strength machine as defined
in claim 13, wherein the physiological condition is at least one of
a body temperature, a skin moisture level, or a blood oxygen
level.
18. A system to control a workout on a strength machine as defined
in claim 13, wherein the exercise parameter is at least one of an
amount of weight to be lifted, a number of elastic cords to be
deformed, or a number of repetitions.
19. A system to control a workout on a strength machine as defined
in claim 13, further comprising a display to display at least one
of the physiological condition or the exercise parameter.
20. A system to control a workout on a strength machine as defined
in claim 13, further including an output to provide a notification
based on the physiological condition.
21. A system to control a workout on a strength machine as defined
in claim 13, further comprising: an input to identify the user; and
an individualized exercise program for the user, wherein the
individualized exercise program includes a stored individualized
user parameter and a stored individualized exercise parameter.
22. A system to control a workout on a strength machine as defined
in claim 21, wherein the controller is to change the exercise
parameter based on one or more of the physiological condition, the
stored individualized user parameter, or the stored individualized
exercise parameter.
23. A system to control a workout on a strength machine as defined
in claim 21, wherein the stored individualized user parameter is at
least one of a heart rate, an amount of calories burned, a time, a
number of repetitions, an amount of weight to be lifted, a number
of elastic cords to be deformed, a body temperature, a skin
moisture level, or a blood oxygen level.
24. A method to control a workout on a strength machine, the method
comprising: receiving a physiological condition of a user during
use of the strength machine, and changing an exercise parameter of
the strength machine based on the physiological condition.
25. A method to control a workout on a strength machine as defined
in claim 24, wherein the physiological condition is at least one of
a body temperature, a skin moisture level, or a blood oxygen
level.
26. A method to control a workout on a strength machine as defined
in claim 24, wherein the exercise parameter is at least one of an
amount of weight to be lifted, a number of elastic cords to be
deformed, or a number of repetitions.
27. A method to control a workout on a strength machine as defined
in claim 24, further including outputting a notification based on
the physiological condition.
28. A method to control a workout on a strength machine as defined
in claim 24, further comprising: identifying the user; and
accessing an individualized exercise program for the user, wherein
the individualized exercise program includes a stored
individualized user parameter and a stored individualized exercise
parameter.
29. An exercise machine comprising: means for applying a strength
training resistance to a user; means for flexibly coupling the
strength training resistance to the means applying the strength
training resistance to the user; and means for automatically
changing the strength training resistance.
30. A system to control a workout on a strength machine, the system
comprising: means to receive a physiological condition of a user
during use of the strength machine, and means to change an exercise
parameter of the strength machine based on the physiological
condition.
Description
RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims priority to co-pending U.S.
Provisional Patent Application No. 60/909,283, entitled "Methods
and Apparatus to Control Workouts on Strength Machines," filed on
Mar. 30, 2007, and is hereby incorporated by reference in its
entirety.
FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0002] This disclosure relates generally to exercise equipment,
and, more particularly, to methods and apparatus to control
workouts on strength machines.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Currently, a person who is exercising, i.e., an exerciser,
must rely on his or herself, an observer and/or personal trainer to
determine an appropriate weight to be used for an exercise on a
strength training exercise machine and to count repetitions and/or
sets. Further, to record the exercise parameters (e.g., weight to
be lifted, repetitions, sets, etc.) for further reference or
analysis, the exerciser typically uses, for example, paper and
pencil or relies on their memory. Such manual methods are
inherently prone to error both during the exercising and during the
recording. For example, the exerciser may record the incorrect
number of repetitions if they lost count while exercising.
[0004] In addition, conventional methods for exercising on a
strength machine typically do not provide a way of increasing the
efficiency of an exercise. Instead, the exerciser typically
analyzes and/or calculates the exercise parameters to determine the
most efficient amount of weight to be lifted or repetitions or sets
to perform based on their exercise goals. Performing such analyses
and/or calculations during a workout takes time and may actually
decrease the efficiency and effectiveness of a workout. In
addition, performing such analyses and/or calculations after a
workout does not provide real-time feedback and control over a
workout.
[0005] Furthermore, conventional strength training exercise
machines typically allow the exerciser to exert as much or as
little energy as they are willing to exert. This may lead to an
ineffective workout if the exerciser is not lifting a sufficient
amount of weight a sufficient number of times. On the other hand,
this may lead to injury if the exerciser over-exerts
themselves.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0006] FIG. 1 is an illustration of an example strength training
machine that uses the example methods and apparatus to control
workouts described herein.
[0007] FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of a portion of an alternative
example of the strength training machine of FIG. 1 showing an
alternative example pin connection.
[0008] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the example pin
connection depicted in FIG. 2.
[0009] FIG. 4 is an illustration of an alternative example strength
training machine with another alternative pin connection.
[0010] FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of the alternative pin connection
of the alternative example strength training machine of FIG. 4.
[0011] FIG. 6 is an example display that may be used with the
example strength training machines of FIG. 1 or 4.
[0012] FIG. 7 is a flow diagram of an example process that may be
performed using the strength training machines described
herein.
[0013] FIG. 8 is a block diagram of an example processor system
that may be used to implement the example methods and apparatus
described herein.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0014] Although the following describes example methods, apparatus
or systems including, among other components, software and/or
firmware executed on hardware, it should be noted that such methods
and apparatus are merely illustrative and should not be considered
as limiting. For example, it is contemplated that any or all of
these hardware, software, and firmware components could be embodied
exclusively in hardware, exclusively in software or in any
combination of hardware and software. Accordingly, while the
following describes example methods and apparatus, persons of
ordinary skill in the art will readily appreciate that these
examples provided are not the only way to implement such methods
and apparatus.
[0015] FIG. 1 depicts an example strength training machine 100 that
may use the example methods and apparatus described herein. While
the example strength training machine 100 is depicted as a chest
press machine, any other type of strength training machine may
incorporate the example methods and apparatus described herein. To
enable exercising, the example exercise machine 100 of FIG. 1
includes user engaging contact surfaces 105 against which a user
exerts force to push against an amount of strength training
resistance 110. The user engaging contact surfaces 105 may be any
type of surface against which a user may exert a force such as, for
example, handles (as depicted in FIG. 1), a bar, a strap, a foot
pedal, a pad, a grip, etc. In the illustrated example of FIG. 1,
the strength training resistance 110 is provided by a stack of
weights 110. However, in other examples, the strength training
resistance 110 may be provided by other types of resistance
including, for example, elastic resistive cords, as described in
detail below.
[0016] The user engaging contact surfaces 105 are operatively
coupled to the strength training resistance 110 via a flexible
coupling 115, which may be any suitable flexible structure
including, for example, a cable, a rope, an elastic band, a chain,
a belt, etc. Further, the flexible coupling 115 engages one or more
pulleys or cams 120 that guide the flexible coupling 115 as it is
used to lift and lower the weight plates selected form the stack of
weights 110.
[0017] The example stack of weights 110 of FIG. 1 includes any of a
variety of mechanisms to select the amount of strength training
resistance 110. For example, a movable pin 125, may be used to
manually select a number of weight plates from the stack of weights
110 for an exercise. In the illustrated example of FIG. 1, the
example pin 125 may be used to select a portion of (e.g., one or
more weight plates from) the example stack of weights 110 to move
upward in response to the user pushing against the handles 105.
[0018] Alternatively, the amount of strength training resistance
110 for an exercise may be automatically controlled by, for
example, a controller 130 that may be communicatively coupled to
the strength training machine 100 via any suitable hardwired and/or
wireless communication paths or links 135. In this case, the
controller 130 is communicatively coupled to a plurality of
electromagnetic switches or automated pins 200, as shown in FIG. 2.
The automated pins 200 may be used instead of or in addition to the
pin 125. When activated, one or more of the automated pins 200
extends to engage a respective complimentary structure 300 (e.g., a
recess, a magnet, an engaging surface, etc.) of a weight plate in
the stack of weights 110, as shown in FIG. 3. In the example of
FIGS. 2 and 3, the complimentary structures 300 are located in the
center of the weight plates in the stack of weights 110 similar to
a hole that may be engaged by the pin 125. Thus, when the user
exerts a force on the user engaging contact surfaces 105, the
lowest activated automated pin 200, the weight plate in the stack
of weights 110 corresponding to the lowest automated pin 200, and
each automated pin 200 and weight plates in the weight stack 110
located above the lowest automated pin 200, are moved in a track
205 in response to the forces exerted by the user during the
exercise. A signal from the controller 130 to change the strength
training resistance 110 changes which of the pins 200 is activated
to provide a different amount of strength training resistance,
i.e., weight or resistive force.
[0019] The strength training machine 100 may also include one or
more sensors. The sensors may be machine-based sensors such as, for
example, the sensors 155 on the handles 105. The sensors 155 may be
used to gather data regarding a physiological condition of the user
including, for example, a heart rate. The strength training machine
100 may also include magnetic sensors 140, which may be used to
gather data such as, for example, data related to an exercise
parameter such as a number of repetitions that have occurred and/or
an amount of weight that has been lifted. Sensors, such as the
sensors 140 shown in FIG. 1, are discussed in greater in U.S.
patent application Ser. No. 11/370,753 ("Sensor Arrays for Exercise
Equipment and Methods to Operate the Same"), which is hereby
incorporated by reference in its entirety.
[0020] In addition, the example exercise machine 100 may include
remote sensors or any other type of sensors that may be used to
gather data from the strength training machine 100 or the user such
as, for example, thermometers, heart rate monitors and pulse
sensors, clocks, respiratory rate sensors, etc. The sensors (e.g.,
the sensors 140 and 155 as well as other sensors) may be used to
gather a wide variety of data related to various exercise
parameters and/or user physiology including, for example, a number
of repetitions, a number of sets, an amount of weight to be lifted,
a number of elastic resistive cords to be deformed, a heart rate,
an amount of calories burned, a body temperature, a rate of
respiration, a blood oxygen level, a skin moisture level, etc.
[0021] The sensors 140 and 155 are operatively coupled to the
controller 130, and the controller 130 may control or change the
strength training resistance during a workout in a variety of ways.
For example, the controller 130 may send a signal that changes the
amount of weight to lifted or resistive force provided to the user.
In particular, the controller 130 may increase or decrease a number
of weights plates to be lifted or a number of elastic resistive
cords (shown in FIGS. 4 and 5) to be deformed. A deformation of an
elastic resistive cord includes activating, stretching, bending,
twisting, or otherwise deforming a cord. Such elastic cords are
discussed in more detail below in connection with FIGS. 4 and 5.
Further, the controller 130 may change the number of repetitions or
sets the user is to perform, and/or the controller 130 may change
the ability of the strength training machine 100 to operate (e.g.,
the controller 130 may disable the strength training machine
100).
[0022] The changes in the workout or exercise parameter(s) caused
by the controller 130 may be based on a physiological condition or
conditions of the user. For example, the controller 130 may compare
a heart rate of the user with a threshold or predetermined (e.g.,
target) heart rate. If the heart rate of the user exceeds the
threshold or predetermined heart rate, the controller 130 may send
a signal to the strength training machine 100 indicating that the
amount of strength training resistance should be reduced. For
example, this signal may decrease the strength training resistance
by, for example, decreasing the weight to be lifted or the number
of elastic resistive cords to be deformed. A change in the strength
training resistance may be indicated by the controller 130 based on
any of a variety of physiological conditions of the user. Thus, for
example, if a user starts using the strength training machine 100,
and the sensor 155 detects or measures the heart rate of the user
to be 150 beats per minute (bpm), and the threshold heart rate is
120 bpm, the controller 130 may send a signal to the strength
training machine 100 to decrease the amount of strength training
resistance. A decrease in the amount of strength training
resistance reduces the force exerted by the user to perform the
exercise, which should result in a lower user heart rate.
Successive reductions in the amount of strength training resistance
may b performed until the heart rate of the user equals or falls
below the threshold heart rate (e.g., a target heart rate).
Alternatively, for example during circuit training, the user may
want to maintain a certain or minimum level of activity (e.g., a
minimum hear rate). Thus, the controller 130 may send signals to
increase the amount of strength training resistance until the heart
rate of the user is above a threshold rate (e.g., a minimum heart
rate).
[0023] Furthermore, the controller 130 may indicate changes to a
workout or the exercise parameters based on one of the exercise
parameters. Thus, for example, if a user is performing a workout
that is to increase the amount of weight to be lifted or number of
elastic resistive cords to be deformed after a set of a certain
number of repetitions then, on the performance of the certain
number of repetitions, the controller 130 provides signals to cause
an increase in strength training resistance. For example, if a user
is to start using the strength training machine 100 at 150 pounds
and increase 25 pounds of weight after every ten repetitions then,
on the completion of ten repetitions at 150 pounds, the controller
130 sends a signal to the strength training machine 100 to increase
the weight to be lifted to 175 pounds. After ten more repetitions,
the weight is again increased to 200 pounds via a similar signal.
Finally, after ten repetitions at 200 pounds of weight, the
controller 130 may send a signal to disable the strength training
machine 100, send a signal to change the amount of strength
training resistance to any other amount, etc.
[0024] The controller 130 may also delay any change from any amount
of strength training resistance based on the amount of time spent
at that level or amount of resistance. If the amount of time spent
exercising at a certain level has been less than a certain
threshold delay amount such as, for example five minutes, the
controller 130 will not change to another amount of strength
training resistance. This ensures the user will spend an adequate
amount of time with any particular amount of strength training
resistance to realize the greatest benefit from the workout.
[0025] The threshold values may also be based on an individualized
workout routine for a specific user. Thus, the controller 130 may
be communicatively coupled to a processor 160 that includes memory
containing data related to thresholds associated with the
physiological condition(s) of the user and/or exercise parameter(s)
specific to the user's workout. The memory may be, for example, a
read only memory (RAM), random access memory (ROM), any other type
of memory, or any combination thereof. Alternatively or
additionally, the user may carry a card or other device such as,
for example, radio frequency identification (RFID) tag on which
data may be stored, and which may be read by the controller 130 and
subsequently used to control the user's workout. The controller 130
manages the user's individualized workout in a manner similar to
that described above.
[0026] FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrate another example strength training
machine 400, which has many features similar to those of the
example strength training machine 100 of FIGS. 1-3. Similar numbers
are used to designate similar structures. However, instead of a
weight stack, the example strength training machine 400 of FIGS. 4
and 5 includes elastic resistive cords 500 (FIG. 5) to provide
strength training resistance. Each elastic resistive cord 500
provides a corresponding amount of strength training resistance.
The strength training machine 400 includes a plurality of pins 405
that may be manually or automatically engaged. When engaged, one or
more of the pins 405 are coupled to corresponding recesses 505 of
corresponding bars 510. When the user moves the handles 105, the
bars 510 and any elastic resistive cords 500 that have been coupled
to the bars 510 move (e.g., are stretched) in a direction such as,
for example, upward. Any elastic resistive cord 500 that has not
been coupled to one of the bars 510 will not move in response to
the user's performance of the exercise. Changing the number of pins
405 coupled to the recesses 505 (i.e., the number of elastic
resistive cords 500 coupled to the bars 510) changes the amount of
strength training resistance provided to the user. When
automatically activated, the pins 405 are signaled via a
communication from the controller 130 in a manner similar to that
described above.
[0027] The example strength training machines 100 and 400 may also
include a display 190, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 4. The display 190
provides information regarding the exercise parameter(s), the
real-time physiological condition(s) of the user, the stored user
threshold physiological condition(s), and/or the stored
individualized exercise parameter(s) (e.g., user goal(s) or target
exercise parameter(s)). The example display 190 displays the target
exercise parameter(s) and physiological condition(s) for viewing by
the user and then, as the user exercises, the display 190 displays
the target exercise parameter(s) and physiological condition(s)
versus actual exercise parameter(s) and physiological condition(s)
determined from the data gathered by the sensors 155. Upon
completion of the workout, the display 190 shows the actual
exercise parameter(s), which may be stored in the processor 160 or
on the user's memory card for later recall, use or analysis.
[0028] Looking at the specific example display 190 shown in FIG. 6,
the example display 190 includes an RFID tag reader 600 to identify
the user. When the user, for example, passes a membership card over
the RFID tag reader 600, the RFID tag reader 600 obtains
information about the user such as an identification number
associated with the user and/or other information. Once the user is
identified, the display 190 shows an identification of the user
such as, for example, the user's name 605. As shown, the example
display 190 includes many exercise parameters including, for
example, a range of motion display 610, a number of repetitions in
the current set display 615, the weight being lifted or amount of
strength training resistance 620, and/or the number of sets 625.
Further, the example display 190 may include user goals or target
exercise parameters including, for example, a target number of
repetitions 630, a target amount of weight to be lifted 635, and/or
a target number of the current set 640. The display 190 may also
display user physiological conditions such as, for example, a user
heart rate 645, as well as corresponding target physiological
conditions 650.
[0029] The display 190 may also include one or more outputs 655. In
the example shown in FIG. 6, the output 655 may be a light and/or a
sound. The output 655 may be activated as a notification such as,
for example, a notification that the user has over-exerted his or
herself and needs to cease or otherwise reduce activity. In the
illustrated example, the output 655 is shown as a cross-shaped
light. However, the light may be of any desired shape or color and
may blink. In addition, any sound associated with the output 655
may be any sort of sound such as, for example, a beep, a repetitive
noise, a loud and sustained noise, or any other type of alarm or
sound.
[0030] The output 655 may be triggered based on a user
physiological condition that is surpassed. For example, if a user's
heart rate rises above a certain threshold heart rate, in addition
to causing decrease in the amount of strength training resistance,
the controller 130 may cause that the output 655 to be activated as
well to call attention to the user's physiological condition to the
user and/or fitness club staff. Similarly, the output 655 may be
triggered when any number of physiological conditions or exercise
parameters exceed an upper threshold or fall below a lower
threshold. The output 655 may also be sent to another display
elsewhere in the facility in which the strength training machines
100 and 400 are located to indicate to appropriate personnel (e.g.,
personal training or other fitness club personnel) that the user of
the strength training machine 100 and 400 may need assistance
and/or monitoring.
[0031] FIG. 7 depicts a flow diagram of an example process or
method that may used to control a workout on a strength machine
(e.g., the example machine 100 and 400). In an example
implementation, the operations depicted in the flow diagram of FIG.
7 may be implemented using machine readable instructions that are
executed by the example strength machines 100 and 400 and
associated controller 130. Some or all of the machine readable
instructions may form a program executed by a processor such as the
processor 160 discussed above. The program may be embodied in
software stored on a tangible medium such as a CD-ROM, a floppy
disk, a hard drive, a digital versatile disk ("DVD"), or a memory
associated with the processor 160 and/or embodied in firmware or
dedicated hardware in a well-known manner. For example, the
apparatus and system discussed above may be implemented using
software, hardware, and/or firmware. Further, although the example
programs or processes are described with reference to the flow
diagrams illustrated in FIG. 7, persons of ordinary skill in the
art will readily appreciate that many other methods of implementing
control of a strength machine may alternatively be used. For
example, the order of execution of the blocks may be changed,
and/or some of the blocks described may be changed, eliminated, or
combined.
[0032] FIG. 7 is a flow diagram depicting an example strength
machine control process 700 that may be performed by the exercise
machines 100 and 400 and associated controller 130, processor 160
and/or processor system 800 (described below). The example strength
machine control process 700 initially begins when a strength
training machine is activated for a workout (block 705). The
activation may include identifying a user and loading an
individualized exercise program (block 710) (by, e.g., the RFID tag
reader 600 of FIG. 6). The example strength machine control process
700 then determines if machine based-sensors or remote sensors are
to be used (block 715) (e.g., the sensors 155 on the handles 105 of
the machines 100 and 400 are machine-based sensors). Sensors
coupled to the user's person such as, for example, a thermometer,
or a strap-on heart monitor could be used as a remote sensor). If
remote sensors are used, the sensors are coupled to a processing
system (block 720) (e.g., to the controller 130 associated with the
strength training machines 100 and 400). Alternatively, the either
the machine-based sensors and/or the remote sensors may be
automatically sensed and block 715 may be skipped.
[0033] After the user begins his or her workout (block 725), data
is gathered by the sensors and sent to the processing system (block
730). Shortly thereafter, or concurrently, the gathered data is
displayed (block 735) (for example on the display 190 of FIGS. 1, 4
and 6). The gathered data may be any physiological condition of the
user and/or exercise parameter of the strength training machine. In
addition, stored information regarding the user's goals and target
exercise parameter(s) and/or target physiological condition(s) may
also be displayed.
[0034] In addition to displaying gathered and/or stored data, the
strength machine control process 700 also determines if any
gathered physiological condition or exercise parameter has
surpassed (i.e., has exceeded or fallen below) a threshold (block
740) (e.g., the user's actual heart rate exceeds the user's target
heart rate or a maximum heart rate stored in the strength training
machine 100 and 400). The threshold may be set by the manufacturer
of the machine, by a health or fitness club facility, and/or by the
user. If a threshold has been surpassed, the strength machine
control process 700 automatically reduces the strength training
resistance (e.g., via the controller 130 of FIGS. 1 and 4, as
described above), automatically reduces the speed at which the
machine operates, prompts the user (e.g., on the display 190) to
reduce the strength training resistance and/or to slow down, or any
combination thereof (block 745). In addition, the strength machine
control process 700 determines if the threshold value has been
surpassed by a specific amount, for example by a certain percentage
(block 750) (e.g., the user's actual heart rate is 20% higher than
the user's target heart rate). If the threshold of the
physiological condition or the exercise parameter has been
surpassed by a certain percentage, the strength machine control
process 700 causes a notification (e.g., a warning) to be displayed
(block 755).
[0035] After a notification has been displayed (block 755), the
strength machine control process 700 then may cause the strength
training machine to stop and/or display a message indicating that
the workout has ended (block 760), and the results of the workout
are displayed and/or sent to the processing system or elsewhere
(e.g., the user's memory card, an RFID tag, a central database in
the fitness facility, etc.) (block 760).
[0036] If a user has not surpassed the physiological condition(s)
or exercise parameter threshold(s) by a certain percentage, the
strength machine control process 700 determines if the workout has
otherwise been completed (block 765) by, for example, determining
if the user has met any of his or her pre-programmed goals. If the
workout has been completed, then the workout has ended and the
results of the workout are displayed and sent to the appropriate
recipient (block 760). However, if the workout is not complete
and/or a user has not met specific goals, then the workout
continues (block 770) and control returns to block 730, where data
regarding the physiological condition(s) and exercise parameter(s)
are gathered, and the strength machine control process 700
continues through blocks 735 and 740 as described above.
[0037] If, at block 740, the strength machine control process 700
determines that no threshold of a physiological condition or
exercise parameter has been surpassed, the workout continues.
Further, the strength machine control process 700 considers a delay
time period during which the strength machine control process 700
does not change the amount of strength training resistance such as,
for example, the first five minutes of a workout at an amount of
strength training resistance. This ensures that the user exercises
for a period of time with a particular amount of strength training
resistance and does not proceed too quickly through his or her
workout. Strength training workouts are more efficient when time is
spent in the workout, and the user is not pushing too quickly
through repetitions. If the user has not worked out for a period of
time longer than the delay time (block 775), the workout continues
(block 780) and control returns to block 730, where data regarding
the physiological conditions and exercise parameters are gathered,
and the strength machine control process 700 continues through
blocks 735 and 740 as described above.
[0038] However, if the user has worked out for a period of time
longer than the delay time (block 775), then the strength machine
control process 700 determines if the current strength training
resistance is greater than the resistance with which the user
should be exercising at this stage in the workout, including an
incremental resistance increase (i.e., "the increased strength
training resistance") (block 785). For example, the user may have
an individualized exercise parameter set so that strength training
resistance is increased increments of, for example, 10 pounds,
which may be previously loaded at block 710. If the current
strength training resistance is greater than the increased strength
training resistance, then the workout continues (block 780) and
control returns to block 730, where data regarding the
physiological condition(s) and exercise parameter(s) are gathered,
and the strength machine control process 700 continues through
blocks 735 and 740 as described above.
[0039] If the current strength training resistance is less than the
amount of increased strength training resistance, then the strength
training resistance is increased (block 790) (e.g., via the
controller 130 of FIGS. 1 and 4, described above). After increasing
the amount of strength training resistance (block 790), the workout
continues (block 780) and control returns to block 730, where data
regarding the physiological condition(s) and exercise parameter(s)
are gathered, and the strength machine control process 700
continues through blocks 735 and 740 as described above.
Ultimately, the workout may continue through the above-described
blocks until the workout is complete and the user's goal is
achieved (block 765) or a threshold of a physiological condition
and/or exercise parameter is surpassed by a certain percentage
(block 750).
[0040] As described above, the systems and methods described herein
enable a controlled workout, which allows a user to workout and
achieve specific goals including, for example, achieving a target
heart rate, reaching a number of calories burned, finishing the
workout in a specific time frame, lifting a certain amount of
weight, controlling a workout intensity, etc.
[0041] FIG. 8 is a block diagram of an example processor system 800
that may be used to implement the systems and methods described
herein, including the controller 130. The example processor system
800 of FIG. 8 is in communication with a main memory (including the
ROM 805 and the RAM 810) via a bus 815. As shown in FIG. 8, the
processor system 800 includes the processor 160 that is coupled to
the bus 815. The processor 160 may be any suitable processor,
processing unit or microprocessor. Although not shown in FIG. 8,
the processor system 800 may be a multi-processor system and, thus,
may include one or more additional processors that are identical or
similar to the processor 160 and that are communicatively coupled
to the interconnection bus 815.
[0042] The example RAM 810 of FIG. 8 may be implemented by dynamic
random access memory (DRAM), Synchronous DRAM (SDRAM), and/or any
other type of RAM device, and the example ROM 805 of FIG. 8 may be
implemented by flash memory and/or any other desired type of memory
device including mass storage devices such as, for example, hard
disk drives, optical drives, tape storage devices, etc. Access to
the example memories 805 and 810 is typically controlled by a
memory controller (not shown) in a conventional manner.
[0043] To receive data from the sensors 155 and 140, the example
processor system 800 includes any variety of conventional interface
circuitry such as, for example, an external bus interface 820. For
example, the external bus interface 820 may provide one input
signal path (e.g., a semiconductor package pin) for each of the
sensors 140 and 155. Additionally or alternatively, the external
bus interface 820 may implement any variety of time multiplexed
interface to receive outputs signal from the sensors via fewer
input signals.
[0044] The example processing system 800 also includes a display
interface 825 to communicate with the display 190. The display
interface 825 may be used to communicate generated outputs (e.g.,
the warning output 655, discussed above). In addition, the
processing system 800 may include a speaker 830 to alternatively or
additionally generate outputs.
[0045] In addition, to allow a user to be identified, the example
processor system 800 include any variety of user identification
interface 835. Example interfaces 835 include a keypad, an RFID tag
reader, a universal serial bus (USB) memory interface, etc. For
example, an exerciser may identify themselves by passing an
associated device containing an RFID tag (e.g., a membership card)
near an RFID tag reader 600, as described above. When the
membership card is detected and/or identified by the RFID tag
reader 600, the example RFID tag reader 600 of FIG. 6 provides to
the example processor system 800, for example, the exerciser's
identification number (e.g., membership number) read and/or
otherwise determined from the membership card.
[0046] To allow the example processor system 800 to interact with a
remote server, the example processor system 800 of FIG. 8 includes
any variety of network interface 840 such as, for example, a
wireless LAN interface in accordance with, for instance, the
Institute of Electronics and Electrical Engineers (IEEE) 802.11b,
802.11g, 802.15.4 (a.k.a. ZigBee) etc. standards. The example
processor system 800 of FIG. 8 may use the example network
interface 840 to obtain target exercise parameters for an
identified user and/or to provide exercise parameters determined
while the identified user exercises.
[0047] Although an example processor system 800 has been
illustrated in FIG. 8, the example processor system 800 may be
implemented using any of a variety of other and/or additional
devices, components, circuits, modules, etc. Further, the devices,
components, circuits, modules, elements, etc. illustrated in FIG. 8
may be combined, re-arranged, eliminated and/or implemented in any
of a variety of ways. For simplicity and ease of understanding, the
following discussion references the example processor system 800,
but any processor system could be used instead.
[0048] Although certain example apparatus, methods, and machine
readable instructions have been described herein, the scope of
coverage of this patent is not limited thereto. On the contrary,
this patent covers all methods, apparatus and articles of
manufacture fairly falling within the scope of the appended claims
either literally or under the doctrine of equivalents.
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