Guided instructional cardiovascular exercise with accompaniment

• US 20020142887A1
• Filed: 03/28/2001
• Published: 10/03/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 03/28/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Oʼ Malley, Sean M.
• Original Assignee: Oʼ Malley, Sean M.
• Inventors: Oʼ Malley, Sean M.
• Granted Patent: US 6,672,991 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 482/8
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2022/0647 for cycling in a standing position, i.e. without a seat or support for the trunk
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2022/0652 for cycling in a recumbent position
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2024/0081 Coaching or training aspects related to a group of users
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0625 Emitting sound, noise or music
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0638 Displaying moving images of recorded environment, e.g. virtual environment
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/0023 the inclination of the main axis of the movement path being adjustable, e.g. the inclination of an endless band
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/0076 Rowing machines for conditioning the cardio-vascular system seats moving during exercise A63B22/0087; training appliances for rowing or sculling on boats A63B69/06
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/02 with movable endless bands , e.g. treadmills other training appliances for running on the spot A63B69/0028
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/04 with movable multiple steps , i.e. more than one step per limb, e.g. steps mounted on endless loops, endless ladders steppers with cantilevered support elements pivoting about an axis A63B22/0048
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/0605 performing a circular movement, e.g. ergometers
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/0664 performing an elliptic movement
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/20 with means for remote communication, e.g. internet or the like
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2230/062 used as a control parameter for the apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 24/0075 Means for generating exercise programs or schemes, e.g. computerized virtual trainer, e.g. using expert databases
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/0622 Visual, audio or audio-visual systems for entertaining, instructing or motivating the user
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 482/90 Ergometer with feedback to load or with feedback comparison

Abstract

A cardiovascular exercise method and system embodying a combination of guidance, motivation, entertainment, community, participation and achievement monitoring. Combined into one integrated system are selectable virtual and real time directed and/or guided exercises particularly adapted for stationary exercise equipment. Such equipment includes spinning bikes, upright bikes, recumbent bikes, elliptical machines, stair stepper/climbers and treadmill/trekers, cross-country simulators and rowing machines. Provision is made for performance by individuals in virtual or actual groups. Also included are audio-visual accompaniment selectable from music, nature sounds and exercise-related sounds for enhancing the exercise experience from the perspective of guidance, motivation, entertainment and achievement monitoring. To facilitate individualization to particular needs of individuals, provision is made for ascertaining the ongoing physical conditions of participants and for participants to customize exercise criteria to reflect recognition of such ongoing physical conditions. These criteria include lengths and exertion levels of exercise periods and establishment of heart rate (pulse) zones. To include a full range of features, provision is made for delayed or real-time modes; delayed participants being those who participate in a delayed manner after guidance has occurred, while real-time participants are those who participate while guidance is being provided.

Further extending versatility and range of operation, provision is made for distribution of guidance over the Internet and other modes of communication to devices such as MP3 players, computer(s) or Personal digital Assistants. Downloads may be made using wireless cable, satellite, microwave and the like. Thus, the system and method may be employed without geographic limitation, and interactive participation is encouraged.

Also included is a particular form of guidance which enables an individual to achieve objectives of self awareness and exercising at appropriate levels through a unique combination of verbal queues, motivation, entertainment, participation, and achievement monitoring. Thus, an individual can increase his or her level of fitness by controlling their perceived level of exertion and performance of their heart during exercise through guidance and monitoring. Control, for stationary exercise devices, includes speed, difficulty and incline, while levels of exertion are contemplated as an individual'"'"'s ability to exercise at certain percentages of their maximum effort.

Provision is also made for transferring responsibility of controlling the exercise equipment and determining the level of exertion from an instructor to the person or group participating in the exercise. Thus, there is incorporated into the system and method active participant involvement including ideas and suggestions in the form of guidance, motivation, entertainment, participation and monitoring of achievement.

Claims

1. A guided instructional exercise system for individual exercise workouts, comprising:

(a) an exercise device including means for presenting to a user of said exercise device varying levels of exertion;

(b) timing means for establishing for said user exercise time intervals;

(c) means for sensing the pulse rate of said user while said user is exercising. with said exercise device;

(d) virtual community means for imparting to said user a sense of being part of a community of exercisers; and

(e) motivational guidance means for encouraging said user to establish on said exercise machine levels of exercise customized according to exertion level criteria suggested by said motivational guidance means.

2. A guided instructional exercise system according to claim 1 wherein said exercise device is selected from a group consisting of exercise bicycle, elliptical cross trainer, stair stepper mill and treadmill

3. A guided instructional exercise system according to claim 1 wherein said exertion level criteria include predetermined pulse rates.

4. A guided instructional exercise system according to claim 3 wherein establishment of maximum pulse rates for said users includes subtracting the age of each user from 220.

5. A guided instructional exercise system according to claim 4 wherein said varying levels of exertion include:

(a) Exertion Level one;

(b) Exertion Level two; and

(c) Exertion Level three.

6. A guided instructional exercise system according to claim 5 further including Exertion Level four.

7. A guided instructional exercise system according to claim 1 wherein said exercise device is adjustable by said user to present varying levels of exercise exertion.

8. A guided instructional exercise system according to claim 1 wherein said virtual community means for imparting to said user a sense of being part of a community of exercisers includes visual sensations imparted to said user.

9. A guided instructional exercise system according to claim 1 wherein said virtual community means for imparting to said user a sense of being part of a community of exercisers includes audible sensations imparted to said user.

10. A guided instructional exercise system according to claim 9 wherein said virtual community means for imparting to said user a sense of being part of a community of exercisers includes visual sensations imparted to said user.

11. A guided instructional exercise system according to claim 9 wherein said virtual community means for imparting to said user a sense of being part of a community of exercisers includes earphones worn by said user while undergoing exercise.

12. A guided instructional exercise system according to claim 1 wherein each of said individual exercise workouts includes a warm-up phase, a steady-state phase, a challenge phase and a cool-down phase.

13. A guided instructional exercise system according to claim 1 further including entertainment to entertain said user while said user is exercising.

14. A guided instructional exercise system according to claim 13 in which said entertainment for selected ones of said workouts differs from workout to workout.

15. A guided instructional exercise system according to claim 13 wherein said entertainment includes visual portrayal of a scenic location.

16. A guided instructional exercise system according to claim 1 further including music for listening by said user while said user is exercising.

17. A guided instructional exercise system according to claim 1 further including means for monitoring achievement by said user while said user is exercising.

18. A guided instructional exercise system according to claim 1 further including interaction means for providing interaction between said user and said system while said user is exercising.

19. A guided instructional exercise system according to claim 1 wherein each of said individual exercise workouts includes multiple elements selected from a group of elements consisting of

(a) dialog and verbal cues

(b) music

(c) program continuity

(d) guidance and instruction

(e) motivation

(f) entertainment

(g) monitoring of achievement

(h) levels of exertion

(i) heart rate zones

(o) participation

(k) interaction

(l) feeling of community

20. A guided instructional exercise system according to claim 18 wherein each of said individual exercise workouts includes a warm-up phase, a steady-state phase, a challenge phase and a cool-down phase.

21. A method of guiding and motivating exercise participants comprising steps of:

;

(a) providing instructions and motivation to said exercise participants to establish time intervals for conducting warm-up exercises;

(b) conducting said warm-up exercises at levels of exercise individually customized by said exercise participants;

(c) individually sensing pulse rates of said participants while exercising;

(d) establishing a time interval for conducting steady-state levels of exercise exertion individually customized by said exercise participants;

(e) creating a virtual community for imparting to said exercise participants a sense of being part of a community of exercisers;

(f) conducting said steady-state levels of exercise exertion by said participants;

(g) establishing a time interval for conducting challenge levels of exercise exertion individually customized by said exercise participants;

(h) conducting said challenge levels of exercise exertion by said participants;

(i) establishing time intervals for conducting cool-down levels of exercise exertion individually customized by said exercise participants; and

(j) conducting said cool-down levels of exercise.

22. The method of claim 21 wherein said steady-state levels of exercise are at a higher level of exertion than said warm-up exercises.

23. The method of claim 22 wherein said challenge levels of exercise are at higher levels of exertion than said steady-state levels of exercise.

24. The method of claim 23 wherein said cool-down levels of exercise are at a level of exertion lower than said steady-state and said challenge levels of exercise.

25. The method of claim 21 further including providing entertainment for said participants while said participants are exercising.

26. The method of claim 25 wherein said step of providing entertainment for said participants includes providing music.

27. The method of claim 25 wherein said step of providing entertainment for said participants includes a visual portrayal of a scenic location.

28. The method of claim 21 further including monitoring of achievement by said participants while said participants are exercising.

29. The method of claim 21 further including a step of conducting interaction between said participants and said system.

30. The method of claim 29 wherein said interaction includes feedback from said participants.

31. The method of claim 21 further including a step of establishing maximum pulse rates for said participants by subtracting the age of each user from 220.

32. The method of claim 31 further including establishing and identifying exercise zones as a first zone in which pulse rates of said participants approximate 60 to 70 percent of said maximum pulse rates;

a second zone in which pulse rates of said participants approximate 70 to 80 percent of said maximum pulse rates; and

a third zone in which pulse rates of said participants approximate 80 to 90 percent of said maximum pulse rates.