ABDOMINAL EXERCISER WITH ELECTRONIC COACHING DEVICE

• US 20100204012A1
• Filed: 04/23/2010
• Published: 08/12/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 12/03/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Core HQ Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Martin A Van Der Hoeven
• Inventors: VAN DER HOEVEN, Martin A.
• Granted Patent: US 7,955,220 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 482/1
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0641 with a marker advancing in function of the exercise
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/0004 Exercising devices moving as a whole during exercise bar bells or dumb bells A63B21/072; on wheels A63B22/20
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/0023 for isometric exercising, i.e. substantial force variation without substantial muscle motion
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/0428 the ends moving relatively by linear reciprocation
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/0552 Elastic ropes or bands
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/0557 Details of attachments, e.g. clips or clamps
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2208/0233 in 90/90 position, like on a chair
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/17 Counting, e.g. counting periodical movements, revolutions or cycles, or including further data processing to determine distances or speed
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/34 Angular speed
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/0211 moving torso with immobilized lower limbs
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/0622 Visual, audio or audio-visual systems for entertaining, instructing or motivating the user
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 482/901 having computer circuitry

Abstract

An abdominal exercise apparatus includes a device that instructs and encourages a user. The apparatus comprises a slide member positioned in a channel of a body. The slide member has a user engagement end extending from the channel for engaging a targeted muscle area of the user. A resilient member biases the body and slide in one direction. Handles are attached to the body at opposing locations, and extend away from the body. The instructional device instructs users how to perform multiple phase abdominal exercises and provides motivation. The instructional device comprises a microprocessor, a sound creating mechanism, a visual display, and a user interface. The sound creating mechanism produces prerecorded instructions or motivation. The visual display includes lights to visually instruct the user of the proper amount of time for each phase of an exercise. The user interface allows for a user to select various exercise routines and levels.

Claims

1. For use with an exercise apparatus that a user operates to perform an exercise activity having multiple exercise phases, a method for coaching the user with an electronic coaching device, the method comprising:

providing a first user perceptible output from the coaching device to prompt the user to operate the exercise apparatus according to a first exercise phase; and

providing a second user perceptible output from the coaching device to prompt the user to operate the exercise apparatus according to the second exercise phase, wherein the second user perceptible output differs from the first user perceptible output.