Fitness apparatus with heart rate control system and method of operation
DCFirst Claim
1. A method of controlling a level of elevated cardiovascular activity exhibited by a user of a fitness apparatus, the method comprising the steps of:
- (a) sensing the heart rate of the user;
(b) sensing resistance values of first and second resistance mechanisms worked by the user of the fitness apparatus;
(c) capturing a value of the heart rate after the user'"'"'s level of cardiovascular activity has been elevated by working the first and second resistance mechanisms; and
(d) controlling the values of the first and second resistance mechanisms worked by the user to maintain the value of the user'"'"'s heart rate at a value determined from the captured value.
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Abstract
A method and apparatus for maintaining the heart rate of a user of a fitness apparatus at a scheduled target rate by varying the resistance of a first resistance mechanism with respect to a second resistance mechanism. To increase the heart rate, the resistance of the first resistance mechanism is increased to a maximum level before an adjustment is made to the second resistance mechanism. To decrease the heart rate, the resistance of the second resistance mechanism is decreased to a minimum level before an adjustment is made to the first resistance mechanism. The invention may be incorporated into a treadmill having resistance mechanisms including a mechanism to vary the speed of the treadmill belt and a mechanism to vary the grade of the treadmill.
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Citations
13 Claims
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1. A method of controlling a level of elevated cardiovascular activity exhibited by a user of a fitness apparatus, the method comprising the steps of:
- (a) sensing the heart rate of the user;
(b) sensing resistance values of first and second resistance mechanisms worked by the user of the fitness apparatus;
(c) capturing a value of the heart rate after the user'"'"'s level of cardiovascular activity has been elevated by working the first and second resistance mechanisms; and
(d) controlling the values of the first and second resistance mechanisms worked by the user to maintain the value of the user'"'"'s heart rate at a value determined from the captured value. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
- (a) sensing the heart rate of the user;
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8. A fitness apparatus comprising:
- first and second variable resistance mechanisms worked by a user to elevate the user'"'"'s level of cardiovascular activity;
a heart rate sensor for sensing the heart rate of the user and providing a signal indicative thereof;
a controller in communication with the signal from the heart rate sensor for capturing a value of the user'"'"'s heart rate in response to a signal from a user input; and
, the controller including circuitry for controlling the resistance values of the first and second variable resistance mechanisms to maintain the user'"'"'s heart rate at one or more values determined from the captured value. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
- first and second variable resistance mechanisms worked by a user to elevate the user'"'"'s level of cardiovascular activity;
Specification