Total body exercise methods and apparatus

• US 7,556,589 B1
• Filed: 11/12/2003
• Issued: 07/07/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 10/06/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Joseph D. Maresh, Kenneth W. Stearns
• Original Assignee: Joseph D. Maresh, Kenneth W. Stearns
• Inventors: Maresh, Joseph D., Stearns, Kenneth W.
• Primary Examiner(s): RICHMAN, GLENN E
• Application Number:
  US10/712,784
• Time in Patent Office: 2,064 Days
• Field of Search: 482 1- 9, 482900-902, 482/51, 482/57, 482/61, 434/247
• US Class Current: 482/8
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2022/067 with crank and handles being on opposite sides of the exercising apparatus with respect to the frontal body-plane of the user, e.g. the crank is behind and handles are in front of the user
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/065 Visualisation of specific exercise parameters
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/0051 using eddy currents induced in moved elements, e.g. by permanent magnets
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/225 with flywheels
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/0007 by alternatively exercising arms or legs, e.g. with a single set of support elements driven either by the upper or the lower limbs
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/001 by simultaneously exercising arms and legs, e.g. diagonally in anti-phase A63B22/0076 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/0664 performing an elliptic movement
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/51 Force
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/54 Torque
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2230/06 heartbeat rate only
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2230/062 used as a control parameter for the apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2230/75 calorie expenditure
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 24/00 Electric or electronic controls for exercising apparatus of preceding groups; Controlling or monitoring of exercises, sportive games, training or athletic performances
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 24/0062 Monitoring athletic performances, e.g. for determining the work of a user on an exercise apparatus, the completed jogging or cycling distance
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 482/90 Ergometer with feedback to load or with feedback comparison
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 482/901 having computer circuitry

Abstract

An exercise apparatus includes a frame, an arm supporting member, and a leg supporting member. A sensor is connected to at least one of the arm supporting member and the leg supporting member, and/or a resilient member is interconnected between the arm supporting member and either the leg supporting member or the frame. The sensor communicates with a user display and/or a resistance device to indicate the amounts of work performed by the arm supporting member and the leg supporting member, and/or to adjust resistance to movement of the leg supporting member as a function of user force applied against the arm supporting member. The resilient member encourages synchronization of the arm supporting member and the leg supporting member, while allowing some relative movement therebetween. A user interface displays data associated with exercise activity, including relative amounts of work performed by a user'"'"'s arms and legs and/or performed during different phases of exercise, including discrete aerobic and anaerobic phases. The interface display and the level of resistance are preferably changed as part of the transition between phases.

Claims

1. A method for encouraging diverse exercise activity of a user, comprising the steps of:

providing an exercise machine comprising a frame, force receiving members linked to the frame for movement in closed paths relative to the frame, the force receiving members comprising an arm supporting member moved by an arm of the user and a leg supporting member moved by a leg of the user, resisting means for resisting movement of the force receiving members in the closed paths;

displaying a first arrangement of first exercise performance data describing exercise performed by the user while the resisting means is providing a first level of resistance to movement of the force receiving members that is less than a threshold level;

displaying a second arrangement of second exercise performance data describing exercise performed by the user while the resisting means is providing a second level of resistance to movement of the force receiving members that is greater than the threshold level;

switching the level of resistance to movement of the force receiving members provided by the resisting means between the first and second levels of resistance during the exercise activity such that the user is encouraged to perform primarily cardio exercise when the resisting means provides less than the threshold level of resistance, and such that the user is encouraged to perform primarily strength exercise when the resistance means is providing greater than the threshold level of resistance; and

providing a visual indication to the user as to whether the user is performing primarily cardio exercise when the resisting means is providing less than the threshold level of resistance to movement of the force receiving members or performing primarily strength exercise when the resisting means is providing greater than the threshold level of resistance to movement of the force receiving members.

2. A method for encouraging diverse exercise activity of a user, comprising the steps of:

providing an exercise machine comprising a frame, force receiving members linked to the frame for movement in closed paths relative to the frame, the force receiving members comprising an arm supporting member moved by an arm of the user and a leg supporting member moved by a leg of the user, resisting means for resisting movement of the force receiving members in the closed paths;

displaying a first arrangement of first exercise performance data describing exercise performed by the user while the resisting means is providing a first level of resistance to movement of the force receiving members that is less than a threshold level;

displaying a second arrangement of second exercise performance data describing exercise performed by the user while the resisting means is providing a second level of resistance to movement of the force receiving members that is greater than the threshold level;

switching the level of resistance to movement of the force receiving members provided by the resisting means between the first and second levels of resistance during the exercise activity such that the user is encouraged to perform primarily cardio exercise when the resisting means provides less than the threshold level of resistance, and such that the user is encouraged to perform primarily strength exercise when the resistance means is providing greater than the threshold level of resistance; and

providing a visual indication to the user as to whether the user is performing primarily cardio exercise when the resisting means is providing less than the threshold level of resistance to movement of the force receiving members or performing primarily strength exercise when the resisting means is providing greater than the threshold level of resistance to movement of the force receiving members,

wherein the first exercise performance data indicates a cumulative amount of exercise performed by the user when the resisting means was providing less than the threshold level of resistance to movement of the force receiving members, and

wherein the second exercise performance data indicates a cumulative amount of exercise performed by the user when the resisting means was providing greater than the threshold level of resistance to movement of the force receiving members.