Programmable adaptable resistance exercise system and method

Abstract

A programmable adaptive resistance exercise system and method. New type of resistance allows a user to maximize amount of muscle growth benefit while minimizing the effort to attain that level. Resistance level may be controlled by computer based on position or any derivate thereof with respect to time. Resistance is adaptive since force level used throughout exercise range is based on current and past performance data. Level of effort and force versus time profile combinations are unlimited. Rest calculated based on the current and past performance data. May utilize hardware having a motor, an exercise interface (such as an bar or handle for example), a position sensor, digital input device to identify someone, computer configured to control the motor and exercise interface using current and past personal training data, calculate an exercise program based on preference and a time for subsequent workout, optionally alert a user when time to workout.

1 . A method for providing programmable adaptive resistance in an exercise apparatus comprising: 
 identifying a user;    retrieving past personal training information for said user;    loading an exercise program for said user from a computer;    accepting a user force imparted on an exercise interface when a user performs muscular exercise of a body part;    monitoring a position signal with a position sensor associated with said exercise interface at a position sensor sample rate;    recording said position signal comprising at least one position signal sample associated with said exercise interface through a displacement;    monitoring a force signal associated with said exercise interface at a force sensor sample rate;    recording said force signal comprising at least one force signal sample associated with said exercise interface through said displacement;    controlling a motor through use of a motor controller wherein said motor is coupled with said exercise interface to counteract said user force with a resistance force; and,    adapting a ratio of a force versus displacement graph associated with said exercise program to stress a muscle wherein said force versus displacement graph is specific to said user and in accordance with said exercise program and wherein said adapting utilizes present personal training information and said past personal training information wherein said present personal training information comprises said position signal and said force signal and said past personal training information comprises a past recording of said position signal and a past recording of said force signal.    
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said adapting further comprises: 
 retrieving past personal training information for at least one other user; and,    altering said ratio of force versus displacement graph associated with said exercise program based on said at least one other user.    
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising: 
 displaying a rest period calculated by said exercise program utilizing said present personal training information and said past personal training information.    
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising: 
 prompting said user to initiate a subsequent effort.    
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising: 
 measuring a maximum effort for a fixed time period at a constant velocity to generate an initial force versus displacement curve; and,    integrating said force signal over time to generate a baseline strength level    
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 1  further wherein said adapting comprises reducing said force by reducing said ratio as said user tires.  
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising: 
 summing all integrals of said force signal over time for said each repetition performed at rate set at an initial workout session to generate a baseline endurance level.    
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising: 
 calculating a number of repetitions at which a final integral of force versus time for a final repetition is less than an initial integral of force versus time for an initial repetition.    
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising: 
 setting a force versus displacement ratio to allow for a desired number of repetitions.    
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 7  further comprising: 
 calculating a current endurance level by averaging each end point percentage of said baseline endurance level actually achieved and storing a number of achieved repetitions and ratios of each said achieved repetition.    
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising: 
 summing all integrals of said force signal over time for said each repetition to generate a current endurance sum.    
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising: 
 increasing a force versus displacement ratio to provide overstress.    
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 10  further comprising: 
 increasing said rest period when said current endurance level decreases.    
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising: 
 providing said user with an eating regime.    
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said exercise program comprises strength training, endurance training, fitness maintenance or injury recovery.  
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising: 
 providing said user with a progress report via printout, email, text message or web page.    
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 1   marketing a product to said user based on said exercise program.    
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 1   rewarding a user based on a current performance or a performance increase over time.    
   
   
       19 . A programmable adaptive resistance exercise apparatus comprising: 
 a motor;    a motor controller coupled with said motor;    an exercise interface coupled with said motor wherein said exercise interface is configured to accept a user force exerted by a user when said user performs muscular exercise as said user moves said exercise interface against a force produced by said motor;    a force sensor configured to measure said force applied to said exercise interface, wherein said force sensor is configured to produce a force signal;    a position sensor configured to measure a position of said exercise interface, wherein said position sensor is configured to produce a position signal;    a digital input device; and,    a computer coupled with said motor controller, said force sensor, said position sensor and said digital input device wherein said computer is configured to identify said user using said digital input device, retrieve and store personal training information, calculate an exercise program based on a user preference, obtain a force signal and said position signal and interface with said motor controller to adaptively control said force produced by said electric motor through utilization of present and past personal training information.    
   
   
       20 . The system of  claim 19  wherein said computer is further configured to: 
 retrieve past personal training information for at least one other user; and,    alter said exercise program based on said at least one other user.    
   
   
       21 . The system of  claim 19  wherein said computer is configured to display a rest period.  
   
   
       22 . The system of  claim 19  wherein said computer is configured to alert said user to begin a subsequent workout.  
   
   
       23 . The system of  claim 19  wherein said motor is directly coupled with said exercise interface and wherein said motor is a DC torque motor or AC vector motor.  
   
   
       24 . The system of  claim 19  further comprising: 
 a drum coupled with said motor and further coupled with said exercise interface and wherein said drum is coupled with said exercise interface using a belt, cable or chain.    
   
   
       25 . The system of  claim 19  wherein said digital input device comprises depressible keys or a voice recognition system or an RFID reader configured to read a gym card configured with an RFID component or a bar code reader configured to read a gym card configured with a bar code.