Exercise machine with stationary bicycle and inflatable seat

Abstract

An exercise machine may include a frame with foot pedals mounted thereon and a seat having an inflatable bladder whereby the user may undertake a cardiovascular workout and a core workout of abdominal and back muscles.

1 . A method of simultaneously undertaking a cardiovascular workout and a core workout comprising:
 providing an exercise machine having a frame with a set of pedals movably mounted thereon; a seat-receiving space defined by the frame, an inflated seat retained within the seat-receiving space; wherein the seat-receiving space includes a left arm and a right arm that extend respectively to the left and right of the inflatable seat; and a back rest positioned adjacent and rearward of the seat-receiving space;   sitting on an outer surface of the inflated seat;   engaging the set of pedals and pedaling;   moving the inflatable seat within the seat-receiving space while pedaling; and   balancing on the inflatable seat while the inflatable seat is moving and while pedaling.   
     
     
         2 . The method as defined in  claim 1 , further comprising:
 preventing rotation of the inflatable seat within the seat-receiving space through frictional engagement between the seat and the frame.   
     
     
         3 . The method as defined in  claim 1 , further comprising compressing and decompressing the inflatable seat while balancing on the inflatable seat and pedaling. 
     
     
         4 . The method as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the left and the right arm flare outwardly away from each other moving in a direction away from the back rest and toward the set of pedals. 
     
     
         5 . The method as defined in  claim 1 , further comprising:
 gripping a handle on an end of each of the left arm and the right arm while pedaling; and   measuring a heart rate or a pulse while gripping the handles.   
     
     
         6 . The method as defined in  claim 1 , further comprising:
 restraining the inflatable seat in the seat-receiving space, wherein the left and right arms of the seat-receiving space include rear segments adjacent the back rest, intermediate segments that are connected to and extend forwardly from the rear segments, and front segments respectively connected to and extending downwardly from the intermediate segments.   
     
     
         7 . The method as defined in  claim 6 , wherein the restraining of the inflatable seat in the portion of the frame is accomplished without glue, adhesive, or other fastening devices. 
     
     
         8 . The method as defined in  claim 7 , further comprising moving the inflatable seat from a mounted position within seat-receiving space to a dismounted position wherein the inflatable seat is separate from the seat-receiving space by applying a manual lifting force to the inflatable seat. 
     
     
         9 . The method as defined in  claim 1 , further comprising:
 positioning a display and control unit on a front section of the frame; and   operating functions on the exercise machine by contacting controls on the display and control unit.   
     
     
         10 . The method as defined in  claim 9 , manually operating the display and control unit through user contact with one or more of buttons, heat sensitive pads and pressure sensitive pads provided on the display and control unit. 
     
     
         11 . The method as defined in  claim 9 , further comprising:
 viewing a video screen on the display and control unit while seated on the inflatable seat and while pedaling the set of pedals.   
     
     
         12 . The method as defined in  claim 9 , further comprising:
 adjusting a longitudinal position of the front section of the frame relative to a user sitting on the inflatable seat by telescoping the front section of the frame relative to a rear section of the frame that includes the inflatable seat.   
     
     
         13 . The method as defined in  claim 1 , further comprising:
 resting against a back rest that is positioned rearward of the inflatable seat while balancing on the inflatable seat and pedaling.   
     
     
         14 . The method as defined in  claim 1 , further comprising:
 selectively holding onto one of the left arm and the right arm adjacent the inflatable seat, and left and right grip handles provided on a front section of the frame while balancing on the inflatable seat and pedaling.   
     
     
         15 . The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 fabricating the inflatable seat to have one of a bladder and a wall; and wherein the fabricating includes selecting a material for the one of the bladder and the wall that is impermeable to air or a gas used to inflate the inflatable seat.   
     
     
         16 . The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 adjusting a level of inflation of the inflatable seat based on a weight of a user sitting on the inflatable seat.   
     
     
         17 . The method according to  claim 16 , wherein the adjusting of the level of inflation is preceded by measuring a vertical distance between a sensor at a bottom of the inflatable seat and a reference point proximate a top of the inflatable seat. 
     
     
         18 . The method according to  claim 17 , wherein the measuring includes:
 emitting a laser beam from the sensor to the reference point;   reflecting the laser beam back to the sensor from the reference point; and   sending a signal to a microprocessor of a control unit upon receipt of the reflected laser beam.   
     
     
         19 . The method according to  claim 18 , further comprising:
 partially inflating or partially deflating the inflatable seat based on receipt of the signal at the microprocessor.   
     
     
         20 . The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 performing one or more of a cardiovascular workout and a core workout on the exercise machine.