Sensor equipped resistance training grip

Abstract

An example exercise tracker includes a grip for receiving an adjustable amount of exercise resistance, a force sensor having one or more strain gauges programmed to output a force signal representing a force applied to the grip, and a motion sensor programmed to detect movement of the grip and output a motion signal. The exercise tracker further includes a processor programmed to receive the force signal and the motion signal and determine, from the force signal and the motion signal, exercise data including the amount of resistance applied to the grip.

1 . An exercise tracker comprising:
 a grip for receiving an adjustable amount of exercise resistance;   a force sensor having one or more strain gauges programmed to output a force signal representing a force applied to the grip;   a motion sensor programmed to detect movement of the grip and output a motion signal: and   a processor programmed to receive the force signal and the motion signal and determine, from the force signal and the motion signal, exercise data including the amount of resistance applied to the grip.   
     
     
         2 . The exercise tracker of  claim 1 , wherein the motion sensor is an accelerometer. 
     
     
         3 . The exercise tracker of  claim 1 , further comprising a structural member configured to receive a resistance band. 
     
     
         4 . The exercise tracker of  claim 3 , further comprising a resistance band sensor programmed to detect a resistance value of the resistance band 
     
     
         5 . The exercise tracker of  claim 1 , further comprising a structural member configured to connect the grip to a non-elastic cable. 
     
     
         6 . The exercise tracker of  claim 1 , further comprising a memory wherein the processor is programmed to store the exercise data in the memory. 
     
     
         7 . The exercise tracker of  claim 1 , wherein the processor is programmed to command a wireless communication device to transmit the exercise data to a remote device. 
     
     
         8 . The exercise tracker of  claim 1 , further comprising a rotary encoder programmed to detect rotation of the grip and output signals to the processor, wherein the processor is programmed to determine the exercise data based at least in part on the signals output by the rotary encoder. 
     
     
         9 . The exercise tracker of  claim 1 , further comprising a digital display programmed to display the exercise data. 
     
     
         10 . The exercise tracker of  claim 1 , further comprising a haptic device located in the grip, and wherein the processor is programmed to cause the haptic device to vibrate. 
     
     
         11 . The exercise tracker of  claim 1 , further comprising speakers, wherein the processor is programmed to output an alert signal to the speakers. 
     
     
         12 . The exercise tracker of  claim 1 , further comprising a wireless communication device programmed to wirelessly transmit the exercise data to a remote device. 
     
     
         13 . The exercise tracker of  claim 1 , wherein the processor is programmed to calculate a calorie expenditure from at least one of the force signal and the motion signal. 
     
     
         14 . An exercise tracker comprising:
 a grip for receiving an adjustable amount of exercise resistance;   at least one sleeve for receiving a user-defined amount weight serving as a source of the exercise resistance;   a force sensor between at least one of the sleeves and the grip and having of one or more strain gauges programmed to output a force signal representing the resistance applied to the grip; and   a processor programmed to receive the force signal and determine, from the force signal, exercise data including the amount of resistance applied to the grip.   
     
     
         15 . The exercise tracker of  claim 14 , further comprising an accelerometer programmed to detect movement of the exercise tracker and output signals to the processor, wherein the processor is programmed to determine the exercise data based at least in part on the signals output by the accelerometer. 
     
     
         16 . The exercise tracker of  claim 14 , further comprising a memory wherein the processor is programmed to store the exercise data in the memory. 
     
     
         17 . The exercise tracker of  claim 14 , wherein the processor is programmed to command a wireless communication device to transmit the exercise data to a remote device. 
     
     
         18 . An exercise tracker comprising:
 a grip for receiving an adjustable amount of exercise resistance;   a force sensor having one or more strain gauges programmed to output a force signal representing a force applied to the grip;   a motion sensor programmed to detect movement of the grip and output a motion signal representing the movement of the grip:   a processor programmed to receive the force signal and motion signal and determine, from the force signal and the motion signal, exercise data including the amount of resistance applied to the grip;   a battery electrically connected to at least one of the load sensor, motion sensor, and the processor;   a wireless communication device programmed to wirelessly transmit the exercise data; and   a display programmed to display exercise metrics.   
     
     
         19 . The exercise tracker of  claim 18 , wherein the display is programmed to display exercise metrics from multiple users in close physical proximity to one another. 
     
     
         20 . The exercise tracker of  claim 18 , wherein the display is programmed to display exercise metrics from multiple users who are geographically dispersed.