Interactive resistance band training systems

Abstract

Interactive/smart resistance band training systems include one or more resistance bands connected to a force sensing unit that registers the force exerted by a user on handles connected to the bands. The sensing unit operates effectively regardless of whether the user is training with one handle individually, or with two handles being pulled in parallel or non-parallel directions. The systems may correct the force readings to account for non-alignment between the force-measurement axis of the force sensing unit and the directions in which the user applies force to the resistance bands. The systems may guide a user through exercise sessions tailored to the fitness level of the user; may display the force readings, calories burned, and other performance parameters and goals on a continuous, real-time basis; may summarize the result of the exercise session; and may recommend subsequent exercise sessions based on the performance of the user.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A resistance band training system, comprising:
 at least a first and a second resistance band each being configured to resiliently deform when subjected to a respective tensile force;   a first and a second handle coupled to respective first ends of the first and second resistance bands; and   not more than one force sensing unit coupled to respective second ends of both the first and second resistance bands and configured to generate an output representing a combined force exerted on the force sensing unit by the first and second resistance bands in response to the tensile forces on the first and second resistance bands.   
     
     
         2 . The resistance band training system of  claim 1 , wherein:
 a length of the first resistance band is about equal to a length of the second resistance band; and   the first and second resistance bands and an axis extending between the first and second handles define a substantially triangular shape when the first and second resistance bands are subjected to the tensile forces.   
     
     
         3 . The resistance band training system of  claim 1 , further comprising a computing device communicatively coupled to the force sensing unit and configured to calculate the tensile forces on the first and second resistance bands based on the output of the force sensing unit and an angle between the first and second resistance bands. 
     
     
         4 . The resistance band training system of  claim 3 , wherein the angle between the first and second resistance bands is about twice an angle between each of the first and second resistance bands and a force measurement axis of the force sending unit. 
     
     
         5 . The resistance band training system of  claim 3 , further comprising a sensor configured to measure the angle between the first and second bands. 
     
     
         6 . The resistance band training system of  claim 3 , wherein the computing device is further configured to estimate the angle between the first and second bands based on a type of exercise being performed by a user of the system. 
     
     
         7 . The resistance band training system of  claim 3 , wherein:
 the force sensing unit comprises a load cell configured to generate the output representing the combined force exerted on the force sensing unit by the first and second resistance bands in response to the tensile forces on the first and second resistance bands;   the load cell is configured to measure forces acting on the load cell in a direction coinciding with a measurement axis of the load cell; and   the computing device is further configured to calculate the tensile forces on the first and second resistance bands based on a force measured by the load cell and an angle between the measurement axis of the load cell and an angle between the first and second resistance bands.   
     
     
         8 . The resistance band training system of  claim 1 , wherein the force sensing unit comprises a housing, and a connector configured to couple the first and second resistance bands to the housing. 
     
     
         9 . The resistance band training system of  claim 8 , wherein:
 the connector is located within the housing;   the first and second resistance bands are configured to extend through an opening in the housing and to loop around the connector; and   the housing has a first and an opposing second internal surface configured to restrain the first and second resistance bands and the connector.   
     
     
         10 . The resistance band training system of  claim 8 , further comprising a retaining member configured to be positioned around the first and second resistance bands within the housing and to urge the first and second resistance bands into contact with each other. 
     
     
         11 . The resistance band training system of  claim 9 , wherein:
 the connector has a first and second side surface;   the first and second side surfaces of the connector are angled in relation to a lengthwise axis of the connector; and   the first and second internal surfaces of the housing are angled in relation to a lengthwise axis of the housing and are configured to restrain the first and second resistance bands between the first and second internal surfaces of the housing and the respective first and second side surfaces of the connector.   
     
     
         12 . The resistance band training system of  claim 8 , wherein the connector has a cylindrical configuration. 
     
     
         13 . The resistance band training system of  claim 12 , wherein the housing comprises a first half and a second half configured to be connected to the first half of the housing; and the connector is integrally formed with the first half of the housing. 
     
     
         14 . The resistance band training system of  claim 8 , wherein the connector has a tubular configuration. 
     
     
         15 . The resistance band training system of  claim 8 , wherein the connector comprises a first portion having an hourglass-shaped configuration. 
     
     
         16 . The resistance band training system of  claim 15 , wherein the connector further comprises a first and a second leg each adjoining the first portion of the connector, the first and second legs being configured to engage the housing to support the connector within the housing. 
     
     
         17 . The resistance band training system of  claim 8 , wherein the connector comprises a D-shaped first portion configured to be connected to the first and second resistance bands, and a second portion adjoining the first portion and configured to be connected to the housing. 
     
     
         18 . The resistance band training system of  claim 8 , wherein:
 the force sensing unit further comprises a load cell;   the housing is configured to transmit to the load cell the combined force exerted on the force sensing unit by the first and second resistance bands; and   the load cell is configured to generate the output representing the combined force exerted on the force sensing unit by the first and second resistance bands.   
     
     
         19 . The resistance band training system of  claim 18 , wherein:
 the force sensing unit further comprises an attachment device configured to be connected to an anchoring point on a stationary structure;   the load cell comprises a body and a strain gauge attached to the body; and   the force sensing unit further comprises a bridge connected to the load cell and the attachment device.   
     
     
         20 . The resistance band training system of  claim 19 , wherein the attachment device is configured to rotate in relation to the bridge. 
     
     
         21 . The resistance band training system of  claim 20 , wherein the attachment device is a carabiner 
     
     
         22 . The resistance band training system of  claim 19 , wherein:
 the attachment device and the bridge are configured to transmit to the load cell a reactive force generated by the stationary structure in response to the combined force exerted on the force sensing unit by the first and second resistance bands; and   the housing is configured to restrain the load cell against the reactive force generated by the stationary structure.   
     
     
         23 . The resistance band training system of  claim 22 , wherein:
 the body of the load cell comprises a first and a second outer arm, and a first and second inner arm;   the housing is configured to restrain the first and second arms against the reactive force generated by the stationary structure;   the bridge is connected to the first and second inner arms of the load cell; and   the strain gauge is configured to generate an output in response to deflection of the first and second inner arms in relation to the first and second outer arms.   
     
     
         24 . The resistance band training system of  claim 1 , wherein the first handle and the first resistance band are unitarily formed; and the second handle and the second resistance band are unitarily formed. 
     
     
         25 . The resistance band training system of  claim 1 , wherein the first resistance band and the second resistance band are unitarily formed. 
     
     
         26 . The resistance band training system of  claim 3 , wherein the computing device is further configured to display information relating to an exercise session performed on the system by a user. 
     
     
         27 . The resistance band training system of  claim 26 , wherein the computing device is further configured to display the calculated tensile forces on the first and second resistance bands; and to calculate and display target values for the tensile forces on the first and second resistance bands. 
     
     
         28 . The resistance band training system of  claim 27 , wherein the system is further configured to calculate and display a percentage of the exercise session that has been completed by the user. 
     
     
         29 . The resistance band training system of  claim 27 , wherein the computing device is further configured to calculate the target values for tensile forces on the first and second resistance bands based on a performance of the user during the exercise session or during a previous exercise session. 
     
     
         30 . The resistance band training system of  claim 27 , wherein the computing device is further configured to calculate and display target values for a rate and a number of repetitive applications of the tensile forces on the first and second resistance bands, and to display an actual rate and an actual number of repetitive applications of the tensile forces on the first and second resistance band performed by the user. 
     
     
         31 . The resistance band training system of  claim 26 , wherein the computing device is further configured to recommend to a user a difficulty level of an exercise session based on performance of the user during one or more prior exercise sessions. 
     
     
         32 . The resistance band training system of  claim 3 , wherein the computing device is a smartphone. 
     
     
         33 . The resistance band training system of  claim 3 , wherein the force sensing unit comprises the computing device. 
     
     
         34 . The resistance band training system of  claim 3 , wherein the computing device is further configured to determine a deflection of the first and second resistance bands based on the combined force exerted on the force sensing unit by the first and second resistance bands in response to the tensile forces on the first and second resistance bands.