Apparatus and methods for interactive multi-user resistance training on exercise machines

Abstract

A computer-implemented system for a system of exercise machines includes a first exercise machine, a second exercise machine, and a mechanical energy storage device mounted to the first exercise machine. An apparatus is configured to alter a resistance of the mechanical energy storage device and dissipate the energy of the mechanical energy storage device. A server includes a processor, memory, and a networking interface. A communication pathway enables the server to communicate with the first exercise machine and the second exercise machine to communicate a virtual position of the first exercise machine relative to the second exercise machine. The server receives data, extracts performance information from the data, and transmits the performance information to the first exercise machine and the second exercise machine to alter the resistance of the mechanical energy storage device.

1 . A computer-implemented system for a system of exercise machines comprising:
 a plurality of exercise machines, each exercise machine of the plurality of exercise machines comprising:
 a mechanical energy storage device mounted to the exercise machine; and 
 an apparatus configured to alter a resistance of the mechanical energy storage device with an added resistance and dissipate the energy of the mechanical energy storage device; 
   a server featuring a processor, memory, and networking interface; and   a communication pathway, wherein the communication pathway enables the server to communicate with each exercise machine of the plurality of exercise machines to communicate a virtual position of each exercise machine of the plurality of exercise machines relative to every other exercise machine of the plurality of exercise machines;   wherein the server:   receives data from each exercise machine of the plurality of exercise machines;   extracts performance information from the data; and   transmits the performance information to each exercise machine of the plurality of exercise machines to alter the resistance of the mechanical energy storage device based upon the relative position of each exercise machine of the plurality of exercise machines to every other exercise machine of the plurality of exercise machines.   
     
     
         2 . The computer-implemented system of  claim 1 , the virtual position comprising a virtual measurement of a virtual distance between each exercise machine of the plurality of exercise machines and every other exercise machine of the plurality of exercise machines, the virtual measurement measured in a direction at least one of parallel to a direction of a race event or perpendicular to the direction of the race event. 
     
     
         3 . The computer-implemented system of  claim 1 , the virtual position comprising a virtual measurement of a virtual distance between each exercise machine of the plurality of exercise machines and every other exercise machine of the plurality of exercise machines, the virtual measurement including a component measured in a direction perpendicular to a direction of a race event and the virtual measurement including a component measured in a direction parallel to the direction of a race event. 
     
     
         4 . A computer-implemented system for a system of exercise machines comprising:
 a plurality of exercise machines, each exercise machine of the plurality of exercise machines comprising:
 a mechanical energy storage device; and 
 an apparatus configured to alter a resistance of the mechanical energy storage device with an added resistance and dissipate the energy of the mechanical energy storage device; 
   a server featuring a processor, memory, and networking interface; and   a communication pathway, wherein the communication pathway enables the server to communicate with each exercise machine of the plurality of exercise machines to communicate a virtual position of each exercise machine of the plurality of exercise machines to every other exercise machine of the plurality of exercise machines;   wherein the server:   receives data from each exercise machine of the plurality of exercise machines;   extracts a virtual location of each exercise machine of the plurality of exercise machines to every other exercise machine of the plurality of exercise machines from the data; and   transmits the virtual location information to each exercise machine of the plurality of exercise machines,   wherein, when a first number of exercise machines of the plurality of exercise machines breaks away from a second number of exercise machines of the plurality of exercise machines, the server transmits a signal to increase the resistance of the mechanical energy storage devices of the second number of exercise machines of the plurality of exercise machines as the virtual location of the first number of exercise machines of the plurality of exercise machines increases in distance from the virtual location of the second number of exercise machines of the plurality of exercise machines in order to replicate real world conditions of break away events.   
     
     
         5 . A computer-implemented system for a system of exercise machines comprising:
 a plurality of exercise machines, each exercise machine of the plurality of exercise machines comprising:
 a mechanical energy storage device; 
 an apparatus configured to alter a resistance of the mechanical energy storage device with an added resistance and dissipate the energy of the mechanical energy storage device; 
   a server featuring a processor, memory, and networking interface; and   a communication pathway, wherein the communication pathway enables the server to communicate with each exercise machine of the plurality of exercise machines to communicate a virtual position of a lead exercise machine of the plurality of exercise machines relative to every other exercise machine of the plurality of exercise machines;   wherein the server:   receives data from each exercise machine of the plurality of exercise machines;   extracts a virtual location of the lead exercise machine of the plurality of exercise machines relative to every other exercise machine of the plurality of exercise machines from the data; and   transmits a race profile of the lead exercise machine and the virtual location of the lead exercise machine to every other exercise machine of the plurality of exercise machines, in order to alter the resistance of the mechanical energy storage device as the virtual location of the lead exercise machine breaks away from every other exercise machine of the plurality of exercise machines, in order to urge an athlete riding an individual exercise machine of the plurality of exercise machines to match at least one of an exercise tempo or a resistance level of the lead exercise machine in order to maintain a separation distance between the lead exercise machine and the individual exercise machine.   
     
     
         6 . A computer-implemented system for a system of exercise machines comprising:
 a plurality of exercise machines;   a server featuring a processor, memory, and networking interface; and   a communication pathway, wherein the communication pathway enables the server to communicate with the plurality of exercise machines;   wherein the server:   stores a team load value;   accepts an input of an exercise machine load value from each exercise machine of the plurality of exercise machines,   wherein:   a plurality of athletes using the plurality of exercise machines produce a plurality of work output values,   the plurality of work output values are added in order to compare a total work output to the team load value, and   at least one exercise machine of the plurality of exercise machines receives an altered resistance value as haptic feedback based upon the difference between the total work output and the team load value to achieve the team load value.   
     
     
         7 . A method of operating an exercise machine comprising:
 providing an exercise machine comprising:
 a cyclical actuator, the cyclical actuator movably mounted to the exercise machine; 
 a mechanical energy storage device mounted to the exercise machine; 
 a connective structure, the connective structure operatively connects the cyclical actuator to the mechanical energy storage device, wherein motion of the cyclical actuator urges rotation of the mechanical energy storage device; 
 an electrical generator, the electrical generator is operatively connected to the mechanical energy storage device such that rotation of the mechanical energy storage device urges the electrical generator to create an electrical signal; 
 an electrical load bank in electrical communication with the electrical generator, 
   determining a desired load;   adjusting a current value through the electrical load bank to create the desired load experienced by an associated operator, wherein the load is at least one of increased or decreased to vary the load experienced by an operator based upon a virtual position of the exercise machine relative to at least one other associated exercise machine.