Modifying operation of an exercise machine during a connected fitness experience

Abstract

Systems and methods provide an auto-follow mode of operation during a power zone class or other class/activity that includes segments of prescribed or instructed efforts for users. For example, as a zone changes within an exercise class, an exercise machine streaming the exercise class may automatically adjust its resistance to move the user into the new zone. The systems and methods can respond to or perform actions in response to receiving instructor cue data, such as cue data that is synchronized with a video of an exercise or fitness class.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An exercise bicycle, comprising:
 a frame;   a flywheel;   a display;   a resistance system coupled to the flywheel and configured to adjust a resistance applied to the flywheel; and   an auto-follow system configured to cause the resistance system to automatically adjust the resistance applied to the flywheel, by:
 receiving cue data synchronized with a streaming exercise class presented by the display; 
 determining a current output of a user of the exercise bicycle performing an exercise activity during the streaming exercise class; and 
 causing the resistance system to adjust the resistance applied to the flywheel to maintain the current output of the user within a range of output values identified by the received cue data. 
   
     
     
         2 . The exercise machine of  claim 1 , wherein the cue data is associated with an output range spoken by an instructor of the streaming exercise class during presentation of the streaming exercise class. 
     
     
         3 . The exercise machine of  claim 2 , wherein the output range spoken by the instructor is a power zone associated with an effort level for performing the exercise activity, and wherein maintaining the current output of the user within a range of output values identified by the received cue data includes selecting output values mapped to the power zone that are specific to the user performing the exercise activity. 
     
     
         4 . The exercise machine of  claim 3 , wherein the output values mapped to the power zone that are specific to the user include output values that are based on percentage of a functional threshold power (FTP) of the user when performing the exercise activity. 
     
     
         5 . The exercise machine of  claim 1 , wherein determining a current output of a user of the exercise bicycle performing the exercise activity during the streaming exercise class includes accessing a resistance setting and a cadence setting of the exercise bicycle while the user is performing the exercise activity. 
     
     
         6 . The exercise machine of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 identifying a midpoint level for the range of output values identified by the received cue data; and   causing the resistance system to adjust the resistance applied to the flywheel to cause the current output of the user to match the identified midpoint level for the range of output values.   
     
     
         7 . The exercise machine of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 identifying a percentage change associated with adjusting the current output of the user to the range of output values identified by the received cue data;   determining the identified percentage change exceeds a maximum allowable change of output values; and   causing the resistance system to adjust the resistance applied to the flywheel to cause the current output of the user to adjust an output value that is associated with the maximum allowable change of output values.   
     
     
         8 . The exercise machine of  claim 7 , wherein the maximum allowable change of output values is specific to an increase in a resistance applied to the flywheel during the exercise activity. 
     
     
         9 . The exercise machine of  claim 7 , wherein the maximum allowable change of output values is specific to a decrease in a resistance applied to the flywheel during the exercise activity. 
     
     
         10 . The exercise machine of  claim 7 , wherein the maximum allowable change of output values is specific to the user performing the exercise activity. 
     
     
         11 . The exercise machine of  claim 7 , wherein the maximum allowable change of output values is specific to a current effort level for the user performing the exercise activity. 
     
     
         12 . The exercise machine of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 identifying a percentage change associated with adjusting the current output of the user to the range of output values identified by the received cue data;   determining a current heart rate of the user is outside of a threshold range of heart rate values for performing the exercise activity within the range of output values identified by the received cue data; and   causing the resistance system to maintain a current resistance applied to the flywheel.   
     
     
         13 . The exercise machine of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 determining a cadence value associated with the user performing the exercise activity is outside of a threshold range of cadence values for performing the exercise activity within the range of output values identified by the received cue data; and   causing the resistance system to maintain a current resistance applied to the flywheel.   
     
     
         14 . The exercise machine of  claim 13 , wherein the cadence value associated with the user performing the exercise activity is below a minimum value associated with automatically adjusting the resistance applied to the flywheel during the exercise activity. 
     
     
         15 . The exercise machine of  claim 13 , wherein the cadence value associated with the user performing the exercise activity is above a maximum value associated with automatically adjusting the resistance applied to the flywheel during the exercise activity. 
     
     
         16 . A method performed by an auto-follow system of an exercise machine, the method comprising:
 receiving cue data synchronized with a streaming exercise class presented a display of the exercise machine;   determining a current output of a user of the exercise machine performing an exercise activity during the streaming exercise class; and   causing a resistance system to adjust a resistance of the exercise machine to maintain the current output of the user within a range of output values identified by the received cue data.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising:
 identifying a midpoint level for the range of output values identified by the received cue data; and   causing the resistance system to adjust the resistance applied to the exercise machine to cause the current output of the user to match the identified midpoint level for the range of output values.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising:
 identifying a percentage change associated with adjusting the current output of the user to the range of output values identified by the received cue data;   determining the identified percentage change exceeds a maximum allowable change of output values; and   causing the resistance system to adjust the resistance applied to the exercise machine to cause the current output of the user to adjust an output value that is associated with the maximum allowable change of output values.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 16 , where the exercise machine is an exercise bicycle or a treadmill. 
     
     
         20 . A non-transitory computer readable medium whose contents, when executed by a computing system of an exercise machine, cause the computing system to perform a method, the method comprising:
 receiving cue data synchronized with a streaming exercise class presented by a display of the exercise machine;   identifying a midpoint level for a range of output values identified by the received cue data;   determining a current output level exhibited by a user of the exercise machine performing an exercise activity via the exercise machine; and   adjusting a resistance applied to the exercise machine to modify the current output level exhibited by the user to the midpoint level for the range of output values.