Exercise machines and methods for controlling exercise machines to assist in targeting a muscle

Abstract

A method for controlling an exercise machine to assist a user in targeting a muscle for performing an exercise motion. The method includes receiving a target muscle as the muscle to target when performing the exercise motion. The method further includes determining, from a plurality of use conditions, a recommended use condition that would cause operating the exercise machine to focus on the target muscle received. The method further includes guiding the user based on the recommended use condition and/or automatically causing the exercise machine to operate based on the recommended use condition to thereby assist the user in targeting the muscle for performing the exercise motion.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for controlling an exercise machine to assist a user in targeting a muscle for performing an exercise motion, the method comprising:
 receiving a target muscle as the muscle to target when performing the exercise motion;   determining, from a plurality of use conditions, a recommended use condition that would cause operating the exercise machine to focus on the target muscle received; and   guiding the user based on the recommended use condition and/or automatically causing the exercise machine to operate based on the recommended use condition to thereby assist the user in targeting the muscle for performing the exercise motion.   
     
     
         2 . The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising receiving a desired activation level for the target muscle and determining the recommended use condition such that performing the exercise motion would cause the target muscle to be activated at least at the desired activation level. 
     
     
         3 . The method according to  claim 2 , wherein another use condition within the plurality of use conditions corresponds to the target muscle being more activated than under the recommended use condition. 
     
     
         4 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the target muscle comprises a plurality of target muscles. 
     
     
         5 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the recommended use condition comprises a range of settings for operating the exercise machine. 
     
     
         6 . The method according to  claim 5 , wherein the range of settings relates to an incline, a resistance, a speed, and/or a direction with respect to performing the exercise motion. 
     
     
         7 . The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising determining a current use condition of the exercise machine and informing the user when current use condition is different than the recommended use condition for operating the exercise machine. 
     
     
         8 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the recommended use condition comprises a setting selectable via the exercise machine for operation thereof. 
     
     
         9 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the recommended use condition comprises at least two settings selectable via the exercise machine for operation thereof. 
     
     
         10 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the recommended use condition comprises a recommendation for how the user performs the exercise motion. 
     
     
         11 . The method according to  claim 10 , wherein how the user performs the exercise motion comprises a direction and/or speed for performing the exercise motion. 
     
     
         12 . The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising informing the user of the muscle targeted via the recommended use condition. 
     
     
         13 . The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising informing the user of an activation level of the targeted muscle for performing the exercise motion. 
     
     
         14 . The method according to  claim 13 , further comprising informing the user of another activation level for another muscle other than the targeted muscle. 
     
     
         15 . The method according to  claim 13 , further comprising graphically depicting the target muscle. 
     
     
         16 . An exercise machine configured to assist a user in targeting a muscle for performing an exercise motion, wherein the exercise machine comprises a control system configured to receive a target muscle as the muscle to target when performing the exercise motion, to determine a recommended use condition, from within a plurality of use conditions, that would cause operating the exercise machine to focus on the target muscle received, and to guide the user based on the recommended use condition and/or automatically operate the exercise machine based on the recommended use condition to thereby assist the user in targeting the muscle for performing the exercise motion. 
     
     
         17 . The exercise machine according to  claim 16 , wherein the control system is configured to determine a current use condition of the exercise machine and to inform the user and/or change a setting of the exercise machine when the current use condition is different than the recommended use condition. 
     
     
         18 . The exercise machine according to  claim 16 , wherein the recommended use condition includes an incline, a speed, a resistance, and/or a direction for performing the exercise motion. 
     
     
         19 . The exercise machine according to  claim 16 , wherein automatically operating the exercise comprises automatically changing an incline, a speed, a resistance, and/or a direction in which the exercise machine is operated. 
     
     
         20 . The exercise machine according to  claim 16 , wherein the control system is further configured to receive a desired activation level for the target muscle and to determine the recommended use condition such that performing the exercise motion would cause the target muscle to be activated at least at the desired activation level.