Exercise apparatus with control interfaces on handles

Abstract

An exercise apparatus includes a frame, an exercise mechanism, at least one handle, and a control unit. The exercise mechanism has a movable element for allowing a user to perform an exercise. The at least one handle is mounted on the frame for the user to grasp. The at least one handle has a control interface disposed on an upper portion thereof. The control interface is a touch screen for allowing the user to input a command. The control unit is electrically connected to the control interface of the at least one handle. The control unit is configured to control at least one operating parameter of the exercise apparatus when receiving the command from the control interface.

1 . An exercise apparatus, comprising:
 a frame;   an exercise mechanism having a movable element for allowing a user to perform an exercise;   at least one handle mounted on the frame for the user to grasp, the at least one handle having a control interface disposed on an upper portion thereof, wherein the control interface is a touch screen for allowing the user to input a command; and   a control unit electrically connected to the control interface of the at least one handle, the control unit configured to control at least one operating parameter of the exercise apparatus when receiving the command from the control interface.   
     
     
         2 . The exercise apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the control interface of the at least one handle is operable to display a graphical user interface for controlling at least one function of the exercise apparatus. 
     
     
         3 . The exercise apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising a display device for displaying workout information to the user, wherein the control interface of the at least one handle is connected to the display device and is operable to display a graphical user interface for controlling at least one function of the display device. 
     
     
         4 . The exercise apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the movable element of the exercise mechanism is operable to move along a movement path, the control interface of the at least one handle being operable to provide an input option for adjusting an inclination of the movement path. 
     
     
         5 . The exercise apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the control interface of the at least one handle is provided for allowing the user to adjust a running speed of the movable element of the exercise mechanism. 
     
     
         6 . The exercise apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the exercise mechanism comprises one of a pedal mechanism for pedaling exercise, a running belt for running exercise, or a stair mechanism for stair climbing exercise. 
     
     
         7 . The exercise apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the exercise mechanism comprises a pedal mechanism coupled to the frame, the pedal mechanism having two pedals that can be operated to move along a closed path, allowing the user to perform an exercise of pedaling. 
     
     
         8 . The exercise apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the control interface of the at least one handle is operable to control two or more operating parameters of the exercise apparatus. 
     
     
         9 . The exercise apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the control interface of the at least one handle is configured to provide two or more graphical user interfaces for allowing the user to choose, each graphical user interface representing an operating interface for controlling a particular operating parameter of the exercise apparatus. 
     
     
         10 . The exercise apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the control interface of the at least one handle is provided for allowing the user to input commands of starting workout, pausing workout, resuming workout, or ending workout. 
     
     
         11 . The exercise apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising a difficulty changing device configured to change difficulty level of the exercise mechanism for the user to perform the exercise, wherein the difficulty changing device is electrically connected to the control unit, so that the user is capable of changing difficulty level of the exercise through the control interface of the handle. 
     
     
         12 . The exercise apparatus as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein the difficulty changing device comprises a resistance device configured to apply a predetermined resistance to the exercise mechanism and the user is capable of adjusting the resistance to the exercise mechanism through the control interface of the handle. 
     
     
         13 . An exercise apparatus, comprising:
 a frame;   an exercise mechanism having a movable element for allowing a user to perform an exercise;   a first handle mounted on the frame for the user to grasp, the first handle having a first control interface disposed on an upper portion thereof, the first control inter configured to control a first operating parameter of the exercise apparatus; and   a second handle mounted on the frame for the user to grasp, the second handle having a second control interface disposed on an upper portion thereof, the second control inter configured to control a second operating parameter of the exercise apparatus;   wherein both the first control interface and the second control interface are touch screens for allowing the user to input commands to control the operating parameters of the exercise apparatus.   
     
     
         14 . The exercise apparatus as claimed in claim  14 , further comprising a control unit electrically connected to the first control interface and the second control interface, the control unit configured to control the operating parameters of the exercise apparatus when receiving the commands from the first control interface or the second control interface. 
     
     
         15 . The exercise apparatus as claimed in  claim 14 , wherein the first control interface of the first handle and the second control interface of the second handle are operable to display graphical user interfaces for controlling functions of the exercise apparatus. 
     
     
         16 . The exercise apparatus as claimed in  claim 14 , further comprising a display device for displaying workout information to the user, wherein the first and second control interfaces are connected to the display device and are operable to display graphical user interfaces for controlling functions of the display device. 
     
     
         17 . The exercise apparatus as claimed in  claim 14 , wherein the movable element of the exercise mechanism is operable to move along a movement path, one of the first and second control interfaces being operable to provide an input option for adjusting an inclination of the movement path. 
     
     
         18 . The exercise apparatus as claimed in  claim 14 , wherein one of the first and second control interfaces is operable to provide an input option for changing difficulty level of the exercise mechanism for adjusting difficulty level of the exercise. 
     
     
         19 . The exercise apparatus as claimed in  claim 14 , wherein the exercise mechanism comprises one of a pedal mechanism for pedaling exercise, a running belt for running exercise, or a stair mechanism for stair climbing exercise. 
     
     
         20 . An exercise apparatus, comprising:
 a frame;   an exercise mechanism coupled to the frame, having a movable element for allowing a user to perform an exercise;   at least one handle mounted on the frame for the user to grasp, the at least one handle having a control interface disposed on an upper portion thereof, the control interface including a touch screen configured to display a graphical user interface for allowing the user to input a command; and   a control unit electrically connected to the control interface of the at least one handle, the control unit configured to control at least one operating parameter of the exercise apparatus when receiving the command from the control interface.