Abstract: An exercise machine is for performing a striding exercise motion. The exercise machine has frame; first and second pedal members; first and second foot pads on the first and second pedal members, respectively, each of the first and second foot pads being configured to move in an elliptical path during the striding exercise motion; first and second rocker arms pivotally coupled to the frame; and first and second adjustment devices configured to actively adjust and set a position of the first and second pedal members relative to the first and second rocker arms, respectively, which thereby changes a shape of the elliptical path.

Abstract: A method for controlling a fitness machine having a light. The method includes receiving a preset time for a user to perform an exercise using the fitness machine, receiving a request to start the exercise, and controlling the light in a first operating mode. The method further includes counting an elapsed time since the exercise was started, determining a remaining time as a difference between the elapsed time and the preset time, and comparing the remaining time to a threshold time. The method further includes changing the light to a second operating mode different than the first operating mode when the remaining time is less than the threshold time to thereby indicate that the exercise will be ending.

Abstract: A method of making a fitness machine. The method includes providing a base device with which an operator may exercise and providing handles each having a non-conductive portion and a conductive portion, the conductive portion being electroplated. The method further includes coupling the handles to the base device so as to be gripped by the operator while exercising and electrically coupling the conductive portion of each of the handles to a control system configured to determine cardiac information for the operator, where the conductive portion of each of the handles receives electrical activity from the operator when gripped, and where the conductive portion is electrically coupled such that the electrical activity is provided to the control system for determining the cardiac information for the operator based thereon.

Abstract: A method for controlling a fitness machine by a user, where the method includes storing intensity ratings within a memory device, and the intensity ratings correspond to an intensity for the user operating the fitness machine. The method includes displaying initial operating levels selectable to control the fitness machine, where the intensity for the user varies for each of the initial operating levels. The method includes determining and displaying the intensity rating associated with each of the initial operating levels, receiving a selection from the initial operating levels and automatically controlling the fitness machine to operate according thereto, displaying, after receiving the selection among the initial operating levels, new operating levels selectable to control the fitness machine, and determining and displaying the intensity ratings associated with each of the new operating levels. At least one of the new operating levels and one of the initial operating levels are different.

Abstract: An exercise machine has a flywheel, a rotary input member, and a clutch mechanism that is positionable in a freewheel position in which rotation of the rotary input member causes rotation of the flywheel and wherein thereafter ceasing rotation of the rotary input member permits continued rotation of the flywheel. The clutch mechanism is alternately positionable in a direct drive position in which rotation of the rotary input member causes rotation of the flywheel and wherein thereafter ceasing rotation of the rotary input member prevents continued rotation of the flywheel. Advantageously, movement of the clutch mechanism from the freewheel position to the direct drive position is prevented when rotation of the rotary input member is out of synchronization with rotation of the flywheel.

Abstract: A fitness machine providing shock absorption for a user operating the fitness machine. The fitness machine includes a base, at least one member engageable by the user and moveable relative to the base during operation of the fitness machine, and a resilient body that resists movement of the at least one member towards the base so as to provide shock absorption for the user, wherein the resistance provided by the resilient body is adjustable. The fitness machine further includes a control system configured to receive from the user a shock setting corresponding to how much shock absorption is desired, and to receive other than from the user a secondary input, wherein the control system is further configured to adjust the resistance provided by the resilient body based on the shock setting and the secondary input.

Abstract: A bi-directional exercise machine has a work arm, first and second cams coupled to the work arm, a resistance mechanism, and a pulley assembly that couples the resistance mechanism to the work arm via the first and second cams so that movement of the work arm is resisted by the resistance mechanism according to first and second resistance profiles provided by the first and second cams, respectfully. A primary pulley cable has a first end coupled to the first cam and a second end coupled to the second cam. When the work arm is in a rest position, the ends of the primary pulley cable extend from cable tracks of the cams, respectively, at a tangent so that the resistance mechanism applies a resistance force on the work arm via the pulley assembly immediately upon movement of the work arm out of the rest position.

Abstract: A fitness machine operable by a user. The fitness machine includes a base that extends in a length direction, a width direction, and a height direction that are perpendicular to each other. A mobile portion is configured to support the user during operation of the fitness machine. A resilient body is configured to provide a resistance against the mobile portion moving towards the base in the height direction. A frame is moveable in the length direction relative to the base to adjust the resistance provided by the resilient body. A fastener assembly moveably couples the frame to the base, where the fastener assembly is configured to expand in the width direction to prevent the frame from moving in the width direction relative to the base during operation of the fitness machine.

Abstract: A bi-directional exercise machine has a work arm, first and second cams coupled to the work arm, a resistance mechanism, and a pulley assembly that couples the resistance mechanism to the work arm via the first and second cams so that movement of the work arm is resisted by the resistance mechanism according to first and second resistance profiles provided by the first and second cams, respectfully. A primary pulley cable has a first end coupled to the first cam and a second end coupled to the second cam. When the work arm is in a rest position, the ends of the primary pulley cable extend from cable tracks of the cams, respectively, at a tangent so that the resistance mechanism applies a resistance force on the work arm via the pulley assembly immediately upon movement of the work arm out of the rest position.

Abstract: A load sensor includes a bolt configured to support a pulley of a weight machine, and a strain gauge laminated onto an exterior surface of a shoulder section of the bolt.

Abstract: A bi-directional exercise machine has a work arm, first and second cams coupled to the work arm, a resistance mechanism, and a pulley assembly that couples the resistance mechanism to the work arm via the first and second cams so that movement of the work arm is resisted by the resistance mechanism according to first and second resistance profiles provided by the first and second cams, respectfully. A primary pulley cable has a first end coupled to the first cam and a second end coupled to the second cam. When the work arm is in a rest position, the ends of the primary pulley cable extend from cable tracks of the cams, respectively, at a tangent so that the resistance mechanism applies a resistance force on the work arm via the pulley assembly immediately upon movement of the work arm out of the rest position.

Abstract: An exercise machine is for performing a striding exercise motion. The exercise machine has a frame, first and second pedal members, first and second foot pads on the first and second pedal members, respectively, wherein the first and second foot pads are configured to move in respective elliptical paths during the striding exercise motion, and first and second rocker arms. The first and second pedal members are pivotably coupled to the first and second rocker arms and move with the first and second rocker arms relative to the frame. An adjustment device pivotably couples the first and second rocker arms to the frame. The adjustment device is configured to actively adjust and set a position of the first and second rocker arms relative to the frame, respectively, which thereby changes an incline shape of the elliptical paths, respectively, during the striding exercise motion.

Abstract: An exercise machine is for performing a striding exercise motion. The exercise machine has frame; first and second pedal members; first and second foot pads on the first and second pedal members, respectively, each of the first and second foot pads being configured to move in an elliptical path during the striding exercise motion; first and second rocker arms pivotally coupled to the frame; and first and second adjustment devices configured to actively adjust and set a position of the first and second pedal members relative to the first and second rocker arms, respectively, which thereby changes a shape of the elliptical path.

Abstract: A fitness machine operable by a user. The fitness machine has a base and a mobile portion that moves relative to the base during operation. A resilient body resists movement of the mobile portion towards the base in a height direction. The resilient body has a length defined in a length direction that is perpendicular to the height direction. The length of the resilient body increases when the mobile portion moves towards the base. An end stop is operable to prevent the length of the resilient body from increasing beyond a set maximum. The end stop is moveable to adjust the set maximum for the length of the resilient body, where a resistance provided by the resilient body to resist movement of the mobile portion towards the base is unaffected by moving the end stop when the length of the resilient member is less than the set maximum.

Abstract: An exercise machine has a flywheel, a rotary input member, and a clutch mechanism that is positionable in a freewheel position in which rotation of the rotary input member causes rotation of the flywheel and wherein thereafter ceasing rotation of the rotary input member permits continued rotation of the flywheel. The clutch mechanism is alternately positionable in a direct drive position in which rotation of the rotary input member causes rotation of the flywheel and wherein thereafter ceasing rotation of the rotary input member prevents continued rotation of the flywheel. Advantageously, movement of the clutch mechanism from the freewheel position to the direct drive position is prevented when rotation of the rotary input member is out of synchronization with rotation of the flywheel.

Abstract: An exercise machine is for performing a striding exercise motion. The exercise machine has frame; first and second pedal members; first and second foot pads on the first and second pedal members, respectively, each of the first and second foot pads being configured to move in an elliptical path during the striding exercise motion; first and second rocker arms pivotally coupled to the frame; and first and second adjustment devices configured to actively adjust and set a position of the first and second pedal members relative to the first and second rocker arms, respectively, which thereby changes a shape of the elliptical path.

Abstract: A fitness machine providing shock absorption for a user operating the fitness machine. The fitness machine includes a base and a mobile portion engageable by the user and moveable relative to the base during operation of the fitness machine. A resilient body resists movement of the mobile portion towards the base in a height direction, where the resilient body has first and second ends defining a length therebetween, and where the length is defined in a length direction that is perpendicular to the height direction. A stop wall is engageable by the resilient body, where the length of the resilient body increases when the mobile portion moves towards the base until the second end engages with the stop wall. The resilient body provides shock absorption for the user.

Abstract: A bi-directional exercise machine has a work arm, first and second cams coupled to the work arm, a resistance mechanism, and a pulley assembly that couples the resistance mechanism to the work arm via the first and second cams so that movement of the work arm is resisted by the resistance mechanism according to first and second resistance profiles provided by the first and second cams, respectfully. The pulley assembly has a primary pulley cable having a first end coupled to the first cam and a second end coupled to the second cam. When the work arm is in a rest position the first and second ends of the primary pulley cable both extend from cable tracks of the first and second cams, respectively, at a tangent, and in particular so that the resistance mechanism applies a resistance force on the work arm via the pulley assembly immediately upon movement of the work arm out of the rest position.