Abstract: An interactive exercise pad system (10) receives exercise data (108) from a user (24) stepping on and off of an exercise pad (12). The exercise data (108) is optionally pre-processed in a data acquisition unit 14, before being communicated to a communications port (30) of a computer (16). The computer (16) obtains data files (82) which have been pre-stored on media (80). The data files (82) include video files (84), optional audio files (86), and table files (88) of location and terrain information. The video files (84) and the table files (88) are collected from a real exercise course. The computer (16) processes the exercise data (108) and the data files (82) to playback the video files (84) and the optional audio files (86) so that the user (24) experiences a realistic simulation of the real exercise course.

Abstract: An interactive exercise system including exercise equipment having a resistance system, a speed sensor, a controller that varies the resistance setting of the exercise equipment, and a playback device for playing pre-recorded video and audio. The controller, operating in conjunction with speed information from the speed sensor and terrain information from media table files, dynamically varies the resistance setting of the exercise equipment in order to simulate varying degrees of difficulty while the playback device concurrently plays back the video and audio to create the simulation that the user is exercising in a natural setting such as a real-world exercise course.