Abstract: A folding treadmill having a rotating bed assembly with a frame pivotally interconnected at one end to a stationary support structure, the weight of the bed assembly being balanced during rotation between a closed, generally vertical, position and an open, generally horizontal position by a counterbalancing cam assembly is provided by the present invention. In the preferred embodiment the cam assembly includes a pair of cams interconnected to the frame of the bed assembly, and a torque tube subassembly to impose lifting force against the rotating bed assembly through cam followers disposed between the cams and the torque tube so as to balance the bed assembly against the force of gravity through the range of rotational movement of the bed assembly.

Abstract: A pair of handles are provided for attachment to an exercising apparatus having at least one that cable that provides resistance to a force exerted on the cable. Each handle is formed of a handgrip of a size suitable for grasping in the hand of a user. Each handle also includes a single, solid, rigid rod bent to define a straight, cylindrical grip attachment portion that fits within the hand grip, a straight proximal portion that is inclined relative to the grip attachment portion at two angles, considered in two orthogonal planes of reference, both of which contain the axis of the grip attachment portion, an arcuately curved intermediate portion, and a straight, distal portion. An omnidirectional cable coupling is provided at the distal portion of the rod. The rods are formed in mirror image to each other, considered in the second reference plane.

Abstract: An exercise apparatus alters the elevation of a person based on the person's level of exertion. The exercise itself may involve bodily motion and/or isometric exercise performed by the person's arms and/or legs. The elevating process may be directly linked to the exercise motion and/or controlled electronically.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for controlling an electric treadmill which includes emission type sensor sets (e.g. infrared, etc.) arranged at two proper places of the treadmill and connected to the control console, thereby creating air sensing fields covering a specific range. Therefore, the operator can give any intentional signal that is detectable by the sensor during the walking exercise session. Thereafter, the sensor orders the control console to perform a control action to the controlled motor on receipt of the intentional signal of the operator.

Abstract: A computer controlled exercise machine, particularly adapted for running exercises, virtually eliminates inertial effects and controls resistance to pushing and pulling as a function of instantaneous position in a stroke and/or instantaneous velocity, using the controlled flow of working fluid through computer-controlled valves and sensors of various system parameters in a feedback loop.

Abstract: An exercise device with an elongated, angular body having a first end and a second end where the first end has a first chuck and the second end has a second chuck is disclosed. The first and second chucks are adapted to hold many different sizes, shapes, textures, and styles of turning knobs. The exercise device includes a tripod upon which the body may be mounted. The device also includes different gear ranges so that a range of resistance levels is available. A variety of different styles of turning knobs may be used with the device in order to provide a range of prehension, or grasping and seizing actions made by the hand.

Abstract: A cardiovascular exercise program that includes selectable virtual and real time directed and/or guided exercises particularly adapted for stationary exercise equipment. The program may be performed by individuals in virtual or actual groups. The program allows individual participants to ascertain their ongoing physical conditions such that the participants may customize the exercise program criteria to reflect recognition of such ongoing physical conditions. The program may be performed in a delayed or real-time mode, and includes a particular form of guidance that enables an individual to achieve objectives of self awareness and exercising at appropriate levels through a unique combination of verbal queues, guidance, motivation, entertainment, community, participation, and achievement monitoring. Thus, an individual can increase his or her level of fitness by controlling their perceived level of exertion and the performance of their heart during exercise through guidance and monitoring.

Abstract: This system includes a self-contained, non-invasive system for collecting work and power performance data on nearly any kind of repetitive-motion exercise. See the glossary for definitions of terms used in this specification. It is non-invasive in that no permanent modifications need made to existing exercise equipment. It is a battery-powered system that remotely senses iterations of a moving part or body member, and records them with a time-stamp. It also records weight and distance of travel if they are input—but for some exercises this function may be deemed not necessary, or ignored. If time, weight, and distance are known then work and power metrics can be calculated on the data when it is analyzed on a host computer. This data can then be graphed to provide comparisons from workout session to workout session. The user can detect trends, and differences in performance as workout variables are manipulated.

Abstract: A system of hit detection and signaling for fencing, in particular for the epee, includes, for each adversary, an outfit completely conductive surface wise, a fencing conductive mask endowed with a luminous hit signaling device and a weapon, in particular an epee, a guard made of an isolating material or covered with an isolating material and whose tip at least is conductive, the outfit and the mask, and the tip of the weapon for each adversary being connected, separately, to a hit detection unit, appearing as a central detection and signaling unit to which they are wired or as a portable unit carried by each adversary also connected to the luminous signaling device and to the conductive soles of shoes worn by the appropriate adversary.

Abstract: A robotic exoskeleton and a control system for driving the robotic exoskeleton, including a method for making and using the robotic exoskeleton and its control system. The robotic exoskeleton has sensors embedded in it which provide feedback to the control system. Feedback is used from the motion of the legs themselves, as they deviate from a normal gait, to provide corrective pressure and guidance. The position versus time is sensed and compared to a normal gait profile. Various normal profiles are obtained based on studies of the population for age, weight, height and other variables.

Abstract: The present invention is an exercise device comprising a flexor and a board. The present invention is also an exercise device comprising a flexor and an insert. The flexor has two arms, each of which has an end. The corresponding ends, one from each arm, are apart and the two arms are resistant to forces that tend to bring the corresponding flexible ends closer to each other. The board can be attached to one of the arms of the flexor. In another embodiment, the board can be attached to one of the arms of the flexor at different positions to provide different levels of resistance. The insert can stay between the two arms of the flexor and provide additional resistance to forces that tend to bring the corresponding ends of the two arms closer to each other.

Abstract: An exercise harness has a plurality of attachment points positioned on a waist element and a shoulder element, a plurality of gripping means, and a plurality of resistive members. Each resistive member includes a first end adapted to be coupled to an attachment point and a second end affixed to a gripping means. Alternatively, the shoulder element of the exercise harness has a right side and a left side. Each of a plurality of resistive members has a first end and a second end each affixed to a gripping means. Stabilizing means are provided to produce tension in the first resistive member when the other end thereof is pulled. Stabilizing means can be positioned at the user's shoulder and waist regions.

Abstract: A resistance adjustment mechanism for an easy pull exerciser mainly comprises an outer shell, adjustment device, winding wheel and gear axis. The outer shell is composed of the first and second shells. The first shell has an adjustment device containing a rotating knob, a retainer and a one-way clutch bearing. The retainer is clamped and attached to the first shell with outside for the rotating knob's thread stud to pass through. Normally, the teeth on gear axis match the inner ring gear of the second shell. A flexible arrangement for gear axis makes the gear axis rotate under inward pressure, so the degree of tightness for the spiral spring can be adjusted to control the resilient force for the pull string. Therefore, when back to the normal state, the gear axis is positioned to the inner ring gear. The mechanism provides easy adjustment and secured position for the gear axis.

Abstract: A training apparatus designed to improve the physical readiness level of the low back and pelvic girdle of an individual includes a frame, a seat, a pivot mechanism mounted on the frame and providing a pivot point, an exercise arm rotatable about the pivot point, and a resistance assembly rotatable about the pivot point. An interlocking mechanism interlocks the exercise arm and the resistance assembly such that they rotate as a single unit about the pivot point of the pivot mechanism. The angle between the exercise arm and the resistance assembly is selectable. The resistance assembly includes at least a first resistance lever arm and, preferably, a second resistance lever arm. The first resistance lever arm includes a counterweight. The second resistance lever arm has a weight attachment mechanism for attaching a stress weight thereto, and the second resistance lever arm is angularly offset from the first resistance lever arm by an angle about the pivot point of the pivot mechanism.

Abstract: Disclosed is a concentric control system for exercise apparatuses and a method thereof, and more particularly, to a concentric control system and method for exercise apparatuses that is capable of inputting data relevant to user's exercise and based upon the exercise quantity taken by the user, controlling the exercise apparatuses. The concentric control system includes an exercise program storing unit in which an exercise program is stored in order to designate an adequate quantity of exercise at a time when a user uses a predetermined exercise apparatus, a comparing unit for receiving the exercise quantity of the user measured from the predetermined exercise apparatus during the exercise and comparing the received data with data on the exercise quantity of the user designated by the exercise program and a central processing unit for outputting a control signal controlling the electronic controllers of the exercise apparatuses, based upon the comparing result of the comparing unit.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a gait rehabilitation aid and to a method for aiding gait rehabilitation. The gait rehabilitation aid resides in a treadmill having a belt which speed matches a user's own step cycle based on let length and which provides feedback in the form of an evaluation with respect to the user's length, cadence, gait velocity and gait pattern. A controller that is responsive to a user input device is employed to input information that inputs information pertaining to any one of cadence and leg length sets the belt speed to match an appropriate step cycle. In addition, footprints are scrolled on a display together with foot falls that correspond to actual heel strike events on the treadmill belt. The footprints appear in accordance with the user's own step cycle.

Abstract: An exercise system including an exercise device at a user location includes a controller at the user location for controlling the exercise device. A control location remote from the user location and a communication system for transmitting information between the exercise device and the control location are provided. A sensor at the user location determines user location information and applies the user location information to the communication system for transmission to the control location. Control information is applied to the communication system by the control location in response to the user location information for transmission to the controller to control the exercise device according to the control information. Thus, the present invention is an interactive fitness system for permitting a user of a programmable exercise device to interact with a fitness server device while the user is in a location remote from the fitness server device.

Abstract: The jump rope device employs DC motors to rotate two ropes and a dual closed loop control system is used to synchronize the turning movements of the two ropes. An infrared beam is used to monitor the use of the machine by a user. Each motor housing is mounted on a tripod support which can be collapsed for ease of transportation and storage. A floor mat with sensors may be employed for various exercises.

Abstract: A training machine including a load unit (13) and a pedal (12) or the like for providing an exerciser with predetermined exercise and a display (17) for displaying an image, further including a storage unit (24) for storing a reference range of the heart rate of the exerciser being exercising, a storage unit (24) for storing a plurality of types of images, a heart rate sensor (21A) for sensing the heart rate of the exerciser, a sensor signal detection processing unit and display-audio output processing unit (27B, 27A) for judging whether the exercising state of the exerciser is proper, wherein the display-audio output processing unit (27A) retrieves the image corresponding to the exercising state from the storage unit (24) and displays it on a display unit (17).

Abstract: Exercise Gets Personal® is a system and method for delivering personalized exercise and injury prevention information based on identification and analysis of user-specific health and fitness indicators. By providing instruction for safe and effective cardiovascular, muscle conditioning and flexibility exercises, this invention assists healthy users in improving their physical fitness through exercise. The users' exercise programs are designed for safe progressions through four-week program guidelines in different levels. The Exercise Gets Personal® system is accessed by the user directly through the Internet or licensed Intranet, or through the guidance of an intake coordinator, personal trainer, or other qualified health/fitness professional.