Abstract: Apparatus and method for monitoring exercise activity and exercise responses of a user/patient. The monitoring apparatus and method forms the basis of a physical fitness system or a patient rehabilitation system for rehabilitating cardiac, orthopedic or other patients that require physiological monitoring during a therapy session. The system includes a patient station which in the case of cardiac rehabilitation includes an ECG monitor and a transmitting unit for transmitting ECG data and patient speech signals over a voice grade phone line. A base unit, located at a remote location, receives a composite analog signal containing the ECG data and voice signal and includes signal processing devices for separating the signal and for continuously storing the ECG data on a mass storage device for the entire therapy session. At the conclusion of the therapy session, selected portions of the stored ECG data can be transferred to a removable storage medium such as a floppy disk.