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: An exercise apparatus has a frame and first and second pedals that are coupled to the frame such that a user standing on the first and second pedals can perform a striding exercise. The first and second pedals each have a tread member that supports the bottom of a user's foot in a manner that encourages movement of the user's foot relative to the tread member during the striding exercise.

Abstract: A method of indicating an exercise footprint includes providing an exercise assembly having at least one exercise member that moves within the exercise footprint and controlling at least one illumination source to illuminate a floor surface to indicate at least a portion of the exercise footprint.

Abstract: In an elliptical step exercise apparatus a dynamic link mechanism can be used to vary the stride length of the machine. A control system can also be used to vary stride length as a function of various exercise and operating parameters such as speed and direction as well as varying stride length as a part of a preprogrammed exercise routine such as a hill or interval training program. In addition the control system can use measurements of stride length to optimize operation of the apparatus.

Abstract: In an elliptical step exercise apparatus a dynamic link mechanism can be used to vary the stride length of the machine. A control system can also be used to vary stride length as a function of various exercise and operating parameters such as speed and direction as well as varying stride length as a part of a preprogrammed exercise routine such as a hill or interval training program. In addition the control system can use measurements of stride length to optimize operation of the apparatus.

Abstract: Methods for profiling exercise sessions are described. An example method of determining cadence of a user disclosed herein includes receiving output signals from a sensor generated in response to consecutive footfalls of the user impacting a deck of a treadmill during an exercise session and processing the output signals from the sensor to determine respective magnitude values of a peak or a trough value of each of the output signals. The method includes detecting whether a first output signal has a first peak or trough value and detecting whether a second output signal has a second peak or trough value, determining a time interval between the first peak or trough value detected and the second peak or trough value detected, and calculating a cadence value of the user based on the time intervals.

Abstract: An exercise apparatus to simulate climbing is described that includes such features as arm handles that move in synchronism with the motion of foot pedals to provide a total body workout; side handrails; a mounting step; linear foot movement at a simulated climbing angle; a three point support structure using a vertical support column; pedal track covers; a mechanism to provide constant resistance to pedal motion; and pedal impact absorption.

Abstract: Methods for profiling exercise sessions are described. An example method of determining cadence of a user disclosed herein includes receiving output signals from a sensor generated in response to consecutive footfalls of the user impacting a deck of a treadmill during an exercise session and processing the output signals from the sensor to determine respective magnitude values of a peak or a trough value of each of the output signals. The method includes detecting whether a first output signal has a first peak or trough value and detecting whether a second output signal has a second peak or trough value, determining a time interval between the first peak or trough value detected and the second peak or trough value detected, and calculating a cadence value of the user based on the time intervals.

Abstract: To support a deck of an exercise treadmill one or more arcuate leaf springs are used in a deck support structure. The leaf springs can be made of a single member of elastomeric material. An adjustment mechanism can be used to changed the radius of the leaf springs in order to vary spring rates of the leaf springs. Where a number of different leaf springs are used, the adjustment mechanism can be used to adjust the spring rates of different springs independently.

Abstract: Methods for profiling exercise sessions are described. An example method for profiling an exercise session includes receiving physical characteristics or workout parameters via an input interface, generating output signals proportional to a magnitude of vertical forces imparted to the exercise machine by a user during the exercise session, and processing the output signals via a control system to determine the magnitude of peak or trough values of the output signals to profile the exercise session.

Abstract: In an elliptical step exercise apparatus a dynamic link mechanism can be used to vary the stride length of the machine. A control system can also be used to vary stride length as a function of various exercise and operating parameters such as speed and direction as well as varying stride length as a part of a preprogrammed exercise routine such as a hill or interval training program. In addition the control system can use measurements of stride length to optimize operation of the apparatus.

Abstract: Methods for profiling exercise sessions are described. An example method for profiling an exercise session includes receiving physical characteristics or workout parameters via an input interface, generating output signals proportional to a magnitude of vertical forces imparted to the exercise machine by a user during the exercise session, and processing the output signals via a control system to determine the magnitude of peak or trough values of the output signals to profile the exercise session.

Abstract: To support a deck of an exercise treadmill one or more arcuate leaf springs are used in a deck support structure. The leaf springs can be made of a single member of elastomeric material. An adjustment mechanism can be used to changed the radius of the leaf springs in order to vary spring rates of the leaf springs. Where a number of different leaf springs are used, the adjustment mechanism can be used to adjust the spring rates of different springs independently.

Abstract: Sensing applications for exercise machines are described. An example sensing application for profiling a workout session of an exercise machine comprises a user interface to input physical characteristics or workout parameters. A sensor is operatively coupled to the exercise machine to generate an output signal in proportion to a magnitude of a force imparted on the exercise machine in response to an impact to the exercise machine. A control system processes the output signal to determine a magnitude of a peak or trough value of the output signal, where the control system is to process the peak or trough value of the output signal to profile the exercise session.

Abstract: In an elliptical step exercise apparatus a dynamic link mechanism can be used to vary the stride length of the machine. A control system can also be used to vary stride length as a function of various exercise and operating parameters such as speed and direction as well as varying stride length as a part of a preprogrammed exercise routine such as a hill or interval training program. In addition the control system can use measurements of stride length to optimize operation of the apparatus.

Abstract: To support a deck of an exercise treadmill one or more arcuate leaf springs are used in a deck support structure. The leaf springs can be made of a single member of elastomeric material. An adjustment mechanism can be used to change the radius of the leaf springs in order to vary spring rates of the leaf springs. Where a number of different leaf springs are used, the adjustment mechanism can be used to adjust the spring rates of different springs independently.

Abstract: An exercise apparatus to simulate climbing is described that includes such features as arm handles that move in synchronism with the motion of foot pedals to provide a total body workout; side handrails; a mounting step; linear foot movement at a simulated climbing angle; a three point support structure using a vertical support column; pedal track covers; a mechanism to provide constant resistance to pedal motion; and pedal impact absorption.

Abstract: An exercise apparatus to simulate climbing is described that includes such features as arm handles that move in synchronism with the motion of foot pedals to provide a total body workout; side handrails; a mounting step; linear foot movement at a simulated climbing angle; a three point support structure using a vertical support column; pedal track covers; a mechanism to provide constant resistance to pedal motion; and pedal impact absorption.

Abstract: An exercise apparatus to simulate climbing is described that includes such features as arm handles that move in synchronism with the motion of foot pedals to provide a total body workout; side handrails; a mounting step; linear foot movement at a simulated climbing angle; a three point support structure using a vertical support column; pedal track covers; a mechanism to provide constant resistance to pedal motion; and pedal impact absorption.

Abstract: In an elliptical step exercise apparatus a dynamic link mechanism can be used to vary the stride length of the machine. A control system can also be used to vary stride length as a function of various exercise and operating parameters such as speed and direction as well as varying stride length as a part of a preprogrammed exercise routine such as a hill or interval training program. In addition the control system can use measurements of stride length to optimize operation of the apparatus.