Abstract: An exercise apparatus with a generator. The exercise apparatus includes a frame, a rotating component, a generator, and a battery. The rotating component is rotatably connected to the frame and the rotating component rotates in response to operation of the exercise apparatus. The generator is connected to the rotating component and the frame. The generator includes a rotor connected to the rotating component and a stator. The rotor rotates in response to rotation of the rotating component. The stator is connected to the frame. The stator interacts with the rotor to produce electric current at an output. In one embodiment, the battery is connected to the output wherein the battery is charged by electric current from the generator.

Abstract: A device for motivating a user of an exercise machine while working out indoors. The device includes an exercise machine, a display connected to the exercise machine, a processor, and a sensor. The processor dynamically creates a workout in response to initialization information. The workout includes a plurality of segments, wherein a segment of the plurality of segments satisfies one or more requirements of the workout. The processor selects one or more video clips that correspond to the segment of the plurality of segments.

Abstract: A dual treadle treadmill. The dual treadle treadmill includes a frame, a first treadle, a second treadle, and a generator. The first treadle and the second treadle are each pivotally coupled with the frame and each have a moving surface. The generator is operably associated with the first treadle such that the generator is driven in response to the first treadle pivoting relative to the frame. Other embodiments of dual treadle treadmills are also described.

Abstract: A dual treadle treadmill. The dual treadle treadmill includes a frame, a first treadle, a second treadle, a clutch axle, and a tensioning mechanism. The first treadle and the second treadle are each pivotally coupled with the frame and each have a moving surface. The clutch axle includes an axle, a first driver, and a second driver. The axle is rotatably connected to the frame. The first driver is coupled to the axle by a first clutch. The first clutch transmits torque between the first driver and the axle in response to the first driver rotating in a first direction relative to the axle. The first treadle is connected to the first driver through a first link such that the first driver is rotated in a first direction in response to the first treadle being pivoted in the first direction. The tensioning mechanism maintains a tension on the first link.

Abstract: An exercise machine can include a motivating and instructional user interface or display. The interface can include a virtual coach or other encouraging stimulus to provide key motivation for users of indoor exercise machines.

Abstract: An exercise apparatus with a generator. The exercise apparatus includes a frame, a rotating component, a generator, and a battery. The rotating component is rotatably connected to the frame and the rotating component rotates in response to operation of the exercise apparatus. The generator is connected to the rotating component and the frame. The generator includes a rotor connected to the rotating component and a stator. The rotor rotates in response to rotation of the rotating component. The stator is connected to the frame. The stator interacts with the rotor to produce electric current at an output. In one embodiment, the battery is connected to the output wherein the battery is charged by electric current from the generator.

Abstract: A cycle with tapered drivetrain connections. The cycle includes a frame, a crank rotatably connected to the frame, and a driven wheel rotatably connected to the frame. The crank includes a crank arm and a crank spindle rotatably connected to the frame and non-rotatably connected to the crank arm. The crank spindle includes a crank mating surface to interface with the crank arm. The diameter of the crank spindle continuously decreases along at least a portion of the crank mating surface in a lateral direction. The crank arm includes a crank bore to interface with the crank mating surface. At least a portion of the crank bore has a diameter that continuously decreases in lateral direction. At least a portion of the crank bore taper has a taper rate and diameter equal to a taper rate and diameter of at least a portion of the crank spindle taper.

Abstract: An exercise machine can include a motivating and instructional user interface or display. The interface can include a virtual coach or other encouraging stimulus to provide key motivation for users of indoor exercise machines.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure include a user detection system for exercise equipment, such as a treadmill. In an embodiment, a sensor monitors displacement between a deck supporting a moveable treadmill belt and aspects of a treadmill frame. As users interact with the treadmill, a processor uses a sensor signal indicative of the displacement to determine whether a user has mounted the treadmill belt.

Abstract: An elliptical exercise machine features a pair of translating members to which a pair of foot members is axially secured. The foot members each pivots with respect to the associated translating member. The generated motion allows a user to lock a knee before beginning downward movement and allows a user to bend the same knee before beginning forward movement such that the motion is more natural for the user.

Abstract: An exercise machine including a weight measurement system which provides a signal representative of a user's weight. An embodiment of the weight measurement system includes at least one load cell outputting a signal used by a microprocessor to determine an accurate value of the users weight. An embodiment of the weight measurement system includes a plurality of load cells using a Wheatstone bridge configuration to output a signal representative of a user's weight regardless of whether the weight is evenly distributed across each load cell. A calibration process calibrates the load cells for each exercise machine.

Abstract: An exercise machine has a frame and an operating linkage. The operating linkage includes any of a number of mechanisms that can adjust a foot trace generated by the linkage. In one configuration, the foot trace can be adjusted between at least a generally vertical trace and a generally horizontal trace.

Abstract: An elliptical machine has a frame and an operating linkage between the frame and foot supports. Each side of the operating linkage comprises five links that are connected with five pin joints. A foot support is connected to each side of the operating linkage with each of the five pin joints being positioned forward of the foot support.

Abstract: An exercise machine that varies a resistive load based on sensed changes in intensity of exercise. In one example, an electronic control system of a stationary bicycle adjusts a flywheel resistive load based on changes in the user's pedal cadence. During the exercise routine, subsequent increases or decreases in the pedal cadence cause, respectively, increases or decreases in the flywheel resistive load. In addition, the control system may execute the exercise routine after actuation of a single input key. In another embodiment, the user may simply start to exercise. The electronic control system may calculate a default flywheel resistive load based on initialization parameters, such as demographic data and/or exercise preferences.

Abstract: A guard assembly for exercise bikes has a master sprocket guard and a slave sprocket guard that are separate from each other and that are positioned between a master sprocket and a slave sprocket. A flexible transmitter such as a belt or chain extends through a portion of the master sprocket guard and the slave sprocket guard but does not make more than incidental contact with the guards.

Abstract: A stationary exercise machine includes a system for electronically controlling a pedal resistance so as to simulate the riding of a road-going bicycle. The exercise machine includes a control system that monitors pedal velocity and that controls the resistive load generated by an electronically-controlled resistance mechanism. In one example, an electromagnetic device may vary a resistive load placed on a flywheel, which, in turn, varies the pedal resistance experienced by a user. When the user increases the pedal velocity, the resistance mechanism increases the resistive load. When the user decreases the pedal velocity, the resistance mechanism decreases the resistive load. In another example, the resistance mechanism varies the resistive load based on a gear selection by the user. The control system may also take into account other factors, such as the grade of the simulated ride, simulated wind resistance, or other frictional forces when calculating the resistive load.