Abstract: An embodiment of an exercise system includes an exercise monitoring device that gathers data regarding an outdoor exercise routine. Additionally, a remote communication system communicatively connectable to the exercise monitoring device is receptive to the data regarding the outdoor exercise routine such that the remote communication system generates an exercise program based on the data regarding the outdoor exercise routine. Furthermore, an exercise device that is communicatively connectable to the remote communication system may receive the exercise program and simulate one or more aspects of the outdoor exercise routine.

Abstract: A portable system retrieves one or more exercise programs from a remote communication system that provides motivational content for a user exercising upon an exercise mechanism. The exercise program further includes at least one control signal that controls one or more operating parameters of the exercise mechanism. The portable system includes a control device configured to retrieve the exercise program and deliver the motivational content to the user by way of an audio delivery device, while delivering the control signals to the exercise mechanism. A sensor communicates with the control device and tracks one or more measurable parameters of the user during the user's performance of the exercise program. Data representative of the one or more measurable parameters can be delivered to the control device for delivery to the remote communication system.

Abstract: A portable system retrieves one or more exercise programs from a remote communication system that provides motivational content for a user exercising upon an exercise mechanism. The exercise program further includes at least one control signal that controls one or more operating parameters of the exercise mechanism. The portable system includes a control device configured to retrieve the exercise program and deliver the motivational content to the user by way of an audio delivery device, while delivering the control signals to the exercise mechanism. A sensor communicates with the control device and tracks one or more measurable parameters of the user during the user's performance of the exercise program. Data representative of the one or more measurable parameters can be delivered to the control device for delivery to the remote communication system.

Abstract: An exercise device includes a frame having a cable and pulley system connected thereto. The cable and pulley system includes at least one pulley and at least one cable strand. The at least one cable strand has a handle connected thereto for use in performing exercises. One or more vibration assemblies are connected to the at least one pulley in order to vibrate the at least one cable strand. The vibrations from the vibration assemblies are transferred to a user during the performance of exercise to provide various physiological benefits to the user.

Abstract: A workout system includes one or more exercise machines with adjustable difficulty settings. A wireless tracking device measures workout difficulty parameter values of a participant's workout and communicates the difficulty parameter values to the one or more exercise machines. The difficulty settings of the one or more exercise machines are adjusted based on the difficulty parameter values.

Abstract: An exercise device is configured to enable a user to interact with a trainer in real-time communication. The exercise device includes an exercise mechanism having a movable element for movement in performance of exercise by a user. Communicating with the exercise mechanism is an interface adapted for gathering a first real-time signal from the user. The interface communicates with a communication system for receiving a packetized second real-time signal including a synchronized control signal from the trainer. The exercise device includes an output device configured to reproduce the second real-time signal. The control signals carried by the second signal are used to control the operating parameters of the exercise mechanism in real-time.

Abstract: A control ring that usable in adjusting one or more operating parameters of an exercise device includes a body, user input mechanisms, and a transmitter. The control ring is wearable on a finger of an exerciser. The body of the control ring has an interior surface and an exterior surface. The user input mechanisms are associated with the body and may be selectively activated by the exerciser. Upon activation of the user input mechanisms, the transmitter communicates a control command to an exercise device in order to adjust the operating parameters of the exercise device.

Abstract: An exercise cycle includes a base support and an upright support structure. Connected to the upright support structure are a seat, a handlebar assembly, a pedal assembly, and a resistance assembly. The upright support structure may be pivotally connected to the base support to allow the upright support structure to move between various tilted positions. One or more vibration assemblies may be connected to the exercise cycle at various locations in order to vibrate desired portions of the exercise cycle, such as the handlebar assembly, the seat, or the pedal assembly. The vibrations are transferred to a user during the performance of exercise to provide various physiological benefits to the user.

Abstract: A treadmill includes a support structure and a treadbase connected thereto. The treadbase has first and second opposing side rails extending along at least a portion of first and second sides of the treadbase, respectively. A deck is connected to and between the first and second opposing side rails. Front and rear pulleys are connected to and between the first and second opposing side rails. A continuous belt is trained around and rotatable about the front and rear pulleys. One or more vibration assemblies are connected to the deck and selectively create vibrations to cause the deck to vibrate. The vibrations are transferred to a user during the performance of exercise to provide various physiological benefits to the user.

Abstract: An exercise device includes a frame having a base support and an upright support structure. Connected to the frame is a drive assembly. One or more link arm are connected between the drive assembly and the frame. The one or more link arms include first and second reciprocating foot supports and first and second swing arms. One or more vibration assemblies are connected to the exercise device at various locations in order to vibrate desired portions of the exercise device, such as the foot supports or swing arms. The vibrations from the vibration assemblies are transferred to a user during the performance of exercise to provide various physiological benefits to the user.

Abstract: A system incentivizes people to engage in physical activity. A person's physical activity may be monitored over a period of time. Such monitoring may occur by using a sensing device carried or worn by the user. In the system, one or more thresholds for physical activity are established. Information tracked using the sensing device can be compared to the thresholds. A percentage of physical activity relative to the threshold can be translated to a reward established for the physical activity, and the percentage may be used to determine a reward value for an electronic device relative to a full available value. Rewards may include times or amounts. Time values may indicate durations during which particular activities or devices may be used. Amount values may indicate an amount of a battery charge, a number of communications, a currency value, or other values relative to use of an electronic device.

Abstract: An exercise system stimulates the learning and memory of a user by detecting a stress level of the user with one or more biometric sensor devices, determining that the user's stress level is within a stress zone that is suitable for memory retention by the user, and presenting educational content to the user at one or more output devices.

Abstract: A free weight system for collecting and transmitting exercise related data from a free weight device includes a free weight handle assembly having a gripping portion and a weight receiving portion, one or more weight plates positionable on the weight receiving portions, and a data collecting mechanism at least partially enclosed within an internal cavity of the free weight handle assembly. The data collecting mechanism includes a weight identification mechanism that identifies the weight of the one or more weight plates.

Abstract: A treadbelt for a treadmill may comprise a major surface comprising a plurality of tufts extending therethrough. The treadbelt may further comprise a first textile layer and a plurality of fibers extending through the first textile layer to provide the plurality of tufts. Additionally, the plurality of fibers may be sized, shaped and positioned to exhibit the appearance of turf. An additional treadbelt may comprise a major surface comprising a plurality of protrusions extending therefrom. The plurality of protrusions may be spatially distributed on the major surface of the treadbelt in an irregular and non-repeating configuration and may comprise irregular and non-repeating shapes. In some embodiments, a treadbelt may comprise a major surface configured to approximate to a runner the impact response of at least one of turf, sand, a trail, a ground vulcanized rubber track, and a hardwood surface.

Abstract: An exercise system includes a simulation system simulating real-world terrain based on environmental and other real-world conditions. Using topographical or other data, an actual location can be simulated. The exercise system may include a speed, incline or other mechanisms that can be adjusted based on changes in simulated slope, and by amounts simulating actual air resistance due to movement, wind, or both. The simulated speed of the person, as well as speed and direction of simulated wind, are used to determine a simulated air speed. Based on the simulated air speed, the simulation system determines the simulated air resistance that would affect the person under real-world conditions, and changes reflective of the simulated air resistance are made to operating parameters of the exercise system. Simulation may occur by causing the user of the exercise system to expend about the same effort as if performing the exercise in the real-world conditions.

Abstract: In an exercise system having a remote communication system adapted to communicate with an exercise device, a method for generating an exercise program includes receiving route information identifying a route traveled by an individual during a real world exercise session, receiving audio information identifying a musical selection listened to by the individual during the real world exercise session, using the route information and the audio information to generate an exercise program. The exercise program includes control signals that cause an exercise device to substantially simulate the topographical characteristics of the route traveled by the individual during the real world exercise session, and audio signals representative of the musical selection listened to by the individual during the real world exercise session so that the musical selection is presented during a performance of the exercise program.

Abstract: A method for motivating physical performance through music includes the acts of presenting a musical rendition to a user while concurrently receiving workout information. The workout information includes one or both of a current performance level of the user or a current geographical characteristic being traversed by the user. The method further includes modifying the musical rendition based on one or both of the current performance level of the user or the current geographical characteristic being traversed by the user.

Abstract: An exercise environment controller is integrated into an exercise device and being usable to adjust one or more environmental parameters relative to an exercise device environment. The integrated exercise environment controller includes an input interface that receives environmental inputs from a user of the exercise device, an environment sensor that detects current environment parameters of the exercise device's environment, and a communication module connected to the input interface and the environment sensor that communicates a control command to a home automation device that regulates climate for at least the exercise device environment.

Abstract: A treadmill includes an impact absorption mechanism operatively positioned at least in part between a deck and a base frame of the treadmill so that the impact absorption mechanism enables the deck to move relative to at least a portion of the base frame during impact events on the deck and a selectively engageable deck stiffening mechanism that reduces the amount of movement of at least a portion of the deck relative to the base frame during impact events on the deck. The deck stiffening mechanism includes one or more generally rigid members and an engaging mechanism. The engaging mechanism selectively engages the one or more generally rigid members with the deck to provide support to the deck during impact events on the deck.

Abstract: A data collecting device is selectively attachable to a tread base of a treadmill. The device includes a foot fall sensing mechanism that collects foot fall data from the tread base, an inclination sensing mechanism that collects inclination data regarding the inclination of the tread base, and a communication mechanism that selectively transmits the foot fall data and the inclination data to an external computing device.