Exercise gaming system

Abstract

An exercise gaming system is provided. The exercise gaming system comprises a game board, a move determining device, and one or more player pieces. The game board comprises a plurality of graphical spaces on which the one or more player pieces land on based on the move determining device. A player then performs an exercise associated with the graphical space for an associated number of repetitions.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application claims the priority benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/772,305, filed Feb. 9, 2006, entitled “Exercise Gaming System” which is herein incorporated by reference. The present application is also related to co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/187,170 filed Jul. 21, 2005, entitled “Exercise Card System” which is herein incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

Embodiments of the present invention relate generally to exercise and more particularly to an exercise gaming system.

2. Description of Related Art

Presently, many individuals are concerned with health and exercise. A large number of people are members of gyms and/or own home exercise equipment. While many of these individuals have good intentions of maintaining an exercise routine, oftentimes exercising becomes mundane.

Additionally, individuals who are members of a gym may find it difficult and time consuming to have to travel to the gym on a regular basis. Often, the individuals end up not going because they cannot find the time or do not have the energy or motivation to go to the gym before or after work.

Many of these individuals also have concerns when it comes to the health of their children. Many children have short attention spans and prefer not to engage in any physical activities that are not interesting, entertaining, or fun.

As a result of the above mention problems with getting individuals to exercise, there is a need for a mechanism that provides an entertaining method for getting children and adults to exercise. It would also be advantageous if the mechanism can be used in any environment and be easily portable.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the present invention provide an exercise gaming system. The exercise gaming system comprises a game board, a move determining device, and one or more player pieces. The game board comprises a start, a finish, and a plurality of graphical spaces on which the one or more player pieces may land on based on the move determining device.

Each of the graphical spaces has an exercise associated therewith or otherwise indicated. In one embodiment, an exercise indicator is a color of the graphical space. Alternatively, the exercise indicator may be a graphical representation of the exercise or a textual title of the exercise.

In some embodiments, each of the graphical spaces also comprises a repetition number. The repetition number indicates a number of repetitions of the associated exercise the player performs should their player piece land on that particular graphical space.

The exemplary gaming system may also comprise a gaming system instruction sheet including game instructions. The gaming system instruction sheet may further include exercise instructions. Alternatively, exercise instructions may be provided on one or more sheets or cards separate from the gaming system instruction sheet.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a game board according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an exemplary move determining device;

FIG. 3 is a sample gaming system instruction sheet;

FIG. 4 are exemplary player pieces; and

FIG. 5 is a flowchart of an exemplary method for utilizing an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

Embodiments of the present invention provide an exemplary exercise system utilizing a game format. In exemplary embodiments, players move along a game board and perform exercises as indicated by the game board.

FIG. 1 shows an exemplary embodiment of a game board 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention. The exemplary game board 100 comprises a start 102, a finish 104, and a plurality of graphical spaces 106 between the start 102 and the finish 104. Size, shape, and color of the start 102, the finish 104, and the graphical spaces 106 may vary, and are not limited to those shown in FIG. 1.

According to exemplary embodiments, each graphical spaces 106 comprise an indicator of an exercise to perform, which is associated with the graphical space 106, and a repetition number 108. In one embodiment, the indicator is a color of the graphical space 106. For example, if a player lands on a graphical space 106 that is orange in color, the player will perform the exercise that is associated with the color orange.

A color code 110 that shows the color indicator associated with an exercise may be provide anywhere on the game board 100. Alternatively, the color code 110 may be provided on a separate component, such as a move determining device (e.g., as shown in FIG. 2), a game instruction card (e.g., as shown in FIG. 3), or exercise instruction card(s).

In the present embodiment, the color code 110 comprises a plurality of color coded dots and names of exercises which are associated with the color coded dots. For example, the first dot is associated with abdominal crunches while the second dot is associated with jumping jacks. In alternative embodiments, the color code 110 may comprise a graphical representation of the exercise that is colored to match the colors of the graphical spaces 106 or the name of an exercise may be provided in an associated color (e.g., without the color coded dot). Any mechanism for associating exercises with, and distinguishing exercises between, the various graphic spaces 106 is within the scope of embodiments of the present invention.

In alternative embodiments, the indicator of the graphical space 106 comprises a graphical representation of the exercise located within the graphical space 106. The graphical representation may, in some embodiments, show steps of the exercise to be performed (e.g., a plurality of representations that show steps of an exercise as, for example, shown in FIG. 2). In this situation, the player does not need to reference any secondary sources (e.g., color code 110) to determine the exercise to perform.

The repetition number 108 indicates a number of repetitions of the associated exercise the player should perform. While the present embodiment shows the repetition number 108 within the graphical space 106, alternative embodiments may not utilize the repetition number 108. For example, one embodiment of the present invention may require the player to perform the associated exercise for a number of repetitions equal to a number indicated by a move determining device. That is, if the move determining device indicates that a player should move five spaces, the player then performs five repetitions of the exercise associated with the graphical space 106 the player lands on after moving the five spaces.

The exemplary game board may further comprise special graphical spaces 112. In the present embodiment, the special graphical spaces 112 sends a player landing on the special graphical space 112 ahead (i.e., “move ahead”) or back (i.e., “move back”) one or more spaces. In further embodiments, the special graphical spaces 112 may comprise other actions the player will need to perform. For example, the special graphical space 112 may send the player back to start 102, require the player to perform double the repetition of their next exercise, or take another turn.

It should be noted that the game board 100 may be provided in various sizes. For example, a large version may be available for home use while a smaller version may be available for travel. Additionally, the game board 100 may be folded or rolled up in order to be stored or portable. In yet a further embodiment, the game board may be provided on a digital device such as, for example, a laptop or personal digital assistant (PDA).

It is further contemplated that the number of graphic spaces 106 and the path the graphic spaces 106 embody may vary from that shown in FIG. 1. That is, the design of the graphical spaces 106 along with the start 102 and finish 104 on the game board 100 may vary and still be within the scope of embodiments of the present invention.

Referring now to FIG. 2, an exemplary move determining device 200 is shown. In the present embodiment, the move determining device 200 is a spin wheel. The spin wheel comprises a plurality of spaces 202, which indicate a number, and a spin pointer 204 coupled to a rotatable center mount 206 which enables the spin pointer 204 to rotate. While the spaces 202 show a number between one and six, alternative embodiments may comprise any numbers. Furthermore, the numbers need not be in sequential order (e.g., the spaces may comprise the numbers 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, and 9), and numbers may be used more than once on the move determining device 200 (e.g., the spaces may comprise the numbers 2, 2, 4, 4, 6, and 6). In yet further embodiments, the number of spaces 202 may vary (e.g., more or less than the six spaces 202 shown in FIG. 2).

In the present embodiment, the move determining device 200 of FIG. 2 also comprises an exercise indicator 208. The exercise indicator 208 comprises a graphical representation of the exercise that is colored to match the colors of the graphical spaces 106 (FIG. 1). Thus, a player can reference the exercise indicator 208 to determine the exercise associated with the graphical space 106 on which the player lands. Alternative embodiments may comprise a different form of exercise indicator on the move determining device 200 (e.g., text of name of the exercise) or the move determining device 200 may not have any exercise indicator disposed thereon. In yet a further embodiment, the exercise indicator 208 is identical to the color code 110 (FIG. 1).

While FIG. 2 shows a spin wheel as the move determining device 200, alternative embodiments may utilize other forms of move determining devices 200. For example, one or more die may determine the number of moves/spaces a player should proceed on the game board 100 (FIG. 1). Alternatively, players may draw cards with numbers or instructions (e.g., “move to next space with 6 repetitions” or “go back three spaces”) disposed thereon. The instructions may also include an exercise to be performed.

Referring now to FIG. 3, an exemplary gaming system instruction sheet or card 300 is shown. This gaming system instruction card 300 may be provided with the game system, but may not be referenced every time players use the game system. For example, if the user already knows how to play the game and/or how to perform the exercises, then the gaming system instruction card 300 may be discarded, removed, or set aside.

The gaming system instruction card 300 comprises game instructions 302 which explain how to utilize the game system. The gaming system instruction sheet 300 may also provide exercise instructions 304 which explain how to properly perform the associated exercises. The instructions 302 and 304 may be in text form, graphics, or a combination of both.

In one embodiment, the exercise instructions 304 are color coordinated to match the colors of the graphical spaces 106 (FIG. 1). That is, for example, a title of the exercise (e.g., squat thrust) is orange. This orange color of the title matches the graphical spaces 106 that are colored orange. Therefore, a player that lands on an orange graphical space 106 would perform the squat thrust exercise.

In further embodiments, instead of or in combination with the title of the exercise, a graphical representation of the exercise may be provided as part of the exercise instructions 304. The graphical representations may also comprise an associated color in order to be color coordinated with the graphical spaces 106. In one example, the graphical representation may the same or similar to those shown in the exercise indicator 208 of FIG. 2.

Alternative embodiments may separate the two instructions 302 and 304 onto two or more different sheets or cards. For example, game instructions 302 may be embodied on one sheet or card while exercise instructions 304 may all be embodied on a second sheet or card. Alternatively, the exercise instructions 304 may be embodied on a plurality of sheets or cards—one sheet or card for each exercise.

Referring now to FIG. 4, exemplary player pieces 400 are shown. The player pieces 400 are utilized to maintain position on the game board 100 (FIG. 2) of the one or more players. The player pieces 400 comprise unique pieces 400 which are distinguished from each other so that the players can easily identify the player piece 400 that is theirs. For example, the player pieces 400 may comprise different colors, shapes, and sizes. Any number of player pieces 400 may be utilized in the game system.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart 500 of an exemplary method for utilizing the game system. In step 502, a first player determines a number of spaces to move on the game board 100 (FIG. 1) by activating a move determining device 200 (FIG. 2). Once the number of spaces is determined, the first player will move the number of spaces, as indicated by the move determining device 200, on the game board 100 to a selected graphical space 106 (FIG. 1) in step 504.

In step 506, the first player will then perform a determined number of repetitions of an exercise associated with the selected graphical space 106. The number of repetitions may be indicated by the graphical space 106, indicated by the move determining device 200, or another device. The associated exercise may be indicated by a color, graphics (of the exercise), text (e.g., name of an exercise), or other mechanisms associated with the selected graphical space 106.

If there is a next player (step 508), the next player performs steps 502 through 506 (step 512). This continues for all players until every player reaches the finish 104 (FIG. 1) in step 510. In an alternative embodiment, the game may end upon one player reaching the finish 104.

It should be noted that any type of exercise may be provided by the exercise gaming system. Therefore, the corresponding exercises of the graphical spaces 106, color code 110 (FIG. 1), and exercise instruction 304, for example, may comprise exercises and instructions for any type of exercise, and are not limited by those exercises shown and described in FIG. 1 through FIG. 3. For example, a plurality of color coordinated exercise combinations, such as those shown at the bottom of FIG. 2, may be provided (e.g., on the spin wheel, game instruction sheet 300 of FIG. 3, or on one or more exercise instruction sheets or cards) from which players may select one combination. These exercise combinations may provide one or more predetermined sets of exercises (e.g., sets of exercises based on level of experience, area of body exercises are to improve, etc.).

Alternatively, a plurality of different exercises may be provided from which the players may mix and match difference exercises. For example, a plurality of cardiovascular exercises may be associated with one color, while a plurality of stretching exercises may be associated with a second color, and a third color may be associated with abdominal exercises. The players may then select one exercise associated with each color to be utilized in game play. In this example, jumping jacks for the first color, toe touches for the second color and crunches for the third color may be selected. These exercises may be embodied on exercise instruction cards, for example, from which the player(s) make the selection.

Alternatively, the player may select any exercise from a plurality of same colored exercises which match the color of the graphical space 106 the player piece lands on to perform. In one embodiment, the selection of the exercise from the plurality of same colored exercises may be random. Thus, for example, if the player lands on a blue graphical space, the player may draw an exercise card indicating an exercise to be performed from a deck of blue cards. In exemplary embodiments, the color coded exercise cards may be categorized according to types of exercises (e.g., blue cards are cardiovascular exercises, orange cards are abdominal exercises, etc.)

While the present embodiment utilizes three exercises in the gaming system, alternative embodiments may utilize more or less exercises. For example, one embodiment may provide for the use of four colored graphical spaces 106 on the game board 100. Furthermore, the present embodiment shows a combination including jumping jacks, squat thrusts, and abdominal crunches. Alternative combination may comprise other exercises such as sit-ups, stretches, and so forth. Further, any number of different exercises may be used in the gaming system.

In a further embodiment, the gaming system may be practiced on a digital medium. For example, the exercise gaming system may be presented to one or more players via a computing device such as through a display of a laptop, personal digital assistant (PDA), cellular phone, etc. That is, the game board 100 may be presented on the display. Virtual player pieces 400 may be moved on the game board 100 based on a virtual move determining device. The player then performs the exercise associated with the graphical space 102 on which the virtual player piece 400 lands on.

The present invention has been described above with reference to exemplary embodiments. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications may be made and other embodiments can be used without departing from the broader scope of the invention. Therefore, these and other variations upon the exemplary embodiments are intended to be covered by the present invention.

Claims

1. An exercise gaming system, comprising:

a game board comprising a plurality of graphical spaces, the graphical spaces being associated with an exercise;

a move determining device configured to provide a number of graphical spaces a player proceeds on the game board; and

one or more player pieces configured to allow one or more players to maintain their position on the game board.

2. The exercise gaming system of claim 1 wherein the game board further comprises a start and a finish.

3. The exercise gaming system of claim 1 wherein the graphical space comprises a color, the color indicating the associated exercise.

4. The exercise gaming system of claim 1 wherein the graphical space comprises a repetition number, the repetition number indicating a number of repetitions of the associated exercise to be performed.

5. The exercise gaming system of claim 1 wherein the graphical space comprises a graphical representation of the associated exercise.

6. The exercise gaming system of claim 1 wherein the graphical space comprises a name of the associated exercise.

7. The exercise gaming system of claim 1 further comprising one or more exercise instruction cards.

8. The exercise gaming system of claim 1 further comprising a gaming system instruction card.

9. The exercise gaming system of claim 1 wherein the game board comprises a color code.

10. The exercise gaming system of claim 1 wherein the game board comprises special graphical spaces, the special graphical spaces providing instructions to the player to perform some action.

11. The exercise gaming system of claim 1 wherein the move determining device is a spin wheel.

12. The exercise gaming system of claim 1 wherein the move determining device comprises an exercise indicator.

13. A method for utilizing an exercise gaming system, comprising:

activating a move determining device;

proceeding a number of spaces as indicated by the move determining device to land on a graphical space; and

performing an exercise for a number of repetitions associated with the graphical space.

14. The method of claim 13 further comprising having a next player activating the move determining device, proceeding the number of spaces, and performing the exercise for the number of repetitions.

15. A computer readable medium having embodied thereon a program for providing an exercise gaming method, the method comprising:

determining a number of spaces a player should proceed on a game board

maintaining a position on the game board after the number of spaces has been moved; and

associating an exercise to be performed by a player based on the position on the game board.

16. The computer readable medium of claim 15 wherein the method further comprises providing an associated repetition number of the associated exercise to be performed.

17. The computer readable medium of claim 15 wherein the method further comprises allowing the player to select an exercise from a plurality of exercises based on the position on the game board.