TRAINING ARRANGEMENT

Abstract

In the case of a training arrangement (1) with at least one first exercising apparatus (2) and one second exercising apparatus (3), wherein the first exercising apparatus (2) is connected to a first computer (4) for controlling and/or recording a training program, and wherein the second exercising apparatus (3) is connected to a second computer (5) for controlling and/or recording a training program, and wherein the first exercising apparatus (2) is designed differently from the second exercising apparatus (3), it is proposed, for efficient and health-promoting physical training, that the first computer (2) and the second computer (3) are designed for the exchange of data, in particular control, training and/or personal data, and are preferably connected by a data line (5).

Description

The invention relates to a training arrangement according to the preamble of claim 1.

Exercising apparatuses are known which are controlled by a computer and/or which record and/or display training sequences and/or evaluate the success of an exercise. It is also customary, in particular in so-called fitness centers, to perform a number of exercises sequentially. However, these exercises are disadvantageously performed on different exercising apparatuses independent of the previously performed exercises, so that the individual exercising apparatuses do not evaluate the exercises performed on other exercising apparatuses. This results in inefficient training and later possibly to overexertion or an exercise causing bodily injury, thus turning the expected positive outcome of the exercise, namely improving the well-being of a subject, into a disappointment.

It is an object of the invention to provide an exercising apparatus of the afore-described type, which obviates the aforementioned disadvantages and supports efficient, health-promoting physical training.

This is attained with the invention by the features of claim 1.

The exercises already performed on the other exercising apparatuses can then be automatically taken into consideration when performing an exercise on an exercising apparatus. The settings, parameters and training programs selected by the exercising apparatus can thereby be adapted to the performance already achieved by this subject or the way he/she is feeling on the day of the exercise. Due to the possibility of data exchange between the individual exercising apparatuses and mutual adaptation of the individual training sequences, the overall training results can be a significantly improved in comparison to if the exercises were performed on each exercising apparatus independently. In addition, overexertion of the subject can be prevented, because an exercising apparatus can, for example, recognize that a subject has already performed a high-stress exercise on other exercising apparatuses and can alert the subject to this situation, for example by a warning, or inform an employee of the fitness center or perform an emergency stop.

In one embodiment of the invention, the first exercising apparatus and the second exercising apparatus may be configured as an exercising apparatus selected from the group:

• exercising apparatus for training and/or for determining the body stability about a first axis,
• exercising apparatus for training and/or for determining the body stability about a second axis which is essentially perpendicular to the first axis,
• exercising apparatus for training and/or for determining the body stability about the first axis and the second axis,
• exercising apparatus for training and/or for determining the body stability about a rotation axis which is essentially perpendicular to the first axis and the second axis, and
• exercising apparatus for training and/or for determining the body stability during essentially unrestrained gyrating or swinging.

In this way, the body stability can be trained about different axes, and a corresponding body stability index can be measured. The different configuration of the consecutively arranged exercising apparatuses preferably supports the so-called body-axes-conform training, with the body stability being trained about a single axis only for precisely this reason.

In another embodiment of the invention, at least one biometric station with a fifth computer may be provided, in particular for detecting and/or recording biometric data of people, preferably mass and/or weight, body fat, glucose level and/or pulse, and the fifth computer maybe configured for data exchange with the first, second, third and/or fourth computer. In this way, the physical condition of a subject during training can be taken into consideration and/or controlled.

The invention will now be described with reference to the appended drawings, which show essentially only preferred embodiments.

FIG. 1 shows a first preferred embodiment of a training arrangement according to the invention;

FIG. 2 shows a second preferred embodiment of a training arrangement according to the invention;

FIG. 3 shows a third preferred embodiment of a training arrangement according to the invention;

FIG. 4 shows a preferred embodiment of a first exercising apparatus;

FIG. 5 shows a preferred embodiment of a second exercising apparatus;

FIG. 6 shows a preferred embodiment of a third exercising apparatus;

FIG. 7 shows a preferred embodiment of a fourth exercising apparatus;

FIG. 8 shows a fourth preferred embodiment of a training arrangement according to the invention;

FIG. 9 shows an embodiment of another exercising apparatus in a front elevation; and

FIG. 10 shows an exercising apparatus according to FIG. 9 in a side view in cross-section.

Training arrangement 1 with at least one first exercising apparatus 2 and one second exercising apparatus 3, wherein the first exercising apparatus 2 is connected with a first computer 4 for controlling and/or recording a training program, and wherein the second exercising apparatus 3 is connected with a second computer 5 for controlling and/or recording a training program, and wherein the first exercising apparatus 2 is configured different from the second exercising apparatus 3, wherein the first computer 2 and the second computer 3 are configured for exchange of data, in particular control, training and/or personal data, and preferably connected by a data line 6.

An exercise already performed on the other exercising apparatuses 2, 3, 8, 10 can then be automatically taken into consideration when performing an exercise on an exercising apparatus 2, 3, 8, 10. For example, the settings, parameters in training programs selected by the exercising apparatus 2, 3, 8, 10 can be adapted to the performance already achieved by a subject or to his/her physical condition on the day of the exercise. By enabling data exchange between the individual exercising apparatuses 2, 3, 8, 10 and mutual adaptation of the individual training sequences, the overall training outcome can be significantly improved in comparison to situations where exercises are performed on each exercising apparatus 2, 3, 8, 10 separately. In addition, overexertion of the subject can be prevented, because an exercising apparatus 2, 3, 8, 10 can, for example, recognize that a subject has exercised strenuously on the other exercising apparatuses 2, 3, 8, 10 and can alert the subject, for example by a warning, to this situation, inform an employee of the fitness center or perform an emergency stop.

Exercising apparatuses 2, 3, 8, 10 for training arrangements 1 according to the invention may include any type of exercising apparatus 2, 3, 8, 10, which has at least one computer 4, 5, 9, 11 or is connected to such computer, for example by a data line 6, wherein the at least one computer 4, 5, 9, 11 may be any type of computer 4, 5, 9, 11, for example a conventional PC or a microcomputer integrated in the exercising apparatus 2, 3, 8, 10. The at least one computer 4, 5, 9, 11 has preferably at least one display element, in particular at least one light-emitting element, preferably an arrangement of light-emitting elements and/or a display screen 16. The at least one computer 4, 5, 9, 11 is provided for controlling and/or recording a training program. The exercising apparatuses 2, 3, 8, 10 can therefore be computer-controlled exercising apparatuses 2, 3, 8, 10, such as computer-controlled bicycle simulators, and/or exercising apparatuses 2, 3, 8, 10 where only the training progression is recorded, and/or exercising apparatuses 2, 3, 8, 10 where a default setting is indicated to the subject via an interface, for example an optical display and/or and an acoustic transducer, wherein the subject has to satisfy the default setting on the exercising apparatus 2, 3, 8, 10 or with the help of the exercising apparatus 2, 3, 8, 10. Moreover, the computer 4, 5, 9, 11 may be used to compare the movements performed by the subject with the default settings, and calculate or determine a comparison value, and display this comparison value. For example, the computer 4, 5, 9, 11 may determine and/or display a percentage value indicating the percentage by which an exercise performed by the subject agrees with the default setting. The default setting may be indicated a balance beam which is displayed on the display screen of the computer 4, 5, 9, 11 and moves according to the training default setting, or preferably by an animated graphic figure which is also displayed on a computer display screen.

According to the invention, the first computer 2 and the second computer 3 are configured for exchange of data. Any method may be used for data exchange, and hence also any type of device may be used for the data exchange. Preferably, at least one data line 6 may be provided, which connects the first computer 4 and the second computer 5 and via which data can be exchanged. The first computer 4 and the second computer 5 may also transmit data by way of a power lines and/or wireless, for example via infrared, sound and, more particularly, radio waves, for example Bluetooth, WLAN, GSM and the like. The connection of two computers 4, 5 with a data line 6 typically forms a network 7 including these computers 4, 5, i.e., a so-called computer network. This may be any type of computer network, for example Ethernet, token ring or the Internet. When the computers 4, 5, 9, 11 are arranged in a network, they can exchange the acquired data and take these data into consideration when setting up or selecting a training program. FIG. 1 shows a schematic block diagram of a training arrangement 1 according to the invention, wherein the first and the second computer 4, 5 are connected via a data line 6, thereby forming a network 7.

Alternatively or in addition, the first and the second computer 4, 5 may also be constructed as one piece, with a single computer 4, 5 controlling and/or regulating the first and the second exercising apparatus 2, 3. In this way, only a single computer 4, 5, 9, 11 can be used to control all exercising apparatuses 2, 3, 8, 10, wherein the computer 4, 5, 9, 11 manages all data of the connected exercising apparatuses 2, 3, 8, 10 and controls the various exercising apparatuses 2, 3, 8, 10 by taking into consideration the performance already achieved by a subject. For example, a USB hub may be provided to connect several exercising apparatuses 2, 3, 8, 10 to a single computer 4, 5, 9, 11. FIG. 2 shows in a schematic block diagram a training arrangement 1 according to the invention, wherein the first and the second computer 4, 5 are constructed as one piece, i.e., the first and the second computer 4, 5 are formed by only one computer 4, 5.

According to the invention, at least one first and one second exercising apparatus 2, 3 are provided. Advantageously, any predetermined number of exercising apparatuses 2, 3, 8, 10 and computers 4, 5, 9, 11 can be arranged in a training arrangement 1 according to the invention. Particularly preferred is a training arrangement 1 with one first, one second, one third and one fourth exercising apparatus 2, 3, 8, 10, which are each connected with a corresponding first, second, third and fourth computer 4, 5, 9, 11. All embodiments illustrated above having only one first and one second exercising apparatus 2, 3 and the corresponding computers 4, 5 are similarly applicable to training arrangements 1 with more than two exercising apparatuses 2, 3, 8, 10. FIG. 4 shows such a training arrangement 1 with a first, a second, a third and a fourth exercising apparatus 2, 3, 8, 10, wherein the first, second, third and fourth computer 4, 5, 9, 11 are constructed as one piece.

In addition to the exercising apparatuses 2, 3, 8, 10, the training arrangements 1 may include at least one biometric station with a fifth computer, in particular for detecting and/or recording biometric data of people, preferably mass and/or weight, body fat, glucose level and/or pulse, wherein the fifth computer is configured for data exchange with the first, second, third and/or fourth computer 4, 5, 9, 11. The biometric data of the subject before and after the training can then be recorded and compared, so that the outcome of the training can be confirmed.

Preferably, a subject who wishes to exercise on the individual exercising apparatuses 2, 3, 8, 10, 15 of the training arrangements 1, must sign in or log in. This can be done via a keyboard configured for inputting numbers and letters; in addition, at least one sensor may also be provided that recognizes characteristic body features, for example at least one fingerprint, a retinal scan or voice. A subject can thereby sign in quickly and easily at the different exercising apparatuses 2, 3, 8, 10.

As already mentioned, any type of exercising apparatus 2, 3, 8, 10, 15 may be provided. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the first exercising apparatus 2 and/or the second exercising apparatus 3 and/or a third exercising apparatus 8 and/or a fourth exercising apparatus 10 and/or at least one additional exercising apparatus 15 may each be configured as an exercising apparatus 2, 3, 8, 10, 15 selected from the group:

• exercising apparatus (2, 3, 8, 10, 15) for training and/or for determining the body stability about a first axis (12),
• exercising apparatus (2, 3, 8, 10, 15) for training and/or for determining the body stability about a second axis (13) which is essentially perpendicular to the first axis (12),
• exercising apparatus (2, 3, 8, 10, 15) for training and/or for determining the body stability about the first axis (12) and the second axis (13),
• exercising apparatus (2, 3, 8, 10, 15) for training and/or for determining the body stability about a rotation axis (14) which is essentially perpendicular to the first axis (12) and the second axis (13), and
• exercising apparatus (2, 3, 8, 10, 15) for training and/or for determining the body stability during essentially unrestrained gyrating or swinging.

Preferably, the consecutively arranged exercising apparatuses 2, 3, 8, 10, 15 in a training arrangement 1 may be configured differently, or may be configured for training and/or for determining the body stability about different body axes. Preferably, in a training arrangement 1 according to the invention, each of the employed exercising apparatuses 2, 3, 8, 10, 15 is configured differently from any of the other exercising apparatuses 2, 3, 8, 10, 15 in the training arrangement 1, because each exercising apparatus 2, 3, 8, 10, 15 is only provided once in the training arrangement 1. The consecutively arranged exercising apparatuses 2, 3, 8, 10, 15 can be arranged in any permutation, wherein FIG. 8 shows a particularly preferred embodiment of a training arrangement 1 according to the invention, with a first, a second, a third and a fourth exercising apparatus 2, 3, 8, 10, as will be described in more detail below.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the first exercising apparatus 2 is configured for training and/or determining the body stability about a first, in particular a horizontal, axis 12. The body stability can thereby be trained about one axis, for example back and forth with a seesaw, and a corresponding body stability index can be measured. This arrangement can be implemented for a subject, as shown in FIG. 4, as a seesaw 18 with a support plate 17 that is able to pivot only about a first axis 12. The second exercising apparatus 3 is here preferably configured for training and/or for determining the body stability about a second axis 13 that is perpendicular to the first axis of, in particular horizontal, as also illustrated in the example shown in FIG. 5. The body stability can thereby be trained about another axis, for example by a seesaw 18 on the left side and the right side, and a corresponding body stability index can be measured. The results from the training on the first exercising apparatus 2 can here be taken into consideration, so that the overall training result is far better than when training separately and independently on the two exercising apparatuses 2, 3. The seesaw 18 can be constructed similar to that depicted in FIG. 4, but rotated by 90°, allowing be training and/or testing of the sideways or lateral stability.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the third exercising apparatus 8 can be configured for training and/or determining the body stability at least about the first axis 12 and the second axis 13. The body stability can hereby be trained about a substantially unrestricted, but preferably damped, swivel or pivot point, and a corresponding body stability index can be measured. The results from the training on the first and/or second exercising apparatus 2, 3 can be taken into consideration, so that the overall training result is far better than when training separately and independently on the aforementioned exercising apparatuses. Preferably, the third exercising apparatus 8, as shown in FIG. 6, has an essentially centrally supported support plate 17 which allows tilting and/or gyrating about the center 19. The central support is preferably implemented with an elastomeric cylinder 21, in particular a cylinder made of rubber, and/or a coil spring which can be sheathed by an elastomer at least in certain sections.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the fourth exercising apparatus 10 is configured as an exercising apparatus 2, 3, 8, 10 for training and/or determining the body stability about a rotation axis 14 that is substantially perpendicular to the first axis 12 and the second axis 13. The body stability about a rotation axis can thereby be trained and a corresponding body stability in its can be measured. The results from training on the first, second and/or third exercising apparatus 2, 3, 8 can be taken into consideration, so that the overall training result is far better than when training separately and independently on the aforementioned exercising apparatuses. FIG. 7 shows this type of exercising apparatus, which has a rotatably supported support plate 17. Preferably, the support plate is arranged with a rotary bearing 24 on a central bearing, which unlike the preferred embodiment of the third exercising apparatus, i.e., the apparatus illustrated in FIG. 6, is not intended for tilting or bending and is therefore essentially constructed rigid and/or tilt-resistant. In a simple embodiment, this central bearing can be formed by a prism and/or cylinder which can be constructed of wood, plastic and/or metal. However, the central bearing can also be constructed in a similar fashion as the embodiment of FIG. 6.

FIGS. 9 and 10 show another preferred embodiment of an exercising apparatus 2, 3, 8, 10 which includes a suspended support plate 17 that essentially enables the support plate 17 to gyrate and swing unimpededly. The support plate 17 is suspended in a frame from strings 22, ropes and/or springs.

The exercising apparatuses 2, 3, 8, 10 depicted in FIGS. 4 to 7 and FIGS. 9 and 10 represent, as already mentioned, only exemplary embodiments of the first, second, third and/or fourth exercising apparatus 2, 3, 8, 10. Accordingly, other exercising apparatuses may be provided, or individual exercising apparatuses 2, 3, 8, 10 can be represented several times in a single training arrangement 1 according to the invention.

The various exercising apparatuses 2, 3, 8, 10 can be arranged in any predeterminable manner, and in a predeterminable order. Preferably, they are arranged in a straight line, as depicted in the exemplary floor plan in FIG. 8. The first, second, third and fourth exercising apparatuses 2, 3, 8, 10 are here implemented according to the afore-described preferred embodiment and each have a holding rail 23. A display screen 16 is associated with each of the exercising apparatuses 2, 3, 8, 10, which are connected with a single computer 4, 5, 9, 11 representing a one-piece construction of the first, second, third and fourth computer 4, 5, 9, 11, and connected with this computer 4, 5, 9, 11, enabling the subject to receive training instructions and call up training results. The display screen 16 can be implemented as a touchscreen, which the subject can use to log in at the exercising apparatus 2, 3, 8, 10. According to another preferred embodiment, the exercising apparatuses 2, 3, 8, 10 of a training arrangement 1 may be arranged in a circle.

It will be understood that different features of the present invention can be combined with one another to attain various other modifications and variations of the present invention.

Claims

1-11. (canceled)

12. A training arrangement, comprising:

a first exercising apparatus connected to a first computer that controls and records a training program,

a second exercising apparatus configured different from the first exercising apparatus and connected to a second computer that controls and records a training program, with the first computer and the second computer constructed for exchanging data between the first and second computers for adapting settings, parameters and training programs selected on the second exercising apparatus to performance results attained by a subject on the first exercising apparatus,

wherein the first exercising apparatus and the second exercising apparatus are selected from the group consisting of: an exercising apparatus for training and/or determining body stability about a first axis, exercising apparatus for training and/or for determining body stability about a second axis which is essentially perpendicular to the first axis, exercising apparatus for training and/or for determining body stability about the first axis and the second axis, exercising apparatus for training and/or for determining body stability about a rotation axis which is substantially perpendicular to the first axis and the second axis, and exercising apparatus for training and/or for determining body stability during substantially unrestrained gyrating or swinging, thereby training and determining the body stability or measuring a body stability index about mutually different body axes.

13. The training arrangement of claim 12, wherein the first computer and the second computer are connected by a data line.

14. The training arrangement of claim 12, wherein the data is selected from the group consisting of control data, training data, and personal data.

15. The training arrangement of claim 12, wherein the first computer and the second computer are arranged in a network.

16. The training arrangement of claim 12, wherein the first computer and the second computer are constructed as a single piece.

17. The training arrangement of claim 12, further comprising a biometric station with a fifth computer configured for data exchange with the first, second, third or fourth computer.

18. The training arrangement of claim 17, wherein the fifth computer is configured to detect or record biometric data of a subject.

19. The training arrangement of claim 17, wherein the biometric data are selected from the group consisting of mass, weight, body fat, glucose level and pulse.

20. The training arrangement of claim 12, further comprising a third exercising apparatus with a third computer, with the third computer configured for data exchange with the first or the second computer, or both, and with the third exercising apparatus selected from the group consisting of

exercising apparatus for training and/or for determining body stability about a first axis,

exercising apparatus for training and/or for determining body stability about a second axis which is essentially perpendicular to the first axis,

exercising apparatus for training and/or for determining body stability about the first axis and the second axis,

exercising apparatus for training and/or for determining body stability about a rotation axis which is substantially perpendicular to the first axis and the second axis, and

exercising apparatus for training and/or for determining body stability during substantially unrestrained gyrating or swinging.

21. The training arrangement of claim 20, wherein the third exercising apparatus is configured different from the first exercising apparatus or the second exercising apparatus.

22. The training arrangement of claim 20, further comprising a fourth exercising apparatus with a fourth computer, with the fourth computer configured for data exchange with the first, the second or the third computer, with the fourth exercising apparatus selected from the group consisting of

exercising apparatus for training and/or for determining body stability about a first axis,

exercising apparatus for training and/or for determining body stability about a second axis which is essentially perpendicular to the first axis,

exercising apparatus for training and/or for determining body stability about the first axis and the second axis,

exercising apparatus for training and/or for determining body stability about a rotation axis which is substantially perpendicular to the first axis and the second axis, and

exercising apparatus for training and/or for determining body stability during substantially unrestrained gyrating or swinging.

23. The training arrangement of claim 22, wherein the fourth exercising apparatus is configured different from the first exercising apparatus or the second exercising apparatus or the third exercising apparatus.

24. The training arrangement of claim 22, further comprising an additional exercising apparatus with an additional computer, with the additional computer configured for data exchange with the first, second, third, or fourth computer, with the additional exercising apparatus selected from the group consisting of

exercising apparatus for training and/or for determining body stability about a first axis,

exercising apparatus for training and/or for determining body stability about a second axis which is essentially perpendicular to the first axis,

exercising apparatus for training and/or for determining body stability about the first axis and the second axis,

exercising apparatus for training and/or for determining body stability about a rotation axis which is substantially perpendicular to the first axis and the second axis, and

exercising apparatus for training and/or for determining body stability during substantially unrestrained gyrating or swinging.

25. The training arrangement of claim 24, wherein the additional exercising apparatus is configured different from the first exercising apparatus or the second exercising apparatus or the third exercising apparatus or the fourth exercising apparatus.