Patent Application
20160232809
The present invention generally relates to the field of health and fitness. More particularly, the present invention relates to an exercise facility wherein members can exercise privately. Moreover, the present invention relates to a method and system for providing a user with a personal exercise program which can be varied according to the user's needs.
Today more than ever before, individuals are becoming more aware of their own physical fitness and the need to exercise. People follow exercise programs for a variety of reasons. These reasons include maintaining general well-being, assisting a weight loss program, and increased muscular definition or power.
Scientific evidence has established that exercise is known to improve and maximize individual health and to constrain the effects of aging. The proven benefits of fitness training often include, for example, increased muscle mass, lower resting heart rate, decreased cholesterol levels, lower blood pressure, and less stress on joints. To achieve these benefits, a consistent exercise program spanning an extended period of time is usually required.
In order to offer exercisers a complete and balanced program, exercise facilities typically include strength equipment that work targeted muscle groups as well as cardiovascular machines. New facilities or “gyms” are being opened nearly every day to provide a place where individuals can go to work out on various kinds of equipment and physical fitness devices. Modern exercise equipment is typically capable of adjustment to accommodate different fitness levels, i.e., a difficulty or resistance setting is usually provided that can increase or decrease the amount of exertion that it takes to operate the machine, thereby making it possible for a single machine to accommodate users over a wide range of ability levels. Gyms which include such exercise equipment are especially helpful and convenient for individuals who must sit at a desk and work during the day and get very little if any physical exercise, and for a relatively low monthly rate provides access to a fairly large number of exercise devices.
However, traditional gyms provide a limited number of stand-alone pieces of exercise equipment, or stations, on which to accomplish these exercises. Moreover, each device typically can only be used to perform a small set of specifically targeted exercises, for example, a triceps machine is operated by a user to exercise the user's triceps muscles, the target muscle.
The relative popularity of different types of machinery dictates the unique capacity of each machine. For example, men are usually far more likely to use a bench press than they are to use a leg abductor machine. Despite the numerous choices of exercise machines, it is a common occurrence to find increased demand for a certain type of equipment, wherein the demand is often larger than the capacity. Since the devices can only be in active use by one individual at a time, and each individual's exercise program is personal to that individual, there is often contention for pieces of exercise equipment between multiple individuals, resulting in bottlenecking or user downtime. Frequent bottlenecking during peak times is very disruptive to a workout program, often resulting in inefficient and time-consuming workouts. Many times an individual cannot achieve a regular workout and measure the individual's accomplishments because when the individual is ready to exercise with a certain type of equipment, that equipment is being used by another member of the gym. Frequently, if the next station or device is being used by someone else, a person will either cut short a workout session and/or skip one or more stations thereby precluding the achievement of a maximum benefit workout.
Although the multi-fold benefits of physical exercise are well established, most users are pressed for time and seek to maximize the benefit of such time as they have. Due to the increased demands on people's lives, exercisers are requiring more efficient use of their limited time at the gym. At the same time, gym operators typically have limited budgets and are not able to typically purchase more equipment to accommodate increased usage. Additionally, spending money on equipment for purchases requires more floor space into which to fit the additional equipment and increases the total maintenance cost for keeping all the equipment in working order.
Although the above-described problem of not having a particular station or exercise device available when the user desires occurs in some instances, in other instances users are simply overwhelmed with the large number of machines, stations, etc. Given the equipment that is available, the user can create a program from an almost limitless number of possible permutations. This can be overwhelming to those who are starting an exercise program using gym equipment for the first time. The uneducated user may not understand or appreciate the purpose of each of the machines or stations, and may not have a cohesive or effective exercise program. In such instances, the user may utilize only a few machines which they are comfortable with, without realizing the benefits of a fully integrated exercise program.
In the best case, an individual will work with a personal trainer in order to obtain the benefits of experience and customization of a workout for that particular individual. Personal trainers, coaches and the like often desire that the clients under their care and advisement follow a predetermined set of exercises to help the client improve in a desired area or to reach a particular fitness goal or just to prescribe a general fitness protocol or program. However, as might be expected, it can be difficult for a busy client to keep track of the trainer's recommended workout program and to track his or her own performance while following that plan. A strength program must be well planned in order to be effective. For example, a strength program may include exercises for every muscle group at resistance levels based on personal fitness levels. As fitness levels change, the resistance level should also be changed. Planning and tracking is typically a manual process. Workouts are manually recorded in log books by either the client or his or her trainer, in the event that the trainer accompanies and is present with the client during the exercise program.
However, using a personal trainer is expensive. Furthermore, while a personal trainer is useful in some cases, each trainer's knowledge varies and the end experience is random regarding achieving the preferred effects of a customized workout. Aside from monetary considerations by the user, some people are simply not interested in having someone else evaluate their personal performance and look over their shoulder and pressure them to increase their strength and fitness levels. In those instances when a personal trainer is periodically consulted with, the prescribed workout program given to the exerciser by the trainer may not fit the exerciser's ability on any given day. For example, if the exerciser has a cold, didn't get enough sleep the night before, etc., that exerciser may not have the strength or mental fortitude to accomplish the prescribed exercise program.
Of course, providing administrators, trainers, physiologists, and the like increase the gym owner's cost of operating the gym. However, in traditional gyms such individuals are typically necessary to meet the needs of at least some of the member users.
Another disadvantage of traditional gyms is the matter of privacy. The majority of gyms have both male and female users which belong to the gym and exercise there on a regular basis. This can create a level of discomfort in some individuals when working out. There is a wide disparity of muscular strength and fitness levels between these individuals. Some users feel as if they are being judged, looked upon critically, or even “checked out” while exercising. The public nature of gyms creates a fair degree of anxiety and self-consciousness in many members. In fact, many individuals who are interested in obtaining a workout at the facilities provided by a public gym are not willing to attend the gym due to these concerns. There has been a recent development in the opening of women-only gyms where only women are the patrons in order to overcome some of these concerns. However, these women-only gyms also cater to a wide range of women having different muscular strength, fitness levels, body types and the like so that only some of these concerns are alleviated.
Accordingly, there is a need for a new type of exercise system, including an exercise facility which addresses the desire for users thereof to work out in privacy, obtain an effective full body workout in a reasonable amount of time, and have access to all necessary equipment during the workout or exercise regimen. The present invention fulfills these needs, and provides other related advantages.
The present invention is directed to an exercise system and related exercise facility and method which provide privacy to the users of the exercise facility while performing an established exercise regimen within a reasonable amount of time without undue prior planning by the user before performing the exercises. In accordance with the invention, the exercises to be performed in accordance with the exercise regimen is pre-established as well as the amount of time taken to perform each exercise. Furthermore, each user will have access to all the necessary equipment when needed during the workout or exercise regimen.
In accordance with the present invention, a plurality of booths are provided, such as in an exercise facility. Each booth defines an enclosed space adapted to be used by a single user at a time and configured to provide privacy to the user while in the booth. The booths have an entry and an exit, and may be interconnected to one another. The booths are arranged in a sequence for simultaneous use by plurality of users.
Each booth has assigned thereto one or more exercises to be performed by the user within each booth. Exercise devices are disposed within each booth according to the exercises assigned to the each booth. Multiple exercises are assigned to at least a plurality of the booths. Preferably, the exercises assigned to the plurality of the booths comprise a combination of aerobic and anaerobic exercises.
Upon entering a booth to perform an exercise in accordance with the exercise regimen, an electronic screen is provided within each booth for displaying information relating to the exercise to be performed within that booth. A video, animation, photos or graphic images comprising a tutorial instructing the user how to perform the exercises within each booth may be displayed on the electronic screen.
A period of time to perform the assigned exercises within each booth is allocated. The allocated period of time is the same for all of the booths. Less than 10 minutes may be allocated to perform the assigned exercises within each of the booth, and more often the allocated predetermined period of time is between 1 and 5 minutes. The allocated time is apportioned between the multiple exercises in each booth that is assigned multiple exercises. In one embodiment, a plurality of the booths are assigned two exercises. An equal amount of the allocated time may be apportioned to perform each of the two exercises.
The user attempts to perform the goal-number of repetitions of the exercise to be performed in each booth at a given weight or resistance within the predetermined time period. A visual and/or audible notification of the time period to complete the exercise, such as a timer, within each booth is provided. The users in the booths are substantially simultaneously notified to move to the next booth in the sequence of the booths after the allocated period of time to perform the one or more exercises within the booth has elapsed.
The booths are arranged in a sequence in which the user is directed to move from one booth to another to perform different exercises corresponding to the sequence of exercises of the exercise regimen to be performed by the user. The plurality of booths corresponding to the sequence of exercises of an exercise regimen may comprise between five and thirty booths disposed adjacent to one another and passed through by the user at least once during the exercise regimen to perform the sequence of exercises. A plurality of distinct sequences of booths may be provided at a gym location.
The system and method of the present invention includes providing a computerized system providing information relating to the plurality of booths and the exercises assigned to the plurality of the booths. User exercise performance results may be input into the computerized system for each completed exercise of the exercise regimen. The inputted user exercise performance results are stored, and user may access these results from the prior work out and update the user performance result for a subsequent work out.
Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following more detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the invention.
The accompanying drawings illustrate the invention. In such drawings:
The present invention is directed to an exercise facility, sometimes referred to herein as a gym, and personal training system wherein each of the users (sometimes referred to herein as members, patrons, clients, individuals or exercisers) are able to perform their exercises in a private setting, so as to overcome the anxiety and self-consciousness of exercising in front of others. Each exercise is performed in a substantially enclosed area, referred to herein as a booth. It will be appreciated that the term “booth” represents a substantially concealed and private area which may comprise an individual room, which may be defined by walls, dividers, curtains, etc. which provide the exercise anonymity and privacy while performing the exercise. Each booth is configured to be used by a single user at a time.
Typically, each booth will have the exercise equipment necessary within it to perform the one or more exercises assigned to the user as the user passes therethrough, as will be more fully explained herein. The exercise equipment may comprise a single exercise device or multiple exercise devices. The exercise device may be configured to be used for only a single exercise, or may be multi-functional in that it has the configuration to perform multiple exercises. In a particularly preferred embodiment, an exercise device, such as a piece of exercise equipment or machinery, exercise mats, exercise devices, etc. as needed is placed in each booth, such that the user moves from one booth to the next in the sequence in order to perform different exercises in the booths using different exercise machines, devices, etc.
The present invention incorporates a comprehensive, personalized exercise program for individuals that want to be directed by professionals, while maintaining the privacy they desire without having to spend additional funds for a personal trainer. A user who wishes to achieve personal fitness or improve upon sports-related skills is offered a workout program and the facilities to achieve their goals within a defined period of time. The workout programs are based on established sports physiology and personal fitness procedures. The method and system of the present invention provides users a workout that is unique to the fitness industry in that it is more efficient, user-specific, and cost-effective than traditional training methods.
The method and system of the present invention reduces the need to maintain multiple administrators, trainers and physiotherapists. Instead, the system of the present invention provides an automated solution which can provide a decision-based system that guides the users based on the goals they have set, their profile and medical history, as well as results of a fitness test, reaction test, and results from prior workouts.
The present invention also reduces the manual bookkeeping in terms of both managing the gym facility, memberships, fees, equipment, workout programs, registration and slot booking for training. The present invention utilizes interactive tools such as kiosks, display screens, mobile applications and/or network access to the users to facilitate registration and slot booking.
In order to accomplish these objectives, the present invention provides an automated directed workout which guides the user from one exercise to another in a timed fashion, so as to complete a full exercise regimen within an allotted time period. The user performs these exercises in a private setting by moving from booth-to-booth to perform the exercises.
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It is believed that the use of individual booths 12 will eliminate distractions which will allow for better concentration and a more effective workout. The privacy and anonymity provided to the member from each booth 12 also eliminates the intimidation or “judge your neighbor” factors which many public gym users dislike, or even are dissuaded from utilizing a public gym for these reasons. Of course, this will take away much stress and anxiety from these individuals working out in a private individual booth 12 setting at each workout station.
Each booth 12 may include at least one electronic device, such as the illustrated display monitor 24 therein. The display monitor 24 is used as an instructional tool to provide the member with a tutorial and guidance on how to perform exercises within the booth 12, such as how to properly utilize the exercise device 22 or perform the desired exercise. The electronic screen or display monitor 24 may display a video, animation, photos or graphic images comprising the tutorial instructing the use how to perform the one or more exercises within the booth 12.
In accordance with the present invention, the time the user spends within each booth performing the exercise within that booth is set. The period of time allocated to perform the one or more assigned exercises within each booth is the same for all booths. In this manner, the users can substantially simultaneously move from one booth to the next booth in the sequence of the booths when the allocated time has lapsed for each of the booths. For example, the time allocated to perform the assigned exercises within each of the booth may be less than 10 minutes, and more typically between one minute and 5 minutes. In particularly preferred embodiment, either one or two minutes is provided and allocated to perform each exercise within each booth. In this manner, the users spend a few minutes, and possibly only a minute or two, in each booth performing the one or more exercises assigned to that booth.
There are a variety of means in which to inform the user of the time remaining to perform the exercise. This may be done audibly, such as announcing a start time, an intermediate time, and a final countdown to end the time within the booth and proceed to the next booth. Alternatively, or additionally, the timer may be displayed, such as on the same electronic display 24 which provides the instructional tutorial. As illustrated in
The workout area of the exercise facility or gym includes the necessary electrical outlets and plugs 28 and wiring 30 to provide the necessary electricity, cable and/or Internet cabling and access, etc. Preferably, the frame members 14 are able to accommodate such electrical outlets 28 and wiring 30, such as being channeled or the like. For example, as illustrated in
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While a central computer, such as a server, could track each booth and provide a separate video or animated tutorial to each electronic display 24, this complicates the overall system somewhat and makes it more expensive to install and maintain. Furthermore, issues could arise with the central server computer, or networked computers or dedicated computers within each booth supplying the tutorial information. A problem with even a single booth will affect the remaining booths as the users move in sequence in a timed manner from booth to booth in accordance with the present invention. In order to overcome these potential problems, the present invention contemplates the use of a plug-in device 36, such as a thumb drive, which can be plugged into an outlet, such as an HDMI or USB outlet of the electronic monitor 24. The animated or live video tutorial would then be placed on a continuous loop, so as to repeatedly show how to use the exercise equipment and perform the exercise within that booth. In the event that the sequence of exercises is altered and/or a different piece of exercise equipment is placed in a given booth, the plug-in device 36 having the instructional tutorial could be moved from a display screen 24 in one booth to another booth having that piece of exercise equipment and the exercise to be performed which is shown in the tutorial video saved on the plug-in device 36. This would take but a few moments and would not require complicated reassignment of tutorial videos saved on a server, dedicated computers for each booth, or the like.
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It will be appreciated that the size of each booth 12 can be uniform, or adjusted in order to accommodate the space requirements for the exercise for that booth 12. For example, a booth 12 having a relatively large piece of exercise equipment can be made with varying size panels or multiple panels in order to accommodate the piece of exercise equipment, or a booth 12 in which a lat or triceps pull down device 48, as illustrated in
It is also contemplated by the present invention that the environment in each booth 12 can be altered to enhance the exercise experience. For example, the booths may have a certain type or degree of lighting which will be conducive to the user. The air can be conditioned to a desired temperature, humidity, or even desirable smells can be placed into the circulated air of each booth. The color scheme and/or design of each booth can also be altered to enhance the user's experience. It is also contemplated by the present invention that speakers could be used to play music for the individual. Of course, the member could also plug in a personal hand-held electronic device to play the member's music within each booth 12 as well.
An exercise regimen with a predetermined exercise sequence may be provided to the member. This entails the member typically moving from one booth to another booth to perform a particular exercise within that booth, such as performing an exercise utilizing an exercise device or machine 22 within that booth. This further facilitates the member's experience at the gym by means of the member being directed from booth to booth to perform different exercises in accordance with an assigned exercise program such that the member does not need to concern himself or herself with which exercises to be performed that day or to find a booth or piece of exercise equipment.
In accordance with the present invention, an exercise workout regimen is provided to each member of the gym which is specifically personalized and tailored for that individual, yet consisting of the exercises to be performed in the various booths of the gym. Upon providing information and test results, a personalized workout regimen may be provided to each member of the gym.
Each member of the gym, as will be more fully described herein, will schedule a specific session at the gym and begin at an assigned booth number. Each booth will be assigned a particular stretch, warm-up, exercise, or rest period. The individual will proceed from booth to booth, as directed, thus obtaining an optimum workout without having to worry about which exercise to perform next.
The present invention contemplates a full body exercise by varying the exercises to be performed with arm muscle groups, chest and back muscle groups, core muscle groups, and leg muscle groups by performing a sequence of exercises as the user moves from booth to booth. Cardiovascular exercises are also contemplated by the invention. In an embodiment of the present invention, a combination of aerobic and anaerobic exercises are assigned to the various booth in a given sequence of booth such that the user obtains both strength training and cardiovascular exercises and improvement. By varying the type and number of exercises, a full body workout can be obtained in a relatively short period of time, such as within thirty minutes.
It is also within the scope of the present invention that a series of booths be specialized so as to create a cardiovascular workout, an upper body workout, a lower body workout, etc. to provide the gym member the flexibility in choosing to focus on these types of exercises. This would entail having multiple series or sequences of booths which are independent of one another. For example, three sets of thirty booths could comprise three sequences, each sequence providing approximately a thirty minute workout. Exemplary exercise programs which can be created by sets of booths and selected by the user or gym member include a general fitness program and calorie burn, or a power performance program. A particular set of booths may have exercise equipment or exercises assigned thereto which are more specific or applicable to a given desired fitness program.
Alternatively, or in addition to, the workout regimen could account for the desired and selected fitness program so as to alter the weight or resistance, number or repetitions or the like of each exercise to be performed. For example, the number of repetitions at a given weight may be increased for a general fitness program, whereas the amount of resistance or weight would be increased but the number of repetitions decreased for a strength enhancing program of a given exercise. The range of weights or resistance for each exercise device within the sequence of booths can be categorized and the user or gym member assigned a weight or resistance category depending upon their input, fitness program selection, and fitness testing results.
In a particularly preferred embodiment, in order to automatically generate a workout regimen for a member of the gym or exercise facility, the general fitness level of the member is determined. In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, the user may take a single fitness test. This may comprise a strength test, such as a grip strength test using a hand dynamometer. This determines the strength of the individual, and it has been found that there is a strong correlation between this test and total body strength. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that other fitness tests or strength tests can be used in its place. The strength test replaces the need to do a test on every single piece of exercise equipment in order to calculate how much weight or resistance should be used in those exercises by the user. The computerized system of the present invention may utilize algorithms associated with the fitness strength test so as to calculate a baseline fitness and strength level of the member without having to do so many tests. Moreover, the results of the strength test set a baseline of weight and repetitions for that individual for each particular exercise to be performed.
Alternatively, the user may perform one or more repetitions of an exercise at a given resistance or weight and adjust the resistance or weight upwardly or downwardly based upon a determination of an ability to complete the assigned number of repetitions. The assigned number of repetitions may vary according to the user's age, sex, and fitness program selected. The user should be able to accomplish the goal-number of repetitions within the time allotted for the exercise within the booth. However, in order to maximize the benefit of the exercise to the user, the user should experience some difficulty in performing the final repetitions of the exercise. If the user, upon performing a single repetition at a given weight or weight category or resistance believes that he or she will be able to easily perform the number of repetitions within the allotted time or even more than the assigned number of repetitions within the allotted time, the user should increase the weight and/or move into a different weight category. However, if the user upon performing a single repetition of the exercise at a given weight does not believe that he or she can accomplish all of the goal-number of repetitions within the assigned time period, the user should attempt the repetition at a lower weight or resistance so as to be properly classified and categorized.
The entire range of weights or resistance for a particular exercise device is broken up into categories, which may labeled with indicia or color. Typically, each category or classification of weight or resistance includes more than one weight or resistance, such that the user can increase or decrease somewhat the weight within the category assigned to him or her depending upon how that user feels that particular day while exercising.
In accordance with the present invention, a patron or member of a gym incorporating the system of the present invention, or, in other words a user of the method and system of the present invention, may also complete a health history and physical trait questionnaire. The user may provide user-related information including the user's age, gender, weight, height, physical limitations or other health concerns, and the like. This may be done online or when the user first attends the gym incorporating the present invention.
For example, a young six foot two inch, two hundred twenty pound male having high strength and no health history concerns interested in improving his strength will be given a different workout regimen than another male who weighs three hundred pounds and is interested in weight management, or a five foot three inch, one hundred pound female of advanced age who is interested in general fitness. This can be accomplished even if the equipment or workout stations are the same and the time interval of exercising at each station is the same.
The workout program consists of a given number of exercises performed over a given, preset period of time. These exercises typically involve a piece of exercise equipment or machine but can involve a manual exercise, such as sit-ups, push-ups or the like assigned to some of the booths 12. Each exercise is timed and the user performs the number of assigned repetitions of the exercise performed at the predetermined resistance. The user will then move to another exercise station within another booth, such as a piece of equipment or machine in which the user is to curl a given amount of weight for a given number of repetitions.
Over time, as the individual gains strength and/or improves his or her fitness level, the exercise regimen for that individual may be altered, such as the user increasing resistance to stay within a desired repetition category, so as to continue to challenge the individual and increase his or her strength, fitness level, weight management, etc. It should be understood that the user may not be assigned a specific number of repetitions to be performed, but rather a range of repetitions. For example, when selecting the performance or increased power program, the user will be assigned to perform between six and eight repetitions. For overall strength increase and hypertrophy, or increasing lean muscle mass, the user may be assigned to perform between nine to eleven repetitions at the assigned weight category. For general life fitness and caloric burn, at least twelve repetitions may be assigned. Over time as the individual gains strength and/or improves his or her fitness level, the number of repetitions may increase. However, if they are still within the range prescribed, the user may elect to maintain the weight category or resistance level assigned, and only increase to the next category of weight or resistance when the user can comfortably perform the desired number of repetitions at that weight or resistance. As mentioned above, optimally, the user will experience an increasing challenge to perform the goal-number of repetitions, almost to muscle failure at the last repetition performed.
With reference now to
It is to be understood that the exercise regimen illustrated in
In accordance with a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the sequence of exercises provided in
The exercise program discussed above is particularly suited for the private gym configuration and system having a workout area defined by a plurality of booths, as illustrated and described above. For example, with reference to
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The gym 10 will typically have a reception desk 50 with employees available to register the member, assist the member in beginning the workout, etc. A waiting room 52 and restrooms 54 will typically be provided. A kiosk or display monitor or the like 56 may be provided, such as outside the initial booth, for the member to log in and/or be prompted to enter the first booth. The member then proceeds through the various booths 12 (numbered 1-30 in
Although only one member would be in a given booth 12 at any given time, it will be appreciated that multiple members could be exercising within the booths and the gym at the same time, but be present in different booths so as to follow the sequence of other members. In the arrangement illustrated in
The system of the present invention allows members to schedule a specific time to begin their workout, and then moves that member from the first booth through each of the series of booths until the workout session is completed. It will be appreciated that each booth at any given moment may have a different member of the gym therein performing an exercise. All of the exercises are specifically timed, such that each gym member in a given sequence or series of booths finishes his or her exercise for that specific booth at the same time, and is provided an allotted amount of time to move to the next booth, such that gym members are moving from one booth to another at approximately the same time, such that there is only a single member within a booth at a given time.
It will be appreciated that each booth 12 includes a workout station, which can comprise a mat for performing stretches or manual exercises, such as sit-ups, push-ups, etc. However, an exercise device or piece of machinery is disposed within at least a plurality of booths, if not all booths, for performing a particular exercise. Only a single piece of exercise equipment or machine is may be in each booth, such that the user performs only a single exercise, according to the repetition and resistance/weight provided by the personalized exercise regimen. However, at least a plurality of the booth may have multiple, such as two, pieces of exercise equipment or machines disposed therein for performing multiple exercises, the allocated time for performing the exercises within the booth being apportioned between the exercises.
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The server 58 may include a booth activity configuration module or algorithm 60, which allows the administrator to define the activity for each of the booths and also have relevant information like video or audio tagged to such activities which can be rendered to the user on the display 24 while he is performing the workout. Authentication module 62 performs member identification, number, card swipe, electronic chip reading, etc. by interfacing with a third-party gym management software 64.
The server 58 has a variety of configurations and purposes. These include a booth registration 66, wherein a particular booth is registered and mapped to a certain exercise activity. The system has the ability to define the booth setup procedure followed by initialization and sequencing 68 process where the booth number shall be entered and submitted by the administrator.
The server also verifies and authenticates the user 62 by validating the entered member identification and/or password prior to the start of the booth usage. This may be done with a third-party gym management application software 64, as illustrated in
The server tracks the booth activity configuration 60. Each activity or exercise that is offered at the facility such as bench press, push-ups, curls, etc. needs to be defined in the system and should be mapped to the respective booth. The server can accommodate any number of booths, such as booths 1-90, and map each one to an activity where the activity need not be a unique entity. For example, the activity called “bench press” may be mapped to both booth number 1 as well as booth number 18, or later changed from booth number 1 to booth number 7. The booth activity configuration tracks the booth number, the activity type, the benefits of the activity, and the video and/or audio feeds that are tagged to this workout or booth. Booth sequencing 68 can be used to sequence the booths.
The server also tracks booth usage 70. An individual may be authenticated at the kiosk or booth for member identification and only after successful identification will he or she be able to proceed further. A typical process flow to the booth usage tracking is that the member arrives at the facility for his or her regular workout regime. The member will be prompted to validate his or her identity by entering the member identification. The user will start the activity defined as part of booth number 1 and also display the time in which he will need to complete the activity. On completion of the defined time for the booth number 1 activity, the user may have a defined time gap to move from one booth to the next, which time may be displayed on the countdown timer of the screen. The user shall then move to the next booth and continue the defined activity and continue this process until the user completes all of the booths for that particular day. It will be appreciated that all members of the gym within the booths are working out in a similar fashion and are timed in sequence through the booths in a coordinated synchronized manner.
Although rest periods may be built into the exercise regimen, a rest period is not necessarily essential. The computer algorithms of the system can be changed periodically as new data and information on exercise science is advanced. Each gym's computerized system may be in communication with a central server or a server based in the cloud which can dictate the changes to the workout regimens, exercises to be performed throughout the sequence of booths, etc. Preferably, a member's data and exercise regimens are also stored on a cloud-based or central server, such that the member could visit other gym locations and obtain their exact data and up-to-date workout regimen at any of the gym facilities incorporating the present invention.
As will be described herein, the server includes or is coupled to a database 72 which contains the member's registration information and periodically updated workout regimens. A reservation module 74 allows the members to reserve a time to begin exercising at the gym. The log in reservation 76 may be done at the gym, or away from the gym, such as at home using the member's computer, or even by means of a smart phone or hand-held electronic device. The user logs in to a network 78 which interfaces with the server 58. An interface 80 is provided between the network 78 and the log in/reservation means 76. An administrator may be provided an interface 82 as well, such as via network 84. This may be done by remote control 86 or at the gym. In the event that data is supplied from the central computer or server to the individual booths, such as a synchronized timer or in the event that the particular exercise facility controls the video exercise tutorials through a central computer, this information is relayed via network 78 to the individual booths. However, more typically, the plug-in device described above is used to provide a loop of instructional video and the timers are synchronized with one another by obtaining their timer data from a single source, such as a video player on a continuous loop which feeds the same timer video and/or audio to all of the individual timers within the various booths of the exercise facility.
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As mentioned above, the present invention can be implemented in a variety of manners. For example, as shown in
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The timer 26 provides a visual and/or audible indication of the total amount of time allocated for performing the one or more exercises within the booth 12. The timer 26 preferably shows the time to perform each exercise, such as sixty seconds for each of the two exercises assigned to the booth illustrated in
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It is contemplated by the present invention that although the booths are used in accordance with a full body workout sequencing program, the booths instead could be used for other exercise programs. For example, a set of booths could be directed to upper body muscle groups, while another set of booths could be directed to lower body exercises, while yet another set of booths could be directed to core muscle groups, as an example. While this arrangement may not provide an optimal full body exercise regimen, it may be more desirable to some users. The concept of utilizing private booths could also be extended to other types of exercises, such as cardiovascular exercise machines, wherein each booth contains a separate treadmill, stationary bike, elliptical machine, etc. such that the user is able to perform that exercise for the prescribed or desired amount of time in a private setting, while still attending a public gym, and thus obtaining the benefits of a public workout session.
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With reference to
With reference to
Preferably, the user will be given options to navigate through the various screens 192 relating to each booth and exercise. Thus, the user may be able to select to go “back” to a prior screen shot for a prior booth and/or exercise, or “advance” to the next booth and/or exercise to be performed. Typically, this will be done as the user is working out during an exercise regimen, such as using his or her hand-held device, such as illustrated in
It will be appreciated that the present invention provides many advantages over current methodologies and systems. The automatically generated personalized workout provides the user with a directed workout, and allows the user to relax and have direction. There is no question as to which exercise to do next. The system simply tells the user what exercise to do, for how many repetitions and at which weight/resistance. There is no thought required as to which exercise to perform next. This results in less stress, and no waiting time for equipment. The customer may have the sense that the facility was built specifically for their own personal experience. The privacy aspect of the booths also reduces stress and distractions and allows for better concentration and a more effective workout. The booths are adaptable to the contour and layout of the building, and can be interchangeable. The booths can also present a protected environment with reduced exposure to airborne communicable diseases. Use of the booth system allows the facility to accommodate all of its users, whereas traditional gyms can only handle approximately sixty percent (60%) of their members at any given time. This is due to the fact that the users of the present invention select and book a particular time for their workout, and will know that each of the booths and exercises will be available to them at that time. However, if a large number of members of a traditional gym were to visit the gym at a particular time, those users may need to wait to access equipment and work stations. The present invention is automated, without the need of computer programs to assess and enter data. No computer data operators, or even trainers are necessary. This slashes the number of people required to run a gym dramatically. Furthermore, in a gym with as few as three sequences, three members can start every minute, or one hundred eighty members per hour. These members may not see any other members or have any interaction with them during their entire workout regimen, yet receive a highly optimized workout due to the exercise science and computerized system incorporated into the invention. Essentially, the gym member is receiving the services of his or her own personal trainer or exercise physiologist without the need of hiring one of these individuals or scheduling a time with one of these individuals or working out with one of these individuals. These inherent services within the system of the present invention could enable the gym to charge higher fees than traditional gyms.
Although several embodiments have been described in detail for purposes of illustration, various modifications may be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. Accordingly, the invention is not to be limited, except as by the appended claims.
This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 14/716,498, filed May 19, 2015, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 14/469,423, filed on Aug. 26, 2014, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 14/287,444, filed May 27, 2014, and is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 14/012,754, filed Aug. 28, 2013, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/828,489, filed May 29, 2013, U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/816,510, filed Apr. 26, 2013, and U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/694,126, filed Aug. 28, 2012.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 14716498 | May 2015 | US |
| Child | 15131366 | US | |
| Parent | 14469423 | Aug 2014 | US |
| Child | 14716498 | US | |
| Parent | 14287444 | May 2014 | US |
| Child | 14469423 | US | |
| Parent | 14012754 | Aug 2013 | US |
| Child | 14287444 | US |
