TRAINING APPARATUS

Abstract

A training apparatus is disclosed that will enable a trainee to exercise with a load that is suited to his or her physical build in the forward path and return path of a repetitive exercise. A motor applies a load to a bar (corresponds to a moving unit) that moves repetitively due to a trainee's exercise. The load that is applied by the motor is not fixed, but rather varies during the repetitive exercise. The width of the repetitive exercise, i.e., the width of the range of motion of the bar, takes into account differences in the physique of individual trainees. Consequently, varying the method by which the load changes in accordance with the width of the range of motion makes it possible to apply a load that is suited to the physique of each individual trainee, thereby enabling each trainee to exercise effectively.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Referring now to the attached drawings which form a part of this original disclosure:

FIG. 1 is a training apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is one example (a front perspective view) of the training apparatus in FIG.

FIG. 3 is one example (a rear perspective view) of the training apparatus in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a conceptual explanatory diagram of personal data accumulated in the server in FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is one example of a menu screen that receives the selection of the mode.

FIG. 6 is one example of a personal data input receiving screen.

FIG. 7 is an indication screen (abdominal muscles exercise).

FIG. 8 is an indication screen (back muscles exercise).

FIG. 9 is an indication screen (right obliques exercise).

FIG. 10 is an indication screen (left obliques exercise).

FIG. 11 explains the principle upon which the method of determining the load curve is based. Drawing (A) shows the ranges of motion Wa, Wb, which differ in accordance with the different trainees A, B. Drawing (B) is one example of abdominal muscle exercise load curves in accordance with ranges of motion Wa, Wb.

FIG. 12 is a load curve that takes the kinetic frictional force f, which is generated by the chain shown in FIG. 3, into consideration.

FIG. 13 is a load curve that takes a body weight offset load into consideration.

FIG. 14 is an example of specific values of loads.

FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram that shows one example of an equation for deriving the estimated 1 RM.

FIG. 16 is a flow chart that shows one example of the flow of a main routine, which is executed by the calculation unit in FIG. 1.

FIG. 17 is a flow chart that shows one example of the flow of a seat position verification subroutine, which is executed by the calculation unit in FIG. 1.

FIG. 18 is a flow chart that shows one example of the flow of a measurement process subroutine, which is executed by the calculation unit in FIG. 1.

FIG. 19 is a flow chart that shows one example of the flow of a training process subroutine, which is executed by the calculation unit in FIG. 1.

Claims

1. A training apparatus that is provided for exercise, wherein an electrically powered load generator applies a load to a moving unit, which is capable of repetitive motion, comprising: a range of motion determining unit configured to determine a range of motion, which is a range through which the moving unit performs repetitive motion, in accordance with a trainee; anda load controlling unit configured to vary the load, which is applied to the moving unit by the load generator, in accordance with the position of the moving unit in the determined range of motion.

2. A training apparatus as recited in claim 1, further comprising: a reference load determining unit configured to determine a reference load, which is a load that is suited to the trainee;

3. A training apparatus as recited in claim 2, further comprising: a long and deformable power transferring member that transfers the load of the load generator to the moving unit;

4. A training apparatus as recited in claim 2, wherein the load controlling unit linearly increases the load of the moving unit as it moves from the start point to the end point of the repetitive motion in accordance with the positional change of the moving unit, and linearly decreases the load of the moving unit as it moves from the end point to the start point of the repetitive motion in accordance with the positional change of the moving unit.

5. A training apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein the load controlling unit varies the load that is applied to the moving unit based further on a body weight offset load, which changes in accordance with the body weight of the trainee and the position of the moving unit in the range of motion.

6. A training apparatus as recited in claim 1, further comprising: a selection receiving unit configured to receive the selection of any one among a plurality of exercise types;