Prompt-based exercise apparatus, system, and method

Abstract

An exercise system, apparatus, and method. The system and apparatus include at least one prompt physically associated with a user, wherein each prompt is directly corresponded to a target area of the user, and at least one instruction, wherein each instruction is associated with at least one prompt, and wherein taking action on the prompt in accordance with the instruction impacts the target area. The method includes physically associating at least one prompt with an exerciser, directly corresponding each of said at least one prompt is to a target on the exerciser, and allowing for instruction to the exerciser, wherein the instruction is associated with at least one prompt, and wherein an action on the prompt in accordance with the instruction impacts the target.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60 / 552,081, filed on Mar. 10, 2004.FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] The present invention relates to exercise and fitness, and, more particularly, to a prompt-based exercise apparatus, system, and method. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] Existing training, fitness, recreation, and rehabilitation equipment, systems, and exercises provide exercise, recreation, or rehabilitation to users. Often, such equipment, systems, and exercises target certain regions of the body, or certain muscle groups. For example, a sit up bench may help the user target the muscle groups in the abdominal region of the user. This is particularly important for exercises, equipment, and systems targeting body regions in need of rehabilitation. For example, a user suffering from a back injury may target the muscles in the lower back for strengthening. In general, and in such rehabilitatio...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0008] The present invention includes an exercise system, apparatus, and method. The system and apparatus include at least one prompt physically associated with a user, wherein each prompt is directly corresponded to a target area of the user, and at least one instruction, wherein each instruction is associated with at least one prompt, and wherein taking action on the prompt in accordance with the instruction impacts the target area. The system and apparatus may additionally include one or more props for association with the prompts in an exercise to effect the target area.

Problems solved by technology

In general, and in such rehabilitation cases in particular, it may be very detrimental if an exercise is performed incorrectly.

If an exercise is performed incorrectly, the wrong region of the body may be targeted by the exercise and damage to the body of the user may result.

The elimination of the benefits of a given exercise may be particularly undesirable in the case of, for example, rehabilitation.

However, existing exercises, equipment and systems do not provide a mechanism to allow a user to make certain that the correct body region is targeted.

Without medical training, and without guidance as to how a targeted exercise should feel, a user may lack understanding of the intended result of the exercise.

Further, even if the user understands the intended result of an exercise, a user may lack “muscle memory” to properly perform an exercise until that exercise has been repeatedly performed.

As such, even users having an understanding of the intended result of an exercise, and the damage that can be done from improper performance of the exercise, may nonetheless lack initial muscle memory, and hence may learn to perform the exercise improperly.

Damage to the body often is the result, even for experienced exercisers and for medically trained exercisers.

However, it is not generally desirable to give extensive medical or educational training to exercisers, as such training is time-consuming for both teacher and learner, and as such is inefficient.

Further, exercisers may find it offensive or irritating to frequently have a body part touched or pointed to by an exercise professional.

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