Calorie counter for weight lifting

Abstract

An apparatus, device, and method for measuring and displaying the amount of calories expended by a person engaged in weight lifting. In an exemplary embodiment, the apparatus senses the displacement of a weight through the use of a sensor and a computer translates that displacement into caloric expenditure. A display provides the user with a visual report of the amount of caloric expenditure as well as other fitness parameters of the workout. The cumulative amount of calories expended over a length of time may also be provided to the user. The user can control the information displayed and the operations performed through the user interface. The apparatus and device may allow for more than one user at a time. Audible signals may be generated to inform the user about different fitness parameters.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application is a non-provisional application that claims the benefit of priority under 35 USC 119 to U.S. Ser. No. 11 / 204,673, filed 16 Aug. 2005, which is incorporated by reference as if fully recited herein.TECHNICAL FIELD[0002]The present invention relates generally to an apparatus, device, and method for measuring an amount of calories expended by a person who is performing a physical activity. More particularly, the present invention relates to an apparatus, device, and method of measuring ad displaying an amount of calories expended during a weight lifting activity.BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION[0003]Providing persons who engage in physical activity with information about the intensity of their workouts has become very popular. Weight lifters, like all athletes, value the ability of knowing the details about different fitness parameters, such as how much weight they are lifting, how many repetitions they have done, and...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0003]Providing persons who engage in physical activity with information about the intensity of their workouts has become very popular. Weight lifters, like all athletes, value the ability of knowing the details about different fitness parameters, such as how much weight they are lifting, how many repetitions they have done, and the amount of power they have expended. Fitness parameters like these are important for keeping track of athletic progress and setting workout goals.

[0004]The knowledge of how many calories are expended during weight lifting and exercise in general has also become increasingly popular in today's society. For many persons, particularly those engaged in physical activity for weight-loss reasons, personal fitness goals may be set in the form of calories expended. For others, calories expended may simply serve as a guideline for the proper intensity of a workout. For all persons, knowledge of the amount of calories expended allows them to keep better track of their personal performance and fitness goals, and, ultimately, to perform better.

Problems solved by technology

However, it is much more difficult for a person engaged in weight lifting to gain even a somewhat accurate knowledge of how many calories they have expended by lifting weights.

Since weight lifting does not typically involve continuous activity, like most cardiovascular machines, it is difficult for a lifter to use a “rule of thumb” method and apply an average rate of caloric expenditure to their workout time to determine their caloric expenditure.

This interchangeable nature of weights and weight lifting equipment makes it even more difficult for a weight lifter to determine his or her caloric expenditure.

Another factor that makes it difficult to determine caloric expenditure is that the distance a weight is lifted varies greatly depending on the lifter, the amount of weight they are lifting, the type of exercise they are engaging in and personal lifting style.

This of course is a difficult and time-consuming task for any weight lifter to do.

Further compounded with the fact that during a typical weight workout a lifter will use several different types of machines with different amounts of weight, the task of calculating cumulative caloric expenditure becomes virtually impossible.

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