Software and method for indoor cycling instruction

Abstract

An application software that combines instructional cues with music along with a graphic representation of a workout, such as a cycling workout, for teaching one or more individuals riding stationary bikes, or regular bicycles on stationary trainers, performing other exercises, used for indoor exercise or training. Instructors of indoor cycling or Spinning® classes can use their mobile device to create a class that contains music for the class, their instructional cues by voice or text, and an automatically generated graphic profile of the ride of workout. The climb or graph is represented by harder exercise efforts appearing higher on the graph, with easier efforts appearing lower as a function of the target heart zone or percent of max heart rate. Colors can be associated with specific cardiovascular or power zones of physical difficulty or intensity. By having the music, instructional cues, and graphics related to the class all in the same mobile device, the instructor no longer has to try and work with multiple items or devices while riding a stationary bike.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application claims the benefit of priority of U.S. provisional patent application number 61 / 488,652, filed May 20, 2011, the contents of which are herein incorporated by reference.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]The present invention relates to workout teaching aids and, more particularly, to a software application and method for teaching one or more individuals riding stationary bikes, or other bicycles on stationary trainers.[0003]Instructors of indoor cycling or Spinning® classes need both a device to play music for class as well as written notes to teach from, similar to the teaching aids any teacher uses when teaching a class or giving a lecture. Furthermore, if the instructor of the classes wants to convey any graphics related to their class topic or the actions they wish the students to do in class, they must likewise use graphical teaching aids. These can be paper, poster boards or digital assets of various types.[0004]The p...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present invention is a computer-implemented method that allows users to create, edit, and execute exercise classes on a computer. The method includes a class creation module for creating the exercise class and storing it on a computing device, a class edit module for adding audio and instructional cues to the exercise class, and a class ride module for executing the exercise class and providing a video output to viewers. The video output includes a representation of the heart zone intensity settings and an indicator of the progress of the exercise class. The invention provides an efficient and effective tool for creating and teaching exercise classes.

Problems solved by technology

The problem with this for indoor cycling instructors or Spinning® instructors is that the instructors who teach the class are typically riding a stationary bike while teaching.

Thus, they are provided with a difficult situation of trying to work with a music player as well as paper and graphics while riding a stationary bike.

This is both cumbersome and potentially dangerous for the instructor.

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