Modular furniture for computer assisted exercise

Abstract

A modular furniture system including an exercise module having an enclosure for enclosing exercise equipment, a computer module having an enclosure for enclosing computer equipment, passages in each module for cabling between the modules, and a support for a computer peripheral.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A modular furniture system comprising: 
 a first module that encloses provided exercise equipment;    a second module that encloses provided computer equipment; and    at least one orifice in each module for passage of provided cabling between the modules.    
     
     
         2 . The modular furniture system of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first and second modules comprises an interior wall that provides support for at least one shelf for supporting the respective equipment and defines a pocket for stowing a door, the door for enclosing the respective equipment within the at least one of first and second modules.  
     
     
         3 . The modular furniture system according to  claim 1 , wherein there are two exercise modules each configured to house deployable exercise equipment and one computer module, and further comprising a support for supporting a provided peripheral coupled to the computer equipment in the computer module, wherein the support is located to position the peripheral to be viewable by a user located on deployed exercise equipment of either one of the two exercise modules.  
     
     
         4 . The modular furniture system according to  claim 3 , wherein the support comprises a pedestal table having a work surface.  
     
     
         5 . The modular furniture system according to  claim 1 , wherein the first module includes a pivot for supporting an exercise bench.  
     
     
         6 . The modular furniture system according to  claim 1 , wherein the first module includes a pivot for supporting a treadmill.  
     
     
         7 . The modular furniture system according to  claim 5 , further comprising rails disposed in the first module for stowing barbells.  
     
     
         8 . The modular furniture system according to  claim 6 , further comprising rails disposed in the first module for stowing barbells.  
     
     
         9 . The modular furniture system according to  claim 2 , wherein each module includes at least one orifice in an interior portion thereof, that serves as a longitudinal cable passage.  
     
     
         10 . A computer assisted exercise system comprising: 
 a workstation portion including computer equipment operative to perform home/office computing tasks;    a workout portion comprising deployable exercise equipment, and a computer peripheral coupled to the computer equipment of the workstation portion by a link; wherein the workstation portion and workout portion are housed in at least one enclosure, the at least one enclosure having doors that in a first position, obscure the computer equipment and exercise equipment from view, and in a second position, facilitate use of the deployable exercise equipment.    
     
     
         11 . The computer assisted exercise system according to  claim 10 , wherein the workstation portion and the workout portion are housed in separate enclosures having respective cabling passages for the link.  
     
     
         12 . The computer assisted exercise system according to  claim 10 , wherein there are two enclosures and a support surface that supports a provided monitoring device.  
     
     
         13 . The computer assisted exercise system according to  claim 12 , wherein the two enclosures are positioned back to back, and wherein the support surface extends from a side thereof.  
     
     
         14 . The computer assisted exercise system according to  claim 10 , wherein there are at least two enclosures each having a base with at least one opening therein to facilitate cabling between enclosures.  
     
     
         15 . The computer assisted exercise system according to  claim 14 , wherein each enclosure further comprises an internal opening to facilitate cabling inside the enclosure.  
     
     
         16 . The computer assisted exercise system according to  claim 10 , wherein both the workstation and workout portions include video monitors, at least one of which includes a graphic user interface.  
     
     
         17 . The computer assisted exercise system according to  claim 15 , wherein the at least one enclosure includes a plurality of shelves and a plurality of barbell rails disposed therein.  
     
     
         18 . The computer assisted exercise system according to  claim 16 , further comprising a video camera for monitoring an exercise routine disposed in the at least one enclosure.  
     
     
         19 . A method of computer assisted exercising comprising: 
 deploying exercise equipment from a modular furniture system;    establishing an Internet connection via computer equipment of the modular furniture system;    obtaining information for controlling the deployed exercise equipment;    obtaining information for monitoring personal effects of exercise;    obtaining information for the purpose of at least one of entertainment, coaching, and/or teleconferencing; and    performing exercise by use of the deployed exercise equipment in accordance with the obtained information.    
     
     
         20 . The method of exercising according to  claim 19 , further comprising, providing information relating to physical status of an exerciser for evaluation.