System and method for improving fitness equipment and exercise

Abstract

In a first aspect, a method is provided that includes the steps of (1) providing a monitor for determining a level of exercise performance performed by an exerciser and for outputting a signal representative of the performance level; (2) using the monitor to measure a level of exercise performance performed by an exerciser; (3) outputting from the monitor a signal representative of the performance level; (4) providing a video game having a character, the video game inputting and being responsive to the performance level signal output by the monitor, the video game using the performance level signal to control a performance level of the video game character; and (5) while the exerciser is not exercising, controlling a performance level of the video game character based on a performance level signal output by the monitor.

The invention claimed is:  
     
         1 . A method of exercise comprising: 
 providing a monitor for determining a level of exercise performance performed by an exerciser and for outputting a signal representative of the performance level;    using the monitor to measure a level of exercise performance performed by an exerciser;    outputting from the monitor a signal representative of the performance level;    providing a video game having a character, the video game inputting and being responsive to the performance level signal output by the monitor, the video game using the performance level signal to control a performance level of the video game character; and    while the exerciser is not exercising, controlling a performance level of the video game character based on a performance level signal output by the monitor.    
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising stopping or suspending game play if the performance level of the exerciser exceeds a predetermined threshold.  
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  wherein a controlling a performance level of the video game character based on the performance level signal output by the monitor comprises: 
 receiving at least an indication of the performance level signal output by the monitor after the exerciser has completed exercising; and  
 controlling the performance level of the video game character based on the received performance level signal.