High efficiency strength training apparatus

Abstract

In one preferred embodiment, the present invention provides an exercise apparatus in which an impingement member is driven between a selectable start point and a selectable endpoint. When coupled with suitable instrumentation and electronic circuitry, the inventive strength training device allows the measurement, tracking, and computation of force exerted, repetitions performed, measurement and display of position, velocity, acceleration, work, impulse, etc. In addition, archived data can be used to show improvement or problem areas as well as provide an indication of the quality of each repetition and the quality of the workout in general. Such an exercise apparatus comprises: a frame including a base; a linear actuator supported from the frame; an impingement member movable relative to the frame and driven by the actuator; and a controller for controlling the actuator.

1 . An exercise machine for strength training and assessment, said exercise machine comprising:
 a frame;   an impingement member movably attached to said frame;   an actuator disposed between said frame and said impingement member for driving said impingement member through a range of motion between a first position and a second position; and   a controller in communication with said actuator for controlling the movement of said actuator, said controller providing selectable control of the said first position and said second position such that range of motion is programmable,   wherein when a user engages said impingement member, at least one muscle of the user is exercised.   
   
   
       2 . The exercise machine of  claim 1  further comprising:
 a user interface for receiving input from said user and displaying exercise results to said user;   a load cell in mechanical communication with said impingement member such that forces applied to said impingement member by said user will be measured by said load cell; and   a computer in communication with said display, said load cell, and said motor controller, said computer for receiving said forces applied to said impingement member, for directing selectable control of said motor controller, and for receiving information from, and providing information to, said user interface to control the exercise of said at least one muscle and assess the fitness of said at least one muscle.   
   
   
       3 . The exercise machine of  claim 2  wherein the user can selectably engage said impingement member for either concentric training or eccentric training at any point in said range of motion. 
   
   
       4 . The exercise machine of  claim 2  wherein said first position and said second position are stored in a database for each user of a plurality of users and said computer accesses said database when each user exercises on the exercise machine such that the range of motion is individually appropriate for each user. 
   
   
       5 . The exercise machine of  claim 1  wherein the exercise machine is configured as a chest press machine and said at least one muscle is a plurality of muscles including muscles located in said user's chest and arms. 
   
   
       6 . The exercise machine of  claim 1  wherein the exercise machine is configured as a shoulder press machine and said at least one muscle is a muscle located in the user's arm. 
   
   
       7 . The exercise machine of  claim 1  wherein the exercise machine is configured as a leg extension machine and said at least one muscle is a muscle located in the user's leg. 
   
   
       8 . The exercise machine of  claim 1  wherein the exercise machine is configured as a leg press machine and said at least one muscle is a muscle located in the user's leg. 
   
   
       9 . The exercise machine of  claim 1  wherein the exercise machine is configured as a squat machine and said at least one muscle is a muscle located in the user's leg. 
   
   
       10 . The exercise machine of  claim 1  wherein the exercise machine is configured as a shoulder machine and said at least one muscle is a muscle which produces rotation of the user's shoulder. 
   
   
       11 . The exercise machine of  claim 1  wherein the exercise machine is configured as a back abdominal machine and said at least one muscle is a muscle located in the user's back. 
   
   
       12 . A computerized strength training exercise machine comprising:
 a frame;   an impingement member movably attached to said frame;   an actuator disposed between said frame and said impingement member for driving said impingement member through a range of motion between a first position and a second position;   a controller in communication with said actuator for controlling the movement of said actuator, said controller providing selectable control of the said first position and said second position such that said range of motion is programmable;   a user interface for receiving input from a user and displaying exercise results to said user;   a load cell in mechanical communication with said impingement member such that forces applied to said impingement member by said user will be measured by said load cell; and   a computer in communication with said user interface, said load cell, and said motor controller, said computer for receiving said forces applied to said impingement member, for directing selectable control of said motor controller, and for receiving information from, and providing information to, said user interface to control the exercise provided to said user by said impingement member.   
   
   
       13 . The computerized strength training machine of  claim 12  wherein the user can selectably engage said impingement member for either concentric training or eccentric training at any point in said range of motion. 
   
   
       14 . The computerized strength training machine of  claim 12  wherein said first position and said second position are stored in a database for each user of a plurality of users and said computer accesses said database when each user exercises on the exercise machine such that the range of motion is individually appropriate for each user. 
   
   
       15 . The computerized strength training machine of  claim 12  wherein the exercise machine is configured as a chest press machine. 
   
   
       16 . The computerized strength training machine of  claim 12  wherein the exercise machine is configured as a shoulder press machine. 
   
   
       17 . The computerized strength training machine of  claim 12  wherein the exercise machine is configured as a leg extension machine. 
   
   
       18 . The computerized strength training machine of  claim 12  wherein the exercise machine is configured as a leg press machine. 
   
   
       19 . The computerized strength training machine of  claim 12  wherein the exercise machine is configured as a squat machine. 
   
   
       20 . The computerized strength training machine of  claim 12  wherein the exercise machine is configured as a shoulder machine. 
   
   
       21 . The computerized strength training machine of  claim 12  wherein the exercise machine is configured as a back/abdominal machine. 
   
   
       22 . The computerized strength training machine of  claim 12  wherein the exercise machine is configured so that said computer communicates with a server in order to store and update user information in a database configured to house information relating to user(s) exercise performance history. 
   
   
       24 . The computerized strength training machine of  claim 12  wherein the exercise machine is configured so that said computer communicates with the computers of other computerized strength training machines. 
   
   
       25 . A suite of computerized strength training machines of  claim 12  wherein the exercise machines are configured so that said strength training machines communicate with one another. 
   
   
       26 . A suite of computerized strength training machines of  claim 12  wherein said exercise machine are configured so that their computers communicate with a server.