Integrated exercise workspace

Abstract

An integrated exercise workspace ( 100 ) comprises an exercise device ( 110 ), a work surface ( 120 ), and elbow supports ( 130 a, 130 b ). The exercise device ( 110 ) is operable by a lower extremity of a user. The work surface ( 120 ) is supported at a work surface position ( 122 ) relative to the exercise device ( 110 ) and adapted to allow use of the work surface ( 120 ) by the user while operating the exercise device ( 110 ). The elbow supports ( 130 a, 130 b ) are adapted to support elbows of the user at a support position ( 132 a, 132 b ) to substantially isolate degrees of freedom with respect to hand movement from the elbows to hands of the user, so as to minimize movement of the user's hands due to movement of the lower extremity while operating the exercise device ( 110 ).

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An integrated exercise workspace, comprising:
 an exercise device operable by a lower extremity of a user;   a work surface supported at a work surface position relative to the exercise device and adapted to allow use of the work surface by the user while operating the exercise device; and   elbow supports adapted to support elbows of the user at a support position to substantially isolate degrees of freedom with respect to hand movement from the elbows to hands of the user, so as to minimize movement of the user's hands due to movement of the lower extremity while operating the exercise device.   
     
     
         2 . The integrated exercise workspace of  claim 1 , wherein the elbow supports are positioned to support upper arms of the user at an adduction/abduction angle of between about 0 degrees and about 60 degrees. 
     
     
         3 . The integrated exercise workspace of  claim 1 , wherein the elbow supports are positioned to support upper arms of the user at a flexion angle of between about 0 degrees and about 25 degrees. 
     
     
         4 . The integrated exercise workspace of  claim 1 , wherein the elbow supports are positioned such that wrist extension, flexion, adduction, and abduction angles are within about 30 degrees of a neutral position of wrists of the user when the user is operating a keyboard on the work surface. 
     
     
         5 . The integrated exercise workspace of  claim 1 , wherein the support position of the elbow supports is adjustable relative to the work surface. 
     
     
         6 . The integrated exercise workspace of  claim 1 , wherein the work surface position of the work surface is adjustable relative to the exercise device. 
     
     
         7 . The integrated exercise workspace of  claim 1 , wherein the exercise device comprises a recumbent exercise bicycle, a semi-recumbent exercise bicycle, an upright exercise bicycle, a treadmill, a stair stepper, an exercise skier, a strider, an elliptical trainer, or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         8 . The integrated exercise workspace of  claim 1 , wherein the work surface is substantially horizontal. 
     
     
         9 . The integrated exercise workspace of  claim 1 , wherein the work surface is substantially flat. 
     
     
         10 . The integrated exercise workspace of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the elbow supports is moveable to facilitate exercise device ingress and egress. 
     
     
         11 . The integrated exercise workspace of  claim 1 , wherein the elbow supports extend from the work surface. 
     
     
         12 . The integrated exercise workspace of  claim 11 , wherein the elbow supports extend horizontally from the work surface. 
     
     
         13 . The integrated exercise workspace of  claim 1 , wherein the exercise device comprises a recumbent or semi-recumbent exercise bicycle, and the work surface and a seat of the exercise bicycle are positionable relative to one another. 
     
     
         14 . The integrated exercise workspace of  claim 13 , wherein the work surface is height adjustable relative to a seat of the exercise bicycle to provide clearance for legs of the user while operating the exercise bicycle. 
     
     
         15 . The integrated exercise workspace of  claim 13 , wherein the seat is movable in fore and aft directions relative to the work surface to position the user relative to the work surface. 
     
     
         16 . The integrated exercise workspace of  claim 1 , wherein the exercise device comprises a recumbent or semi-recumbent exercise bicycle, and a seat of the exercise bicycle is positionable relative to an axis of rotation of a crank of the exercise bicycle to adjust at least one of a relative distance and a relative height between the seat and the axis of rotation. 
     
     
         17 . The integrated exercise workspace of  claim 1 , wherein the exercise device comprises a recumbent or semi-recumbent exercise bicycle and the work surface position is substantially horizontal. 
     
     
         18 . The integrated exercise workspace of  claim 1 , wherein the exercise device comprises a treadmill and the work surface is height adjustable relative to a walking surface of the treadmill to position the user's elbows relative to the work surface. 
     
     
         19 . The integrated exercise workspace of  claim 1 , further comprising an exercise computer and a display to monitor and display exercise data. 
     
     
         20 . A method of using an integrated exercise workspace, comprising:
 interfacing a user's lower extremity with an exercise device operable by the lower extremity;   isolating degrees of freedom with regard to hand movement from elbows to hands of the user, so as to minimize movement of the user's hands due to movement of the lower extremity while operating the exercise device;   using a work surface supported relative to the exercise device; and   operating the exercise device.