Apparatus Method and System of Balanced Left/Right Conditioning

Abstract

In general and for simplicity of description, the present invention provides realtime feedback to a user of exercise equipment, showing the user the relative input force the user applies between left and right contact points with exercise equipment that has a singular resistance mechanism. By receiving this feedback, a user can balance or adjust to their desired ratio physical effort between the user's left and right engagement points and/or muscle groups with the exercise equipment, thereby achieving desired workouts.

1 . Exercise equipment, comprising a combined resistance to left and right appendage force input, comprising a sensor in communication with the exercise equipment configured to measure a force from a user's left and right equipment contact points when the user uses the equipment. 
     
     
         2 . The equipment of  claim 1 , further comprising a central processor in communication with the sensor and configured to read the measured force. 
     
     
         3 . The equipment of  claim 2 , further comprising a display in communication with the central processor, wherein the central processor displays an output value to the user on the display. 
     
     
         4 . The equipment of  claim 3 , further comprising, multiple sensors configured to independently read force from the user's left and right contact points with the exercise equipment. 
     
     
         5 . The equipment of  claim 4 , wherein the central processor produces an output value from each sensor representing each user contact point and the user interface displays each output value to the user. 
     
     
         6 . The equipment of  claim 4 , wherein the sensors are positioned to receive force applied to the equipment through two user contact points such that the user can determine force applied to the equipment through each independent contact point. 
     
     
         7 . The equipment of  claim 4 , wherein the sensors are configured to receive force applied to the equipment from the user's hands, arms, legs or feet. 
     
     
         8 . The equipment of  claim 4 , wherein the sensors are in communication with handle grips, leg pads, arm pads or foot engagement points of the equipment. 
     
     
         9 . The equipment of  claim 3 , wherein the output value of the sensor is displayed to the user in pounds, kilograms or Newtons. 
     
     
         10 . The equipment of  claim 4 , wherein the output value of each of the user's engagement points are displayed to the user as a percentage of the total force applied to the equipment. 
     
     
         11 . The exercise equipment of  claim 4 , wherein the output value of each of the user's engagement points are displayed to the user in pounds, kilograms or Newtons as a component of the total force applied to the equipment. 
     
     
         12 . The exercise equipment of  claim 1 , wherein the sensor is a pressure sensor comprising two or more flexible layers. 
     
     
         13 . The exercise equipment of  claim 12 , wherein the sensor comprises piezoresistive ink printed on the flexible layers. 
     
     
         14 . A method for balancing physical effort between a user's engagement points with exercise equipment, comprising:
 transmitting a first force from a user's first engagement point with the equipment to a sensor coupled with the equipment;   transmitting a second force from a user's second engagement point with the equipment to a second sensor coupled with the equipment;   reading the first and second sensors to determine force applied to each sensor independently by the user's first and second engagement point; and   displaying the force of the first engagement point and the force of the second engagement point to the user, wherein the user can adjust the force applied through the first or second engagement point to equalize the force applied on the equipment.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the force displayed is displayed real time as the user applies the force to the equipment. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the force displayed provides the user with quantitative information of applied force through the first and second engagement point independently. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the displayed information allows the user to adjust the force applied through the first or second engagement point thereby resulting in a desired workout. 
     
     
         18 . A system for balancing physical development between left and right body appendages, comprising:
 a first sensor configured and dimensioned to be coupled with an exercise equipment and engaged by a left body appendage of a user;   a second sensor configured and dimensioned to be coupled with the exercise equipment and engaged by a right body appendage of a user;   a central processor in communication with the first and second sensors and configured to read the force applied by the user to each of the first and second sensors; and   a user interface display in communication with the central processor and configured to independently display force applied to the left and right sensors to the user, wherein the user can adjust the force applied to the left or right body appendage to balance applied force to the exercise equipment.   
     
     
         19 . The system for balancing physical development between left and right body appendages of  claim 18 , wherein the first and second sensors are configured to engage the user's hands, arms, legs or feet. 
     
     
         20 . The system for balancing physical development between left and right body appendages of  claim 18 , wherein the first and second sensors are coupled with handle grips, leg pads, arm pads or foot engagement pads of the exercise equipment.