Systems and methods for magnetic user contact points in exercise devices

Abstract

An exercise system includes an exercise device and a wearable article. The exercise device includes a frame and a user contact point connected to the frame. The wearable article is configured to be worn on a user's body. The wearable article includes a magnetic connector that, when positioned proximate to the user contact point, applies a magnetic attraction force to the user contact point.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An exercise system comprising:
 an exercise device including:
 a frame; 
 a user contact point movable relative to the frame; and 
   a wearable article configured to be worn on a user's body, wherein the wearable article includes a magnetic connector that, when positioned proximate to the user contact point, applies a magnetic attraction force to the user contact point.   
     
     
         2 . The exercise system of  claim 1 , wherein the magnetic connector includes an electromagnet. 
     
     
         3 . The exercise system of  claim 1 , wherein the magnetic connector includes a permanent magnet. 
     
     
         4 . The exercise system of  claim 1 , wherein the exercise device is a stationary bicycle. 
     
     
         5 . The exercise system of  claim 1 , wherein the exercise device is an elliptical trainer. 
     
     
         6 . The exercise system of  claim 1 , wherein the user contact point further comprises an electromagnet. 
     
     
         7 . The exercise system of  claim 1 , wherein the magnetic connector includes a permanent magnet. 
     
     
         8 . The exercise system of  claim 1 , wherein the wearable article is a shoe. 
     
     
         9 . An exercise system comprising:
 an exercise device including:   a frame;   a user contact point movable relative to the frame;   a wearable article configured to be worn on a user's body; and   a magnetic coupling mechanism that, when positioned the wearable article is proximate to the user contact point, applies a magnetic force between the user contact point and the wearable article.   
     
     
         10 . The exercise system of  claim 9 , wherein the magnetic coupling mechanism includes an electromagnet to selectively apply the magnetic force. 
     
     
         11 . The exercise system of  claim 10 , further comprising at least one sensor in data communication with the electromagnet, and a strength of the electromagnet is at least partially based on a measurement from the at least one sensor. 
     
     
         12 . The exercise system of  claim 10 , further comprising a drivetrain with a crankarm that is movable relative to the frame, wherein the user contact point is coupled to or part of the crankarm. 
     
     
         13 . The exercise system of  claim 9 , wherein the magnetic force is an attractive force. 
     
     
         14 . The exercise system of  claim 9 , wherein the magnetic force is a repulsive force. 
     
     
         15 . The exercise system of  claim 9 , wherein the magnetic force is applied laterally to a surface of the user contact point. 
     
     
         16 . A method of applying a magnetic force to a user with an exercise device, the method comprising:
 detecting a wearable article proximate a user contact point of an exercise device;   in response to detecting the wearable article proximate the user contact point, changing a current to an electromagnet at the user contact point; and   applying a magnetic force between the wearable article and the user contact point.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising adjusting the current based on a position of the user contact point relative to a frame of the exercise device. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising adjusting the current based on a force applied to the user contact point. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising decreasing a strength of a magnetic field of the electromagnet as the wearable article approaches the contact point. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the magnetic force applied between the wearable article and the user contact point is constant over a distance as the wearable article moves normal to the user contact point.