Variable resistance exercise device

Abstract

A variable resistance exercise device is described. The exercise device comprises an elongated shaft having a first end and an opposing second end; at least one force sensor coupled to the elongated shaft; at least one attachment member coupled to the elongated shaft; a connecting member, the connecting member adapted to be received by the at least one attached member; and a control module electrically coupled to the at least one force sensor for reading and recording force output by the at least one force sensor.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An exercise device, comprising:
 an elongated shaft having a first end and an opposing second end;   at least one force sensor coupled to the elongated shaft;   at least one attachment member coupled to the elongated shaft;   a connecting member, the connecting member adapted to be received by the at least one attached member; and   a control module electrically coupled to the at least one force sensor for reading and recording force output by the at least one force sensor.   
     
     
         2 . The exercise device of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one force sensor is a load cell. 
     
     
         3 . The exercise device of  claim 1 , wherein the connecting member is selected from an elastic band, chain, cord, rope, cable, and strap. 
     
     
         4 . The exercise device of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one attachment member is detachable. 
     
     
         5 . The exercise device of  claim 1 , further comprising a cover around the elongated shaft. 
     
     
         6 . The exercise device of  claim 1 , further comprising a power source coupled to the control module for powering the control module and the at least one force sensor. 
     
     
         7 . The exercise device of  claim 6 , wherein the power source is charged wirelessly or through a wired connection. 
     
     
         8 . The exercise device of  claim 1 , wherein an external device communicates with the exercise device wirelessly; and where in the external device is selected from a computer, mobile phone, laptop, and tablet. 
     
     
         9 . The exercise device of  claim 8 , wherein the exercise device communicates with a third-party application on the external device. 
     
     
         10 . The exercise device of  claim 1 , further comprising a cooling unit located within the control module for reducing the temperature of the exercise device. 
     
     
         11 . The exercise device of  claim 1 , wherein a middle portion of the connecting member is secured to a foot plate; and where in the end user stands on the foot plate. 
     
     
         12 . The exercise device of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one sensor further measures counting repetitions and time between repetitions of an end user. 
     
     
         13 . A foot plate, comprising:
 an upper surface, a lower surface, a pair of opposing side walls, and a pair of opposing end walls, wherein the pair of opposing side walls and the pair of opposing ends walls are integrally connected;   at least one pair of opposing channels located in the pair of opposing side walls or the pair of opposing ends walls, the at least one pair of opposing channels adapted to receive a connecting member, wherein the connecting member is connected to an exercise device;   at least one force sensor located within the upper surface; and   a control module electrically coupled to the at least one force sensor for reading and recording force output by the at least one force sensor.   
     
     
         14 . The foot plate of  claim 13 , wherein the at least one force sensor is a load cell. 
     
     
         15 . The exercise device of  claim 13 , wherein the connecting member is selected from an elastic band, chain, cord, rope, cable, and strap. 
     
     
         16 . The exercise device of  claim 13 , wherein the connecting member comprises:
 a first end;   a second end; and   a middle portion connecting the first end and the second end;   wherein the middle portion of the connecting member is received in the at least one pair of channels; and   wherein the first end of the connecting member is connected to an exercise device.   
     
     
         17 . The foot plate of  claim 13 , further comprising a power source coupled to the control module for powering the control module and the at least one force sensor. 
     
     
         18 . The foot plate of  claim 17 , wherein the power source is charged wirelessly or through a wired connection. 
     
     
         19 . The foot plate of  claim 13 , wherein an external device communicates with the exercise device wirelessly; and wherein the external device is selected from a computer, mobile phone, laptop, and tablet. 
     
     
         20 . The foot plate of  claim 19 , wherein the foot plate communicates with a third-party application on the external device. 
     
     
         21 . The foot plate of  claim 13 , further comprising a cooling unit located within the control module for reducing the temperature of the foot plate. 
     
     
         22 . The foot plate of  claim 13 , wherein the at least one sensor further measures counting repetitions and time between repetitions of an end user.