Mobile and attachable electrical resistance system for exercise machines and free-weight equipment

Abstract

An aspect of some embodiments of the current invention relates to retrofitting existing exercise equipment to make it into a “smart” exercise machine. Many existing exercise equipment (e.g., “selectorized” machines and “free weight” exercise equipment) use a number of set weights, which can be selected by mechanical or electronical means in order to attain a certain amount of resistance. In some embodiments, an existing piece of exercise equipment is transformed into a smart, sophisticated and electronically advanced machine, by means of replacing the resistance generated by the weights (gravity resistance) with a resistance force generated by an electronically controlled component, for example an electric motor and/or gear assembly (electric resistance). For example, this may give the existing machine advantages of an electronically controlled resistance system.

1 . A system for retrofitting an exercise machine comprising:
 a resistance source configured for applying an adjustable resistance to movement between a force transmitter and a base of the resistance source;   a controller configured for controlling a resistance of said resistance source and communicating with a user interface;   an anchor configured for holding the base of the resistance source stationary with respect to the exercise machine;   a linkage for connecting said force transmitter to an exercise interface of the exercise machine.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said anchor is reversibly attached to said exercise machine. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein said anchor includes a clamp configured to a connect to a frame of the exercise machine. 
     
     
         4 . (canceled) 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said controller includes a wireless transceiver. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 5 , further comprising an application running on a computing device of a user, said application transforming the computing device into an input output interface for the resistance source. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , further wherein said resistance source reports to said controller at least one of a force on said force transmitter, a position of said force transmitter and a movement of said force transmitter. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said resistance source includes an electric motor. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a guide connected to said exercise machine and changing a direction of applied force of at least one of said force transmitter and said exercise interface. 
     
     
         10 . (canceled) 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein said guide is reversibly connected to a frame of said exercise machine. 
     
     
         12 . A method for retrofitting an exercise machine having exercise interface connected to a native resistance source comprising:
 supplying a resistance source configured for applying an adjustable resistance to movement between a force transmitter and a base of the resistance source and a controller for changing said resistance;   anchoring said base to the exercise machine;   connect said exercise interface to said force transmitter.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising:
 calibrating the force applied by said resistance source on said exercise interface.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein said calibrating includes measuring at least one of a relationship between a force on said exercise interface and an input signal to said resistance source, measuring a relationship between a force on said exercise interface and a force measured on said resistance source, measuring movement of said exercise interface and measured movement of said resistance source, computing an estimated force on said exercise interface based on a specification of said exercise machine, computing an estimated force on said exercise interface based on a specification of said exercise machine and computing an estimated force on said exercise interface based on a specification of said resistance source and a movement between two positions. 
     
     
         15 - 19 . (canceled) 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising connecting said controller wirelessly to a personal computing device of a user for said personal computing device to serve as an input interface for said resistance source. 
     
     
         21 . A system for exercise comprising:
 a plurality of exercise machines each of said plurality of exercise machines including a variable resistance source supplying a resistance to an exercise interface, a wireless transmitter and a controller controlling the resistance of said variable resistance source and receiving data from said variable resistance source; and   a personal computing device of a single trainer in wireless contact with said plurality of exercise machines and whereas said personal computing device is configured to receive output of said variable resistance source and to control a resistance of said resistance source.   
     
     
         22 . The system of  claim 21 , wherein the resistance source is configured to report to said controller at least one of a force on said resistance sources, a position of said variable resistance source and a movement of said variable resistance source. 
     
     
         23 . The system of  claim 21 , further comprising a sensor configure to report to said controller at least one of a force on said exercise interface, a movement of said exercise interface and a position of said exercise interface. 
     
     
         24 . The system of  claim 21 , wherein the personal computing device is configured to display data sorted according an identification a user of an exercise machine. 
     
     
         25 . The system of  claim 21 , wherein the personal computing device is configured to display to said trainer a list of available exercise equipment at a location of a trainee. 
     
     
         26 . The system of  claim 21 , wherein the plurality of exercise machines are at a plurality of remote locations. 
     
     
         27 . The system of  claim 26 , wherein the personal computing device communicates with the plurality of exercise machines over the Internet. 
     
     
         28 . (canceled)