Exercise systems and related methods

Abstract

An exercise apparatus and related method according to which the exercise apparatus includes a loading interface, a user support, and a load-bearing mechanism operably coupled between the loading interface and the user support. A load-bearing mechanism adapted to be operably coupled between a loading interface and a user support of an exercise apparatus. The load-bearing mechanism includes an actuator, a position sensor, and a force sensor. A method for adjusting a relative distance between a loading interface and a user support of an exercise apparatus using a load-bearing mechanism to accommodate users of varying size. Exercise systems and related methods according to which a kiosk is in communication with one or more of the following: a grip-strength tester or component(s) thereof; a balance board or component(s) thereof; a vibration system or component(s) thereof; and/or other exercise devices or systems.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method, comprising:
 adjusting, using a linear actuator of a load-bearing mechanism, a linear distance to thereby accommodate a user of an exercise apparatus, the exercise apparatus comprising the load-bearing mechanism, a user support, and a loading interface;
 wherein the linear distance is defined between the user support and the loading interface of the exercise apparatus; 
 wherein adjusting the linear distance using the linear actuator comprises:
 extending the linear distance, from a first distance D 1  to a second distance D 2 ; or 
 retracting the linear distance from the second distance D 2  to the first distance D 1 ; 
 
 wherein the second distance D 2  is greater than the first distance D 1 ; and 
 wherein the load-bearing mechanism further comprises a position sensor and a force sensor; 
   determining, using the position sensor of the load-bearing mechanism, the linear distance while the linear actuator adjusts the linear distance; and   after the linear actuator adjusts the linear distance, supporting the user using the user support while the user applies a first load to the loading interface to perform an exercise, the first load being detectable by the force sensor of the load-bearing mechanism.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 determining, using the force sensor of the load-bearing mechanism, the first load applied to the loading interface by the user.   
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the exercise performed by the user is an isometric exercise. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein adjusting, using the linear actuator of the load-bearing mechanism, the linear distance comprises:
 extending or retracting the linear distance in response to the user:
 entering an input into a user interface of a control unit, which control unit communicates control signals to the linear actuator of the load-bearing mechanism; or 
 applying a second load to the loading interface. 
   
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 ,
 wherein adjusting, using the linear actuator of the load-bearing mechanism, the linear distance comprises:
 extending or retracting the linear distance in response to the user entering the input into the user interface of the control unit; 
   and   wherein the input comprises identifying information associating the user with a target setting retrievable via the control unit, which target setting is based on a previous use of the exercise apparatus, or a similar exercise apparatus, by the user.   
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 4 ,
 wherein adjusting, using the linear actuator of the load-bearing mechanism, the linear distance comprises:
 extending or retracting the linear distance in response to the user entering the input into the user interface of the control unit; 
   and   wherein the input comprises a target setting.   
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 4 ,
 wherein adjusting, using the linear actuator of the load-bearing mechanism, the linear distance comprises:
 extending or retracting the linear distance in response to:
 the user applying the second load to the loading interface; and 
 determining, using the force sensor of the load-bearing mechanism, that the second load applied to the loading interface by the user has exceeded a threshold. 
 
   
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 4 , further comprising:
 determining, using the force sensor of the load-bearing mechanism, that a halt-force threshold has been exceeded during the extension or retraction of the linear distance; and   in response to determining that the halt force has been exceeded, locking the linear actuator.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 4 , further comprising:
 determining, using the position sensor of the load-bearing mechanism, that the linear distance has been over-extended or over-retracted; and   in response to determining that that the linear distance has been over-extended or over-retracted, locking the linear actuator.   
     
     
         10 . A system, comprising:
 a non-transitory computer readable medium; and   a plurality of instructions stored on the non-transitory computer readable medium and executable by one or more processors to implement the following steps:
 adjusting, using a linear actuator of a load-bearing mechanism, a linear distance to thereby accommodate a user of an exercise apparatus, the exercise apparatus comprising the load-bearing mechanism, a user support, and a loading interface;
 wherein the linear distance is defined between the user support and the loading interface of the exercise apparatus; 
 wherein adjusting the linear distance using the linear actuator comprises:
 extending the linear distance, from a first distance D 1  to a second distance D 2 ; or 
 retracting the linear distance from the second distance D 2  to the first distance D 1 ; 
 
 wherein the second distance D 2  is greater than the first distance D 1 ; and 
 wherein the load-bearing mechanism further comprises a position sensor and a force sensor; 
 
 determining, using the position sensor of the load-bearing mechanism, the linear distance while the linear actuator adjusts the linear distance; and 
 after the linear actuator adjusts the linear distance, supporting the user using the user support while the user applies a first load to the loading interface to perform an exercise, the first load being detectable by the force sensor of the load-bearing mechanism. 
   
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the instructions are executable by the one or more processors to implement the following additional step:
 determining, using the force sensor of the load-bearing mechanism, the first load applied to the loading interface by the user.   
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the exercise performed by the user is an isometric exercise. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein adjusting, using the linear actuator of the load-bearing mechanism, the linear distance comprises:
 extending or retracting the linear distance in response to the user:
 entering an input into a user interface of a control unit, which control unit communicates control signals to the linear actuator of the load-bearing mechanism; or 
 applying a second load to the loading interface. 
   
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 13 ,
 wherein adjusting, using the linear actuator of the load-bearing mechanism, the linear distance comprises:
 extending or retracting the linear distance in response to the user entering the input into the user interface of the control unit; 
   and   wherein the input comprises identifying information associating the user with a target setting retrievable via the control unit, which target setting is based on a previous use of the exercise apparatus, or a similar exercise apparatus, by the user.   
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 13 ,
 wherein adjusting, using the linear actuator of the load-bearing mechanism, the linear distance comprises:
 extending or retracting the linear distance in response to the user entering the input into the user interface of the control unit; 
   and   wherein the input comprises a target setting.   
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 13 ,
 wherein adjusting, using the linear actuator of the load-bearing mechanism, the linear distance comprises:
 extending or retracting the linear distance in response to:
 the user applying the second load to the loading interface; and 
 determining, using the force sensor of the load-bearing mechanism, that the second load applied to the loading interface by the user has exceeded a threshold. 
 
   
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the instructions are executable by the one or more processors to implement the following additional step:
 determining, using the force sensor of the load-bearing mechanism, that a halt-force threshold has been exceeded during the extension or retraction of the linear distance; and   in response to determining that the halt force has been exceeded, locking the linear actuator.   
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the instructions are executable by the one or more processors to implement the following additional step:
 determining, using the position sensor of the load-bearing mechanism, that the linear distance has been over-extended or over-retracted; and   in response to determining that that the linear distance has been over-extended or over-retracted, locking the linear actuator.