WO1995023633A1

WO1995023633A1 - A hand-held training unit

Info

Publication number: WO1995023633A1
Application number: PCT/AU1995/000107
Authority: WO
Inventors: Allan Raymond Boote
Original assignee: Melbourne Shipping Company Pty. Ltd.
Priority date: 1994-03-04
Filing date: 1995-03-06
Publication date: 1995-09-08
Also published as: AUPM425194A0

Abstract

A hand-held training unit (2), comprising means for displaying (4) a plurality of muscle groups, means for selecting one of the muscle groups (6) and, in response thereto, displaying a plurality of exercises for one of the muscle groups, means for selecting one of the exercises (22) and, in response thereto, displaying exercise data for one of the exercises.

Description

A HAND-HELD TRAINING UNIT

The present invention relates to a hand-held training unit and, in particular, a hand-held unit for use in training.

To undertake training in a gymnasium environment normally requires a person first be given a fitness evaluation by qualified personnel, from which a training program can be established to suit the individual and to meet a desired target. The person may adhere to the training program or seek to alter it over time according to progress and affinity for specific exercises. To monitor progress requires records to be kept on completion of exercises in the training program. The level of sophistication of a training program and the degree of importance attached to the maintenance of records tends to be directly related to the level of application by an individual and the degree of desire an individual has to reach a specific target, such as fitness level or a selected body shape.

A free weights and resistance equipment training program is established by first selecting muscle groups to be exercised. Muscle groups include neck, shoulder, biceps, triceps, chest, back, forearms, thighs, calves and abdominals. Exercises, e.g. bench press, upright rowing and lateral arm raise, are selected for each chosen muscle group and these can vary by as many as ten per muscle group. Each exercise normally involves a number of sets, with each set involving a number of repetitions at a selected weight or resistance. For example, a bench press exercise may involve a first set of twelve presses at 160 kg and a second set of twelve presses at 180 kg. A good training program should vary from day to day by muscle group, by exercise and by a number of different sets, usually with different weights. For example, a one-week program may involve ten muscle groups, with an average of three different exercises per muscle group and three different sets per exercise. The number of sets, repetitions and weights for each exercise, however, may not be varied unless the entire training program is re-established. A program of this type over seven days includes approximately 90 different sets, whereas a highly dedicated program may involve as many as 250 different sets in a week's training.

To plan, record and adjust the training program on a regular basis, which may be required every week to ten days, and additionally record exercises as they are completed, is presently a difficult and laborious task. Consequently less dedicated individuals tend to abandon any attempt to maintain records associated with the program shortly after its commencement. Manual tools are currently available for training program recordal and maintenance. Various diaries and cards have been produced for this specific purpose but each have generally proved inadequate. Most allow specific exercises to be written in rows of one column and sets to be recorded along each row as they are completed with the date at the top. A relatively advanced training program will require 90 to 120 rows on a card to accommodate the different number of exercises, yet most cards only provide 35 rows. If the exercises are to be varied day by day, then this is almost impossible to record on a card.

In accordance with the present invention there is provided a hand-held training unit, comprising: means for displaying a plurality of muscle groups; means for selecting one of said muscle groups and, in response thereto, displaying a plurality of exercises for said one of said muscle groups; means for selecting one of said exercises and, in response thereto, displaying exercise data for said one of said exercises.

Preferably said exercise data includes set, repetition and weight data. The exercise data may also include target data. Target data may include target set, repetition and weight data.

Preferably the exercise data is associated with a day of the week.

Preferably the unit includes means for storing a plurality of said exercise data each corresponding to a selected day, exercise and muscle group. The unit advantageously may include means for selecting a day of the week.

Preferably the unit includes means for adjusting said exercise data.

Advantageously, the unit also includes means for recording said exercise data as completed as said exercise is completed by a user. The unit may also include means for transferring the exercise data recorded as completed to a processing station.

Preferably the unit includes means for recording and adjusting body measurement data, nutritional data and/or additional training activity data.

The present invention further provides a hand-held unit for use in training, comprising: display means for displaying training information which includes muscle groups and exercises; key means for selecting at least one part of said training information; processor means for controlling said display means and responsive to said key means for causing display on said display means of said exercises corresponding to a muscle group selected from a display of said muscle groups on said display means, and for causing display of exercise data in response to selection of one of said exercises.

Preferably said exercise program includes a plurality of respective set, repetition and weight data.

A preferred embodiment of the present invention is hereinafter described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: Figure 1 is a plan view of a preferred embodiment of a hand-held unit;

Figure 2 is a side view of the hand-held unit;

Figure 3 is a block diagram of the circuitry of the hand-held unit;

Figure 4 is a flow diagram of a routine for storing exercise data; Figure 5 is a flow diagram of a routine for accessing exercise data during training;

Figure 6 is a flow diagram of a routine for entering and displaying measurement data;

Figure 7 is a flow diagram of a routine for entering and displaying fitness data; and

Figure 8 is a flow diagram of a routine for entering and displaying training and nutritional data.

A hand-held training unit 2, as shown in Figure 1, includes a liquid crystal display 4, a non-slip screen printed keypad 6 below the display 4, and a housing 8 which contains the components of the unit 2 and is both durable and shock resistant to withstand handling within a gymnasium environment. A belt clip 10, as shown in Figure 2, is provided on the rear of the housing 8 adjacent the top thereof, and magnetic strips are concealed within the lower part 12 of the housing 8 adjacent the rear wall 14. The magnetic strips allow the unit 2 to be attached temporarily to gymnasium equipment. The keys of the keypad 6 include left, right, up and down cursor keys 16 which can be used to move the cursor 18 on the display 4 to menu items 20, as desired. A menu item 20 can be accepted by pressing an accept key 22 which causes the unit 2 to advance to the next display corresponding to the selected menu item 20. The unit 2 can return or escape to a previous display by pressing a reject key 24. On completion of an exercise the displayed exercise data can be accepted and marked as completed by pressing a tag key 26. Retard and advance keys 28 and 30, respectively, are also provided which can be used to retard or advance character scrolling when entering or adjusting data. The unit 2 also includes an infrared panel 17 at the top thereof which allows infrared signals to be transmitted from the unit 2 to a host computer so data in the unit 2 can be downloaded to a host computer. The unit 2 includes an electronic circuit 32, as shown in Figure 3. The electronic circuit 32 is a standard microprocessor based design which has a central processing unit 34, such as a Motorola microprocessor MC68HC705L11FU. The processor 34 is connected to and controls drivers 36 for the liquid crystal display 4, and interface circuitry 38 for the keypad 6. The processor 34 is also connected to microprocessor memory and video memory circuits 40 and controls read and write accesses thereto. The video memory is used to form displays for the liquid crystal display 4, and the microprocessor memory is used to store data and software used to control the processor 34. Timing of events in the electronic circuit 32 is based on a clock signal generated by a real time clock circuit 42, and power for the circuit is provided by a replaceable battery 44. A power management circuit 46 is also provided to determine conditions when power to the electronic circuit 32 should be provided or inhibited. The processor 34 is also connected to an infrared transmitter circuit 39 which generates infrared transmission signals to pass data from the microprocessor 34 to a host or personal computer.

When the unit 2 is initially activated by depressing one of the keys of the keypad 6, the unit 2 generates a main menu display 50, as shown in Figure 1 which includes a number of menu items 20 which can be selected by a user. The menu items 20 include the seven days of the week, an item All for all of the days of the week, and the items Muscle Library, Measurements, Fitness Evaluation, Training Diary and Product Information.

To establish a training program and store exercise data, the Muscle Library menu item is accepted in the main menu display 50, as shown in Figure 4, and the unit 2 then generates a muscle library display 52 which lists ten muscle groups. The user can then move the cursor to select a desired muscle group to be exercised, such as the shoulders and the unit 2 then generates an exercise display 54 for the selected muscle group which lists the various exercises which can be undertaken for that muscle group. An exercise can be selected, such as bent over lateral raise, and the unit 2 then generates a day set-up display 56. The user may select one or as many days of the week as desired for each exercise. The day or days of the week on which the exercise is to be performed is selected and the unit 2 generates an exercise data display 58. The exercise data display 58 provides a display of the selected muscle group and exercise, and then a table with three columns headed Set, Repetitions and Weight. The unit 2 allows for four different sets to be specified for that exercise. This is achieved by setting the number of times a set is to be repeated, the number of repetitions within each set, and the weight used for each repetition. The table is repeated below in the exercise data display 58 in a target section in which desired target sets can be established. Once the exercise data has been entered using the retard and advance keys 28 and 30 on selected parts of the table, the exercise data can be stored by selecting the accept key 22. By moving between the muscle library, exercise day set-up and exercise data displays 52, 54, 56 and 58, a complete exercise program can be established. The unit 2 provides for up to 100 different exercises, i.e. ten muscle groups with ten exercises each, and allows four different sets to be programmed for each of the 100 exercises over a seven day program period. Once the training program has been established, the stored exercise data can be downloaded to the host computer for analysis or recordal purposes, and training can commence.

To use the unit 2 during performance of a training program, the user first selects the current day of the week in the main menu display 50, as shown in Figure 5. The unit 2 then generates a program display 60 for the selected day which lists the muscle groups to be exercised and any warm-up procedures to be completed. The number of exercises for each muscle group or the number of warm-up procedures is provided on the right-hand side of the program display 60. The user then selects one of the muscle groups or the warm-up item and this causes the unit 2 to generate an exercise list display 62, which lists the exercises to be performed for the selection made. For example, if the muscle group shoulders is selected, then the exercise list display 62 may include press behind neck, lateral arm raise, bent over lateral arm raise or dumbbell shrugs. An exercise is selected and the unit 2 generates the appropriate exercise data display 64 for that exercise which includes all of the previously stored set, repetition and weight data for that exercise. The exercise can then be performed according to the exercise data displayed and can be marked as completed by pressing the tag key 26. If the user varies the exercise, then on completion, the data can be changed by first selecting the changed data item 66 at the bottom of the display 64. When the exercise data has been adjusted to correspond to the exercise completed, the data can be tagged as completed by pressing the tag key 26. The user is presented, whenever an exercise is called up using the exercise list display 62, with data which indicates what was done in the last exercise session as well as the target data for that exercise. A user is therefore always able to easily determine how their existing training program relates to their target. The exercise data can also be downloaded at any stage to a host or personal computer from which information and reports can be generated concerning a user's progress or the history of a training program.

By selecting the Measurements menu item in the main menu display 50, as shown in Figure 6, the unit 2 generates a measurements display 67 which lists twelve parts of the body which can be measured and a body weight item 68. By selecting one of the body parts or body weight items the unit 2 then generates a measurement data display 69 where measurement data for the selected item is displayed together with the date on which the measurement has been taken. New measurements can be added by selecting an Add New Measurement item 70 at the bottom of the display 69.

Selecting the Fitness Evaluation item in the main menu display 50 causes the unit 2 to generate a fitness evaluation display 72, as shown in Figure 7. The fitness evaluation display 72 provides for the entry and display of fitness evaluation data obtained from the last fitness evaluation undertaken by a qualified person.

By selecting the Training Diary menu item in the main menu display 50, as shown in Figure 8, cross training, i.e. training without weights or resistance equipment, and nutritional information can be stored and displayed. The unit 2 generates a training diary display 74 from which one of five cross training activities can be selected. The bottom of the display 74 includes a nutritional information part which has menu items for each of the days of the week, whereby selecting one of the days causes the unit 2 to generate a nutritional information display 76 for that day, as shown in Figure 8, where nutritional data can be entered. Selecting one of the training activities produces a day selection display 78 which includes a statement as to the muscle group to be exercised by the activity and the activity itself. On selecting the appropriate day the unit 2 generates an activity diary display 80 for that day where cross training activity data can be entered for the activity performed on that day.

The unit 2 provides a simple and efficient tool for managing a wide variety of training programs. The unit 2 is easy to use and can be applied to both body building and general gymnasium training environments. The ability to download information to a host computer also allows gymnasium personnel, as well as a user, to accurately monitor, plan and manage training programs.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A hand-held training unit, comprising: means for displaying a plurality of muscle groups; means for selecting one of said muscle groups and, in response thereto, displaying a plurality of exercises for said one of said muscle groups; means for selecting one of said exercises and, in response thereto, displaying exercise data for said one of said exercises.

2. A hand-held training unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein said exercise data includes set, repetition and weight data

3. A hand-held training unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein said exercise data includes target data.

4. A hand-held training unit as claimed in claim 3, wherein said target data includes target set, repetition and weight data.

5. A hand-held training unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein said exercise data is associated with a day of the week.

6. A hand-held training unit as claimed in claim 1, including means for storing a plurality of said exercise data each corresponding to a selected day, exercise and muscle group.

7. A hand-held training unit as claimed in claim 1, having means for selecting a day of the week.

8. A hand-held training unit as claimed in claim 1, including means for adjusting said exercise data.

9. A hand-held training unit as claimed in claim 1, including means for recording said exercise data as completed as said exercise is completed by a user.

10. A hand-held training unit as claimed in claim 9, including means for transferring the exercise data recorded as completed to a processing station.

11. A hand-held training unit as claimed in claim 1, including means for recording and adjusting body measurement data, nutritional data and/or additional training activity data.

12. A hand-held unit for use in training, comprising: display means for displaying training information which includes muscle groups and exercises; key means for selecting at least one part of said training information; processor means for controlling said display means and responsive to said key means for causing display on said display means of said exercises corresponding to a muscle group selected from a display of said muscle groups on said display means, and for causing display of exercise data in response to selection of one of said exercises.

13. A hand-held training unit as claimed in claim 12, wherein said exercise data includes set, repetition and weight data

14. A hand-held training unit as claimed in claim 12, wherein said exercise data includes target data.

15. A hand-held training unit as claimed in claim 14, wherein said target data includes target set, repetition and weight data.

16. A hand-held training unit as claimed in claim 12, wherein said exercise data is associated with a day of the week.

17. A hand-held training unit as claimed in claim 12, wherein said processor means is adapted to store a plurality of said exercise data each corresponding to a selected day, exercise and muscle group.

18. A hand-held training unit as claimed in claim 12, said processor means and said key means enable a day of the week displayed on said display means to be selected.

19. A hand-held training unit as claimed in claim 12, wherein said processor means is adapted to adjust said exercise data.

20. A hand-held training unit as claimed in claim 12, wherein said processor means is adapted to record said exercise data as completed as said exercise is completed by a user.

21. A hand-held training unit as claimed in claim 20, including means for transferring the exercise data recorded as completed to a processing station.

22. A hand-held training unit as claimed in claim 12, wherein said processor means is adapted to record and adjust body measurement data, nutritional data and/or additional training activity data.