Fitness training system and method
A fitness-training device; the fitness-training device is embedded within a graspable handle of an exercise apparatus and may include a heart rate detector, a repetitive motion counter, and indicators to indicate the heart rate, and repetitive motion count during an exercise activity. The fitness-training device may be incorporated in a wide range of sports and exercise equipment. A version of the fitness-training device arranged as a jump rope is disclosed herein.
1. A fitness-training device comprising:
a hand-graspable housing configured to be hand graspable by a user;
an electronic module disposed within the hand-graspable housing, the electronic module including
a heart-beat sensor configured to produce a first set of output signals corresponding to heart beats of the user,
a movement sensor configured to produce a second set of output signals corresponding to movement of the user during a fitness activity,
a memory configured to store target heart rate range data,
a user input element configured to enable the user to input a target heart rate range within the memory,
a visual display element configured to display visual information,
an illuminated alert element configured to provide an illuminated visual alert discernable by the user,
an auditory alert element configured to provide an auditory alert discernable by the user,
a haptic alert element configured to provide a haptic alert discernable by the user,
a processor communicably coupled to the heart-beat sensor, the movement sensor, the memory, the user input element, the visual display element, the illuminated alert element, the auditory alert element, and the haptic alert element, the processor configured to
determine a heart rate of the user using the first set of output signals,
display the heart rate of the user on the visual display element,
display the target heart range input on the visual display element,
compare the heart rate of the user to the target heart range input within the memory,
generate a user alert on at least one of the illuminated alert element, the auditory alert element, and the haptic alert element when the heart rate of the user falls within the target heart range input within the memory,
identify repetitive signal patterns within the second set of output signals to generate a count of repetitive movements performed by the user during the fitness activity, and
display the count of repetitive movements performed by the user on the visual display element; and a flexible cord wherein the hand-graspable housing is configured as a hand grip of a jump rope.
2. The fitness-training device of claim 1 , wherein
the heart-beat sensor comprises a photoplethysmogram-type heart rate sensor; and
the heart-beat sensor is positioned within the hand grip to allow generation of the first set of output signals when the user grasps the hand grip.
3. The fitness-training device of claim 2 , wherein
the hand grip further comprises a swivel adapted to rotationally couple the flexible cord to the hand grip; and
the movement sensor is configured to sense rotational motion of the flexible cord during the fitness activity.
4. The fitness-training device of claim 3 , wherein the movement sensor comprises
a light source,
a photo detector positioned to receive light emitted by the light source, and
a rotational shaft joined with the swivel, the rotational shaft having an opaque panel configured to interrupt the light passing between the light source and the photo detector at least once during a complete rotation of the swivel.
5. The fitness-training device of claim 1 , wherein
the electronic module further comprises a timer to time a duration of the fitness activity;
the user input element is further configured to receive user inputs defining the duration of the fitness activity; and
the processor is further configured to generate a user alert on at least one of the illuminated alert element, the auditory alert element, and the haptic alert element when the duration of the fitness activity is completed.
6. The fitness-training device of claim 1 , wherein the visual display element comprises an organic light-emitting diode display.
7. The fitness-training device of claim 1 , wherein the illuminated alert element comprises at least one illuminated light-emitting diode.
8. The fitness-training device of claim 1 , wherein the haptic alert element comprises a vibrating motor.
9. The fitness-training device of claim 1 , wherein the user input element comprises a set of momentary-contact switches.
10. The fitness-training device of claim 1 , further comprising a power supply configured to power the electronic module.
11. The fitness-training device of claim 1 , wherein
the power supply comprises at least one rechargeable battery; and
the hand-graspable housing further comprises a charge port configured to couple with an electrical power source useable to charge the rechargeable battery.
12. The fitness-training device of claim 1 , wherein
the memory further includes a pre-defined dataset comprising target heart-rate range data; and
the user input element is further configured to receive user inputs defining a target heart rate range selected from the pre-defined dataset.
13. The fitness-training device of claim 1 , wherein
the electronic module further comprises a wireless transceiver configured to wirelessly communicate with a wireless mobile device; and
the processor is further configured to transmit the heart rate of the user to the wireless mobile device.
14. The fitness-training device of claim 13 , wherein the processor is further configured to send the count of repetitive movements performed by the user to the wireless mobile device.
15. The fitness-training device of claim 1 , wherein the hand-graspable housing further comprises a weight configured to increase the mass of the hand-graspable housing.
16. A fitness-training device comprising:
a hand-graspable housing configured to be hand graspable by a user; and
an electronic module disposed within the hand-graspable housing, the electronic fitness-training module including
a heart-beat sensor configured to produce a first set of output signals corresponding to heart beats of the user,
a movement sensor configured to produce a second set of output signals corresponding to movement of the user during a fitness activity,
a memory configured to store target heart rate range data,
a user input element configured to enable the user to input a target heart rate range within the memory,
a visual display element configured to display visual information,
an illuminated alert element configured to provide an illuminated visual alert discernable by the user,
an auditory alert element configured to provide an auditory alert discernable by the user,
a haptic alert element configured to provide a haptic alert discernable by the user,
a processor communicably coupled to the heart-beat sensor, the movement sensor, the memory, the user input element, the visual display element, the illuminated alert element, the auditory alert element, and the haptic alert element, the processor configured to
determine a heart rate of the user using the first set of output signals,
display the heart rate of the user on the visual display element,
display the target heart range input on the visual display element,
compare the heart rate of the user to the target heart range input within the memory,
generate a user alert on at least one of the illuminated alert element, the auditory alert element, and the haptic alert element when the heart rate of the user falls within the target heart range input within the memory,
identify repetitive signal patterns within the second set of output signals to generate a count of repetitive movements performed by the user during the fitness activity, and
display the count of repetitive movements performed by the user on the visual display element;
a power supply configured to power the electronic module;
a flexible cord wherein the hand-graspable housing is configured as a hand grip of a jump rope;
wherein the heart-beat sensor comprises a photoplethysmogram-type heart rate sensor; wherein the heart-beat sensor is positioned within the hand grip to allow generation of the first set of output signals when the user grasps the hand grip;
wherein the hand grip further comprises a swivel adapted to rotationally couple the flexible cord to the hand grip;
wherein the movement sensor is configured to sense rotational motion of the flexible cord during the fitness activity;
wherein the movement sensor comprises
a light source,
a photo detector positioned to receive light emitted by the light source, and
a rotational shaft joined with the swivel, the rotational shaft having an opaque panel configured to interrupt the light passing between the light source and the photo detector at least once during a complete rotation of the swivel;
wherein the electronic module further comprises a timer to time a duration of the fitness activity;
wherein the user input element is further configured to receive user inputs defining the duration of the fitness activity;
wherein the processor is further configured to generate a user alert on at least one of the illuminated alert element, the auditory alert element, and the haptic alert element when the duration of the fitness activity is completed;
wherein the visual display element comprises an organic light-emitting diode display;
wherein the illuminated alert element comprises at least one illuminated light-emitting diode;
wherein the haptic alert element comprises a vibrating motor;
wherein the user input element comprises a set of momentary-contact switches;
wherein the power supply comprises at least one rechargeable battery; and the hand-graspable housing further comprises a charge port configured to couple with an electrical power source useable to charge the rechargeable battery;
wherein the memory further includes a pre-defined dataset comprising target heartrate range data; and the user input element is further configured to receive user inputs defining a target heart rate range selected from the pre-defined dataset; and
wherein the electronic module further comprises a wireless transceiver configured to wirelessly communicate with a wireless mobile device; and the processor is further configured to transmit the heart rate of the user to the wireless mobile device.
17. The fitness-training device of claim 16 , further comprising set of instructions; and
wherein the fitness-training device is arranged as a kit.
18. A method of enhancing fitness-training, the method comprising the steps of:
providing a hand-graspable housing configured to be hand graspable by a user; and
providing an electronic fitness-training module disposed within the hand-graspable housing, the electronic fitness-training module including
a heart-beat sensor configured to produce a first set of output signals corresponding to heart beats of the user,
a movement sensor configured to produce a second set of output signals corresponding to movement of the user during a fitness activity,
a memory configured to store target heart rate range data,
a user input element configured to enable the user to input a target heart rate range within the memory,
a visual display element configured to display visual information,
an illuminated alert element configured to provide an illuminated visual alert discernable by the user,
an auditory alert element configured to provide an auditory alert discernable by the user,
a haptic alert element configured to provide a haptic alert discernable by the user,
a processor communicably coupled to the heart-beat sensor, the movement sensor, the memory, the user input element, the visual display element, the illuminated alert element, the auditory alert element, and the haptic alert element; and
configuring the processor to
determine a heart rate of the user using the first set of output signals,
compare the heart rate of the user to the target heart range input within the memory,
generate a user alert on at least one of the illuminated alert element, the auditory alert element, and the haptic alert element when the heart rate of the user falls within the target heart range input within the memory,
identify repetitive signal patterns within the second set of output signals to generate a count of repetitive movements performed by the user during the fitness activity, and
display the count of repetitive movements performed by the user on the visual display element; and providing a flexible cord wherein the hand-graspable housing is configured as a hand grip of a jump rope.
19. The method of claim 18 , further comprising the steps of
providing a wireless transceiver within the electronic module, the wireless transceiver configured to wirelessly communicate with a wireless mobile device; and
configuring the processor to transmit the heart rate of the user to the wireless mobile device using the wireless transceiver.