Systems and methods for guiding user control of fitness machines

1. A method for controlling a fitness machine by a user, the method comprising the steps of:

storing intensity ratings within a memory device, wherein the intensity ratings correspond to an intensity for the user operating the fitness machine;

displaying first parameter operating levels selectable to control the fitness machine, wherein the intensity for the user varies for each of the first parameter operating levels;

displaying second parameter operating levels selectable to control the fitness machine, wherein the intensity for the user varies for each of the second parameter operating levels;

determining and displaying the intensity ratings associated with each of the first parameter operating levels and each of the second parameter operating levels; and

receiving selections for the first parameter operating levels and the second parameter operating levels and automatically controlling the fitness machine to operate according thereto, wherein selecting one of the first parameter operating levels changes at least one of the intensity ratings displayed with the second parameter operating levels.

2. The method according to claim 1 , wherein selecting one of the second parameter operating levels changes at least one of the intensity ratings displayed with the first parameter operating levels.

3. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the first parameter operating levels correspond to resistance levels for operating the fitness machine.

4. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the fitness machine is a treadmill and the second parameter operating levels correspond to speeds for operating the treadmill.

5. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the intensity is an estimated power required by the user to operate the fitness machine.

6. The method according to claim 5 , further comprising determining a power capacity for the user and determining the intensity ratings based on the intensity required by the user to operate the fitness machine relative to the power capacity of the user.

7. The method according to claim 6 , wherein the power capacity for the user is a functional threshold power determined for the user.

8. The method according to claim 1 , further comprising assigning an intensity color to each of the intensity ratings, and further comprising displaying the intensity color for at least one of the intensity ratings being displayed.

9. The method according to claim 1 , further comprising displaying a present intensity rating based on the selections among the first parameter operating levels and the second parameter operating levels.

10. The method according to claim 9 , further comprising assigning an intensity color to each of the intensity ratings, and further comprising displaying the intensity color associated with the present intensity rating along with the present intensity rating.

11. The method according to claim 9 , further comprising counting a time for which the fitness machine is operated at each of the intensity ratings, and further comprising displaying the time counted for at least one of the intensity ratings.

12. The method according to claim 1 , further comprising, upon selecting one of the second parameter operating levels, displaying sub-operating levels selectable for controlling the fitness machine that are each distinct from others within the second parameter operating levels.

13. The method according to claim 12 , wherein the sub-operating levels include a low level in which the intensity is less than the selected one of the second parameter operating levels, but greater than each of the others of the second parameter operating levels having intensities less than the selected one of the second parameter operating levels.

14. The method according to claim 1 , further comprising providing a target intensity rating for the user, and displaying a recommendation that the user makes a different selection of at least one of the first parameter operating levels and the second parameter operating levels such that the corresponding intensity rating is equal to the target intensity rating.

15. The method according to claim 14 , wherein the target intensity rating is provided via a program that includes a plurality of target intensity ratings in a set sequence and set durations.

16. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the first parameter operating levels and the second parameter operating levels are selectable only by the user.

17. The method according to claim 1 , further comprising determining the first parameter operating levels available for selection to be displayed such that the intensity ratings corresponding thereto include values above and below the intensity rating of the selected one of the first parameter operating levels.

18. A fitness machine controlled according to the method of claim 1 .

19. A non-transitory medium having instructions thereon that, when executed by a processing device, causes a fitness machine operated by a user to:

determine intensity ratings corresponding to an intensity for the user operating the fitness machine;

display first parameter operating levels selectable by the user, wherein the processing device causes the fitness machine to operate based on which of the first parameter operating levels is selected and the intensity for the user varies therewith, and wherein the intensity rating associated with each of the first parameter operating levels is displayed; and

display second parameter operating levels selectable by the user, wherein the processing device causes the fitness machine to operate based on which of the second parameter operating levels is selected and the intensity for the user varies therewith, and wherein the intensity rating associated with each of the second parameter operating levels is displayed;

wherein selecting among the first parameter operating levels changes the intensity rating displayed with at least one of the second parameter operating levels selectable by the user.