US-12616868-B2 - Intelligent weightlifting rack

Abstract

An intelligent weightlifting apparatus includes a frame including vertically oriented members and safety rails that are selectively moveable up and down relative to the vertically oriented members. The apparatus includes a position sensor that is configured to detect a position of a barbell. The apparatus includes a computer that is configured to control movement of the safety rails based on data from the position sensor such that a predefined distance is maintained between the safety rails and the barbell during a free weight exercise.

Inventors

• Matthew Beck
• Michael S. Gordon
• Brian Paul Gaucher
• Kevin W. Brew

Assignees

• INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION

Dates

Publication Date

20260505

Application Date

20230727

Claims (19)

1. 1 . An intelligent weightlifting apparatus, comprising: a frame comprising vertically oriented members and safety rails that are selectively moveable up and down relative to the vertically oriented members; a position sensor that is configured to detect a position of a barbell; and a computer that is configured to control movement of the safety rails based on data from the position sensor such that a predefined distance is maintained between the safety rails and the barbell during a free weight exercise, wherein the computer is configured to move the safety rails to apply an assist force to the barbell in response to detecting a keyword spoken by a user during the free weight exercise; the keyword is one of plural predefined keywords input to the computer by the user prior to the free weight exercise; the assist force is one of plural predefined assist forces input to the computer by the user prior to the free weight exercise; and respective ones of the plural predefined assist forces are associated with respective ones of the plural predefined keywords.
2. 2 . The intelligent weightlifting apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the computer is configured to: perform a repetition safety check during each repetition of the free weight exercise; and move the safety rails to de-load a user based on failing the repetition safety check.
3. 3 . The intelligent weightlifting apparatus of claim 2 , wherein the repetition safety check is based on artificial intelligence.
4. 4 . The intelligent weightlifting apparatus of claim 2 , wherein the repetition safety check is based on one or more selected from a group consisting of: data from the position sensor; data from a microphone; data from a camera; and data from weight sensors.
5. 5 . The intelligent weightlifting apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the computer is configured to: count a number of repetitions of the free weight exercise; and move the safety rails to de-load a user in response to the counted number of repetitions equaling a predefined number of repetitions.
6. 6 . The intelligent weightlifting apparatus of claim 5 , wherein: the computer stores user data of plural different users; and the computer obtains the predefined number of repetitions from the stored user data of one of the plural different users.
7. 7 . The intelligent weightlifting apparatus of claim 5 , wherein the computer obtains the predefined number of repetitions from manual user input received prior to the free weight exercise.
8. 8 . The intelligent weightlifting apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the computer controls movement of the safety rails using one or more actuators.
9. 9 . The intelligent weightlifting apparatus of claim 1 , wherein: the position sensor comprises a camera; and the computer detects the position of the barbell using computer vision with data from the camera.
10. 10 . The intelligent weightlifting apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the computer is configured to perform a pre-exercise safety check based on distribution of weight between two ends of the barbell.
11. 11 . The intelligent weightlifting apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the assist force applied to the barbell is less than a total weight of the barbell and is configured to help the user complete the free weight exercise.
12. 12 . The intelligent weightlifting apparatus of claim 1 , wherein: a first one of the plural predefined assist forces is less than a total weight of the barbell; and a second one of the plural predefined assist forces is less than a total weight of the barbell and greater than the first one of the plural predefined assist forces.
13. 13 . A computer-implemented method, comprising: receiving, by a processor set, user input defining plural keywords and plural assist forces, wherein respective ones of the plural assist forces are associated with respective ones of the plural keywords, and wherein the user input is received from a user via a user interface of a computer associated with a weightlifting rack; detecting, by the processor set, a position of a barbell relative to safety rails of the weightlifting rack; dynamically controlling, by the processor set, positions of the safety rails using one or more actuators to maintain a predefined distance between the barbell and the safety rails during a free weight exercise of the user utilizing the weightlifting rack; performing a repetition safety check during respective repetitions of the free weight exercise, the repetition safety check being based on artificial intelligence; and controlling the safety rails to move to a position that de-loads the user based on failing the repetition safety check, wherein the computer is configured to move the safety rails to apply a respective one of the plural assist forces to the barbell in response to detecting a respective one of the plural keywords spoken by the user during the free weight exercise.
14. 14 . The computer-implemented method of claim 13 , further comprising: performing a pre-exercise safety check based on one or more selected from a group consisting of: total weight of the barbell; and distribution of weight between two ends of the barbell; and generating an alert to a user in response to failing the pre-exercise safety check.
15. 15 . The computer-implemented method of claim 13 , wherein the repetition safety check comprises one or more selected from a group consisting of: determining whether the user is distracted using the artificial intelligence with camera data or microphone data; and determining whether the user is fatigued using the artificial intelligence with the camera data.
16. 16 . A computer program product comprising one or more computer readable storage media having program instructions collectively stored on the one or more computer readable storage media, the program instructions executable to: receive user input defining plural predefined keywords and plural predefined assist forces, wherein respective ones of the plural predefined assist forces are associated with respective ones of the plural predefined keywords, and wherein the user input is received from a user via a user interface of a computer associated with a weightlifting rack; detect a position of a barbell relative to safety rails of the weightlifting rack; dynamically control positions of the safety rails using one or more actuators to maintain a predefined distance between the barbell and the safety rails during a free weight exercise; and apply a respective one of the plural predefined assist forces to the barbell in response to detecting a respective one of the plural predefined keywords spoken by a user during the free weight exercise, wherein the plural predefined assist forces are configured to help the user complete the free weight exercise.
17. 17 . The computer program product of claim 16 , wherein the program instructions are executable to: perform a pre-exercise safety check based on one or more selected from a group consisting of: total weight of the barbell; and distribution of weight between two ends of the barbell; and generate an alert to a user in response to failing the pre-exercise safety check.
18. 18 . The computer program product of claim 16 , wherein the program instructions are executable to: perform a repetition safety check during each repetition of the free weight exercise; and control the safety rails to move to a position that de-loads a user based on failing the repetition safety check.
19. 19 . The computer program product of claim 16 , wherein: a first one of the plural predefined assist forces is less than a total weight of the barbell; and a second one of the plural predefined assist forces is less than a total weight of the barbell and greater than the first one of the plural predefined assist forces.

Description

BACKGROUND Aspects of the present invention relate generally to weightlifting safety equipment and, more particularly, to an intelligent weightlifting rack that provides active monitoring and spotting for a person lifting free weights. Free weight weightlifting involves the lifting of weights that are not attached to any supporting structure during the lifting. Popular free weight exercises include dead-lift, squat, and bench press. Adjustable racks may be used to support the weights at desired positions before and after the lifting. Some racks include adjustable safety bars that can be positioned prior to the lifting and that are static (i.e., non-moving) during the lifting. SUMMARY In a first aspect of the invention, there is an intelligent weightlifting apparatus, comprising: a frame comprising vertically oriented members and safety rails that are selectively moveable up and down relative to the vertically oriented members; a position sensor that is configured to detect a position of a barbell; and a computer that is configured to control movement of the safety rails based on data from the position sensor such that a predefined distance is maintained between the safety rails and the barbell during a free weight exercise. In another aspect of the invention, there is a method comprising: detecting, by a processor set, a position of a barbell relative to safety rails of a weightlifting rack; and dynamically controlling, by the processor set, positions of the safety rails using one or more actuators to maintain a predefined distance between the barbell and the safety rails during a free weight exercise. In another aspect of the invention, there is a computer program product including one or more computer readable storage media having program instructions collectively stored on the one or more computer readable storage media. The program instructions are executable to: detect a position of a barbell relative to safety rails of a weightlifting rack; and dynamically control positions of the safety rails using one or more actuators to maintain a predefined distance between the barbell and the safety rails during a free weight exercise. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Aspects of the present invention are described in the detailed description which follows, in reference to the noted plurality of drawings by way of non-limiting examples of exemplary embodiments of the present invention. FIG. 1 depicts a computing environment according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 shows a block diagram of an exemplary environment in accordance with aspects of the present invention. FIGS. 3A-F illustrate exemplary operation of an intelligent weightlifting rack in accordance with aspects of the invention. FIGS. 4 and 5 show flowcharts of exemplary methods in accordance with aspects of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION According to an aspect of the invention there is an intelligent weightlifting apparatus, comprising: a frame comprising vertically oriented members and safety rails that are selectively moveable up and down relative to the vertically oriented members; a position sensor that is configured to detect a position of a barbell; and a computer that is configured to control movement of the safety rails based on data from the position sensor such that a predefined distance is maintained between the safety rails and the barbell during a free weight exercise. The intelligent weightlifting apparatus advantageously provides dynamic adjustment of safety rails during a free weight exercise, which can be helpful when the user is lifting alone. In embodiments, the computer is configured to move the safety rails to apply an assist force to the barbell in response to detecting a keyword spoken by a user during the free weight exercise. In this manner, the apparatus advantageously provides a user with the ability to obtain lifting assistance using spoken words, which can be helpful when the user is lifting alone. In embodiments, the keyword is one of plural predefined keywords, the assist force is one of plural predefined assist forces, and respective ones of the plural predefined assist forces are associated with respective ones of the plural predefined keywords. In this manner, the apparatus advantageously provides a user with the ability to program different assist levels associated with different keywords, to customize their exercise to their liking. In additional embodiments, the computer is programmed with an algorithm that detects signs of stress, fatigue, or pain from the lifter from data of a microphone in the vicinity of the lifter. In these embodiments, the apparatus provides de-loads the lifter based on detecting such stress, fatigue, or pain. In this manner, the apparatus advantageously provides a user with the ability to obtain assistance even when the user cannot recall one of the keywords. In embodiments, the computer controls movement of the safety rails using one or more actuators. In this