US-12623119-B2 - Training method on a strength exercise machine usable by a user to perform a strength exercise and exercise machine able to implement said method

US12623119B2US 12623119 B2US12623119 B2US 12623119B2US-12623119-B2

Abstract

A training method on a strength exercise machine is usable by a user to perform a strength exercise, as a series of repetitions, for training the power generable by the user in at least one first workload regimen. In case a determined or detected power peak value is either higher than or equal to a stored maximum-power reference value, the steps of updating the stored target power value as a function of the generated power peak value determined or detected, updating the stored maximum-power reference value to the determined or detected power peak value, and resetting a counter variable value are performed. In case the determined or detected power peak value is lower than the stored reference maximum power value, a step of incrementing the stored counter variable value is performed. The method is performed for each further repetition of the first workout series.

Inventors

Luca ZOFFOLI

Assignees

TECHNOGYM S.P.A.

Dates

Publication Date: 20260512
Application Date: 20230406

Claims (16)

1 . A training method on a strength exercise machine usable by a user to perform a strength exercise, as a series of repetitions, for training power generatable by the user in at least one first workload regimen, the strength exercise machine comprising at least one movable element operable by the user to perform the strength exercise by moving a respective workload, and at least one motor operatively connected to the at least one movable element; the training method comprising: controlling the at least one motor by a data processing unit of the strength exercise machine to apply a resistance force representative of a workload or exercise load; setting, by the data processing unit of the strength exercise machine, a set workload value movable by the user during performance of the strength exercise; at a first repetition of a first workout series: detecting, by one or more sensors operatively connected to the data processing unit of the strength exercise machine, velocity data during a concentric movement performed during the first repetition of the first workout series; determining by the data processing unit of the strength exercise machine, a power peak value generated by the user based on the velocity data detected by the one or more sensors during a concentric movement performed during the first repetition of the first workout series; storing, by the data processing unit of the strength exercise machine, in a memory unit of the strength exercise machine, the determined generated power peak value as stored reference maximum power value; determining, by the data processing unit of the strength exercise machine, a target power value as a function of the determined generated power peak value; storing, by the data processing unit of the strength exercise machine, in the memory unit of the strength exercise machine the determined target power value; setting to a null value, by the data processing unit of the strength exercise machine, a counter variable in the memory unit of the strength exercise machine, at each repetition, after the first repetition of the first workout series: a) or detecting, by the one or more sensors of the data processing unit of the strength exercise machine, a power peak value generated by the user during the concentric movement performed during the repetition; b) comparing, by the data processing unit of the strength exercise machine, the detected power peak value with the stored reference maximum power value, in case c1) in which the detected power peak value is either higher than or equal to the stored reference maximum power value: d1) updating, by the data processing unit of the strength exercise machine, the stored target power value as a function of the detected power peak value; d2) updating, by the data processing unit of the strength exercise machine, the stored reference maximum power value to the detected power peak value; d3) resetting, by the data processing unit of the strength exercise machine, the counter variable value; in case c2) in which the detected power peak value is lower than the stored reference maximum power value: e1) incrementing, by the data processing unit of the strength exercise machine, the stored counter variable value; and f) performing, by the data processing unit of the strength exercise machine, steps a), b), c1), and c2) for each further repetition of the first workout series.
2 . The training method of claim 1 , wherein the set workload value movable by the user during the performance of the strength exercise is set as a set percentage of a parameter 1-Repetition Maximum (1RM) of the user.
3 . The training method of claim 2 , wherein the set percentage of the parameter 1RM of the user is a function of a set workload regime regimen.
4 . The training method of claim 3 , wherein the set percentage of the parameter 1RM of the user is within the range of 30%-40% in a set first high-speed regimen, within the range of 60%-80% in a set second low-speed regimen, and within the range of 41%-59% in a set third maximum power regimen.
5 . The training method of claim 1 , further comprising, at each repetition after the first repetition of the first workout series, after step e1) of incrementing the counter variable value, e2) of comparing the incremented counter variable value with a reference threshold value, in case e2.1) in which the incremented counter variable value is lower than the reference threshold value: f1) performing, by the data processing unit of the strength exercise machine, steps a), b), c1), and c2) for at least one further repetition of the first workout series; and in case e2.2) in which the incremented counter variable value is equal to the reference threshold value: g1) interrupting, by the data processing unit of the strength exercise machine, the performance of the steps of the training method.
6 . The training method of claim 5 , further comprising providing, by the data processing unit of the strength exercise machine, an alert when the counter variable value is incremented.
7 . The training method of claim 5 , further comprising providing, by the data processing unit of the strength exercise machine, an end-of-exercise message.
8 . The training method of claim 1 , further comprising, at each repetition of a second workout series, after the first workout series, performing steps a), b), c1) and c2) using, at a first repetition of the second workout series, the last stored reference maximum power value at the end of the first workout series as the stored reference maximum power value and the last stored target power value at the end of the first workout series as the stored target power value.
9 . The training method of claim 8 , comprising, at each repetition of the second workout series, after step e1) of incrementing the counter variable value, performing steps e2), e2.1), e2.2).
10 . The training method of claim 1 , wherein the set workload value movable by the user during the performance of the strength exercise is set as a function of a first workload regimen chosen by the user.
11 . The training method of claim 1 , wherein the set workload value movable by the user during the performance of the strength exercise is set by the data processing unit of the strength exercise machine following a selection, performed by the user, of the at least one first workload regimen.
12 . The training method of claim 1 , wherein the set workload value movable by the user during the performance of the strength exercise, set by the data processing unit of the strength exercise machine, is an estimate obtained as a result of a set test performed by the user on the strength exercise machine before a workout once the at least one first workload regimen has been selected.
13 . The training method of claim 1 , wherein the target power value is determined by the data processing unit of the strength exercise machine as a set percentage of the determined generated power peak value.
14 . The training method of claim 1 , comprising, after the step of setting the set workload value movable by the user during the performance of the strength exercise, resetting, by the data processing unit of the strength exercise machine, in the memory unit of the strength exercise machine, the stored reference maximum power value, the stored target power value and the counter variable value to a null value, by the data processing unit of the strength exercise machine.
15 . The training method of claim 1 , comprising, in case c2) in which the detected power peak value is lower than the stored reference maximum power value, leaving unchanged, by the data processing unit of the strength exercise machine, the stored reference maximum power value and the stored target power value in the memory unit of the strength exercise machine.
16 . A strength exercise machine usable by a user for performing a strength exercise, as a series of repetitions, for training power generatable by the user in at least one first workload regimen, said strength exercise machine comprising: at least one movable element operable by the user to perform the strength exercise by moving a respective workload; at least one motor operatively connected to the at least one movable element; one or more sensors operatively connected to the at least one movable element and configured to measure velocity data during user movement; a data processing unit operatively connected to said at least one motor and to the one or more sensors; a memory unit operatively connected to the data processing unit; the data processing unit being configured to: control the at least one motor to apply a resistance force representative of a workload or exercise load; set a set workload value movable by the user during performance of the strength exercise; at a first repetition of a first workout series: detect velocity data from the one or more sensors during a concentric movement performed during the first repetition of the first workout series; determine by the data processing unit of the strength exercise machine, a power peak value generated by the user during a concentric movement performed during the first repetition of the first workout series; store in the memory unit of the strength exercise machine the determined generated power peak value as stored reference maximum power value; determine a target power value as a function of the determined generated power peak value; store in the memory unit of the strength exercise machine the determined target power value; set to a null value a counter variable in the memory unit of the strength exercise machine, at each repetition, after the first repetition of the first workout series: a) detect velocity data from the one or more sensors during a concentric movement performed during the repetition; determine a power peak value generated by the user during the concentric movement performed during the repetition; b) compare the determined er detected power peak value with the stored reference maximum power value, in case c1) in which the determined power peak value is either higher than or equal to the stored reference maximum power value: d1) update the stored target power value as a function of the determined power peak value; d2) update the stored reference maximum power value to the determined power peak value; d3) reset the counter variable value; in case c2) in which the determined power peak value is lower than the stored reference maximum power value: e1) increment the counter variable value; and f) perform steps a), b), c1), and c2) for each further repetition of the first workout series.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION This application claims priority to Italian Patent Application No. 102022000006959 filed on Apr. 7, 2022, the contents of which are incorporated by reference in their entirety. FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to the fitness field, and in particular to a training method on a strength exercise machine usable by a user to perform a strength exercise, as a series of repetitions, for training the power generable by the user in at least a first workload regimen, and to an exercise machine able to implement said method. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Strength training employing a strength exercise machine implies that a user performs repetitions by pushing a set exercise load at maximum speed during the eccentric phase of the performed movement. In order to increase the user's performance and actually train the strength generable by the user while avoiding excessive fatigue and unnecessary strain, which could also be detrimental to health, controlling such a workout is a very important aspect and the presence of a personal trainer at the user's side or suggestions automatically provided by the exercise machine for correctly performing the exercise could not be sufficient to effectively and promptly help the user, also considering the strain condition to which the/she is subjected in the meantime. In light of this, the need is strongly felt to have a training method on a strength exercise machine employable by a user to perform a strength exercise, as a series of repetitions, to train the power generable by the user in at least a first workload regimen, which ensures to achieve the expected results in terms of performance and improve the physical fitness while avoiding excessive fatigue, unnecessary strain, risk of injury, and so on as much as possible and in a prompt manner. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is the object of the present invention to devise and provide a training method on a strength exercise machine employable by a user to perform a strength exercise, as a series of repetitions, to train the power generable by the user in at least a first workload regimen, which ensures to achieve the expected results in terms of performance and improve the physical fitness while avoiding excessive fatigue, unnecessary strain, risk of injury, and so on as much as possible and in a prompt manner. Such an object is achieved by a training method on a strength exercise machine usable by a user to perform a strength exercise, as a series of repetitions, for training the power generable by the user in at least one first workload regimen. The method comprises steps of: setting, by a data processing unit of the strength exercise machine, a set workload value movable by the user during performance of the strength exercise;at a first repetition of a first workout series:determining or detecting, by the data processing unit of the strength exercise machine, a power peak value generated by the user during a concentric movement performed during the first repetition of the first workout series;storing, by the data processing unit of the strength exercise machine, in a memory unit of the strength exercise machine, the determined or detected generated power peak value as stored reference maximum power value;determining, by the data processing unit of the strength exercise machine, a target power value as a function of the determined or detected power peak value;storing, by the data processing unit of the strength exercise machine, in the memory unit of the strength exercise machine the determined target power value;setting to a null value, by the data processing unit of the strength exercise machine, a counter variable in the memory unit of the strength exercise machine,at each repetition, after the first repetition, of the first workout series:a) determining or detecting, by the data processing unit of the strength exercise machine, a power peak value generated by the user during the concentric movement performed during the repetition;b) comparing, by the data processing unit of the strength exercise machine, the determined or detected power peak value with the stored reference maximum power value,in case c1) in which the determined or detected power peak value is either higher than or equal to the stored reference maximum power value: d1) updating, by the data processing unit of the strength exercise machine, the stored target power value as a function of the determined or detected generated power peak value;d2) updating, by the data processing unit of the strength exercise machine, the stored reference maximum power value to the determined or detected power peak value;d3) resetting, by the data processing unit of the strength exercise machine, the counter variable value; in case c2) in which the detected power peak value is lower than the stored reference maximum power value: e1) incrementing, by the data processing unit of the strength exercise machine