A method and apparatus for detecting and varying indoor bicycle trainer pedaling resistance in varying manner to replicate the effects of increased system inertia. The method uses a high-resolution position detection method to correlate crank acceleration and deceleration to resistance level. The effects of inertia are replicated by limiting acceleration of the crank by application of increased resistance unit resistance and deceleration via reduction of the resistance applied to pedaling. Thus, the decreased magnitude of acceleration events imitates the effects an increased system mass (inertia) perceived by the rider, enhancing “road feel”, which is synonymous with the feeling of accelerating one's own inertia while cycling outdoors. This is accomplished through sensors used to detect or determine crank position with a high resolution, a method of providing and varying resistance, such as an eddy current resistance device using either electromagnets or permanent magnets and a microcontroller to calculate the required magnetic field strength and adjust the field strength or magnet position in the resistance unit to facilitate the change required as determined by the outlined algorithm.

A shaft for a golf club includes a first end, a second end, and a demarcation. The first end is adapted to attach to a club head. The second end is adapted to receive a grip distal to the first end. The demarcation is positioned at or adjacent to the balance point of the golf club between the first end and the second end.

A platform for enabling omnidirectional movement of an exercising machine is disclosed. The platform may comprise a hemispherical inner body comprising a hollow cavity. The hollow cavity may be used for accommodating an exercising machine into the hollow cavity. The exercising machine may be one of a treadmill, treadclimber, and bicycle. The platform may further comprise an outer body. The outer body may be rotatably engaged with the hemispherical inner body. The rotatable engagement may allow an omnidirectional movement of the hemispherical inner body in a horizontal plane and an inclination and declination of the exercising machine. The platform further comprises a communication unit. The communication unit may be connected with the hemispherical inner body for receiving user's inputs for movement. At least one of the hemispherical inner body and the exercising machine may move based on the user's inputs for movement. The platform may also find use in virtual shopping environments to help a user in buying products.

A direct-drive bicycle training system and methods of using the same are provided. The system includes a bicycle trainer that rests on a support surface and supports a bicycle frame in an upright manner with respect to the support surface. The bicycle trainer includes a stator, a rotor that rotates with respect to the stator, a cassette affixed to the rotor, a support frame supporting the stator, rotor, and cassette, and a resistance applying mechanism that operatively couples to a portion of a drivetrain of the bicycle frame and applies varying levels of resistance to the portion of the drivetrain. The support frame moves with respect to the support surface in response to a force applied to the drivetrain of the bicycle frame during use of the bicycle training system, generating a more natural movement of the bicycle and simulating on-road use.

Systems and methods for testing a surface are described. An apparatus can be configured to consistently strike a ball to maintain consistent testing conditions. One or more parameters may be determined based on a path of travel of the ball.

A sensor platform being installed on a vehicle traveling on a road or a sports training device, the sensor platform including, a sensor unit configured by an acceleration sensor for capturing environmental data transmitted from an object to be surveyed, a data selector/variable filter for selecting necessary data or limiting data frequency of the environmental data transmitted from the sensor unit, a sound sensor for capturing sound signals from the object to be surveyed, and a processing unit for running computer programs including algorithms for controlling the sensor unit and the data selector/variable filter, processing output data from the data selector/variable filter and the sound sensor, and setting a threshold level, wherein the processing unit processes the output data from data selector/variable filter when the sound signal level is more than the threshold level.

A system for synthesising inertia in exercise equipment, the exercise equipment comprising a rotatable member to which a user applies a user torque in use, the system comprising: an electric drive system comprising an electric motor operably connected to the rotatable member, the electric motor configured to impart a resistance torque, in use, on the rotatable member of the exercise equipment, whereby the resistance torque opposes the user torque; at least one sensor for monitoring a user input to the rotatable member; and a control system, comprising at least a processor and a memory, wherein the control system is connected to the at least one sensor and is configured to use the input from the at least one sensor and at least one predetermined parameter storable in the memory, to determine a resistance torque and to provide instructions to the electric drive mechanism to impart said resistance torque on said rotatable member.

A method and apparatus for detecting and varying indoor bicycle trainer pedaling resistance in varying manner to replicate the effects of increased system inertia. The method uses a high-resolution position detection method to correlate crank acceleration and deceleration to resistance level. The effects of inertia are replicated by limiting acceleration of the crank by application of increased resistance unit resistance and deceleration via reduction of the resistance applied to pedaling. Thus, the decreased magnitude of acceleration events imitates the effects an increased system mass (inertia) perceived by the rider, enhancing road feel, which is synonymous with the feeling of accelerating one's own inertia while cycling outdoors. This is accomplished through sensors used to detect or determine crank position with a high resolution, a method of providing and varying resistance, such as an eddy current resistance device using either electromagnets or permanent magnets and a microcontroller to calculate the required magnetic field strength and adjust the field strength or magnet position in the resistance unit to facilitate the change required as determined by the outlined algorithm.

Provided is a virtual road surface implementation-type bicycle simulator. The virtual road surface implementation-type bicycle simulator according to the present disclosure includes a rear wheel support portion that supports a rear wheel of a mounted bicycle and rotates together with rotation of the rear wheel; and a road surface implementation portion including a plurality of uneven portions that perform a protrusion operation at various heights on an outer peripheral surface of the rear wheel support portion in contact with the rear wheel, thereby providing a rider riding the bicycle with various road surface states which are virtually set.

An exercise device includes a frame, an upright portion of the frame, a movable element connected to the frame and movable in the performance of an exercise, a first display connected to the upright portion of the frame, and a second display connected to the frame.