A wearable massage and/or compression device for applying controllable scrolling or intermittent sequential forces, such as compression forces, to the body and limbs of a user comprises one or more shape-memory wires integrated into an article of clothing and configured to apply a compression pressure to the limb through the fabric body upon changing shape in response to a stimulus, a pre-tensioning apparatus in the form of a bungee cord associated with each shape memory wire, and a micro-processor based controller for selectively actuating the one or more shape memory wire to reduce the length of the shape memory wire to thereby apply pressure to the wearer's body.

Disclosed is a swim trainer using a laterally displaceable torso support pad and two cables interconnecting the swimmer's opposite hands and feet: right hand with left foot, left hand with right foot. It incorporates tension physics with applied tension force displacement wherein the torso is supported with two degrees of motion, i.e., hinged front-to-back tilt and left-to-right displacement of the torso. The user's opposite hands and feet are interconnected by cables passing through pulleys located below the torso. As the user performs a simulated swim stroke, force is asserted on the cable ends, moving the entire body to the right or left along a defined lateral displacement path. The user controls the swimming stroke speed, therefore controlling the amount of resistance applied between hands and feet based on the lateral motion torso speed against torso weight pressing down on the central support.

Disclosed is a swim trainer using a laterally displaceable torso support pad and two cables interconnecting the swimmer's opposite hands and feet: right hand with left foot, left hand with right foot. It incorporates tension physics with applied tension force displacement wherein the torso is supported with two degrees of motion, i.e., hinged front-to-back tilt and left-to-right displacement of the torso. The user's opposite hands and feet are interconnected by cables passing through pulleys located below the torso. As the user performs a simulated swim stroke, force is asserted on the cable ends, moving the entire body to the right or left along a defined lateral displacement path. The user controls the swimming stroke speed, therefore controlling the amount of resistance applied between hands and feet based on the lateral motion torso speed against torso weight pressing down on the central support.

According to one exemplary embodiment, a computer implemented personified sporting apparatus, system, method and/or computer program product may provide an electronically and programmably controlled personification attributes of a sport, as well as one or more sensor to identify sensor data relating to interactions with sport. Certain embodiments include robotic and/or animatronically moveable appendages, and/or emotions and gestures, via audio and visual enhanced features. A personified sporting apparatus can include: at least one sporting device, wherein said at least one sporting device comprises: at least one processor; at least one memory coupled to said at least one processor; at least one of at least one input or at least one output device coupled to said at least one processor; at least one sport; at least one personified feature, attribute, or movement; and at least one user interface coupled to said sporting goal device, wherein said user interface comprises at least one of: a display device, at least one input device, at least one output device, a keyboard, or a touchscreen, and wherein said at least one sporting device is configured to at least one of: enable at least one user to interact with said at least one sporting device; receive a selection of at least one sporting routine; or receive instructions to control said at least one sporting device. The device can include a robot and/or one or more displays and/or optional speech bubbles.

The invention is an exercise apparatus providing an advanced level of surfboard paddling simulation and muscle development. The design includes a specialized platform, unique hand harnesses, and cable systems with mechanical advantage and mass moment of inertia mechanisms, piston pumps, cable spools, and elastic elements. They allow the user to simulate paddling in an alternating or simultaneous sequence at any speed while strong elastic tension resists the user's thrust strokes, but during paddling return strokes the user feels no elastic tension or resistance. The design also prompts the user to engage and strengthen all dorsal muscles to maintain an appropriately arched body position while paddling.

Handles for use in exercise apparatus and in lifting apparatus are provided.

Embodiments of the invention relate to a swimming training and swimming stroke bicycle capable of being ridden by applying a swimming stroke, and to a swimming training and swimming stroke bicycle capable of allowing swimming training to be carried out even when a user is not in a swimming pool and allowing a swimming stroke to be practiced and the muscular strength required for swimming to be trained since it is possible to ride the bicycle in various swimming styles such as freestyle, breaststroke, butterfly or backstroke, and capable of allowing a bicycle ride to be enjoyed without boredom since a bicycle can be ridden in new and various styles.

Embodiments of the invention relate to a swimming training and swimming stroke bicycle capable of being ridden by applying a swimming stroke, and to a swimming training and swimming stroke bicycle capable of allowing swimming training to be carried out even when a user is not in a swimming pool and allowing a swimming stroke to be practiced and the muscular strength required for swimming to be trained since it is possible to ride the bicycle in various swimming styles such as freestyle, breaststroke, butterfly or backstroke, and capable of allowing a bicycle ride to be enjoyed without boredom since a bicycle can be ridden in new and various styles.

A computer implemented personified sporting goal apparatus, system, method and/or computer program product may provide electronically and programmably controlled personification attributes to a sporting or intermediary goal. Certain embodiments include robotic, animatronically moveable appendages, emotions, and/or gestures, via audio, visual, or enhanced features. A personified sporting goal apparatus can include: sporting goal device, including processor(s); memory coupled to the processor; input or output device(s) coupled to the processor; a sporting goal; a personified feature, attribute, or movement; and user interface coupled to the device, including: a display device, the input device, the output device, a keyboard, or a touchscreen, and is configured to: enable a user to interact with the sporting goal device; receive a selection of a sporting goal routine; or receive instructions to control the sporting goal device. Embodiments include a robot, display(s) and/or speech bubbles.