A resilient rod that provides adjustable directional resistance is disclosed. In one aspect of the invention, a resistance level may be determined based on a thickness of the rod and a position of an applied force with respect to a fulcrum point. In another aspect of the invention, at least one spine may be attached to the beam to increase a diameter of the beam along one axis. The resistance level may be determined based on the thickness of the rod, the position of the applied force and an orientation of the at least one spine with regard to the direction of the applied force. In other aspects of the invention, the resilient rods may be incorporated into a golf club that provides for adjustable resistance levels.

Exercise apparatuses that may be particularly useful or treating and strengthening connective tissue. For example, apparatuses that may have or be reconfigured to have multiple (e.g., three or more) configurations that are suspended from above by a ceiling or stand. The equipment facilitates the stabilization of the body according to the principle of tensegrity, so that the tension in all movements is omni-directionally coherent, thus creating omni-tensional integrity, which may be helpful in treatment and strengthening of muscular connective tissue (fasciae) in musculoskeletal dynamics, to restore, rebuild, strengthen and regain elasticity within the human fascial network. These apparatuses can support the user at an oblique body angle while the user performs various movements.

The power used by a user in performing the vertical component of a movement is estimated. An accelerometer attached to a user measures the acceleration experienced by the user during movement. A processor configured to receive the measurements of the acceleration from the accelerometer, be attached to the user, estimate the vertical accelerations from the received acceleration measurements, and estimate the power used from the vertical accelerations.

A hand-held exercise device comprises a frame, a handle attached to the frame, a spool element pivotally mounted to the frame, a pull-cord movable between a wound configuration in which the pull-cord is wound around the spool element and an unwound configuration in which the pull-cord is unwound from the spool element, a resistance element pivotally mounted to the frame, a transmission that couples the pull-cord to the resistance element such that pulling the pull-cord from the device causes the resistance element to rotate, and a damping means that acts to slow the rotation of the resistance element. The device provides a compact and lightweight form of exercise equipment that is easy to carry and easy to store. The device can be used with various fixtures, and also with a second handle fixed to the pull-cord, to allow the user to perform a wide range of exercises. Preferably the exercise device transmits exercise data to an external device that provides feedback and guidance to the user. A resistance mechanism for exercise apparatus allows a pull-cord to be coupled to a resistance element such that pulling the pull-cord from the mechanism causes the resistance element to rotate. A drive element is driven by a frictional force between the drive element and the pull-cord. The resistance element is coupled to the drive element by a transmission.

A method for controlling breathing of a user during workout with an exercise machine is provided. The method includes acquiring, by a data processing unit of the exercise machine, at least one parameter representative of a physical exercise being performed by the user with the exercise machine, determining, by the data processing unit of the exercise machine, an indication of the breathing to be followed by the user while performing the physical exercise based on the acquired at least one parameter representative of the physical exercise, and providing the user, by the data processing unit of the exercise machine, with the determined indication of breathing. An exercise machine implementing the method for controlling breathing of the user during workout is also provided.

The systems and methods described herein are directed towards collecting and recording sensor data pertaining to physical contact experienced by players in a contact sport (e.g., football). The data can be collected and recorded through the use of one or more sensors worn by the player. In some cases, the sensor data can be associated with in-game video recordings of physical contact experienced by the players. Information about the physical contact can be displayed for users to view via a graphical user interface. Warnings may also be provided.

Disclosed is a first force sensing region of footwear. The first force sensing region includes a first force sensor unit. The first force sensor unit includes a first compliant capacitor disposed with respect to a first plane. The first force sensor unit also includes a strain transformation structure disposed with respect to the first plane. The strain transformation structure includes a first transformation element coupled to an outer surface of the first electrode of the first compliant capacitor and a second transformation element coupled to an outer surface of the second electrode of the first compliant capacitor.

An exercise apparatus to enhance muscle recruitment of a user includes a base platform, a rotatable shaft coupled to the base platform, a brake assembly coupled to the base platform and operably connected to the rotatable shaft, the brake assembly having a controller designed to engage and disengage the brake assembly from the rotatable shaft, and a pair of cables with first ends coupled to the rotatable shaft and second ends coupled to a bar. The controller engages the brake assembly with the rotatable shaft to lock the rotatable shaft in a stationary position for a predetermined time to permit the user to perform an isometric movement with the bar. The controller disengages the brake assembly from the rotatable shaft after the predetermined time to permit the rotatable shaft to rotate to permit the user to perform a plyometric movement with the bar.

Systems and methods for prescribing athletic activity to be performed by a user, and for adapting the prescribed athletic activity based on completed (e.g. ongoing) athletic performances by the user. A coaching plan may be automatically created that prescribes personalized athletic activities as a user trains towards a goal date. The athletic information may be received from one or more sensor devices associated with a user, and the coaching plan may be continuously or intermittently updated based on the received sensor data.

An exercise apparatus, system, and method are provided herein, in which an exercise apparatus has a tracking mechanism comprising a gyroscope, processor and transmitter. The user may wear a sensor, for example, on his shoe. The gyroscope detects the position of the exercise apparatus with respect to the sensor, and thus detects the motions made by the user with the apparatus. A mobile device such as a cellular phone may have an application running thereon, which tracks these motions, and notify the user if the user's form is incorrect, and preferably provides an image of the proper form. The exercise apparatus may include wheels with which the exercise apparatus may be rolled.