US20130137552A1

Movatterモバイル変換

Info

Publication number: US20130137552A1
Application number: US13/679,132
Authority: US
Inventors: Thomas Kemp; Stephen Tiedemann; Dietmar Schill
Original assignee: Sony Corp
Current assignee: Sony Corp
Priority date: 2011-11-25
Filing date: 2012-11-16
Publication date: 2013-05-30
Also published as: CN103127665A; CN103127665B

Abstract

A device for controlling and supervising a user during performing a fitness exercise at a fitness device (electronic Fitness Trainer) comprises a controller module for selecting at least one music piece suited for executing the fitness exercise according to a training plan, for monitoring biofeedback data obtained from the user during executing the exercise, for monitoring device data obtained from the fitness device during executing the exercise and for controlling other components of the device, an explanation module for generating an explanation message, a correction module for generating a correction message, a feedback module for generating a feedback message and an input/output module for receiving biofeedback data from the user and device data from the fitness device and for outputting the explanation message, the correction message and the feedback message as well as the selected at least one music piece to the user.

Description

The invention relates to an electronic Fitness Trainer for controlling, supervising and motivating a user to perform fitness exercises regularly and correctly and a method for operating an electronic Fitness Trainer.

BACKGROUND

In fitness training, both in fitness studio and at home, athletes or users execute different exercises following a workout schedule planned by a professional trainer or by the users themselves following workout samples given in books or magazines or provided by a software program. The exercises may include the use of a cardio training machine, e.g. stationary bicycles, treadmills or rowing machines, or of one or a plurality of strength training machines or may include exercises performed only with bands or weights or without any devices at all.

However, how a user performs an exercise depends on its actual physical and mental condition as well as on the experience of a user in performing a special exercise. Therefore, the exercises are not always executed in a proper way to achieve the training goal and/or to avoid negative effects to the health of the user caused by excessive strain. Further, since there is often no immediate visible success, the user tends to loose its motivation resulting in dropping out from the training.

Thus, the main problems during fitness training are maintaining the motivation of the user and ensuring proper execution of the exercises in just the right intensity and sequence.

It is an object of the invention to provide a device that controls, supervises and motivates the user to do the exercises regularly and correctly and a method for operating such a device.

The above objects are achieved by the claimed matter according to the independent claims.

Further embodiments are defined in the dependent claims.

Further details of the invention will become apparent from a consideration of the drawings and ensuing description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of the electronic Fitness Trainer according to the invention.

FIG. 2 shows a method for operating an electronic Fitness Trainer according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3 shows an electronic Fitness System according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 4 shows a method for operating an electronic Fitness System according to an embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following, embodiments of the invention are described. It is important to note that all described embodiments in the following and their properties and technical features may be combined in any way, i.e. there is no limitation that certain described embodiments, properties and technical features may not be combined with others, unless specifically noted otherwise. Further, it should be noted that same reference signs throughout the Figures denote same or similar elements.

It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and structural or logical changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention. The following detailed description, therefore, is not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present invention is defined by the appended claims.

FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment of the device for controlling and supervising a user during performing fitness exercises according to the invention. This device is called an electronic Fitness Trainer (eFT) in the further description. Theelectronic Fitness Trainer1 comprises four internal modules which are all interconnected with each other: acontroller module10, anexplanation module20, acorrection module30 and afeedback module40. Further, the electronic Fitness Trainer comprises an input/output (I/O)module50. The I/O module50 is configured to receive data from the outside of the eFT and to output data to the outside of the eFT.

Data from the outside may be, for instance, data referring to a workout schedule or a training plan for a specific fitness exercise, like weights, number of repetitions or duration of an exercise according to a workout schedule and intended heart rate and blood pressure, and data referring to afitness device2 used for the specific exercise. These data may be provided from an external memory5 or directly inputted by a user or a trainer. Further, the eFT may receive data from thefitness device2 the user currently uses like a cardio training machine or a strength training machine, wherein the data may include speed, level, weight or number of repetitions as well as smoothness of motion or data relating to correctness of the exercise. Other data from the outside may be biofeedback data obtained from the user during performing the exercise via one or more sensors3, like heart rate, oxygen saturation, blood pressure, skin resistance, body temperature etc. Furthermore, data from outside may include music provided from a source4 of music pieces, like personal music data base or a music provider, wherein the music pieces are annotated with metadata describing the music with respect to, for example, beats per minute, beat locations, music genre, instrumentation and others.

Using the I/O module50, the eFT may output data to other devices, like the music source4, the external memory5 or a workout planning system, or to humans like the user or a professional trainer. Data to the outside may include commands for selecting one or a plurality of music pieces corresponding to the exercises performed. Further, exercise logs, i.e. biofeedback data and/or data describing how the exercises were executed by the user, for instance how many repetitions were done, can be outputted to a computer used for planning the workout schedule or can be outputted to a reproducing device, i.e. a display or a device capable of outputting audible messages, like a loudspeaker or earphones. The reproducing device may be a part of the eFT or may be a part of another device, for example of the fitness device. That is, data provided by at least one of the internal modules of the eFT may be outputted by the I/O module50.

Data inputted from the outside to the eFT or outputted to the outside from the eFT may be transmitted wirelessly or via a wired connection, for instance a data cable. However, there may also be components configured to allow direct input of data to the eFT, for instance a stop button for indicating the end of an exercise.

Thecontroller module10 stores data about the fitness device and about the training plan as inputted from the outside. The training plan may include minimum and maximum values of parameters to be maintained during execution of the exercise, like minimum weight or maximum blood pressure, thereby defining predetermined ranges of values for biofeedback data and device data. Thecontroller module10 then selects one or a plurality of music pieces proper for the exercise or exercises which should be performed. For instance, upbeat is selected for high-load parts of the exercise, slower and steadier pieces for the continuous, aerobic part, mellow pieces for slow down and cheerful pieces for warm up. Not only the mood, but also the beat per minute (bpm, speed) value of the music is chosen according to the intended speed of the exercise. For example, for a running machine or a stepper, every beat or every second beat could correspond to a footstep. Further, the controller module decides when the music should be interrupted by a system message in order to properly output this message to the user. However, the music does not have to be interrupted totally, it may also be sufficient to reduce the volume of the music such that the system message can be understood properly while the music is continuing in the background. There are three types of system messages corresponding to the other three modules of the eFT, i.e. explanation messages, correction messages and feedback messages. These messages are outputted by the I/O module50 as described above and may include visual data like text or graphics and/or audible data like spoken words or sounds.

Theexplanation module20 is called at any time when the eFT changes its operational state, for instance when the eFT is turned on, when the training plan is changed or modified or when the fitness device is changed or modified. Theexplanation module20 provides an explanation message explaining why the change occurs. For example, before starting the exercise, the explanation module will explain what the purpose of the entire exercise is, what has to be done and how it is done correctly. Further, when the level of the exercise has to be changed, theexplanation module20 creates an explanation message explaining what changes and why the exercise is to be changed, for instance because the training plan changed.

Thecorrection module30 is called whenever thecontroller module10 detects that the exercise is not done in a proper fashion. Thecorrection module30 then provides a correction message to the user thereby giving hints about correct usage of the fitness device or about correct performance of the exercise. For instance, the correction message may include an information that the user performs the exercise too fast or too slow, that he or she exceeds the maximum heart rate or blood pressure allowed or that the movement and distribution of force with respect to different parts of the body is not proper to reach the purpose of the exercise. Providing this message helps the user to improve the execution of the exercise.

Thefeedback module40 generates a feedback message after the user has completed the exercise. However, a feedback message may also be generated if the exercise is skipped or only partially completed by the user. The feedback message may comprise information about the quantity and the quality of the performance of the exercise. It may be created using two main sources of input: first assessment of the energy spent by the user in executing the exercise or other data corresponding to the spent energy, e.g. the peak pulse or the number of performed repetitions, and second how well the exercise was performed according to the generally recommended way of using the fitness device and to the individual training plan of the user. That is, the feedback module uses biofeedback data from the user and data provided by the fitness device regarding the execution of the exercise as well as previously provided data regarding the fitness device and the execution of the exercise as well as the training plan of the specific user for generating the feedback message. The feedback message may contain information about the calories spent by the user while executing the exercise and may translate this value into food equivalents using a database. However, the feedback message may also contain other information corresponding to the purpose of the exercise, like heart rate or blood pressure. Further, thefeedback module40 may compare current data corresponding to the execution of the exercise, e.g. initial and final pulse rate, number of repetitions, sets, weights etc., with previous data stored for the same exercise and the same user. The feedback message may then include a summary of the comparison, for instance “This week, you have been able to perform three repetitions more than two weeks ago, which is an increase of 4.5%. Compared to when you started 9 weeks ago, you can do now eleven repetitions more, an increase of 16%! Gorgeous!”. Thus, thefeedback module40 may increase the motivation of the user to do further training.

Theexplanation module20, thecorrection module30 and thefeedback module40 may interact with thecontroller10 such that they may be controlled by thecontroller10 and that they may provide data to thecontroller10.

Theelectronic Fitness Trainer1 may be a portable device which a user can take with him during performing a workout schedule including exercises at different fitness devices, for instance a circle training. In this case, the whole workout schedule for a specific user may be provided to the eFT, and the eFT may provide a feedback message summarizing a workout including exercises performed at different fitness devices. Furthermore, the eFT may also provide a plurality of explanation messages, correction messages and/or feedback messages for different fitness devices or for different exercises performed at one or a plurality of fitness devices. On the other hand, theeFT1 may be assigned to only one fitness device to which it may be fixed detachable or undetachable. In this case, the user has to identify himself to the eFT of the specific fitness device before starting the exercise such that the eFT may download a trainings plan for the specific user at this specific fitness device. The eFT may then provide a feedback message only for the exercise performed at this specific fitness device.

The electronic Fitness Trainer comprises at least one internal memory for storing data referring to the training plan or the fitness device and for storing exercise logs. This memory can be used by one or more or all of the internal modules of the eFT, i.e. thecontroller module10, theexplanation module20, thecorrection module30 and thefeedback module40.FIG. 1 shows an embodiment, wherein all internal modules may use oneinternal memory60. According to another embodiment, each internal module or one or a plurality of the internal modules may include an individual internal memory.

By providing messages to the user, in particular by providing audible messages, and by adapting the music and/or the training plan to the biofeedback data and to other data describing whether the exercise is performed correctly, the eFT according to the invention assures the correctness of the execution of the exercise while at the same time keeping motivation level high by increasing exercise pleasure.

FIG. 2 is a schematic flowchart of a method for operating an electronic Fitness Trainer according to an embodiment of the invention.

In step S101, a user identifies himself to the electronic Fitness Trainer using, for instance, RFID, a USB stick, his fingerprint or face detection. Subsequently, thecontroller module10 downloads data corresponding to the training plan of the user provided from the outside of the eFT, for instance from an external memory5, and stores them in aninternal memory60 in step S102. Further, thecontroller module10 may store data corresponding to the fitness device used for the current exercise in thememory60. If the eFT is assigned to only one specific fitness device, these data may be stored previously inside thememory60.

Then thecontroller module10 calls theexplanation module20 for generating and outputting an explanation message in step S103. In step S104, the controller module selects one or more music pieces suited for proper execution of the exercise. Steps S103 and S104 may be performed also in the reverse sequence.

When the user starts executing the exercise, thecontroller module10 outputs the selected music pieces and receives and monitors biofeedback data obtained from the user and data from the fitness device (step S105). Thecontroller module10 continuously compares the monitored data with predetermined value ranges corresponding to a proper execution of the exercise according to the training plan of the user (step106).

If the received data are not in the predetermined ranges, the controller module calls thecorrection module30 for generating and outputting a correction message in step S107. If a need for modifying the execution of the exercise is identified, thecontroller module10 adapts the selected music piece to the modified execution of the exercise or selects another piece of music which better suites to the modified execution of the exercise and outputs it (step S108).

As long as the end of the exercise is not detected in step S109, thecontroller module10 continues to output music and to monitor biofeedback and device data, i.e. the method returns to step S105.

If performing of the exercise is terminated, thecontroller module10 calls thefeedback module40 for generating a feedback message and outputting it to the user in step S110 independent of whether thecorrection module30 was activated or not, i.e. independent of whether the step S107 and optionally S108 were performed or not. Further, data describing the execution of the exercise may be stored in thefeedback module30. At the end of the method, thecontroller module10 may output an exercise log including the feedback message and/or further data describing the execution of the exercise, like biofeedback data, as well as an identification of the user and time stamps to another device, for instance to a workout planning device or an analyzing device of an electronic Fitness System as described in the following.

The electronic Fitness Trainer described above may be part of a system for supervising a user during performing a fitness exercise and for providing data assigned to performing the fitness exercise and for analyzing exercise logs assigned to the performed fitness exercise. This system may comprise at least one first device for controlling and supervising a user during performing the fitness exercise, i.e. at least one eFT, and a second device for providing data assigned to performing the fitness exercise and for analyzing exercise logs assigned to the performed fitness exercise. The second device is called an electronic Fitness Studio (eFS) in the further description, whereas the whole system is called an electronic Fitness System in the further description.FIG. 3 shows an embodiment of such anelectronic Fitness System100 comprising a plurality of electronic Fitness Trainers according to the invention. Theelectronic Fitness Studio300 may comprise ananalyzing device400 for analyzing exercise logs and other data provided by a plurality ofelectronic Fitness Trainers101 to10nconnected with theeFS300 and other data describing the activity of one or more users provided from other devices, forinstance activity recorders151 to15n,and for providing a summarized activity report for each user. Furthermore, theelectronic Fitness Studio300 may comprise a music data base500 for providing music pieces outputted during execution of the exercises and amemory600 for storing workout schedules and training plans forfitness devices201 to20nassigned to theelectronic Fitness Trainers101 to10nand all users using thefitness devices201 to20n.Each one of theelectronic Fitness Trainers101 to10nmay be assigned to an individual one of thefitness devices201 to20n,like a walking machine, a stationary bicycle or a strength training machine, as illustrated inFIG. 3, or may be assigned to individual users. Eachindividual eFT101 to10nsends its exercise logs corresponding to the users which use the assignedfitness device201 to20nto theanalyzing device400. Theelectronic Fitness Studio300 and theelectronic Fitness System100 may be implemented in a Fitness Studio or may be managed by a freelance fitness supervisor.

Theelectronic Fitness Trainers101 to10nare configured to download a training plan corresponding to the identified user using therespective fitness device201 to20nassigned to aspecific eFT101 to10nfrom thememory600 and further to select and download suited music pieces from the music data base500. While the user executes the exercise, the eFT monitors biofeedback data obtained from the user by sensors (not shown inFIG. 3) and device data obtained from the respective fitness device and outputs music as well as explanation and, if necessary, correction messages. If the exercise is terminated, the eFT outputs a feedback message to the user. These features are described above with respect toFIGS. 1 and 2. Additionally, the eFT generates an exercise log corresponding to the individual user, wherein the exercise log includes feedback data which set the exercise results in correspondence to the intended results given by the training plan, and provides it to theanalyzing device400.

The analyzingdevice400 generates for each user a summary report in human readable form from the exercise log of one specificelectronic Fitness Trainer101 to10nor from the exercise logs of a plurality or all of theelectronic Fitness Trainers101 to10n.The summary report sets the exercise results of a user in relation to the training plan and the exercise log thereby providing a comparison between the training plan and the actual results. Additionally, the summary reports can be augmented by information about the daily life of the user, for instance an activity level of the user in his daily life, provided by an activity log. This information can be obtained fromactivity recorders151 to15n,wherein each activity recorder corresponds to a specific user. Theactivity recorders151 to15nmay, for instance, include gyro sensors, which may be installed in the user's mobile phone, for example. Using the gyro signals and a special software, the movement pattern of the user can be extracted, like climbing steps, walking, sitting, lying etc. The movement pattern can be further processed to extract only information about the level of activity or physical exercise of the user, which he or she receives outside a fitness studio or outside the training plan including exercises performed at thefitness devices201 to20n,without offending the privacy of the user.

The summary report generated by the analyzingdevice400 may be stored inside a central, e.g. cloud-based, repository or database and may be provided to a fitness trainer, e.g. to a human qualified for planning workout schedules and training plans or a software program or a system of artificial intelligence for planning workout schedules and training plans. The fitness trainer can create a new training plan or modify an existing training plan based on the summary report and store it in thememory600. Thus, the user will execute the new or modified training plan, when he identifies himself to one of theelectronic Fitness Trainers101 to10nthe next time. The fitness trainer, in particular a human fitness trainer, can utilize its time more efficiently as compared to the prior art, since he may focus on the definition and supervision of training plans instead of following the users when the user do their exercises. Furthermore, a current summary report may be compared to and analyzed on the basis of previously generated summary reports.

As described with reference toFIGS. 1 and 2, theelectronic Fitness Trainer101 to10nalso downloads and selects music pieces suitable for properly executing a specific exercise. However, each user has a specific music taste such that one music piece suitable for a specific exercise pleases one user but displeases another user. This disadvantage may be avoided by providing a personal music data base. However, this data base is limited such that repetitions of songs may occur when executing exercises frequently resulting in decreasing exercise pleasure and motivation of the user.

Therefore, theelectronic Fitness Studio300 may comprise a music data base500 including a plurality of music pieces of different music tastes wherein the music pieces are annotated with metadata describing the music as described above. Theelectronic Fitness Trainers101 to10nselect music pieces suitable for executing the specific exercise from the music data base500. If the user does not like the selected music piece, he may input his dislike decision into the eFT, for instance by pressing a button “Skip to next song” attached to the currentlyactive eFT101 to10n,the currently usedfitness device201 to20nor to any other input device connected with the currently active eFT. A user taste can be extracted by analyzing the dislike decisions and the decisions of the user not to input a dislike decision, i.e. selection decisions, over a predetermined time interval, for instance one or more workout sessions. Such a user taste or user preference may, for example, contain “does not like classical music” and may be stored together with a user profile or the user training plan in thememory600. Thus, the electronic Fitness Trainer currently used by the user may select music pieces which are not only suitable for executing the exercise, but also correspond to the taste of the user, thereby increasing the exercise pleasure of the user.

Furthermore, the music data base500 is frequently renewed or updated, i.e. after a predetermined time interval is elapsed. For instance, the music pieces stored in the music data base500 may be swapped every night against new music pieces, which are received from a central music repository with the appropriate digital rights. This way, the diversity of the music is ensured, and the music pieces are not repeated between days. Furthermore, a user does not hear only music pieces provided by a personal music base and well-known to him or her, but may hear also new music pieces and may experience a pleasant surprise.

Theelectronic Fitness Studio300 may be connected to other devices, for instance, a music provider, theelectronic Fitness Trainers101 to10n,theactivity recorders151 to15n,an output device for outputting the summary report to a professional trainer or to memory devices or data bases outside the eFS, wirelessly or via a wired connection, for instance a data cable, for transferring data between the eFS and the other devices. Furthermore, the eFS may comprise components for direct input or output of data by or to a user, a professional trainer or any other person using the eFS.

FIG. 4 illustrates a schematic flowchart of an embodiment of a method for operating an electronic Fitness System according to the invention.

In step S201, a user identifies himself to theelectronic Fitness System100, for instance by identifying himself to a specific electronic Fitness Trainer which then transfers this information to the eFS. The user may identify himself using, for instance, RFID, a USB stick, his fingerprint or face detection. Subsequently,memory600 of theelectronic Fitness Studio300 provides a training plan and further user specific data, like music taste of the user, to the eFT (step S202). In step S203, the method for operating the eFT as described with respect toFIG. 2 is carried out. In this step, the eFT selects music pieces suitable for executing the exercise and corresponding to the user taste and downloads them from the music data base500 of the eFS. After termination of the exercise, the eFT generates an exercise log as described above.

In step S204, the exercise log is provided to theanalyzing device400 of the eFS from the electronic Fitness Trainer. Subsequently, a summary report corresponding to the user is generated by the analyzing device400 (step S205), wherein the analyzing device may use a plurality of exercise logs corresponding to the specific user and provided from differentelectronic Fitness Trainers101 to10nto generate the summary report. The analyzingdevice400 may further incorporate data provided by anactivity recorder151 to15ncorresponding to the specific user in generating the summary report.

In step S206, the summary report is outputted to a professional trainer, which then may modify an existing training plan or workout schedule or may create a new training plan or workout schedule for the corresponding user.

In step S207, the modified or created training plan or workout schedule is stored into thememory600 of theelectronic Fitness Studio300 such that it can be downloaded and executed the next time the user identifies himself to an electronic Fitness Trainer or to the electronic Fitness System.

Although theelectronic Fitness Studio300 is illustrated and described in connection with theelectronic Fitness Trainer1 of the present invention, theelectronic Fitness Studio300 may be used also independently from the eFT or in connection with other devices. For instance, the eFS may be connected directly to a fitness device and to sensors providing biofeedback data of the user such that device data from the fitness device and biometrical data from the sensors may be provided to and analyzed in theanalyzing device400 of the eFS. Similarly, the method for operating an electronic Fitness System may be performed without using the electronic Fitness Trainer of the present invention resulting in a method for operating an electronic Fitness Studio. That is, selecting and outputting music pieces, monitoring biofeedback and device data as well as generating an exercise log as described with respect to step S203 do not have to be performed necessarily by an electronic Fitness Trainer of the present invention. These features may be performed by any other device capable for doing so, or even may be performed by different device, wherein one device selects and outputs the music pieces and another device monitors biofeedback data, for instance. Again, one or more or all of the features of this step may also be executed by the electronic Fitness Studio itself. Further, even if an electronic Fitness Trainer is used for performing step S203, it does not necessarily have to execute steps S106 to S110 as described with respect toFIG. 2.

Claims

1. A device for controlling and supervising a user during performing a fitness exercise at a fitness device, the device comprising:

a controller module for selecting at least one music piece suited for executing the fitness exercise according to a training plan, for monitoring biofeedback data obtained from the user during executing the exercise, for monitoring device data obtained from the fitness device during executing the exercise and for controlling other components of the device;

an explanation module for generating an explanation message;

a correction module for generating a correction message;

a feedback module for generating a feedback message; and

an input/output module for receiving biofeedback data from the user and device data from the fitness device and for outputting the explanation message, the correction message and the feedback message as well as the selected at least one music piece to the user.

2. The device ofclaim 1,

wherein the explanation message, the correction message and the feedback message comprise audible data.

3. The device ofclaim 1,

wherein the explanation message comprises information about the purpose of the exercise, what has to be done and how it is done correctly.

4. The device ofclaim 1,

wherein the correction message comprises information about a necessary change in execution of the exercise by the user in order to correctly perform the exercise.

5. The device ofclaim 1,

wherein the controller module is configured to modify the training plan and to adapt the at least one music piece to the modified training plan or to select a new at least one music piece suited to the modified training plan, if at least one of the monitored biofeedback data or the monitored device data are not in a predetermined range of values.

6. The device ofclaim 1,

wherein the feedback message generated after termination of the exercise comprises information about the quantity and the quality of performance of the exercise.

7. The device ofclaim 1,

wherein the controller module is configured to interrupt the output of the at least one music piece or to adapt the volume of the output of the at least one music piece, if one of the explanation message, the correction message or the feedback message is outputted.

8. A system for supervising a user during performing a fitness exercise at a fitness device and for providing data assigned to performing the fitness exercise and for analyzing exercise logs assigned to the performed fitness exercise, the system comprising:

at least one first device according toclaim 1; and

a second device for providing data assigned to performing the fitness exercise and for analyzing exercise logs assigned to the performed fitness exercise, the second device comprising:

a memory for storing and providing a training plan for performing the exercise,

a music data base for providing at least one music piece suited for executing the exercise according to the training plan, and

an analyzing device for generating a summary report based on at least one exercise log provided from the at least one first device.

9. The system ofclaim 8,

wherein the analyzing device is configured to generate the summary report additionally on the basis of at least one activity log provided from at least one activity recorder assigned to the user.

10. The system ofclaim 8,

wherein the summary report is generated in a human readable form and comprises information about the quantity and quality of training of the user.

11. The system ofclaim 8,

wherein the system is configured to extract a music taste based on dislike decisions and selection decisions made by the user and to store the extracted music taste together with other data assigned to the user in the memory of the second device.

12. The system ofclaim 11,

wherein the controller module if the at least one first device is configured to select the at least one music piece suited for executing the exercise based on the extracted music taste of the user.

13. A method for operating a device according toclaim 1, the method comprising:

identifying a user which is going to execute a fitness exercise at a fitness device;

downloading a training plan assigned to the user and device data of the fitness device;

outputting an explanation message to the user;

selecting at least one music piece suited for executing the fitness exercise according to a training plan;

during execution of the exercise, outputting the selected at least one music piece to the user and monitoring biofeedback data obtained from the user and device data obtained from the fitness device;

comparing the monitored biofeedback data and the monitored device data with predetermined value ranges;

if the biofeedback data and the monitored device data are not within the pre-determined value ranges, outputting a correction message to the user and, if a modification of the training plan is necessary in order to achieve the purpose of the exercise, modifying the training plan and adapting the selected at least one music piece to the modified training plan or selecting a new at least one music piece suited for executing the fitness exercise according to the modified training plan;

repeating the step of outputting the selected at least one music piece and monitoring the biofeedback data and device data, the step of comparing the monitored data and the step of outputting a correction message and modifying the training plan and adapting the music pieces or selecting new music pieces as long as the termination of the exercise is not detected; and

if the termination of the exercise is detected, outputting a feedback message to the user.

14. A method for operating a system according toclaim 8, the method comprising:

performing the method ofclaim 13 for at least one first device according toclaim 1;

providing at least one exercise log from the at least one first device to the second device;

generating a summary report based on the at least one exercise log;

outputting the summary report to a professional trainer; and

storing a new training plan or a modified training plan provided by the professional trainer based on the outputted summary report in the memory of the second device from which the training plan is downloaded during the step of performing the method ofclaim 13 for the at least one first device.

15. The method ofclaim 14,

wherein the music data base of the second device is updated after a predetermined time interval.