- data representative of the user's physical condition (e.g. heart rate, step rate, stride power, calories burned and so on);
- identification data of the user (e.g. the real name or a nickname);
- data representative of the exercise machine (e.g. if the exercise machine is a treadmill, the rotation speed, the gradient and so on).

By way of example, during its operation, theexercise machine200 is configured to periodically send (e.g. once a second) a request to receive a control instruction of the operation of theexercise machine200 and training data of the user on theexercise machine200.

If thecontrol unit101, according to the loaded training program, in response to the reception of such request, sends to theexercise machine200 at least one control instruction of the operation of the exercise machine, theexercise machine200 will modify its operation as a function of the received instruction.

On the other hand, if thecontrol unit101, according to the loaded training program, in response to the reception of such request, does not send any control instructions of the operation of the exercise machine to theexercise machine200, theexercise machine200 will continue its operation as a function of the received instruction.

It is worth noting that the control instructions of the operation of theexercise machine200 that thecontrol unit101 may send to the plurality ofexercise machines500 can be executed automatically by theexercise machine200 as a function of a respective command of the user trainer imparted to thecontrol unit101.

In this case, the at least one control instruction of the operation of theexercise machine200 may be a stop command, a pause command, a command to restart theexercise machine200.

Furthermore, the control instructions of the operation of theexercise machine200 that thecontrol unit101 may send to the plurality ofexercise machines500 may be executed automatically by anexercise machine200, if the control instruction of the operation of theexercise machine200 is the variation of a parameter of the exercise machine which can be controlled during its operation (e.g. if the exercise machine is a treadmill, the variation of the gradient and/or of the rotation speed of the treadmill).

If the at least one control instruction of the operation of theexercise machine200 is a stop command of theexercise machine200, if theexercise machine200 is a treadmill, theelectric motor207 is controlled so as to stop the treadmill with a set deceleration ramp and theactuating device206 is controlled so as to take the gradient of the treadmill to a zero value.

If the at least one control instruction of the operation of theexercise machine200 is a pause command of theexercise machine200, if theexercise machine200 is a treadmill, theelectric motor207 is controlled so as to stop the treadmill with a set deceleration ramp and theactuating device206 is controlled so that the gradient of the treadmill remains unchanged in the interval of time of the training program in which the stop command of theexercise machine200 was received.

If the at least one control instruction of the operation of theexercise machine200 is a stop command of theexercise machine200, if theexercise machine200 is a treadmill, theelectric motor207 is controlled so as to be restarted at a given speed (e.g. a set value equal to 9 km/h) with a set acceleration ramp.

If the at least one control instruction of the operation of theexercise machine200 is an end of training command because the training time has ended or following a manual command by the trainer user, if theexercise machine200 is a treadmill, theelectric motor207 is controlled so as to stop the treadmill with an established deceleration ramp and theactuating device206 is controlled so as to take the gradient of the treadmill to a null value.

It is worth noting that if the at least one control instruction of the operation of theexercise machine200 is a pause command of theexercise machine200, thecontrol unit101 can momentarily stop the plurality ofexercise machines500 so as to be able to alternate training on theexercise machine200, according to the loaded training program (e.g. running on a treadmill), with floor training off the exercise machine (e.g. leaps, sit-ups, push-ups).

In an embodiment, thecontrol unit101 is configured to provide a piece of information representative of a start of training time (zero time) to the plurality ofexercise machines500, by means of the communication network data NTW.

Thecontrol unit101 is further configured to provide to the plurality ofexercise machines500, by means of the communication network data NTW, preferably at regular time intervals, a piece of information representative of the progressive advancement of the training time so that the synchronization of the training program loaded by thecontrol unit101 is guaranteed across the plurality ofexercise machines500.

Furthermore, in an embodiment, thecontrol unit101 is configured to provide, by means of the data communication network NTW, a piece of information representative of the total time of the training program.

In an embodiment, either in combination with or alternatively to the previous ones, once the training program selected by the trainer user for the training class is loaded, before sending the start of training command to the plurality ofexercise machines500 of the training class by means of the communication network data NTW, thecontrol unit101 is configured to send the training program to the plurality ofexercise machines500, by means of the communication network data NTW.

In an embodiment, as previously mentioned, thecontrol unit101 is configured to receive training data of the user on theexercise machine200 from the plurality ofexercise machines500, by means of the communication network data NTW, and to store the data in thememory module103, while performing the training program.

Thecontrol unit101 is also configured to display to the trainer user, by means of therespective display module105 with which thecontrol unit101 is provided, a list of users participating in the training program with which training data of the user on theexercise machine200 are associated, for each user, and an indication representative of whether a user can follow the training program loaded on thecontrol unit101 by the trainer user or not.

An example of such display is shown inFIG. 4.

Thecontrol unit101 suggests to the trainer user a first screen UP representative of the performance of the users during the execution of the training program.

The first screen UP comprises a plurality of lines PR each reserved for identification data of a user.

Each user is identified by a progressive number (a number from01 to12 in the figure), by a respective real name RN1-RN12 and by a respective nickname NK1-NK12.

The first screen UP further comprises a plurality of columns PC in which a first portion PC1 is reserved for data representative of the exercise machine GR, SP (for example, in the case of a treadmill, gradient GR expressed as a percentage and rotation speed SP), while a second portion PC2 is reserved for data representative of the physical condition of the user H, % H (e.g. heart rate and heat rate expressed as a percentage with respect to a set threshold value, as for example the maximum theoretical heart rate, i.e. the mathematical difference between a set value equal to220 and a value corresponding to the user's age).

It is worth noting that inFIG. 4, the indication representative of whether a user can follow the training program loaded on thecontrol unit101 by the trainer user or not materializes in the display of a graphic symbol, indicated in the figure by reference SG, positioned by the side of the progressive number with identifies the user's line.

In particular, if a user, failing to follow the training program loaded on the control unit101 (and possibly sent to each exercise machine200), for example, changes the value of the gradient of the treadmill by manually lowering the value with respect to the gradient value automatically controlled by thedata processing unit201 of theexercise machine200 in the respective interval of time, thecontrol unit101 is configured to show that user to the trainer user by moving the respective line in the plurality of lines PR, each reserved for identification data of a user, to the first place of said plurality of lines PR, possibly adding the graphic symbol SG alongside theprogressive number01, of the respective real name RN1 and of the respective nickname NK1.

In greater detail, in order to perform the aforesaid movement of a line in the plurality of lines PR, thedata processing module102 is configured to:

- receive a value of said first parameter of theexercise machine200 which can be controlled during its operation (e.g. the gradient of a treadmill), during the training of a user on theexercise machine200;
- compare such received value with the value of said first parameter of theexercise machine200 which can be controlled during its operation envisaged by the training program in order to determine a deviation;
- if such deviation is different from zero, to move the line inside the plurality of lines PR corresponding to such user to the first place of the plurality of lines PR, adding a graphic symbol SG by the side of theprogressive number01, the respective real name RN1 and the respective nickname NK1 of such user.

Thecontrol unit101 is also configured to display to the trainer user, by means of therespective display module105 with which with thecontrol unit101 is provided, a training profile representing the training program in progress on the plurality ofexercise machines500.

An example of such display is shown inFIG. 5.

Alternatively to the first screen UP, thecontrol unit101 suggests to the trainer user a second screen PR representative of a profile of a training program in progress on the plurality ofexercise machines500.

It is worth noting that the switch between the first screen UP and the second screen PR is possible by selecting the respective symbol (UP or PR) as shown at the top left inFIG. 4 and inFIG. 5.

The second screen PR comprises a chart in the middle having the time t on the abscissa and a first parameter PM1 of theexercise machine200 which can be controlled during its operation, in the respective unit of measurement, on the ordinate, e.g. if the exercise machine is a treadmill, the gradient or inclination of the treadmill.

Along the abscissa are the initial time t0 and successive instants of time t1-t5 at which the first parameter PM1 of theexercise machine200 which can be controlled during its operation assumes different values.

Also along the abscissa are a vertical bar, indicated by reference tc, representative of the current instant of time at which the users are during the performance of the training program on therespective exercise machine200.

The vertical bar is located between two successive instants of time t1 and t2.

On the second screen, in addition to the name of the profile of the training program N-PR, there is a first piece of information CMD1 representative a first suggestion to provide to the user in the current instant of time tc (e.g. “keep up the pace”) and a second piece of information CMD2 representative of a second suggestion to provide to the user starting from the instant of time in which the value of the first parameter PM1 will be changed (in the example inFIG. 5, this variation will occur in the instant of time t2).

Turning back in general to the system according to the present invention, it is worth noting that the control instructions of the operation of the exercise machine, in an embodiment, are provided by thecontrol unit101, both those imparted in response to a command by the trainer user (stop, pause, restart, end of training) and those imparted automatically by the control unit (synchronization, automatic end of training command), and those imparted as function of the training program profile (variation of parameters of the exercise machine which can be controlled during operation).

It is worth noting that this occurs regardless of whether the exercise machines have received the training program loaded by the trainer user by thecontrol unit101 or not.

According to a further embodiment, alternative to the previous one, the control instructions of the operation of theexercise machine200 imparted by thecontrol unit101 as a function of the profile of the training program (variation of parameters of theexercise machine200 which can be controlled during operation) can be automatically executed directly by the exercise machines.

This is possible if the plurality ofexercise machines500 have received the training program selected by the trainer user by thecontrol unit101 and are able to run it autonomously.

As mentioned above, thecontrol unit101 is also configured to send to the plurality ofexercise machines500, by means of the communication network data NTW, an end of training command, in the moment in which the total time of the training program end (automatic end of training command) or in the moment in which the trainer user imparts an end of training command on the control unit101 (manual end of training command).

After sending the end of training command, at the end of the training, thecontrol unit101 is configured to store a summary of the training class in therespective memory module103.

It is worth noting that “summary of the training class” means a combination of overall information, such as, for example, start of training time, end of training time and so on.

In an embodiment, in combination with the previous one, thecontrol unit101 is configured to send a summary of the training class to a remote database of the gym or club, e.g. by means of the Internet.

In an embodiment, either alternative to or in combination with the previous one, thecontrol unit101 is configured to send the summary of the training class to the remoteelectronic processor300, e.g. by means of the Internet, in order to store it inside of thememory unit302 of the remoteelectronic processor300 in the trainer user's account.

Turning back in general to thesystem100, we will now describe some features of anexercise machine200 of the plurality ofexercise machines500.

Theexercise machine200 is configured to receive the start of training command from thecontrol unit101 by means of the communication network data NTW.

As mentioned above, it is worth noting that theexercise machine200, until the start of training command is received, is locked and ready to be only used in the training class with which was associated.

Theexercise machine200 is configured to begin the training upon reception of the start of training command.

In an embodiment, in combination with the previous one, theexercise machine200 is configured to receive at least one control instruction of the operation of eachexercise machine200 from thecontrol unit101 by means of the communication network data NTW, during operation of the plurality ofexercise machines500.

In an embodiment, in order to receive at least one control operation instruction, theexercise machine200 is configured to periodically send (e.g. once a second) to the control unit101 a respective request to receive a control instruction of the operation and training data of the user on theexercise machine200 recorded by the exercise machine during its operation.

The training data was defined above.

It is worth repeating that the control instructions of the operation of the exercise machine received from thecontrol unit101 may be executed automatically by theexercise machine200, if the control instruction of the operation of theexercise machine200 is the variation of a parameter of theexercise machine200 which can be controlled during its operation (e.g. if theexercise machine200 is a treadmill, the variation of the gradient and/or of the rotation speed of the treadmill).

It is worth noting that in an embodiment, in which automatic execution of the variation of a first parameter of theexercise machine200 which can be controlled during its operation is envisaged by theexercise machine200, theexercise machine200 is advantageously configured to provide to the user, by means of therespective display unit204, a piece of information representative of one or more preferred values (or one or more ranges of preferred values) of a second parameter of theexercise machine200 which can be controlled during its operation, determined on the basis of the value of the first parameter of theexercise machine200 which can be controlled during its operation.

For example, if theexercise machine200 is a treadmill and the first parameter of theexercise machine200 which can be controlled during its operation is the gradient of the treadmill, theexercise machine200 is configured to control the gradient of the treadmill by means of theactuation device206 and to advantageously provide to the user, by means of therespective display unit204, a piece of information representative of one or more preferred values (or one or more ranges of preferred values) of the rotation speed of the treadmill (as the second parameter of theexercise machine200 which can be controlled during its operation), determined on the basis of the gradient value of the treadmill.

In an embodiment, the control instructions of the operation of the exercise machine received from thecontrol unit101 may be executed automatically by the exercise machine as a function of a respective command of the user trainer imparted to thecontrol unit101.

Examples of these cases were provided previously.

Theexercise machine200 is further configured to receive from thecontrol unit101, by means of the communication network data NTW, a piece of information representative of the training time during the performance of the training program.

Theexercise machine200 is configured to send to thecontrol unit101, by means of the communication network data NTW, during the performance of the training program, data representative of the operation of the exercise machine, for example:

- the value of a first parameter of the exercise machine which can be controlled during its operation or a second parameter of the exercise machine which can be controlled during its operation;
- data representative of the users physical condition during the training (e.g. heart rate);
- the identification data of the user (e.g. the real name or a nickname).

Furthermore, in an embodiment, in combination with any of the previous ones, theexercise machine200 is configured to receive the training program from thecontrol unit101 by means of the communication network data NTW.

In an embodiment, in combination with the previous one, in which the training program is run autonomously by theexercise machine200, theexercise machine200 is configured to automatically modify the first parameter of the exercise machine which can be controlled during operation (e.g., the gradient or inclination of the treadmill if the exercise machine is a treadmill) as a function of the training program received from thecontrol unit101 in a synchronized manner with theother exercise machines200 of the plurality ofexercise machines500.

Additionally, theexercise machine200 is configured to modify, at any time during the performance of the training program, following a manual command received from the user by means of thecontrol interface203 with which theexercise machine200 is provided, the value of the first parameter of theexercise machine200 which can be controlled during operation (e.g. the gradient or inclination of the treadmill, if theexercise machine200 is a treadmill) if the user is unable to keep up the value of the first parameter of theexercise machine200 which can be controlled during operation, set automatically according to the training program.

Additionally, theexercise machine200 is configured to modify, at any time during the performance of the training program, following a manual command received from the user by means of thecontrol interface203 with which theexercise machine200 is provided, the value of the second parameter of theexercise machine200 which can be controlled during operation (e.g., the rotation speed of the treadmill, if theexercise machine200 is a treadmill) if the user is unable to keep up the value of the second parameter of theexercise machine200 which can be controlled during operation, set automatically according to the training program.

In the moment in which, in the profile of the training program, a successive interval of time starts with a set value of the first parameter of theexercise machine200 which can be controlled during operation and/or the second parameter of theexercise machine200 which can be controlled during operation assigned with it, theexercise machine200 is configured to align the value of the first parameter of theexercise machine200 which can be controlled during operation and/or the value of the second parameter of theexercise machine200 which can be controlled during operation varied manually by the user to the respective values of the profile of the training program selected by the trainer user.

Furthermore, theexercise machine200 is configured to show to the user, by means of thedisplay unit204 with which theexercise machine200 is provided, a profile of the first parameter of the exercise machine which can be controlled during operation provided for in the loaded training program with an instantaneous indication of a current point the user is at as time elapses.

Furthermore, theexercise machine200 is configured to show to the user, by means of thedisplay unit204 with which theexercise machine200 is provided, a piece of information representative of one or more preferred values (or one or more ranges of preferred values) of the second parameter of the exercise machine which can be controlled during the operation of the exercise machine (in the case of a treadmill, the second parameter of the exercise machine which can be controlled during operation is, for example, the rotation speed of the treadmill) determined on the basis of the value of the first parameter of the exercise machine which can be controlled200 during operation of the machine.

An example of such display is shown inFIG. 6.

Thedisplay unit204 of theexercise machine200 suggests a third screen S1 to the user representative of the training data of the user during the execution of the training program.

For example, the third screen S1 shows to the user the current value GR-C of the first parameter GR of the machine which can be controlled during the operation of the exercise machine (in the case of a treadmill, the gradient or inclination) and the current value SP-C of the second parameter SP of the exercise machine operation which can be controlled during the operation of the exercise machine (in the case of a treadmill, the rotation speed).

Additionally, the third screen S1 comprises a chart in the middle having the time t on the abscissa and a first parameter PM1 of the exercise machine which can be controlled during its operation, in the respective unit of measurement, on the ordinate, e.g. if the exercise machine is a treadmill, the gradient or inclination of the treadmill. Such graph is entirely similar to that described with reference toFIG. 5.

Furthermore, the third screen S1 shows icons to the user representative of first commands C1 to manually vary the first parameter GR of the exercise machine which can be controlled during the operation of the exercise machine and representative of second commands C2 to manually vary the second parameter SP of the exercise machine which can be controlled during the operation of the exercise machine.

Furthermore, the third screen S1 shows to the user a plurality of current values PV of data representative of the user's physical condition during the training.

Still, the third screen S1 comprises a first arrow F1 to go to a specific screen representative of the first parameter GR of the exercise machine which can be controlled during the operation of the exercise machine and a second arrow F2 to go to a specific screen of the second parameter SP of the exercise machine which can be controlled during the operation of the exercise machine.

Furthermore, the third screen S1 further comprises a piece of information PS representative of one or more preferred values (or one or more ranges of preferred values) of the second parameter SP of theexercise machine200 which can be controlled during the operation of theexercise machine200 determined on the basis of the value of the first parameter GR ofexercise machine200 which can be controlled during the operation of theexercise machine200.

Again, the third screen S1 comprises information representative of the training program in the successive time interval, i.e.:

- the time TM left before the end of the current interval of time in which theexercise machine200 is controlled with the current value GR-C of the first parameter GR of the machine which can be controlled during the operation of the exercise machine (in the case of a treadmill the gradient or inclination) and the current value SP-C of the second parameter SP of the exercise machine operation which can be controlled during the operation of the exercise machine (in the case of a treadmill, the rotation speed);
- the successive value GR-CS of the first parameter GR of the machine which can be controlled during the operation of the exercise machine (in the case of a treadmill, the gradient or inclination);
- the successive value SP-CS of the second parameter SP of operation of the exercise machine which can be controlled during the operation of the exercise machine (in the case of a treadmill, the rotation speed).

Turing back in general to the system inFIG. 1, theexercise machine200 is also configured to receive from thecontrol unit101, by means of the communication network data NTW, an end of training command, in the moment in which the total time of the training program ends or in the moment in which the trainer user imparts an end of training command on thecontrol unit101.

In an embodiment, at the end of the training, following the reception of the end of training command, theexercise machine200 is configured to send to the remoteelectronic processor300, e.g. by means of the Internet, the results of the training performed by the user on theexercise machine200, in order to store it inside thememory unit302 of the remoteelectronic processor300 in the account of the user (if the user has previously been authenticated on the exercise machine).

Amethod400 for managing a training of users on a plurality of exercise machines, hereinafter also managing method or simply method, according to an embodiment of the present invention, will now described also with reference toFIG. 7.

Themethod400 comprises a symbolic step of starting ST.

Thesystem400 comprises a step of providing401 acontrol unit101 of a training of users on a plurality of exercise machines.

Thecontrol unit101 can be accessed by a trainer user responsible for managing the training class on a plurality of exercise machines.

Thecontrol unit101, according to various embodiments, has been described above and is not here described for the sake of brevity of description.

Themethod400 further comprises a step of providing402 a plurality ofexercise machines500 operatively connected to thecontrol unit101 by means of a data communication network NTW.

As mentioned above, the plurality ofexercise machines500 are distributed in the same location so that they can be used by users for performing a training class under the guidance and/or supervision of the trainer user employing thecontrol unit101.

The plurality ofexercise machines500, according to various embodiments, was described above and is not here described for the sake of brevity of description.

As previously mentioned, the plurality ofexercise machines500 are locked and ready to be only used in the training class while waiting to receive a start of training command from thecontrol unit101, as will be described below.

Themethod400 further comprises a step of loading403, by thecontrol unit101, in arespective memory module103 of thecontrol unit101, a training program to be performed for the users of the training class chosen by the trainer user from various training programs.

In an embodiment, shown inFIG. 7 with dashed lines, the step of loading403 comprises a step of receiving403a,by thecontrol unit101, training programs stored in therespective memory module103.

In an alternative embodiment, also shown in the figure with dashed lines, the step of loading403 comprises a step of receiving403b,by means of thecontrol unit101, one or more training programs from an electronic device of the trainer user.

In more detail, it is worth noting that the one or more training programs are created by the trainer user on the electronic device of the trainer user by means of a specific software application (APP).

In a further alternative embodiment, also shown inFIG. 7 by dashed lines, the step of loading403 comprises a step of receiving403c,by means of thecontrol unit101, training programs from a remote electronic processor300 (if provided), e.g. by means of the Internet or other remote database of the gym or club, by means of the communication network data NTW.

Turning back to the embodiment inFIG. 7, themethod400 further comprises sending404, by thecontrol unit101, by means of the data communication network NTW, a start of training command to the plurality ofexercise machines500.

In an embodiment, shown inFIG. 7 with dashed lines, the step of sending404 comprises a step of showing404′ to the trainer user, by thecontrol unit101, e.g. on adisplay module105 with which with thecontrol unit101 is provided, a start of training command.

Turning back toFIG. 7, themethod400 comprises a step of starting405, by the plurality ofexercise machines500, the training following the reception of the start of training command.

Themethod400 further comprises a step of sending406 to the plurality ofexercise machines500, by thecontrol unit101, by means of the data communication network NTW, at least one control instruction of the operation of eachexercise machine200 of the plurality ofexercise machines500.

The definitions of the training program and of said at least one control instruction of the operation of the exercise machine were previously provided and here are not repeated for the sake of brevity of description.

In an embodiment, the step of sending406 is performed by thecontrol unit101, in following a manual command of the trainer user.

In this embodiment, the step of sending406 is performed by thecontrol unit101, to provide at least one instruction for controlling the operation of each exercise machine to the plurality ofexercise machines500, such as a stop command, a pause command, a restart command, an end of training command, a synchronization command.

In an embodiment, the step of sending406 is performed, by thecontrol unit101, as a function of a profile of the training program selected by the trainer user.

In greater detail, this step of sending406 is performed, by thecontrol unit101, to provide to the plurality of exercise machines500 a control instruction of the operation of each exercise machine, such as the variation of a parameter of theexercise machine200 which can be controlled during operation.

Turning back to the step of sending406 the at least one control instruction of the operation of an exercise machine, it is worth noting that in an embodiment the step of sending406 is performed, by thecontrol unit101, in response to the reception of a respective request to receive a control instruction of the operation of anexercise machine200 and training data of each user on therespective exercise machine200, recorded by theexercise machine200 during its operation, sent periodically (for e.g. once a second) by eachexercise machine200 of the plurality ofexercise machines500.

The training data were defined above.

Turning back toFIG. 7, themethod400 comprises the step of controlling407 the operation of eachexercise machine200, by eachexercise machine200 of the plurality ofexercise machines500, on the basis of the at least one control instruction of the operation of eachexercise machine200 received from thecontrol unit101.

It is worth noting that step of controlling407 is performed by eachexercise machine200 of the plurality ofexercise machines500, if thecontrol unit101, according to the training program loaded in response to this request, sends to the exercise machine a control instruction of the operation of the exercise machine.

In a further embodiment, shown inFIG. 7 with a dashed line, between the step of loading403, by thecontrol unit101, a training program to be performed by the training class users and the step of sending404, by thecontrol unit101, a start of training command to the plurality ofexercise machines500, themethod400 comprises a step of sending408, by thecontrol unit101, the training program chosen by the trainer user to the plurality ofexercise machines500, by means of the data communication network NTW.

In this embodiment, as shown inFIG. 7 by dashed lines, the step of controlling407 comprises a step of performing409 by eachexercise machine200 of the plurality ofexercise machines500, the training program received from thecontrol unit101.

In this embodiment, the at least one control instruction of the operation of eachexercise machine200 such as the variation of a parameter of the exercise machine which can be controlled during operation is executed independently by eachexercise machine200.

In an embodiment, if theexercise machine200 of the plurality ofexercise machines500 is a treadmill, said exercise machine parameter which can be controlled during the operation being the gradient of the treadmill, the step of controlling407 being performed by controlling anactuation device206 with which eachexercise machine200 is provided configured to receive a treadmill gradient variation command from a respectivedata processing unit201.

It is worth noting that in this embodiment, the step of sending406 is performed, by thecontrol unit101, to provide at least one instruction for controlling the operation of each exercise machine to the plurality ofexercise machines500, such as a stop command, a pause command, a restart command, an end of training command, a synchronization command.

In an embodiment, not shown in the figures, themethod400 further comprises a step of providing, by thecontrol unit101, a piece of information representative of the training time during the performance of the training program to the plurality ofexercise machines500, by means of the data communication network NTW.

In an embodiment, shown inFIG. 7 with a dashed line, themethod400 further comprises a step of sending410 to the plurality ofexercise machines500, by thecontrol unit101, via the communication network data NTW, an end of training command.

It is worth noting that the end of training command can be sent in the moment in which a total training time of the training program ends or when the trainer user imparts an end of training command on thecontrol unit101.

In this embodiment, as shown inFIG. 7 by dashed lines, themethod400 further comprises a step of ending411, by the plurality ofexercise machines500, the training following the reception of the end of training command.

Turning back in general to the embodiment inFIG. 7, themethod400 ends with a symbolic step of ending ED.

In an embodiment, not shown in the figures, themethod400 further comprises a step of showing to the trainer user, by thecontrol unit101, by means of therespective display module105 with which the control unit is provided101, a list of the users participating in the training program, wherein, the user identification data and an indication representing whether a user can follow a profile of a first parameter of the exercise machine which can be controlled during operation or not, according to the loaded training program, are associated with each user.

In greater detail, the aforesaid step of showing comprises the steps of:

- receiving a value of said first parameter of theexercise machine200 which can be controlled during its operation (e.g. the gradient of a treadmill), during the training of a user on theexercise machine200;
- comparing such received value with the value of said first parameter of theexercise machine200 which can be controlled during its operation envisaged by the training program in order to determine a deviation;
- if such deviation is different from zero, moving a line inside the plurality of lines PR corresponding to such user to the first place of the plurality of lines PR, possibly by adding a graphic symbol SG by the side of at least either one or a combination of: asequential number01, a respective real name RN1 and a respective nickname NK1 of such user.

In an embodiment, not shown inFIG. 7, themethod400 comprises a step of providing a remote electronic processor300 (cloud) operatively connected to thecontrol unit101 and the plurality ofexercise machines500.

The remoteelectronic processor300 was described above and is not repeated here for the sake of brevity of description.

In an embodiment, in combination with previous ones and not shown inFIG. 7, following the sending of the end of training command, at the end of the training, themethod400 comprises a step of storing, by thecontrol unit101, in therespective memory module103, a summary of the training class.

It is worth noting that “summary of the training class” means a combination of overall information, such as, for example, start of training time, end of training time and so forth.

In an embodiment, in combination with the previous one, themethod400 comprises a step of sending, by thecontrol unit101, to a remote database of gym or club, e.g. by means of the Internet, the summary of the training class.

In an embodiment, either alternatively to or in combination with the previous one, themethod400 comprises a step of sending, by thecontrol unit101, to the remoteelectronic processor300, e.g. by means of the Internet, the summary of the training class in order to store it inside of thememory unit302 of the remoteelectronic processor300 in the account of the trainer user.

In an embodiment, in combination with the previous ones, at the end of the training, following the reception of the end of training command, themethod400 comprises a step of sending, by eachexercise machine200 of the plurality ofexercise machines500, to the remoteelectronic processor300, e.g. by means of the Internet, the results of the training performed by the user on theexercise machine200, in order to store it inside thememory unit302 of the remoteelectronic processor300 in the account of the user (if the user has previously been authenticated on the exercise machine).

According to another embodiment, in combination with any one of the embodiments described above, themethod400 comprises a step of receiving, by eachexercise machine200 of the plurality ofexercise machines500, from thecontrol unit101 by means of the communication network data NTW, the training program selected by the trainer user.

Furthermore, in an embodiment, themethod400 comprises a step of receiving, by eachexercise machine200 of the plurality ofexercise machines500, from thecontrol unit101, by means of the communication network data NTW, a start of training command.

Furthermore, in an embodiment, themethod400 comprises a step of receiving, by eachexercise machine200 of the plurality ofexercise machines500, from thecontrol unit101, by means of the communication network data NTW, a piece of information representative of the training time during the performance of the training program.

In an embodiment, in combination with any of the previous ones, themethod400 comprises a step of sending, by eachexercise machine200 of the plurality ofexercise machines500, to thecontrol unit101, by means of the data communication network NTW, during the performance of the training program, a request of control instructions of the operation of the exercise machine and training data of the user on the exercise machine, such as at least either one or a combination of:

- the value of a first parameter of the exercise machine which can be controlled during operation;
- the value of a second parameter of the exercise machine which can be controlled during operation;
- data representative of the users physical condition during the training;
- identification data of the user (e.g. the name or a nickname).

Additionally, in an embodiment, in combination with any of the previous ones, themethod400 comprises a step of manually modifying, at any moment during the performance of the training program, following a command received from the user via acontrol interface203 with which anexercise machine200 of the plurality ofexercise machines500 is provided, the value of the first parameter of the exercise machine which can be controlled during operation (e.g. the gradient of inclination of the treadmill if the exercise machine is a treadmill) or of a second parameter of the exercise machine which can be controlled during operation (e.g. the rotation speed of the treadmill if the exercise machine is a treadmill) if the user cannot keep the value of the first parameter of the exercise machine which can be controlled during operation or the value of the second parameter of the exercise machine which can be controlled during operation, set automatically during the training program chosen by the trainer user.

Furthermore, according to an embodiment of the invention, in combination with any one of the embodiments described above, themethod400 includes a step of showing to the user, by therespective exercise machine200, by means of thedisplay unit204 with which theexercise machine200 is provided, a profile of the first parameter of the exercise machine which can be controlled during its operation and/or the profile of the second parameter of the exercise machine which can be controlled during its operation, provided in the training program loaded with an instantaneous indication of a current point the user is at as time elapses.

Furthermore, according to an embodiment, in combination with any one of the previous ones, themethod400 comprises a step of providing the user, by therespective exercise machine200 by means of adisplay unit204 with which theexercise machine200 is provided, with a piece of information representative of one or more preferred values (or one or more intervals of preferred values) of the second parameter of theexercise machine200 which can be controlled during its operation, determined on the basis of the value of the first parameter of theexercise machine200 which can be controlled during its operation.

In an embodiment, in combination with any one of the preceding ones, themethod400 comprises a step of receiving, by eachexercise machine200 of the plurality ofexercise machines500, from thecontrol unit101, by means of the communication network data NTW, an end of training command, in the moment in which the total training time program ends or when the trainer user imparts an end of training command on thecontrol unit101.

An example of operation of thesystem100 in an embodiment thereof, by implementing themethod400, according to an embodiment thereof will now be described with reference to the aforementioned figures.

According to the present example, the plurality ofexercise machines500 comprises treadmills.

The user trainer loads on the control unit101 a training program chosen from the training programs previously stored in thememory module103 of thecontrol unit101.

The trainer user sends, by means of thecontrol unit101 and the data communication network NTW, the loaded training program to the plurality ofexercise machines500 belonging to the training class, previously associated with thecontrol unit101 by storing the IP address of thecontrol unit101 on eachexercise machine200 of the plurality ofexercise machines500.

Subsequently, thecontrol unit101 shows the start of training command to the trainer user, by means of thedisplay module104.

The trainer user actuates the start of training command on thecontrol unit101.

Thecontrol unit101 sends the start of training command to the plurality ofexercise machines500, by means of the communication network data NTW.

The plurality of exercise machines500 (treadmills) starts the training.

The training of the users in the training class begins on all treadmills which, until the start of training command was received, were locked and ready to run the training class.

Eachexercise machine200 periodically sends (e.g. once a second) to thecontrol unit101 by means of the communication network data NTW, a request for control instructions of the operation of the treadmill and training data of the respective user on theexercise machine200, recorded by theexercise machine200 during its operation.

If it is envisaged in the training program selected by the trainer user, or as a result of the manual control of the trainer user or as a function of the profile of the training program, thecontrol unit101 sends at least one control instruction of the operation of each exercise machine to the plurality ofexercise machines500.

Eachexercise machine200 of the plurality ofexercise machines500 controls the respective operation on the basis of the at least one control instruction of the operation of eachexercise machine200 received from thecontrol unit101.

In particular, eachexercise machine200 of the plurality ofexercise machines500 can vary, on the basis of at least one received control instruction of the operation, the first parameter of the exercise machine which can be controlled during operation, for example the gradient or gradient of the treadmill.

During the execution of the training program, thecontrol unit101 shows to the trainer user, by means of arespective display module105 with which thecontrol unit101 is provided, a list of the users participating in the training program, in which, the user identification data and an indication representing whether a user can follow a profile of a first parameter of the exercise machine which can be controlled during operation or not, according to the loaded training program, are associated with each user.

During the execution of the training program, a user may manually modify, at any time, by means of thecontrol interface203 with which theexercise machine200 is provided, the value of the first parameter of the exercise machine which can be controlled during operation (e.g. the gradient or inclination of the treadmill if the exercise machine is a treadmill), if the user is unable to keep up the value of the first parameter of theexercise machine200 which can be controlled during operation, set automatically according to the training program.

In the moment in which, in the profile of the training program, a subsequent time interval starts with assigned a set value of the first parameter of the exercise machine which can be controlled during operation, the first parameter of the exercise machine which can be controlled during operation varied manually by the user will be aligned with the respective value of the profile of the training program selected by the trainer user.

According to a specific example, while performing the training, the users of the training class can run on treadmills for a first period of time, e.g. 5 minutes at a rotation speed of the treadmill of 8-10 km/h (which can be managed manually by the user on the exercise machine) with a gradient of the treadmill of 2% (managed automatically by the exercise machine as a function of the profile of the training program selected by the trainer user).

The trainer user sends a pause command, by means of thecontrol unit101, to the plurality ofexercise machines500.

Following the reception of the pause command sent by thecontrol unit101, eachexercise machine200 controls the respective electric motor to decelerate the treadmill to take it to a zero-rotation speed following a set deceleration ramp. The gradient of each treadmill instead remains that of the profile of the training program chosen by the trainer user assigned in the instant in time in which the pause command is imparted.

Users step off their respective treadmill and stand next to it to perform floor exercises as instructed by the trainer user, e.g. push-ups for a prescribed time interval (e.g., 30 seconds).

The users then step back onto their respective treadmill.

The trainer user sends a restart command, by means of thecontrol unit101, to the plurality ofexercise machines500.

Following the reception of the restart command sent by thecontrol unit101, eachexercise machine200 controls the respective electric motor to accelerate the treadmill to take it to a set rotation speed (e.g. the one at which was before the previous deceleration ramp) following a set acceleration ramp. The gradient of each treadmill instead remains that of the profile of the training program chosen by the trainer user assigned in the instant in time in which the pause command is imparted.

Once the training is finished, the trainer user imparts an end of training command on thecontrol unit101.

Thecontrol unit101 sends, by means of the data communication network NTW, an end of training command to the plurality ofexercise machines500.

The training program of the users in the training class ends.

At the end of the training, thecontrol unit101 stores a summary of the training class in arespective memory module103.

Thecontrol unit101 sends a summary of the training class to a remote database of the gym or club, e.g. by means of the Internet.

Thecontrol unit101 also sends the summary of the training class to the remote electronic processor300 (where provided), e.g. by means of the Internet, in order to store it inside thememory unit302 of the remoteelectronic processor300 in the trainer user's account.

Eachexercise machine200 of the plurality ofexercise machines500 sends the user's training results on theexercise machine200 to the remoteelectronic processor300, if provided, in order to store the training results in thememory unit302 of the remoteelectronic processor300 in the user's account (if the latter was previously authenticated on the exercise machine).

It is apparent that the object of the invention is fully achieved because the method and system according to the present invention allows the control of a plurality of exercise machines by the control unit managed by the trainer user.

Indeed, the automatic loading, on both the control unit and on the plurality of exercise machines, of the same training program advantageously allows the synchronized performance of the training program in which, for example, instructions for controlling the operation of an exercise machine, such as stop, pause, restart, end of training commands, or variation of a first parameter of the exercise machine which can be controlled during the operation of the exercise machine (gradient of a treadmill) or a second parameter of the exercise machine which can be controlled during operation (rotation speed of a treadmill) are performed in automatic and synchronized manner across all exercise machines employed by users of the class.

In this manner, the risk that a command, vocal or other, of the trainer user to vary, for example, the gradient of a treadmill is either not heard, not performed successfully or, if heard, is performed with considerable delay, is greatly reduced.

Therefore, the method and system for managing a training of users on exercise machines according to the present invention allows to avoid as much as possible problems to the users during the user's training, such as accidents or excessive fatigue.

Furthermore, the method and system for managing a training for users on a plurality of exercise machines according to the present invention advantageously allows to reduce as much as possible the manual adjustments of the respective exercise machine by the user during the training class, whereby increasing the level of accuracy, synchronization and coordination of the entire training class.

Still, it is advantageously possible for the trainer user to perform a training program which provides moments of use of the exercise machine and moments of exercises on the floor without using the exercise machine in manner as coordinated as possible.

Furthermore, if a user is still breathless because of excessive effort, the user can resort to controlling the exercise machine in order to be able to recover physical energy and catch his or her breath and subsequently, when the exercise machine is aligned back to the loaded training program, successfully continue the training program followed by the class.

A person skilled in art may make changes and adaptations to the method and respective system described above or can replace elements with others which are functionally equivalent to satisfy contingent needs without departing from the scope of protection of the appended claims. All the features described above as belonging to one possible embodiment may be implemented independently from the other described embodiments.