Abstract:
An Anatomically-based Personal Fitness Advisor Method and System is disclosed. Also shown is a system, that unlike prior systems, provides a fitness plan in response to a user entering current and goal dimensions of their physique. The system further permits the user to select a current state and goal condition for specific anatomic zones of their body. Still further, the system calculates the delta or difference between the current and goal conditions or dimensions and responsively creates a fitness plan. Finally, the system permits the user or coach to track their progress by entering ongoing dimensions and conditions, after which the system responsively revises the fitness plan.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    1. Field of the Invention  
           [0002]    This invention relates generally to physical fitness maintenance and, more specifically, to an Anatomically-based Personal Fitness Advisor Method and System  
           [0003]    2. Description of Related Art  
           [0004]    The pursuit of physical fitness has become a multi-billion dollar industry in the United States alone. In addition to diet plans, personal caterers, personal trainers and retail exercise equipment, the health club membership has become almost a standard monthly expense and activity for many young and middle-aged adults. In the past, health clubs often left their members on their own to develop, execute and monitor their fitness programs; the trend has now changed. In a typical health club today, you have access to “sophisticated,” “personalized” training supervision and tracking. In fact, many clubs have implemented computer-based fitness software to assist members in their trek to fitness.  
           [0005]    The problem with the current fitness program methods, as embodied in software is that the average person really doesn&#39;t know or understand what exercises they should be doing, and how many of these exercises they should be doing. Their goal is not to increase the amount of weight that they can lift, or the number of repetitions that they can do. All that the average health club patron (or at-home fitness aficionado) knows is that they have a particular part or area on their body that they wish to either change or maintain. Common goals for women are that they would like to reduce their hips or buttocks size or improve the definition of their abdomen. Common goals for men are that they would like to reduce their waist size or increase the definition in their chest. In order to get from setting the goals to reaching the goals, the patron must interface with a “health expert” manually to actually develop the exercise plan to achieve the person&#39;s goal(s). Ongoing interface is also necessary to fine tune the exercise regimen. If we take a look at FIGS.  1 - 5 , we can review what the typical fitness improvement program might entail, whether manual or software-based.  
           [0006]    [0006]FIG. 1 is a flowchart depicting the prior art fitness improvement method  10 . The prior system  10  for fitness typically commences with a interview  100  between the health expert (or software program) and the individual seeking fitness. The purpose of the interview is to establish the individual&#39;s personal physical fitness, as well as to determine the individual&#39;s fitness goals. Next, a fitness evaluation  102  will typically be conducted to determine how the individual performs on specific physical exercises. The evaluation will determine the individual&#39;s cardiovascular and general physical fitness prior to commencing the new plan to be developed.  
           [0007]    Next, the health expert or software program will prepare an exercise plan  104  that the expert believes will take the individual from his or her current physical status to a point where their fitness goals are met. Finally, the individual executes the prepared fitness plan  106 , and hopes for the fitness  108  that he or she originally articulated. The individual steps in the process will generally include the activities described in FIGS.  2 - 5 .  
           [0008]    [0008]FIG. 2 depicts the fitness interview step  100  of the prior art fitness improvement method. As shown, the typical interview will request information from the individual, including the person&#39;s age; health status such as weight, body fat estimate and metabolic type (if determinable), as well as blood chemistry (if known); any genetic profile or history of health issues; and the person&#39;s fitness objectives. FIG. 3 discusses the next step in the prior process.  
           [0009]    [0009]FIG. 3 depicts the fitness evaluation step  102  of the prior art fitness improvement method. Shown are only examples of the types of tests that might be performed during the prior fitness evaluation step; other tests might be performed, depending upon the site and individual. A body fat test will often be performed; a performance test will typically also be performed, such as to determine the maximum weight that the person can lift per exercise or machine for a predetermined set of exercises, the maximum exercise repetitions that a person can complete at a series of weights for a series of exercises, and how the individual&#39;s cardiovascular system performs and then recovers from the exercise. As the tests are conducted, the results are documented for later use. FIG. 4 discusses the next step in the prior process.  
           [0010]    [0010]FIG. 4 depicts the exercise plan preparation step  104  of the prior art fitness improvement method. In this step, the expert and the individual review and revise the person&#39;s fitness objectives; compare the test performance results to the objectives and estimates originally set; and create a plan that is based upon the review and comparison. Finally, FIG. 5 discusses the next step in the prior process.  
           [0011]    [0011]FIG. 5 depicts the exercise plan execution step  106  of the prior art fitness improvement method. Essentially, the expert (or the individual, if using a software implementation of the method) tracks the individual&#39;s exercise performance on each of the exercises in the plan; compares the performance results to an overall future fitness plan; and on an ongoing basis adjusts the exercise plan so that the results and targets are in line.  
           [0012]    As discussed above, the problem with this prior method is that all of the targets, tests and performance monitors are defined in terms of weights and repetitions; as a result, it is difficult for the individual to understand how or why they are executing a particular plan. What is needed is a method, implementable in software for use in health clubs, as well as over the World Wide Web, that makes it easy for individuals to set goals based on their anatomical appearance, rather than being based on some weight/repetition structure.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0013]    In light of the aforementioned problems associated with the prior devices and systems, it is an object of the present invention to provide an Anatomically-based Personal Fitness Advisor Method and System. Unlike prior systems, the system should provide a fitness plan in response to a user entering current and goal dimensions of their physique. It is a further object that the system permit the user to select a current state and goal condition for specific anatomic zones of their body. It is yet another object that the system calculate the delta or difference between the current and goal conditions or dimensions and responsively create a fitness plan. Finally, it is an object that the system permit the user to track their progress by entering ongoing dimensions and conditions, after which the system should responsively revise the fitness plan.  
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0014]    The objects and features of the present invention, which are believed to be novel, are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The present invention, both as to its organization and manner of operation, together with further objects and advantages, may best be understood by reference to the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, of which:  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 1 is a flowchart depicting the prior art fitness improvement method;  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 2 depicts the fitness interview step of the prior art fitness improvement method;  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 3 depicts the fitness evaluation step of the prior art fitness improvement method;  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 4 depicts the exercise plan preparation step of the prior art fitness improvement method;  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 5 depicts the exercise plan execution step of the prior art fitness improvement method;  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 6 is a flowchart depicting an embodiment of the anatomically-based personal fitness improvement method of the present invention;  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 7 depicts the fitness interview step of the method of FIG. 6;  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 8 depicts the exercise plan preparation step of the method of FIG. 6;  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 9 depicts the exercise plan execution step of the method of FIG. 6;  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 10 depicts an embodiment of an anatomical profile input form for user interface with the system of the present invention;  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 11 depicts a second embodiment of an anatomical profile input form for user interface with the system of the present invention;  
         [0026]    [0026]FIG. 12 depicts a third embodiment of an anatomical profile input form for user interface with the system of the present invention;  
         [0027]    [0027]FIG. 13 depicts a fourth embodiment of an anatomical profile input form for user interface with the system of the present invention; and  
         [0028]    [0028]FIG. 14 depicts a fifth embodiment of an anatomical profile input form for user interface with the system of the present invention.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0029]    The following description is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to make and use the invention and sets forth the best modes contemplated by the inventor of carrying out his invention. Various modifications, however, will remain readily apparent to those skilled in the art, since the generic principles of the present invention have been defined herein specifically to provide an Anatomically-based Personal Fitness Advisor Method and System.  
         [0030]    The present invention can best be understood by initial consideration of FIG. 6. FIG. 6 is a flowchart depicting an embodiment of the anatomically-based personal fitness improvement method  12  of the present invention. Even at this high-level of analysis, the method  12  of the present invention differs from the prior art method previously discussed.  
         [0031]    The first step in this method involves conducting an anatomic interview  600 . The anatomic interview is somewhat similar to the prior fitness interview, but defines many of the individuals&#39; current and goal physical status&#39; in terms of anatomic appearance. Further detail will be discussed below in connection with FIG. 7.  
         [0032]    Next, based upon the results of the anatomic interview, an exercise plan is prepared  602 . At the nuts-and-bolts level, the exercise plan created under this method may use exercises and equipment conventionally available, however, the components included in the plan will be driven by the results of the anatomic interview.  
         [0033]    Next, the exercise plan is executed  604  by the individual, until and during which fitness  606  is sure to follow in the places that the individual wishes for them to result. If we now turn to FIGS.  7 - 9  we can examine the individual steps in the method of the present invention  12  in more detail.  
         [0034]    [0034]FIG. 7 depicts the fitness interview step  600  of the method of FIG. 6. As shown, many of the same pieces of information are obtained in this step as with the prior method, namely age, health status, genetic profile and fitness objectives. What is different here is that the interviewer (health expert or software system) importantly also queries the individual about their current anatomic dimensions and appearance and their goal anatomic dimensions and appearance. These anatomic measurements and appraisals (as will be discussed further below in connection with FIGS.  10 - 14 ) are very easy for the individual to understand and evaluate without the need for professional assistance. Essentially, the individual has the opportunity to indicate what physical feature(s) are in need of change or improvement, so that those-desires will be factored into the fitness plan. Now turning to FIG. 8, we can continue to examine the new method.  
         [0035]    [0035]FIG. 8 depicts the exercise plan preparation step  602  of the method of FIG. 6. Once the current anatomic status and goal anatomic status are known, the difference between them (on a measurement-by-measurement or physical feature-by-physical feature basis), referred to as the “delta-dimensions” are compared to an anatomic exercise data table. The anatomic exercise data table can be on paper or in a computer database; it is a cross-reference between dimensional change amounts for different parts of the body, and a particular exercise focused on changing/improving that part of the body.  
         [0036]    The fitness objectives are compared to a fitness exercise table; the fitness exercise data table is a cross-reference between certain fitness objectives and a particular exercise focused on changing/improving that part of the body.  
         [0037]    The results of the two comparisons are then combined in way to create a fitness plan that is driven by the fitness objectives and delta-dimensions both now and in the future, the execution of which is described in additional detail in FIG. 9.  
         [0038]    [0038]FIG. 9 depicts the exercise plan execution step  604  of the method of FIG. 6. During the execution of the newly-developed fitness program, the individual will track their dimensional changes (i.e. the change in dimensions in the anatomical areas that they previously identified). The overall fitness will also be tracked by a variety of conventional methods, including cardiovascular response, recovery time, among others.  
         [0039]    A critical difference between the plan execution step of the prior method and that of the present invention is that under the present method, the delta-dimensions and delta-fitness are compared to the plan—these metrics do not exist under conventional plans, and therefore they cannot be used for diagnosis of the individual&#39;s progress. Here, the delta-dimensions and delta-fitness trends are used to drive any changes to the fitness plan. For example, if the thigh circumference was an anatomical feature that was sought to be reduced by a certain amount, then this dimension would be tracked while the plan is being executed to verify that progress is as expected. In the event that progress is not as expected, it will appear in the form of a lack of change in the delta-dimension (i.e. the difference between the originally-measure dimension and the goal dimension); this will be used to alter the fitness program. Alterations could include changes in exercises or even changes in diet. If we now turn to FIG. 10, we can examine example user interface pages of the present method.  
         [0040]    [0040]FIG. 10 depicts an embodiment of an anatomical profile input form  14  for user interface with the system of the present invention. Prior to discussing this drawing figure, it should be understood that the present invention is intended to be implemented either manually (pen-and-paper with expert assistance) or through interaction with software (individually or with expert assistance). It is expected that any software embodiment of the present invention would be available at conventional desktop computer interface located in the home or at the health club, with the software and databases residing either at the local computer or being accessed remotely such as through the World Wide Web.  
         [0041]    As shown in FIG. 10, the first anatomical input form  14  displays the silhouette of a person  15 A (either male or female) in either 2-dimensions as shown, or as a  3  dimensional, rotatable figure. The forms to be discussed in FIGS.  10 - 14  could be presented in any order; they are labeled as first, second, etc. merely to distinguish between them. This first form  14  might be used for obtaining a person&#39;s body weight (which is why the body model  15 A is standing upon a scale model  17 ). To complete this first form, the user would measure the circumference of their neck (C NECK ) and enter it in field  16 ; they would measure the circumference of their waist (C WAIST ) and enter it in field  22 ; they would enter their weight (W) in field  24 ; they would measure and enter the thickness of the pinchable flesh at their waist (T WAIST ) in field  20 ; and they would measure and enter the pinchable flesh at their upper arm (T ARM ) in field  18 . Upon completion of this form  14 , the data necessary to compute an estimate of the individual&#39;s body fat percentage would be possible. Now turning to FIG. 11, we can examine another input form.  
         [0042]    [0042]FIG. 11 depicts a second embodiment of an anatomical profile input form  26  for user interface with the system of the present invention. In this form  26 , additional dimensions are obtained from the individual and entered into the appropriate locations represented on the body model  15 B. The individual will be required to measure the circumference of their neck (if it hasn&#39;t been done already pursuant to the first anatomical profile input form) (C NECK ) and enter it into field  16 ; they will measure the circumference of their upper arm (C U-ARM ) and enter into field  28 ; they will measure the circumference of their lower arm (C L-ARM ) and enter into field  30 ; they will measure the circumference of their waist (C WAIST ) and enter into field  32 ; they will measure the circumference of their buttocks area (C BUTTOCKS ) and enter into field  34 ; they will measure the circumference of their thigh (C THIGH ) and enter it into field  36 ; and they will enter the circumference of their calf (C CALF ) and enter it into field  38 . As shown in FIG. 12, other anatomical dimensions might also be obtained.  
         [0043]    [0043]FIG. 12 depicts a third embodiment of an anatomical profile input form  40  for user interface with the system of the present invention. In this example form  40 , additional dimensions are obtained from the individual and entered into the appropriate locations represented on the body model  15 C. The individual will be required to measure the circumference of their shoulders (C SHOULDERS ) and enter it into field  42 ; and they will measure the circumference of their chest (C CHEST ) and enter into field  44 .  
         [0044]    The completion of the input forms previously-discussed will serve to update the “current anatomic dimensions” as discussed above in connection with FIG. 7; essentially, the identical forms would be then used for the individual to enter their “goal anatomic dimensions” as discussed above in connection with FIG. 7. Each input form may permit the entry of only current or only goal (as discussed above in connection with FIGS.  10 - 12 ), or it may permit the entry of both current and goal dimensions on a single form (as discussed below in connection with FIGS.  13 - 14 ).  
         [0045]    It should be understood that while the body-model-based dimensions have been arranged in specific groupings in this writing, this is not to be a limitation of the method; it is possible that additional measurement locations could be added in some embodiments, or that the previously-described groupings would be rearranged for ease of input (for example). In FIG. 13, the individual&#39;s muscle definition by zone might be entered for use in the plan.  
         [0046]    [0046]FIG. 13 depicts a fourth embodiment of an anatomical profile input form  46  for user interface with the system of the present invention. In this type of input form, descriptions or photographs of example muscle definitions for particular popular zones of the anatomy would be presented for use by the individual in both rating their current status and their goal appearance (first anatomical fitness options  50 ). In this example, different example muscle definitions are shown or described, ranging from minimal muscle definition  50 A through highly defined muscles  50 D.  
         [0047]    The individual simply selects the current status of their musculature  48 , as compared to the pictures or descriptions  50 A- 50 D, and then selects their goal status  52  by selecting from the same options  50 A- 50 D. These choices will be used to develop the delta-fitness numbers discussed above in connection with FIGS.  6 - 9 . FIG. 14 depicts a final example of an anatomical profile input form  54  for user interface with the system of the present invention. Similar to the chest example in FIG. 13, here an abdomen example is shown. Again, first the user selects their current status  48  from the second anatomical fitness options  56  and then  52  selects their goal status from the options  56 . Again, these selections will be used to determine the delta-fitness numbers discussed above.  
         [0048]    Those skilled in the art will appreciate that various adaptations and modifications of the just-described preferred embodiment can be configured without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. Therefore, it is to be understood that, within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced other than as specifically described herein.