Patent ID: 8052584

Claim:
A method for selecting a resistance level to use to train a muscle group for maximum power generation on an exercise apparatus having a controller, an engagement assembly movable against a resistance element by the muscle group of a user and having a monitoring system that measures a velocity of movement of the engagement assembly, the method comprising: providing a controller; adjusting the resistance element via the controller to a first resistance level (R 1 ), the first resistance level (R 1 ) selected to be a low level; monitoring the movement of the engagement assembly against the first resistance level (R 1 ) to determine a first velocity (V 1 ) of movement of the engagement assembly; adjusting the resistance element via the controller to a second resistance level (R 2 ) different from the first resistance level (R 1 ); monitoring the movement of the engagement assembly against the second resistance level (R 2 ) to determine a second velocity (V 2 ) of movement of the engagement assembly; using at least the equation P=R×V to determine a relationship between the resistance level and the velocity of movement of the engagement assembly based on the first and second resistance levels (R 1 , R 2 ), the first and second velocities of movement (V 1 , V 2 ), and a predetermined relationship between resistance levels and velocities, the determined relationship defining a plurality of power values (P 1 , P 2 , P 3 ) including an overall maximum power (P 3 ) generated by the user; and using the determined relationship to determine a resistance level (R 3 ) that corresponds to the overall maximum power (P 3 ) as the resistance level to use for training the muscle group for maximum power.