Patent ID: 7500393

Claim:
A system for assisting a user in the selection of a ski or snowboard, the system comprising: a data storage device configured to store data corresponding to bend characteristics of a plurality of skis or snowboards; leg strength measurement apparatus comprising: at least one footplate configured to receive and support a person for whom a ski or snowboard is to be selected; and a load sensor operable to detect loads applied to the footplate, and; leg strength calculation apparatus operable to calculate the person's leg strength based at least in part on a subtraction of a value corresponding to a load detected while the person is standing stationary on said at least one footplate from a value corresponding to a maximum load detected while the person is making bending and stretching movements on said at least one footplate; a board characteristic selection device operable to determine an appropriate bend characteristic of a ski or snowboard based at least in part on the person's leg strength as calculated by the leg strength calculation apparatus; a board selection device operable to select a ski or snowboard corresponding to the appropriate bend characteristic determined by the board characteristic selection device based on the data stored in the data storage element; and a communication device operable to communicate the identity of the ski or snowboard selected by the board selection device to the user.