Patent ID: 7727125

Claim:
An exercise machine, comprising: (a) a frame; (b) a first crank mounted rotatably on said frame for multiple rotations about an axis of rotation with respect to said frame; (c) a first adjustable brake mechanism, arranged to provide during each of said multiple rotations a first selected amount of resistance to rotation of said first crank with respect to said frame as said first crank is moved through a first predetermined angular sector of each of said rotations of said first crank, and arranged to provide during each of said rotations a different second selected amount of resistance to rotation of said first crank with respect to said frame as said first crank is moved through a second predetermined angular sector of each of said rotations of said first crank; (d) a brake sensor associated with said first adjustable brake mechanism and arranged to detect and evaluate said amounts of resistance to rotation being applied to said first crank by said first adjustable brake mechanism; (e) a position sensor arranged to sense and provide an indication of an angular position of said first crank during each of said rotations at times when said brake sensor detects said amounts of resistance; and (f) a controller arranged to receive a plurality of input signals and to cause said first adjustable brake mechanism to regulate said resistance to rotation of said first crank in response to each of said plurality of input signals, and wherein said controller periodically computes a total amount of rotation of said first crank during a period of use of said exercise machine and causes said first adjustable brake mechanism to adjust said resistance to rotation of said first crank in response to a predetermined total amount of rotation.