WO2015066773A1

WO2015066773A1 - A system and method for exercising a plurality of persons, and a system and method for exercising a person

Info

Publication number: WO2015066773A1
Application number: PCT/AU2014/050345
Authority: WO
Inventors: Bradley ANGUS
Original assignee: Integriti Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2013-11-11
Filing date: 2014-11-11
Publication date: 2015-05-14

Abstract

Disclosed herein is a system (10) for exercising a plurality of persons (12). The system (10) comprises a plurality of exercise stations (14 – 24). The system (10) comprises a processing system (26) configured to assign the plurality of persons (12) to the plurality of exercise stations (14 – 24).

Description

A SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR EXERCISING A PLURALITY OF PERSONS, AND A SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR EXERCISING A PERSON

Technical field The disclosure herein generally relates to a system and method for exercising a plurality of persons, and a system and method for exercising a person.

Background

Exercise can assist a person to control their weight and their fitness. The person, however, may be insufficiently motivated to exercise and record their exercise performance and their fitness. A personal trainer may provide the person with motivatio and record the person's exercise performance and fitness, and assist the person to set and reach weight and fitness goals. Personal training may provide a superior fitness and weight outcome for the person. A personal trainer, however, is too expensive for many persons.

Group exercise may be more affordable than persona! training. A group exercise may be developed and supervised by an exercise instructor or trainer. The persons participating i a group exercise, however, recei ve a fraction of the exercise instructor' s attention. The persons may, consequently, not perform to their best effort. Recording the exercise performance and fitness of the persons participating in the group exercise may be difficult.

Summary^' Disclosed herein is a system for exercising a plurality of persons. The system comprises a plurality of exercise stations. The system comprises a processing system configured to assign the plurality of persons to the pluralit of exercise stations.

The processing system assigning the plurality of persons may improve equipment usage rates, and may reduce confusion and stress. The assignment by the processing system reduces the workload or need of an instructor.

In an. embodiment the processing system is configured to assign the plurality of persons to the plurality of exercise stations for each of a plurality of exercise periods that constitute at least part of an exercise session. The exercise session may be a group exercise session, for example a group circuit training session wherein the plurality of exerci se stations may be co-located. The processing system consequently may coordinate the grou exercise session and reduce confusion when, the plurality of persons are rotated through the plurality of exercise stations. The plurality of exercise stations may be for a plurality of different exercises. Any one of the pl rality of exercise stations may comprise equipment for an exercise not shared with the other of the plurality of exercise stations, and the processing system assigning the plurality of persons may ensure that each of the plurality of ^'persons have a turn on the one of the plurality of exercise stations.

In an embodiment, one of the plurality of exercise stations comprises a plurality of exercise weights. The processing system is configured to interfere with an exercise using a selected exercise weight of the plurali t of exercise weights that does not satisfy an exercise weight condition. This may prevent injury if the selected weight is, for example, too heavy, or if the selected, weight is too light for effective exercise, or the selected weight is too light for a competition, or the selected weight is of the wron type (for example a kettl e bel l rather than a dumb bell). The processing system may have an exercise weight identifier for identifying the selected exerci.se weight of the plurality of exercise ^"weights. The processing system may be configured to interfere with the exercise using the selected exercise weight so identified when the selected exercise weight so identified does not satisf the exercise weight condition. The exercise weight identifier may comprise a mass measuring device for identifying the selected exercise weight. The mass measuring device may be configured to generate mass information indicative of the mass of the selected exercise weight. The processing system may be configured to interfere with the exercise using the selected exercise weight if the mass so indicated is greater than a predetermined mass value, The mass measuring device may be configured to receive the selected exercise weight and generate mass information indicative of the mass of the selected exercise weight when so received. Alternatively or additionally, the one of the plurality of exercise stations comprises an exercise weight stand configured to receive the plurality of exercise weights. The processing system may be configured to identify the sel ected exercise weight by determining the change in a gross mass of the stand when the selected exercise weight is removed therefrom. The processing s stem may comprise a mass measuring device configured to determine the gross mass of the exercise weight stand.

There may be no effort requi red of the person of the plurality of persons that selected the weight for identification of the selected weight by the processing system. In an embodiment, the exercise weight identifier comprises a_: plurality of identification tags for the plurality of weights and a scanner configured to generate selected exercise weight identification information when an identification tag of the plurality of identification tags for the selected exercise weight of the plurality of exercise weights is scanned. The processing system may use the selected exercise weight identificati n information to identify the selected exercise weight. The plurality of identification tags may comprise at least one of a plurality of radio frequency identifi cation tags, a plurality of barcodes, and a plurality of matrix barcodes, The plurality of identification tags may be attached to the plurality of exercise: weights. The plurality of ideii tit! cation tags may be attached to the exercise weight stand. In an embodiment, the exercise weight condition comprises an exercise weight condition for a person of the plurality of persons that selects the exercise weight. The exercise weight condition may be determined using person information indicative of the mass of the person and a technique level of the person. The processing system may be confi gured to determine the exercise weight condition. The exercise weight condition may comprise that the weight does not exceed a mass given by the formula

MP (MP_m + (MP_max - MP_min)x ^T/_T )

\ ' max/

wherein MP is a mass of the person, MPfrtm ^{1S a} fraction of the person's mass that the person is allowed to lift for a lowest technique level, MP_max is a fracti oft of the person's mass the person is allowed to lift for a maximum technique level T _ax, and Γ is the technique level of the person. In an embodiment, the processing system is configured to stop adjustment of an exercise score when the selected exercise weight of the plurality of exercise weights does not satisfy the exercise weight condition. The processin sy stem may be configured to change the exercise weight condition,

In an embodiment, the plurality of exercise stations comprise a plurality of displays. The processing system ma be configured to cause the plurality of displays to display identifying information indicative of the assignment of the plurality of persons to the plurality of exercise stations. The processing system may be configured, to, for each of the plurality of exercise periods, cause the plurality of displays to display identifying information indicative of the assignment of the plurality of persons to the plurality of exerci se stations. The processing system may be configured to cause the plurality of displays to display instructional exercise information.

In an embodiment, the processing sy stem compri ses a plurality of exercise monitors configured to generate exercise monitoring information for each of the plurality of persons during the exercise session. The processing system may be configured to use the monitoring information for each of the plurality of persons to generate exercise score information for each of the plurality of persons. The processing system may be configured to cause the plurality of displays to display the exercise score information for the plurality of persons. The processing system ma be configured to use the exercise score information to generate ranking information indicative of a ranking of the plurality of persons. The processing system may be configured to cause the plurality of displays to display the ranking information.

A embodiment comprises a ranking display and the processing system may be configured to cause the ranking display to display the ranking information. In an embodiment, the processing system is configured to form a plurality of pairs from the plurality of persons and assign the plurality of pairs to the plurality of exercise stations. The processing sy stem m a be configured to form a plurality of pairs from the plurality of persons using the exercise score information for each of the plurality of persons- The processing system may be configured to execute a competition in which one person of each of the plurality of pairs competes against the other person in each of the plurality of pairs.

In a embodiment, the processing system is configured to:

determine the available fitness equipment, at each of the plurality of exercise stations; determine the number of the plurality of persons;

generate an exercise program using the available fitness equipment so determined and the number of the plurality of persons so determined; and

use the exercise program to assig the plurality of persons to the pluralit of exercise stations.

Disclosed herein is a system for exercising a person. The system comprises a pluralit of exercise weights. The system comprises a processing system configured to interfere with an exercise using a selected exercise weight of the plurality of exercise weights that does not satisfy an exercise, weight condition.

In an embodiment, the processing system comprises an exercise weight identifier for identifying the selected exerci e weight of the plurality of exercise weights and the processing system is configured t interfere with the exercise using the selected exercise weight so identified when the selected exercise weight so identified does not satisfy the exercise weight condition. The exercise weight identifier may comprise a mass measuring device for identifying the selected exercise weight. The mass measuring device may be configured to generate mass information indicative of the mass of the selected exercise weight. The processing system may be configured to interfere with the exercise using the selected exercise weight if the mass so indicated is greater than a predetermined mass value. The mass measuring device may be configured to receive the selected exercise weight and generate mass information indicative of the mass of the selected exercise weight when so recei ved.

In an embodiment, the one of the plurality of exerci se stations compri ses an exercise wei ght stand configured to receive the plurality of exercise weights. The processing system may he configured to identify the selected exercise weight by determining the change in a gross mass of the stand when the selected exercise weight is removed therefrom. The processing system may comprise a mass measurin device configured to determine the gross mass of the exercise weight stand.

In an embodiment, the exercise weight identifier comprises a pl urality of identification tags for the plurality of weights and a scanner configured to generate selected exercise weight identification information when an identifi cati tag of the piurality of identification tags for the selected exercise weight of the plurality of exercise weights is scanned. The processing system may use the selected exercise weight identificati n information to identify^' the selected exercise weight. The plurality of identification tags may comprise at least one of a plurality of radio frequency identificatio tags, a plurality of barcodes, and a pluralit of matrix barcodes, The plurality of identification tags may be attached to the plurality of exercise weights. Alternatively or additionally, the plurality of identificatio tags may be attached to the exercise weight stand.

In an embodiment, the exercise weight condition comprises an exercise weight condition for a person, of the plurality of persons that selects the exercise weight. The exercise weight conditi on may be determined using person informati on indicative of the mass of the person and a technique level of the person. The exercise weight condition may comprise that the weight does not exceed a mass given by the formula

MP (.MP_m,_n + MP_max - MP_w¾)x %, \

wherein MP is the mass of the person, MP_min is a fraction of the person's mass that the person is allowed to lift for a lowest technique level, MP_max is a fraction of the persons mass the person i allowed to l ft for a highest technique level, T is the technique level of the person, and T_max is the maximum technique level .

Disclosed herein is a method for exercising a plurality of persons. The method comprises the step of a processing system assigning the plurality of persons to a plurality' of exercise stations. An embodiment comprises the step of the processing system assigning the plurality of persons to the plurality of exercise stations for each of a plurality of exercise periods that constitute at least part of an exercise session.

In an embodiment, one of the plurality of exercise stations comprises a plurality of exercise weights, the embodiment comprising the step of the processing system interfering with an exercise using a selected exercise weight of the plurality of exercise weights that, does not satisfy an exercise weight condition.

A embodiment comprises the step of the processing system interfering with the exercise using the selected exercise weight identified by an exercise weight identifier when the selected exercise weight so identified does not satisfy the exercise weight condition. The processing system may interfere with the exercise using the selected exercise weight when the selected exercise weight identified using a mass measuring device does not satisfy the exerci se weight condition. The mass measuring device may generate mass information indicative of the mass of the selected exercise weight. The processing system may interfere with the exercise using the selected exercise weight if the mass so indicated is greater tha a predetermined mass value. The mass measuring device may receive the selected exercise weight and generate mass information indicative of the mass of the selected exercise weight when so received.

In an embodiment, one of the plurality of exercise stations may comprise an exercise weight stand configured to receive the plurality of exercise weights, The processing system may identify the selected exercise weight by determining the change in a gross mass of the stand when the selected exercise weight is removed therefrom. A mass measuring device may determine the gross mass of the exercise weight stand.

An embodiment comprises the step of generating selected exercise weight identification i formation by scanning an identification tag of a plurality of identification tags for the selected exercise weight of the plurality of exercise weights. The processing system may use the selected exercise weight identification information to identif the selected exercise weight. The plurality of identification tags may comprise at least one of a plurality of radio frequency identification tags, a plurality of barcodes, and a plurality of matrix barcodes. The plurality of identification tags may be attached to the plurality of exercise weights. Alternatively or additionally, the plurality of identificatio tags ma be attached to the exercise weight stand.

In an embodiment, the exercise weigh condition comprises a exercise weight conditio for a person of the pluralit of persons that selects the exercise weight. The exercise weight condition may be determined usi ng person information indicative of the mass of the person and a technique level of the person, The exercise weight condition may comprise that the weight does not exceed a mass given by the formul

MP (u _mill + (MP_max ~ MP_min)x T/_T )

wherein MP is a mass .of the person, MP_min is a fracti on of the person' s mass that the person is allowed to lift for a lowest technique level, MP_max is a fraction of the person's mass the person is allowed to lift for a maximum technique level T_maA-„ and 7' i a technique level of the person.

An embodiment comprises the step of the processing system stopping adjustment of an exercise score when the selected exercise wei ght of the plurality of exercise weights does not satisfy the exercise weight condition.

In an embodiment, the processing system changes the exercise weight condition.

In an embodiment, the plurality of exercise stations comprise a plurality of displays. The method may comprise the step of the processing system causing the plurality of displays to display identifying information indicative of the assignment of the plurality of persons to the plurality of exercise stations. The processing system, for each of the plurality of exercise periods, may cause the plurality of displays to display identifying information indicative of the assignment of the plurality of persons to the plurality of exercise stations. The processing system may cause the plurality of displays to display instructional exercise information. The processing system may comprise a plurality of exerci se monitors, and the embodiment may comprise the step of the processing system generating exercise monitoring information for each of the plurality of persons during the exercise session.

In an embodiment, the processing system uses the monitoring infonnation for each of the plurality of persons to generate exercise score information for each of the plurality of persons.

An embodiment comprises the step of the processing system generating exercise score i nformati on for each of th e i ural ity of pe sons.

An. embodiment comprises the step of the processing system causing the plurality of displays to display the exercise score information for each of the plurality of persons.

An embodiment comprises the step of the processing system using the exercise score

information, to generate ranking information indicative of a ranking of the plurality of persons . An embodiment comprises the step of the processing system causing the plurality of displays to display the ranking information.

An embodiment compri ses the step of the processing system causing a ranking display to display the ranking informati n. An embodiment comprises the step of the processing sy stem forming a plural ity of pairs from the plurality of persons and assign the plurality of pairs to the plurality of exercise stations. The processing system may form a plurality of pairs from the pluralit of persons using the exercise score information for each of the plurality of persons. The processing system may execute a competition in which one person of each of the plurality of pairs competes against the other person in each of the plurality of pairs.

An embodiment comprises the steps of the processing system:

determining the available fitness equipment at each of the plurality of exercise stations; determining the number of the plurality of persons;

generating an. exercise program using the available fitness equipment so determined and the number of the plurality of persons so determined; and

using the exercise program to assign the plurality of persons to the plurality of exercise stations.

In an embodiment, the exercise session is a group exercise session, The grou exercise session may comprise a group circuit training session. The plurality of exercise stations may be co- located.

In an embodiment, any one of the plurality of exercise stations comprises equipment for an exercise not shared with the other's of the plurality of exercise stations. The processing system may rotate the plurality of persons through the plurality of exerci se stations.

Disclosed herein is a method for exercising a person. The method comprises the step of a processing system interfering with an exercise using a selected exercise weight of a plurality of exercise weights that does not satisfy an exercise weight condition.

An embodiment comprises the step of an exercise weight identifier identifying the selected exercise weight of the plurality of exercise weights and the processing system interfering with the exercise using the selected exercise weight so identified when the selected exercise w¾ight so identified does not satisfy the exercise weight condition. The processing system may interfere with the exercise using the selected exercise weight when the selected exercise weight identified using a mass measurin device does not satisfy the exercise weight condition.

In an embodiment, the mass measuring device generates mass information indicative of the mass of the selected exercise weight, and of the processing system interfers with the exercise using the selected exercise weight if the mass so indicated is greater than a predetermined mass value.

In an embodiment, the mass measuring device receives the selected exercise weight and

generates mass nformation indicative of the mass of the selected exercise weight so received.

In an embodiment, the one of the plurality of exercise stations comprises an exercise weight stand eoiiffgured to receive the plurality of exercise weights:. The method may comprise the step of the processing system identifying the selected exercise weight by determining the change in. a gross mass of the stand when the selected exercise weight is removed therefrom. The mass measuring device may determine the gross mass of the exercise weight stand.

In an embodiment, the exercise weight identifier may comprise a plurality of identification tags for the plurality of weights. The method may comprise the steps of generating selected exercise weight identification information by scanning an identification tag of the plurality of

identification tags for the sel ected exerci se weight of the plurality of exerci se weights, and the processing system using the selected exercise weight identification information to identify the: selected exercise weight, The plurality of identification tags may comprise at least one of a plurality of radio frequency identification tags, a plurality of barcodes, and a plurality of matrix barcodes. The plurality of identification tags may be attached to the pluralit of exercise weights, The plurality of identification tags may be attached to the exercise weight stand.

In an embodiment, the exercise weight condition comprises an exercise weight conditio for a person of the plurality of persons that selects the exercise weight. The exerci se weight condition may be determined using person information indicative of the mass of the person, and a

technique level of the person, The exercise weight condition may comprise that the weight does not exceed a mass given by the formula

+ {MP_max - MP_mln) x ^T/_T )

wherein MP is a mass of the person, MP_min. is a fraction of the person's mass that the person is allowed to lift for a lowest technique level, MP_m(lx is a fraction of the person's mass the person is allowed to lift for a maximum technique level T_max, T is the technique level of the person, Disclosed herein is non -transitory processor readable tangible media including program instructions which when executed by a processor causes the processor to perform a method disclosed above.

Disclosed herein is a computer program for instmcting a processor, which when executed by the processor causes the processor to perform a method disclosed above- Any of the various features of each of the above disclosures, and of the various features of the embodiments described below, can be combined as suitable and desired.

Brief description of the figures

Embodiments will now be described by way of example only with reference to the

accompanying figures in which:

Figure 1 shows a schemati c diagram of an embodiment, of a system for exercising a pluralit of persons.

Figure 2 show an exercise weight stand that has received a plurality of exercise weights. Figure 3 shows a mass measuring device.

Figure 4 shows an exercise weight identifier comprising a plurality of identification tags.

Figure 5 shows a schemati c of an example processor architecture.

Figures 6 to 10 show flow charts for embodiments of various methods that may be performed using the system of figure 1. Description of embodiments

Figure 1 shows a schematic diagram of an embodiment of a system for exercising a plurality of persons 12, the system being generally indicated by the numeral 10. The system 10 has a plurality of exercise stations 14 - 24. The sy stem, has a processing system 26 configured to assig the plurality of persons 12 to the plurality of exercise stations 14 - 24. Assigning the plurality of persons to a plurality of exercise stations is a ste of embodiments of methods 300 - 330 shown in figures 6 to 9.

The pluralit of persons ma subsequently exercise at the plurality of exercise stations. In the embodiment, of figure 1, the processing system 26 is configured to assign the pluralit of persons 12 to the plurality of exercise stations 14 - 24 for each of a plurality of exercise periods that constitute at least part of an exercise session. The exercise session is, in this but not necessarily in all embodiments, a group exercise session in the form of a group circuit training session. The plurality of exercise stations are, in this embodiment, co-located, for example in a roo of a gymnasium complex, in which the group exercise session takes place. In a alternative embodiment however, the plurality of exercise stations are not co-located; the pluralit of exercise stations may be distribiited between a plurality of buildings, or cities, for example. In this embodiment each of the plurality- of exercise stations may he for a person to execute a different exercise, however in an alternative embodiment at least two of the exercise stations may be the same. Eac of the plurality of exercise stations 14 - 24 of the embodiment of figure 1 comprises exercise equipment 54 - 64, For example, in the embodiment of figure 1, station 14 has a plurality of exercise weights 54, station 1.6 has a bar 56 for at least one of push ups, dips and chin ups, station 18 has a battle rope 58, station 20 has a medicine ball and a wall 60 for medicine ball slams, station 22 has a floor and/or a mat 62 for body weight exercises^ and station 24 has an exercise bike 64, rowing machine, or treadmill for example. Consequently, for the system 10, but not for all embodiments, any one of the plurality of exercise stations 14 - 24 comprises equipment for an exercise not shared wit the other of the plurality of exercise stations. The processing system 26 is configured to rotate the plurality of persons through the plurali ty of exercise stations 14 - 24, such that each of the plurality of person 12 exercise at least once at each of the plurality of exercise stations 14 - 24 during the exercise session.

Generally, the processor 26 reassigns the plurality of persons 12 to the plurality of exercise stations 14 - 24 between, temporally adjacent exercise peri ods of the pluralit of exercise periods. The plurality of exercise stations 14 - 24 have a plurality of displays 34 - 44. Each of the plurality of exercise stations 14 - 24 has, in this embodiment, a display of the plurality of displays 34 - 44, The processor 26 is configured to cause the plurality of displays 34 - 44 to display identifying information indicative of the assignment of the plurality of persons to the plurality of exercise stations. For example, in this embodiment immediately before and/or during an exercise period, the plurality of displays 34 - 44 display a name of the at least one person of the plurality of persons 12 assi gned to the display's 34 exercise station 14 of the plurality of exercise stations 14 - 24. The displayed identifying information may be used b the plurality of persons to locate the exercise station of the plurality of exercise stations 14 - 24 that they have been assigned to by the processing system 26. The identifying information may be alternatively a nick name, an image of the person or their token, or generally any suitable identifying inform ati on.

The plurality of displays may comprise generally any suitable plurality of display devices, for example, a LCD display, a LED display, a plasma display, a CRT display, or other electronic di splay device. The plurality of displays may be generally, but not necessarily, located at a rear 46 of the exercise stations and may he mounted on a stand elevating the display to level suitable for viewing during exercise, while an area 48 before the display 38 may be for execution of an exercise and may have located thereon exercise equipment, for example an exercise bike, a rowing machine, a battle ropes or an exercise mat. In the embodiment of figure I , but not all embodiments, the processing system 26 has a coordinating processor 66 and a plurality of exercise station processors 74 - 84. The plurality of exercise station processors 74 - 84 are each located at an associated exercise station of the plurality of exercise stations 14 - 24. The coordinating processor 66 is in communication with the plurality of exercise station processors 74 - 84. In this embodiment, the coordinating processor 26 and each of the plurality of exercise station processors 74 - 84 have a

communications interface in the form of a network interface. The network interfaces are each connected to a network 25 in the form of, for example, a WAN, LAN, Intranet, the Internet, a wireless, network etc. The network interfaces are, in this but not all embodiments, Wi-Fi modules (or expansion cards, USB dongles etc.) and the network, is a local Wi-Fi network, however in alternative embodiments they may comprise, for example, a Ethernet interface in the form of an Ethernet card, for example, in which case the network 25 ma comprise Ethernet network cables, Ethernet routers, Ethernet hubs etc.. Alternatively, the plurality of exercise station processors 74 — 84 may have point-to-point connections with the coordinating processor 66 for

communications therebetween, for example universal serial bus, THUNDERBOLT (TM), or BLUETOOTH connections. Broadly speaking, in this embodiment the central processor 66 of the processing system assigns the plurality of persons to the plurality of exercise stations, controls the exercise session and controls the plurality of exercise periods. The coordinating processor 6 also i s configured to send the identification information to each of the plurality of exercise statio processors 74 - 84. Each exercise station's exercise station processor is in communication with the exercise station's display. Each exercise station processor may have a video signal generator in the form of a video expansion card (or an integrated video chip or generally any suitable architecture) having a video interface in the form of a Dl^'SPLAYPORT interface for the sending of a video signal. Generally any suitable video signal interface, for example, HDMI, DVI, or a THUNDERBOLT interface may be used. Each display may have a video signal interface and a suitable cable connects the video signal interfaces such that the video signal generated by the video signal generator of the exercise station processor can be received by the display. The coordinating processor 66 is configured to send instructions to the plurality of exercise station processors 74 - 84 to display the identifying information. The step of the processing system causing the plurality of displays to displa identifying information indicative of the assignment of the plurality of persons to the plurality of exercise stations is a step of a method 310 shown in figure 7. The plurality of exercise station processors 74- 84 each generate a video signal with identifying information that is sent to exercise station's display. The central processor is configured to send an instruction to the plurality of exercise stations to display the identifying information for the next exercise period, in this embodiment, the instructions are for each di splay to display the identifying information for the at least one person sent to each display's exercise station. In othe embodiments, however, the instruction may be for each of the plurality of displays to display a list of the assignment of the plurality of persons. Generally, the identifying information ma be presented in an suitable wa across the pluralit of displays 34 - 44. The coordinating processor 66 can send a start message indicative of the start of an exercise period or exercise session, and which trigger the exercise station processors 74 - 84 to cause a countdown to be displayed on each display. The plurality of persons 12hegin executing the exercises at the same time when the countdown reaches zero. The exercise stations may also display a target score, which may be determined by the processing system 26 using historical performance information or past score information stored in a database 67. After the completion of an exercise period there may be, as in this example, a recovery period during which the plurality of people may recover.

An alternative embodiment does not have the plurality of exercise station processors 74 - 84, The processing system 26 may comprise, for example, the coordinating processor 66 and not the plurality of exercise station processors 74 - 84. The plurality of displays 34 - 44 ma be configured to receive a video signal ( irelessly, or alternative via a cable) from the processo 26. The processor 26 in this embodiment is configured generate the video signal for the plurality of displays 34- 44.

The processing system 26, in this but not necessarily in all embodiments, is configured to cause the plurality of displays 34 - 44 to display instructional exercise information. The instructional exercise information may be, for example, stored in memory. The memory may be in the form of, for example, a non volatile memor in the form of a solid state drive or hard drive, In this embodiment, each of the plurality of exercise station processors 74 - 84 has a memory (for example memory 7.5 of exercise station processor 74) on which instructional exercise information is stored. The coordinating processor 66 is configured to send an instruction to the plurality of exercise station processors 74 - 84 to display the instructional exercise information, fo example during an exercise period, Alternatively, the instructional information may be sent by the coordinating processor 66 the plurality of exercise station processors 74 - 24, or the plurality of exercise stations may obtain the instructional information from the cloud or other data store or database when so instructed.

The instructional exercise information displayed at an exercise station is generally adapted for the exercise at the exercise station. The displayed^' instructional exercise information may comprise, for example, at least one of text, photographic images, still images, moving images, animations etc, explaining and/or showing how the user is to perform the exercise.

The system 10, in this but not all embodiments, has pluralit of exercise monitors 94 - 104 configured to generate exercise monitoring information for each of the plurality of persons during the exercise session. The plurality of^" monitors 94 - 104 are, in this embodiment, part of the plurality of exercise station processors 74 - 84. A monitor may be integrated into a body of the pluralit of exercise station processors 74 - 84, attached via a communication and/or power cable, or may be detached but in -communication with the pluralit of exercise stations.

The exercise station 16 for a person to execute at least one of push-ups, dips, and chin up exercises has an exercise monitor 96 configured to generate exercise monitoring information, The monitor 96 comprises a sensor 95, for example an ultrasonic distance sensor, a force sensor, or any suitable sensor. The ultrasonic sensor may measure a distance a person travels during a push-up, dip or chin-up, and the force sensor may measure a force exerted during a push-up, dip or chin-up. The processing system may detect a point in the exercise, for example a top point, by a- change in motion direction at- which point an exercise repetition value may be incremented. The exercise station 18 for a person to execute a battle rope exercise has an exercise monitor 98 configured to generate exercise monitoring information. The exercise station 18 has at least one sensor (similarly illustrated to that of exercise station 16) in the form of an accelerometer and/or force sensor, for example, to measure forces exerted, The sensors may be attached to the battle rope. Akernativeiy, machine vision techniques may be used to monitor the exercise; the exercise monitoring system may be of similar or identical form and/or function to the MICROSOFT INECT system, or generall an system that may have at least one camera or other light sensors and image analysis software and/or hardware.

The exercise station 20 for a person to execute a medicine ball slam exercise may have an exercise monitor 100 configured to generate exercise monitoring information. The exercise station 20 ma have a wall and, a sensor (similarly illustrated to that of exercise stations 16) in the for or, for example, a force sensor or an accelerometer to determine the force exerted by the ball or the acceleratio thereof when it is thrown against the wall or a floor. The force sensor may be embedded within the medicine bail and may, for example, wirelessly communicate via a blue tooth or other wireless connection to the processing system 26. Alternatively, the exercise monitoring sy stem may be of similar or identical form and/or function to the MICROSOFT KINECT system. The exercise station 22 for a person to execute a body weight exercise, examples of which include but are not limited to squats, lunges, step-ups, and generall any suitable body weight exercise, has an exercise monitor 102 configured to generate exercise monitoring information. The exercise monitor may comprise a motion tracking device, for example a machine vision system of similar or identical form and/or function to the MICROSOFT KINECT system. The di stance travelled by the relevant joints may be used to score each: repetition. For example, with a squat the distance travelled by the Hps from the highest position to the lowest position may be used to determine the depth of a squat or other exercise. The distance travelled by the knees from the highest to lowest point may determine a lunge depth, and the distance travelled by the head from highest position to a lowest position may be used to determine a step height. The exercise station 24 for a person to execute an exercise bike exercise has an exercise monitor 104 configured to generate exercise monitoring information The exercise station may have, for example, a wheel rotation sensor and a wheel resistance sensor, or generally any suitable sensor, in communicatio with the bike. The sensors may be configured, for example, to provide power informati on indicative of the power generated by the person on the exercise bike. An exercise station (such as 24) may be for a person to execute a rowing exercise may have an exercise monitor configured to generate exercise monitoring information. The exercis station may have, for example, a rowing machine with an integral exercise monitor. The rowing machine may have an communications interface comprising, for example, a Universal Serial Bus port, an Ethernet port, a Wi-Fi module, a thunderbolt port, or generally any suitable

communications interface for communicating the exercise monitoring information. Similarly, an exercise station havin a treadmill may have a monitor for generation exercise monitoring information indicative of the total distance travelled, the slope of the walkway, etc.

The exercise station 14 for a person to execute a weight exercise, for example dumbbell or kettiebell exercises, may have an exercise monitor configured to generate exercise monitoring information. The exercise monitoring device 94 may comprise, for example, a motion tracking device of similar or identical form and/or function to the MICROSOFT KINECT sy stem, and electroni c scales for measuring the weight of the selected exercise weight, Other exercise stations may include, for example, a boxing exercise station i which the boxing exercise may be monitored using force sensitive boxing gloves mat generate force information indicative of a force of impact for the processing sy stem, and a sledgehammer exercise in which swings may be tracked using a force monitor. It will be appreciated that the placement of the exercise monitors, sensors (including camera's for example), will generally be dependent on the exercise being monitors.

The processing sy stem 26 is configured to use the monitoring information for each of the plurality of persons to generate exercise score information for each of the plurality of persons. The exercise score information, is generated in each of the plurality of exercise station processors 14 - 24, however in an alternative embodiment the exercise monitoring information is communicated to the coordi ating processor 66, which subsequentl generates exercise score information, The processing system is configured to cause the plurality of displays to display the exercise score information for each of the plurality of persons. The processing system causing the plurality of displays to display the exercise score information for each of the plurality of persons is a step of the method 320 of figure 8. In the present embodiment, during an exercise period of the pluralit of exercise periods, the display 34 - 44 of each exercise station 14 - 24 of the plurality of exercise stations 14 - 24 displays the exercise score of the person of the plurality of persons assigned thereto for the exercise period. This is generally so for each of the plurality of exercise periods A non-limiting example of determining an exercise score for a weight exercise follows. It will be appreciated that various scoring methods may be used as appropriate. For a Bicep Curl, the length of a person's arm may be first measured using motion tracking / machine vision syste comprisi g for example cameras and image analysis software and/or hardware. The range of motion (ROM) may then be determined, which may be the percentage of arm-length a person moves through the bicep curl, for example 90% means they've performed the exercise to 90% of maximum range of motion. The percentage of body weight they ar lifting (BWP) may then be determined, for example a person of 100 Kg lifting two 1.0kg dumbbells is lifting 20% of their body weight, A score multiplier may be appli d to normalise the score (e.g. a score out of 100). The may men be determined by calculating the equati on Score = ROM x BWP x score multiplier. For the above example, the score equals 90% 20% x 100 = 18. The score multiplier may be an. arbitrary number set to ensure scores across different exercises are comparable. In another example for a non-weighted exercise, for example a squat, a score may be similarly determined but without the bod weight percent, value. The OM is determined, which for squat would be the percentage of a leg-length that the person squat down to multipli ed by the score multiplier. The score for an exercise bike or rowing machine exercise, for example* may be the average power generated during the exercise period, possibly multiplied by a multiplier.

The processing system 26 is configured to use the exercise score information to generate ranking informati on indicative of a ranking of the plurality of persons 12. The processing system 26 is configured to cause the plurality of displays 34 - 44 to display the ranking information. There may be a separate ranking display in the form of an electronic display in communication with, for example, the coordinating processor 66 via a DISPLAYPQRT link, for example, and the processing system 26 is configured to cause the ranking display to display the ranking information,

Exercise station ] 4 has a plurality of exercise weights 54. The processing sy stem 26 is configured to interfere with an exercise usin a selected exercise weight of the plurality of exercise weights that does not satisfy an exercise weight condition. The processing system interfering with an exercise using a selected exercise weight of the plurality of exercise weights that does not sati sfy an exercise weight condition is a step of the methods 300 and 340 of figures 6 and 10. The system 10 has in memory an: exercise weight condition for each of the plurality of persons. Figure 2 show an exercise weight stand 116 that has received the plurality of exercise weights 54 at exercise station 14. The exercise station 14 also has an exercise weight identifier 120 for identifying an exercise weight 1.18 of the plurality of exercise weights 54 selected by a person of the plurality of persons 12 assigned thereto. Irs this embodiment, the exercise weight identifier 120 comprises a mass measuring device in communication via a cable with the exercise station processing system 74 (In an alternative embodiment the scales are in direct communication with the processor 66),.

The mass measuring device 118 is has a platform or pa 122 configured to receive the selected exercise weight 1 18 and generate mass information indicative of the mass of the selected exercise weight 118 when so received. In this embodiment, the mass measuring device is in the form of electronic scales, however the mass measuring device may alternatively take the form of a force measuring mat, or generally any alternative form of sensor that may be adapted for measuring mass. The mass informatio may, for example, be a value for the mass of the selected exercise weight (e.g. 5 Kg). Alternatively, the mass information may be indicative of a value proportional to the mass of the exercise weight. For example, the mass information may comprise a resting weight of the selected exercise weight (e.g. 49 ), which is proportional to the mass of the exercise weight. The mass information may be have any suitable dimensions (Kilograms, Newtons, Pounds, etc.) or may be dirnensionless. The resting weight of the selected exercise weight may be measured using any suitable force sensor (for example balance scales, spring scales, load-ceil scales). The system can compare the mass of the selected weight with that of the current mass limit stored in memory for the person that selected the weight. The i structor may set the weight limit for each of the plurality of persons 12. The instructor ma change the mass limit for a person of the plurality of persons 12 when their technique and/or strength improves. The processing system 26 may use the exercise monitoring information to determine a change in strength and/or technique of a person of the plurality of persons 12 and change the mass limit for that person. In this example, the selected weight condition is provided as a safety feature. A person who is new¹ to an exercise has limits placed on how much mass they can lift. The instructor can increase the mass limit either for a specific exercise or an overall level such as Beginner, Intermediate, or Advances, with suitable limits applied by the system 26 at each of the plurality of exercise stations for the person.

The processing system, in this embodiment the exercise station processor 74, is configured to interfere with the exercise using the selected exercise weight when the selected exercise weight so identified does not satisfy the exercise weight condition. For example, if the mass so indicated is greater than a predetermined mass value, less than another predetermined mass value, or the wrong type of exercise weight is selected, in this embodiment, the interference is i the form of stopping adjustment of an exercise score. The system may cause a display of the m essage indicating the exercise weight condition is not met, for example "too heavy" or the like. In another embodiment, the processing system may update memory to indicate that the weight exercise was not performed. In another embodiment, the interference may alternatively or additionally be in the form of an exercise weight clamp that clamps the plurality of weights until the selected weight 118 satisfies the exercise weight condition. In still another embodiment, the interference may alternatively or additionally be in the form of an irritating sound generated by, for example, the exercise station processor 74. The interference may take any suitable form.

Figure 3 shows an alternative mass measuring device configuration, in which the change i a gross mass of the stand when the selected exercise weight is removed therefrom is determined. The gross mass of the exercise weight stand 116 (that i s, the mass of the stand and the weights received thereby) is determined by the mass measuring device. The exercise weight stand 1 16 is received by the mass measuring device, which generate mass information of the gross mass that is communicated to the exercise station processor 74. Alternatively, the gross mass information may be communicated to the coordinating processor 66. The exercise station processor 74 or coordinating processor 66 may detect when the gross mass of the exercise weight stand changes and determines the change in the gross mass of the exercise stand. The change in gross mass is indi cati ve of the mass of the selected weight. While the mass measuring device of figure 3 comprises scales, the mass measuring device may additionally or alternatively comprise a pressure sensiti e matt or generally any suitable device.

Figure 4 shows an exercise weight identifier comprising a plurality of identification tags 124 for the plurality of weights and a scanner 128 configured to generate selected exercise weight identification information when an identification tag 126 of the plurality of identification tags for the selected exercise weight 118 of the plurality- of exercise weights is scanned. The plurality of identification tags 124 are attached to the plurality of exercise weights, however duplicate identification tags 13Q are, in these but not ail embodiments, attached to the exercise weight stand adjacent their respective weight. The selected weight may be identified by scanning the appropriate identification tag on either the selected weight or the stand.

The scanner is in communication via a wireless connection (for example BLUETOOTH or Wi- Fi or generally an suitable wired or wireless connection) with the processing system 26 which uses the selected exercise weight identification information to identify the selected exercise weight. For example, the identification information may be matched with one of the plurality of exercise weights using a lookup table stored in memory. The plurality of identification tags may comprise at least one of a plurality of radio frequency identification tags, a plurality of barcodes, and a plurality of matri barcodes. Generally, any suitable form of identification tag may be used. In the embodiment of Figure 4, the identification tags are in the form of QR codes, The scanner may comprise a specialised hand held scanner, or, for example, a smart phone or tablet computer with a barcode reading app. Generally any suitable scanner may be used.

The exercise weight condition com prises an exercise weight condition for a person of the plurality of persons that selects the exercise weight. The exercise weight condition is detennined using person information indicative of the mass of the person and a technique level of the person. In this but not all embodiments, the exercise weight condition compri ses that the weight does not exceed a mass given by the formula

MP (MP_min + (MP_max - MP_Ttlin)x T/_T )

\ ' max

wherein .MP is a mass of the person, MP_min. is a fraction of the person's mass that the person is allowed to lift for a lowest technique level, MP_max is a fraction of the persons mass the person is allowed to lift for a maximum technique level T_max, and T is the techni que level of the person,. The exercise technique level is in this embodiment one of the cardinal numbers 1 to 20, however it may be expressed as a decimal number in the range [0,1] or generally expressed in any way.

It will be appreciated that any one of the plurality of exercise stations 14 - 24 may be operable as a stand alone exercise station without participating in the grou exercise session. The exercise station 14 may be operated when the exercise station processor 74 is not in communication with the coordinatin processor 66. For example, exercise station 14 haying the plurality of exerci se weights can be used by a person. The person, at the time, is not participating in a grou exercise session,. The exercise station processor interferes with an exercise using a weight selected b the person that does not satisfy an exercise weight condition, as described above. The person's weight condition may be stored in the exercise station processor 74. In this mode of operati on, the exercise station may perform, a step of a method 340 of figure .10, in whi ch an exercise weight identifier identifies the selected exercise weight of the plurality of exercise weights. The exercise station may then perform another step of the method 340 in which the processing system interferes with the exercise using the selected exerci se weight so identified when the selected exercise weight so identified does not satisfy the exercise weight condition.

The processing system is configured to be operable i a mode in which the coordinating processor 66 groups the plurality of persons into a plurality of pairs (or a single pair in the case that the number of the plurality of persons is 2), The processing system forming a plurality of pairs from the plurality of persons and assigning the plurality of pairs to the plurality of exercise stations is a step of a method 330 shown in Figure 9. The pairing is performed using the exercise score information or other historical performance information for each of the plurality of persons, however the plurality of persons 12 may be randomly grouped into pairs.. Alternatively, a user in the form of, for example, an instructor may interact with the coordinating processor 66 to generate pair information indicative of a plurality of pairs of the instructors (or another^* s) choosing. The processing system is configured to execute a competition in which one person of each of the plurality of pairs competes against the other perso in each of the pluralit of pairs. The processing system executing a competition in which one person of each of the plurality of pairs competes against the other person in each of the plurality of pairs is another step of the method 330. Each of the pluralit of exercise stations has duplicated exercise equipment, one for each of the pair. For each pair, each person is scored and the score displayed adjacent the score of the other of the pair on the exercise station's display. At the end of the exercise period the person of the pair that has the highest sore is the winner for that, exercise period. Each pair is assigned to a different exercise station between temporally adjacent exercise periods. The scores from each exercise period of the plurality of exercise periods may be combined, for example by an addition, to give an exercise session score for each of the pair, the person in each pair with the highest score winning, The exercise station ma also have a mode in which the pairs compete against each other (ie one pair is a competitive unit), In embodiments of the system (for example system 10) configured to be operable for pairs, each of the plurality of exercise stations may have at least two electronic displays, for example one for each of the pair. Alternatively, a single electronic display may display score information for one of the pair on a left hand side of the display, and display score information for the other of the pair on a right hand side of the display. In the context of this specification, the two or more electronic displays may be part of the one display, however they may not be. For example, the display may be a composite display comprising the at least two electronic displays. The at least two electronic displays may not, however, be side by side and/or contiguous.

In an embodiment, the sy stem 10 is operable to, at the start of an exercise session to determine the available fitness equipment at each of the plurality of exercise stations 14 - 24, determine the number of the plurality of persons 12, generate an exercise program using the available fitness equipm ent so determined and the number of the plurality of persons 12 so determined, and use the exercise program to assign the plurality of persons 12 to the plurality of exercise stations 14 - 24, The coordinating processor 66 communicates with the plurality of exercise station processors 74 - 84 to determine the availability and/or the type of the exercise equipment at each of the stations. The equipment available at a given exercise station may be stored in a database or data store 67, which in this embodiment is of the coordinating processor 66 but in other embodiments each exercise station processor has a database or datastore. If exercise equipment is unavailable the processing system 26 can either search for available equipment or wait until the equipment becomes available. A trainer, for example, may interact with the coordinating processor 66 to generate participating person information indicative of the identity of each of the plurality of persons, and so also provide information required by the processing system 26 to determine the number of the plurality of persons. According to one particular example, the coordinating processor 66 may also be able to access person information associated with each of the plurality of persons and stored in memory to determine what exercise routine should be executed by each of the plurality of persons, if there are any limi tati ons in their training. According to one particular example, the exercise routine can be predetermined by an instructor or the like and saved to the user information.

The coordinating processor 66 cart generate an exercise program for the number of persons depending on what exercise equipment is available for the plurality of persons 12 and the exercise routine that should be executed by the plurality of persons. The processing system, in assigning the plurality of users, can communicate with the exercise station processors 74 - 84 such that the exercise station processers can display, via the displays, to assigned plurality of persons the instructional exercise information for the exercise at the exercise station.

At the beginning of an exercise session, the processing system 26 can analyse each of the plurality of exercise stations 14 - 24 to determine what equipment is available at each of the plurality of exercise stations 14 -24. In this particular example, the coordinating processor 66 has a number of predefined workouts that comprise of multiple rounds and multiple sets of a plurality of exercises. Based on the available equipment at each of the plurality of exercise stations 14- 24, the processing system 26 can determine which exercise station can be can be used for each grou of exercises and can the send a message to each station notifying and specifying the various exercises that the at least one assigned person are to complete.

Figure 5 shows a schematic of an example architecture f r the coordinating processor 66 and each of the plurality of exercise station processors 74- 84. The processors 66, 74 - 84 include a suitable microprocessor 121 such as, or similar to, the INTEL XEON, AMD OPTER0N micro processor, or ARM processor connected over a bus 161 to memory which includes a suitable form of random access memory 181 of around 1GB, or generally any suitable alternati ve capacity, and a non-volatile memory 201 such as a hard disk dri ve or solid state non-volatile memory (e.g. ^' ANB-based FLASH memory) having a capacity of around 500 Gb, or any alternative suitable capacity. Alternative logic devices may be used in place of the

microprocessor 121. Examples of suitable alternative logic devices include application-specific integrated circuits, field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), and digital signal processing units. Some of these embodiments may be entirely hardware based. The processors 66, 74- 84 hav at least one communications interface. The processors have at least one communications interface. In this embodiment, the at least one com munications interface 22 comprises a network interface in the form of an Ethernet card, however generally any suitable network interfac may be used, for example a Wi-Fi module. The processor may include one or more input/output interfaces 26 in the form of, for example, a universal serial bus, thunderbolt interface, PCIe, or generally any suitable input/output interface. In this but not ail embodiments the processor 1 0 supports a human machine interface 24 e.g. mouse, keyboard, display etc. The processors may include one or more input/output interfaces 26 in the form ø£, for example, a universal serial bus, thunderbolt interface, PCIe, or generall any suitable input/output interface. In this but not all embodiments the processors support a human machine interface 241 e.g. mouse, keyboard, display etc, The coordinating processor 66 and the each of the plurality of exerci se station processors may take any suitable form, examples of which include a personal computer, a smart phone and a tablet computer. In this embodiment, however the coordinating processor takes the form of a personal computer and each of the pl rality of exercise station processors takes the form of an embedded system. The processors 66, 74 - 84 are configured to execute the steps of an embodiment of a method. The method may be coded in a program for instructing the processors. The program is, in this embodiment stored in the non-volatile memory 201, but could be stored in FLASH, EPROM or any other form of ^'tangible media within or external of the processors 66, 74 - 84, The program generally, hut not necessarily, comprises a plurality of software modules that cooperate when installed on the processors 66, 74 - S4 so that the steps of an embodiment of the method are performed. The software modules, at least i part, correspond to the steps of the method or components of the system described above. The functions or components may be

compartmentalised into modules or ma be fragmented across several software modules. The software modules may be formed using any suitable language, examples of which include C++ and assembly. The program may take the form of an application program interface or an other suitable software structure. Information processed by the processor may comprise, for example, ASCII encoded text, image files (in a format selected from the group PNG, GIF, JPEG, MPEG, and TIFF for example), integers, sound files and floating point numbers.

Variations and/or modifications may be made to the embodiments described without departing from the spirit or ambit of the invention. For example, the plurality of exercise station processors may comprise at least one tablet computer, or smart phone, in which case an exercise station display may be integral thereto. A tablet computer or smart phone camera, or other smart phone sensor (or connected sensor device, for example a smart watch) for example an acceleration or location sensor, may be u sed to monitor at least one of the plurality of persons. The system may comprise an instructor's processor configured to communicate with the coordinating processor. The instactor s processor may take the form of, for example, a smart phone or tablet computer or generally any suitable processor. The coordinatin processor may be a virtual machine, which may be implemented using cloud computing. There may not be a coordinating processor; the plurality of exercise station processors may cooperate to eliminate the need of a coordinating processor. The processing system may be a server or mainframe and the exercise station processors may be thi or fat clients thereof. Sensors other than those disclosed above, for exampl e subcutaneous sensors, may be used to monitor the pluralit of persons. The present embodiments are, therefore, to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive.

Prior art, if any, described herein is not to be taken as an admission that the prior art forms part of the common general knowledge in any jurisdiction.

In the claims which follow and in the preceding description of the invention, except where the context requires otherwise due to express language or necessar ' implication, the word

"comprise" or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising" is used in an inclusive sense, that i s to specify the presence of the stated features but not to preclude the presence or addition of further features in vari ous embodi m ents of the i nventi on.

Claims

A system for exercising a plurality of persons, the system comprising:

a plurality of exercise stations; and

a processing system configured to assign the plurality of persons to the plurality of exercise stations.

A system defined by claim 1 wherein the processing system is configured to assign the pl urality of persons to the pluralit of exercise stations for each of a plurality of exercise periods that constitute at least part of an exercise session.

A system defined by either claim 1 and claim 2 wherein one of the plurality of exercise stations comprises a plurality of exerci e weights and the processing system is configured to interfere with an exercise using a selected exercise weight of the plurality of exercise weights that does not satisfy an exercise weight condition.

A system defined by claim 3 wherein the processing system comprises an exercise weight identifier fox identifying the selected exercise weight of the plurality of exercise weights and the processing system is configured to interfere with the exercise using the selected exercise weight so identified when the selected exercise weight so identified does not satisfy the exercise weight condition.

A System defined by either one of el aim 3 and claim 4 wherein die exercise weight identifier comprises a mass measuring device for identifying the selected exercise weight, and the processing system is configured to interfere with the exercise using the selected exercise weight when the selected exercise weight so identified does not satisfy the exercise weight condition.

A system defined by claim 5 wherein the mass measuring device is configured to generate mass information indicative of the mass of the selected exercise weight, and the processing system is configured to interfere with the exercise using the selected exercise weight if the mass so indicated is greater than a predetermined mass value,

A system defined b either one of claim 5 and claim 6 wherein the mass measuring device is configured to receive the selected exercise weight and generate mass

information indicative of the mass of the selected exerci se weight when: so received.

8. A sy stem defined by any one of the claims 3 to 7 wherein the one of the pl urality of exercise stations comprises an exercise weight stand configured to receive the plurality of exercise weights, and the processing sy stem is configured to identify the selected exercise weight by determining the change in a gross mass of the stand when the selected exercise weight is removed therefrom.

9. A system defined by claim 8 wherein the processing system comprises a mass measuring device configured to determine the gross mass of the exercise weight stand.

10. A system defined by claim 4 wherein the exercise weight identifier comprises a plurality of identification tags for the plurality of weights and a scanner configured to generate selected exercise weight identification information when an identification tag of ^'the pluralit of identification tags for the selected exercise weight of the plurality of exercise weights is scanned, wherein the processing system uses the selected exercise weight identification information to identify the selected exercise weight.

11. A system defined by claim 10 wherein the plurality .of identification tags comprise at least one of a plurality of radio frequency identification tags, a plurality of barcodes, and a plurality of matrix barcodes.

12. A system defined by either one of claim 10 and claim 11 wherein the plurality of

identification tags are attached to the plurality of exercise weights.

13. A system defined by claim 1 1 wherein the plurality of identification tags are attached to the exercise weight stand.

14. A system defined by any one of the claims 3 to 13 wherein the exerci se weight condition comprises an exercise weight condition for a person of the plurality of persons that selects the exercise weight

15. A system defined by claim 14 wherein the exercise weight condition is detennined using person information indicative of the mass of the person and a technique level of the person.

.

16. A System defined by either one of claim. 14 and claim 15 wherein the exercise weight condition comprises that the weight does not exceed a mass given by the formula

MP (MP_min + (MP_max - MP_min) x ^T/_T )

wherein MP is a mass of the person, MP_mtn is a fraction of the person's mass that the person is allowed to lift for a lowest technique level, MP_max is a fraction of the person's mass the person is allowed to lift for a maximum technique level T_niax, and T is the technique level of the person

17. A system defined by any one of the claims 3 to 16 wherein the processing system is configured to stop adjustment of an exercise score when the selected exercise weight of the plurality of exercise weights does not satisfy the exercise weight condition,

18. A system defined by any one of the claims 3 to 17 wherei the processing system is configured to change the exercise weight condition,

19. A sy stem defined by any one of the preceding claims wherein of the plurality of exercise: stations comprise a plurality of displays and the processing system is configured to cause the plurality of displays to display identifying information indicative of the assignment of the plural ity of persons to the plurality of exercise stations.

20. A system defined by any one of the claims 2 to IS wherein of the plurality of exercise stations comprise a plurality of displays and the processing system is configured to, for each of the plurality of exercise periods, cause the plurality of displays to displa identifying information indicati ve of the assignment of the plurality of persons to the plurality of exercise stations,

21. A system defined by either one of claim 19 and claim 20 wherein the processing system is configured to cause the plurality of displays to display instructional exercise information.

22. A system defined by an one of the preceding claims wherein the processing system

comprises a plurality of exercise monitors configured to generate exercise monitoring information for each of the plurality of persons during the exercise session.

23. A system defined by claim 22 wherein the processing system is configured to use the monitoring information- for each of the plural ity of persons t generate exercise score information for each of the plurality of persons.

24. A system defined by any one of the claims I to 22 wherein the processing system is configured to generate exercise score information for each of the plurality of persons.

25. A system defined by claim 24 wherein the processing system is configured to cause the plurality of displays to display the exercise score information for each of the plurality of persons.

26. A system defined by either one of claim 24 and claim 25 wherein the processing system is configured to use the exercise score information to generate ranking information indicative of a ranking of the plurality of persons.

27. A system defined by claim 26 when dependent on. claim 19 wherein the processing

system is configured to cause the plurality of displays to display the ranking information.

28. A system defined by claim 26 when dependent on claim 18 comprising a ranking displa and the processing system is configured to cause the ranking display to display the ranking information.

29. A system defined by an one of the preceding claims wherein the processing system is configured to form a plurality of pairs from the plurality of persons and assign the plurali ty of pairs to the plurality of exercise stations.

30. A system defined by claim 29 whe dependent on claim 24 wherein the processing

system is configured to form a plurality of pairs from the plurality of persons using the exercise score information for each of the plurality of persons.

31. A system defined by either one of claim 29 claim 30 wherein the processing system is configured to execute a competition in which one person of each of the plurality of pairs competes against the other person in each of the plurality of pairs.

32. A system defined by any one of the preceding claims wherein the processing system is configured to:

determine the available fitness equipment at each of th plurality of exercise stations;

determine the number of the plurality of persons;

use the exercise program to assign the plurality of persons to the plurality of exercise stations,

33. A system defined by any one of the preceding claims wherein the exercise session is a group exercise session.

34. A system defined by any one of the preceding claims wherein the group exerci se session comprises a group circuit training session.

35. A system defined by any one of the preceding claims wherein the plurality of exercise stations are co-located.

36. A system defined by any one of the preceding claims wherein any one of the plurality of exercise stations compri ses equi pment for an exercise not shared with the others of the pluralit of exercise stations,

37. A system defined by any one of the preceding claims wherein the processing system is configured to rotate the plurality of persons through the plurality of exercise stations.

38. A system for exercising a person, the system comprising;

a plural ity of exercise weights; and

a processing system configured to interfere with an exercise using a selected exerci se weight of the plurality of exercise weights that does not sati sfy an exerci se weight condition.

39. A system defined by claim 38 wherein the processing system comprises an exercise

weight identifier for identifying the selected exercise weight of the plurality of exerei.se weights and the processing system is configured to interfere with the exercise using the selected exercise weight so identified when the selected exercise weight so identified does not satisfy the exercise weight condition.

40. A system defined by either one of claim 38 and claim 39 wherein the exercise weight identifier comprises a mass measuring device for identifying the selected exercise weight, and the processing system is configured to interfere with the exercise using the selected exercise weight when the selected exercise weight so identified does not satisfy the exercise weight condition.

41.. A system defined by claim 40 wherein the mass measuring device is configured to

generate mass information indicative of the mass of the selected exercise weight, and the processing system is configured to interfere with the exercise using the selected exercise weight if the mass so indicated i s greater than a predetermined mass value.

42. A system defined by either one of claim 40 and claim 41 wherein the mass measuring device is configured to receive the selected exercise weight and generate mass information indi cative of the mass of the selected exercise weight whe so recei ved.

43. A system defined by any one of the claims 38 to 42 wherein the one of the plurality of exercise stations comprises an exercise weight stand configured to receive the plurality of exercise weights, and the processing system is configured to identify the selected exercise weight by determining the change in a gross mass of the stand when the selected exercise weight is removed therefrom .

44. A system defined by claim 43 wherein the processing system comprises a mass

measuring device configured to determine the gross mass of the exercise weight stand.

45. A system defined by claim 39 wherein the exercise weight identifier comprises a

plurality of identification tags for the plurality of weights and a scanner configured to generate selected exercise weight identification information when an identification tag of the plurality of identification tags for the selected exercise weight of the plurality of exercise weights is scanned, wherein the processing system uses the selected exercise weight identification information to identify the selected exercise weight,

46. A system defined by claim 45 wherein the plurality of identification tags comprise at least one of a pluralit of radio frequency identification tags, a. plurality of barcodes, and a pluralit of matrix barcodes.

47. A system defined by either one of claim 45 and claim 46 wherein the plurality of

identification tags are attached to the plurality of exercise weights,

48. A system defined by claim 46 wherein the plurality of identification tags are attached to the exercise weight stand.

49. A system defined by any one of the claims 38 to 48 wherein the exercise weight

condition comprises an exercise weight conditi n for a person of the plurality of persons that selects the exercise weight.

50. A System defined by claim 49 wherein the exercise weight condition is determined using person information indicative of the mass of the person and a technique level of the person.

51. A system defined by either one of claim 49 and claim 50 wherein the exercise weight condition comprises that the weight does not exceed a mass given by the formula

MP (MP_min + (MP,_nax ^~~ MP_min) x ^T )

\ ' max/

wherein MP is a mass of the person, MP_{m in} is a fraction, of the person's mass thai the person is allowed to lift for a lowest technique level, MP_max is a fraction of the person's mass the person is allowed to lift for a maximum technique level T_max, and T is the technique level of the person, 1.

52. A method for exercising a plurality of persons, the method comprising:

a processing system assigning the plurality of persons to a plurality of exercise stations.

53. A method defined by clai 52 comprising the step of the processin system assigning the plurality of persons to the plurality of exercise stations for each of a plurality of exercise periods that constitute at least part of an exercise session.

54. A method defined b either one of claim 52 and claim 53 wherein one of the pluralit of exercise stations comprises a plurality of exercise weights and comprising the ste of the processing system interfering with an exercise using a selected exercise weight of the plurality of exercise weights that does not satisfy an exercise weight condition.

55. A method defined by claim 54 comprising the step of the processing system interfering with the exercise using the selected exercise weight identified by an exercise weight identifier when the selected exercise weight so identified does not satisfy the exercise weight condition.

56. A method defined by either one of claim 54 and claim 55 comprising the step of the processing system interfering with the exercise using the selected exercise weight when the selected exercise weight identified using a mass measuring device does not satisfy the exercise weight condition.

57. A method defined by claim 56 comprising the steps of the mass measuring device

generating mass information indicative of the mass of the selected exercise weight, and the processing s stem interfering with the exercise using the selected exercise weight if the mass so indicated i s greater than a predetermined mass value.

58. A method defined by either one of claim 56 and claim 57 comprising the step of the mass measuring device receiving the selected exercise weight and generating mass information indicative of the mass of the selected exercise weight when so received.

59. A method defined by any one of the claims 54 to 58 wherein the one of the plurality of exercise station comprises an exercise weight stand configured to receive the plurality of exercise weights, and comprising the ste of the processing system, identifying the selected exercise weight by determining the change in a gross mass of the stand when the selected exercise weight is removed therefrom.

60. A method defined by claim 59 comprising the step of a mass measuring device

determining the gross mass of the exercise weight stand.

61. A method defined by claim 55 comprising the steps of generating selected exercise

weight identification information by scanning an identification tag of a plurality of identification tags for the selected exercise weight of the. plurality of exercise weights, and the processing system using the selected exercise weight identification information to identify the selected exercise weight.

62. A method defined by claim 61 wherein the plurality of identification tags comprise at least one of a plurality of radio frequency identification tags, a plurality of barcodes, and a plurality of matrix barcodes.

63. A method defined by either one of claim 51 and claim 52 wherein the plurality of

identification tags are attached to the plurality of exercise weights,

64. A method defined by claim 62 wherein the plural ity of identification tags are attached to the exercise weight stand,

65. A method defined by any one of the claims 54 to 64 wherein the exerci se weight

condition comprises an exerc se weight condition for a person of the plurality of persons that selects the exercise weight.

66. A method defined by claim 65 wherein the exercise weight condition is determined using person information indicative of the mass of the person and a technique level of the person.

67. A method defined by either one of claim 65 and claim 66 wherein the exercise weight condition comprises that the weight does not exceed a mass given by the formula MP Ρ_ηιί„

V * ^; max'

wherein MP is a mass of the person, MP_mtn is a fraction of the person's mass that the person is allowed to lift for a lowest technique level, M _max is a fraction of the person's mass the person is allowed to lift for a highest technique level T_max, and T is the technique level of the person.

68. A method defined by any one of the claims 54 to 67 comprising the step of the

processing system stopping adjustment of an exercise score when the selected exercise weight of the plurality' of exercise weights does not satisfy the exercise weight condition.

69. A method defined by any one of the claims 54 to 68 wherein the processing system

changes the exercise weight condition.

70. A method defined by any one of the claims 51 to 69 wherein of the plurality of exercise stations comprise a plurality of displays and comprising the step of the processing system causing the plurality of displays to display identifying information indicative of the assignment of the plurality of persons to the plurality of exercise stations.

71. A method defined by any one of the claim S3 to 69 wherein of the plurality of exercise stations comprise a plurality of displays and comprising the step of the processing system, for each of the plurality of exercise periods, causing the pluralit of displays to display identifying information indicative of the assignment of the plurality of persons to the plurality of exercise stations.

72. A method defined by eithe one of claim 70 and claim 71 wherein the processing system is causes the plurality of displays to display instructional exercise information,

73. A method defined by any one of the claims 51 to 72 wherein the processing syste

comprises a plurality of exercise monitors and comprising the step of the processing system generating exercise monitoring information for each of the plurality of persons during the exercise session.

74. A method defined by claim 73 comprising the step of the processing system using the monitoring information for each of the plurality of persons to generate exercise score information for each of the plurality of persons.

75. A method defined by any one of the claims 52 to 73 comprising the step of the processing system generating exercise score information for each of the plurality of persons.

76. A method defined by claim 75 comprising the step of the processing system causing the plurality of di splays to display the exercise score information for each of the plurality of persons.

77. A method defined b either one of claim 75 and clai m 76 comprising the step of the processing system using the exercise score information to generate ranking information indicative of a ranking of the perfoimance of at least one of the plurality of exercises by each of the plurality of persons.

78. A method defined by claim 77 when dependent on claim 70 comprising the step of the processing system causing the plurality of displays to display the ranking inforniation,

79. A method defined by claim 76 when dependent on claim 69 comprising the step of the processing system causing the ranking display to display the ranking information.

80. A method defined b any one of the claims 52 to 79 comprising the step of the

processing system forming a plurality of pairs from the plurality of persons and assign the plurality of pairs to the plurality of exercise stations.

81. A method defined by claim 80 when dependent, o claim 75 comprising the step of the processing system forming a plurality of pairs from the plurality of persons usin the exercise score irtforniation for each f the plurality of persons.

82. A method defined by either one of claim 80 and clai m 81 comprising the step of the processing .system executing a competition in which one person of each of the plurality of pairs competes against the other person in each of die plurality of pairs.

83. A method defined by any one of the claims 52 to 82 comprising the steps of the

processing system:

determining the available fitness equipment at each of the plurality of exercise Stations;

determining the number of the pluralit of persons;

generating an exercise program using the available fitness equipment so determined and the number of the plurality of persons so determined; and using the exercise program to assign the plurality of persons to the plurality of exercise stations.

84. A method defined by any one of the claims 52 to 83 wherein the exercise session is a group exercise session.

85. A method defined by any one of the claims 52 to 84 wherein the group exercise session comprises a group circuit training session.

86. A method defined by any one of the claims 52 to 85 wherein the plurality of exercise stations are co-located .

87. A method defined by any one of the claims 52 to 8 wherein any one of the plurality of exercise stations compri ses equipment for an exercise not shared with the others of the plurality of exercise stations.

88. A method defined by any one of the claims 52 to 87 comprising the step of the

processing system, rotating the plurality of persons through the plurality of exercise stations.

89. A method for exerci sing a person, the method comprising the step of a processing system interfering with an exercise using a selected exercise weight of a plurality of exercise weights that does not satisfy an exercise weight condition.

90. A method defined by claim 89 wherein comprising the steps of an exercise weight

identifier identifying the selected exercise weight of the plurality of exercise weights and the processing system interfering with the exercise using the selected exercise weight so identified when the selected exercise weight so identified, does not satisf the exerci se weight condition.

91. A method defined by either one of cl aim 89 and claim 90 comprising the step of the processing system interfering with the exercise using the selected exercise weight when the selected exercise weight identified using a mass measuring device does not satisfy the exercise weight condition,

92. A metliod defined by claim 91 comprising the step of the mass measuring device

generating mass information indicative of the mass of the selected exercise weight, and of the processing system interfering with the exercise using the selected exercise weight if the mass so indicated is greater than a predetermined, mass value.

93. A method defined by either one of claim 91 and claim 42 comprising the step of the mass measuring device receiving the selected exercise weight and generating mass information indicative of the mass of the selected exercise weight so received.

94. A method defined by any one of the claims 8 to 93 wherein the one of the plurality of exercise station comprises an exercise weight stand configured to receive the plurality of exercise weights, and comprising the ste of the processing system, identifying the selected exercise weight by determining the change in a gross mass of the stand when the selected exercise weight is removed therefrom.

95. A method defined by claim 94 comprising the step of a mass measuring device

determining the gross mass of the exercise weight stand.

96. A method defined by claim 90 wherein the exercise weight identifier comprises a

plurality of identification tags for the plurality of weights and comprising the steps of generating selected exercise weight identification information by scanning an identification tag of the plurality of identification tags for the selected exercise weight of the plurality of exercise weights, and the processing system using the selected exercise weight identification information to identify the selected exercise weight,

97. A method defined by claim 96 wherein the plurality of identification tags comprise at least one of a pluralit of radio frequency identification tags, a plurality of barcodes, and a pluralit of matri barcodes.

98. A method defined by either one of claim 96 and claim 97 wherein the plurality of

identification tags are attached to the plurality of exercise weights,

99. A method defined by claim 97 wherein the plurality of identification tags are attached to the exercise weight stand.

100. A method defined by any one of the claims 89 to 99 wherein the exercise weight

1.01. A method defined by claim 100 wherein the exercise weight condition is determined using person information indicative of the mass of the person and a technique level of the person.

102. A method defined by either one of claim 100 and claim 101 wherein the exercise weight condition comprises that the weight does not exceed a mass given by the formula

MP (MP_min + (MP,_nax ^~~ MP_min) x ^T )

\ ' max/

wherein MP is a mass of the person, MP_{m in} is a fraction, of the person's mass thai the person is allowed to lift for a lowest technique level, MP_max is a fraction of the person's mass the person is allowed to lift for a maximum technique level T_max, and T is the technique level of the person,