Exercise machines and methods for controlling exercise machines to assist in targeting a muscle

A method for controlling an exercise machine to assist a user in targeting a muscle for performing an exercise motion, the method comprising:

• detecting via a sensor a current use condition of the exercise machine while the user is performing the exercise motion, wherein the current use condition is one of multiple use conditions in which the exercise machine is operable for the user to perform the exercise motion;
• determining via a control system a current activation level of the muscle of the user based on the current use condition detected by the sensor, wherein the current activation level of the muscle of the user to perform the exercise motion changes within the multiple use conditions for operating the exercise machine;
• causing a display device to indicate the current activation level of the muscle;
• receiving a desired activation level of the muscle;
• determining a recommended use condition within the multiple use conditions for operating the exercise machine that would cause the muscle to be at the desired activation level for performing the exercise motion;
• and
• notifying the user of the recommended use condition and/or automatically causing the exercise machine to operate based on the recommended use condition, respectively, to thereby assist the user in targeting the muscle for performing the exercise motion.

An exercise machine configured to assist a user in targeting a muscle for performing an exercise motion, the exercise machine comprising:

• pedals moveable by the user to perform the exercise motion;
• an incline adjustment device operable to change an incline of performing the exercise motion, wherein a current activation level of the muscle of the user to perform the exercise motion changes based on the incline;
• one or more sensors configured to detect a current use condition of the exercise machine, the current use condition comprising the incline and a direction in which the user is moving the pedals while performing the exercise motion;
• and
• a control system operatively coupled to the sensor, the control system being configured to:
• determine the current activation level of the muscle of the user based on the current use condition detected by the one or more sensors;
• receive an input for a desired activation level for the muscle that exceeds the current activation level for the muscle;
• determine a recommended use condition among the multiple use conditions for operating the exercise machine that would cause the muscle to be at the desired activation level for performing the exercise motion;
• and
• control the incline adjustment device to change the incline of the exercise machine and notify the user to change the direction in which the user is performing the exercise motion such that the exercise machine is operated in the recommended use condition to cause the current activation level of the muscle to correspond to the desired activation level.