Power controlled exercising machine and method for controlling the same

A method for controlling an exercise machine comprising the steps of:

• transforming motion of a user into a predetermined mechanical motive force;
• and
• resisting said predetermined motive force to maintain an approximately constant power input into said exercise machine,
• whereby quantifiably controlled energy rate levels of exercise are achieved.

An improvement in a stepper having a pedal pivotally coupled to a four-bar linkage where said four linkage is coupled to a frame and said frame disposed on a supporting floor, said four-bar linkage comprising:

• an upper arm pivotally coupled to said pedal at a first pivot point and to said frame at a second pivot point;
• and
• a pedal arm pivotally coupled to said pedal at a third pivot point spaced from said first pivot point and to said frame at a fourth pivot point spaced from said second pivot point;
• wherein spacing between said first and third pivot points and between said second and fourth pivot points is arranged so that an imaginary line extending between said first and second pivot points of said upper arm are nonparallel to an imaginary line extending between said third and fourth pivot points, so that said pedal is oriented at least in one position of said four-bar linkage nonparallel to the floor.

A method of providing a varied exercise session in a variably loaded exercise machine comprising the steps of:

• providing a prestored sequence of loading conditions for said exercise machine;
• entering said prestored sequence of loading conditions at an arbitrary entry point within said sequence;
• and
• loading said exercise machine according to said prestored sequence starting with said arbitrarily entered entry point and following said loading conditions in said prestored sequence.