Fitness machines with adjustable shock absorption and methods of adjusting shock absorption for fitness machines

A method for making a fitness machine providing shock absorption for a user operating the fitness machine, the method comprising:

• providing a base and at least one member engageable by the user and moveable relative to the base during operation of the fitness machine;
• providing a resilient body that resists movement of the at least one member towards the base so as to provide shock absorption for the user, wherein the resistance provided by the resilient body is adjustable;
• configuring a control system to receive from the user a shock setting corresponding to how much shock absorption is desired, and to receive other than from the user a secondary input;
• and
• adjusting the resistance provided by the resilient body based on the shock setting and the secondary input.

A method for making a fitness machine providing shock absorption for a user operating the fitness machine, the method comprising:

• providing a base and at least one member engageable by the user and moveable relative to the base during operation of the fitness machine;
• providing a resilient body that resists movement of the at least one member towards the base to provide shock absorption for the user;
• adjusting the resistance provided by the resilient body based on a previous resistance from a previous operation of the fitness machine;
• measuring the movement of the at least one member during operation of the fitness machine;
• determining whether the movement of the at least one member is beyond a threshold;
• further adjusting the resistance provided by the resilient body when the movement is determined to be beyond the threshold;
• and
• storing the resistance provided by the resilient body as the previous resistance for future operation of the fitness machine.