System for interaction with exercise device

An exercise device configured to enable interaction of a user, the exercise device comprising:

• (a) an exercise mechanism comprising a movable element for movement in performance of exercise by a user, the exercise mechanism having one or more operating parameters;
• (b) at least one user interface device, communicating with the exercise mechanism, the at least one interface device gathering a first signal from the user;
• (c) a communicating mechanism, communicating with the user interface device, the communicating mechanism receiving a packetized second signal from a remote source over a network, the packetized second signal including one or more packetized control signals;
• and
• (d) a controller, responsive to the packetized second signal, configured to control the operating parameters of the exercise mechanism.

An exercise device configured to enable a user to receive workout-related information, comprising:

• (a) an exercise mechanism comprising a movable element for movement in performance of exercise by a user;
• (b) a user interface device communicating with the exercise mechanism and configured to gather one or more user control signals from the user;
• (c) a communicating mechanism in communication with the user interface device and adapted to enable transmission of the user control signals to a romote communication system, the communicating mechanism being further adapted to receive a packetized second signal including synchronized control signals from the romote communication system;
• (d) means for reproducing the second signal;
• and
• (e) means, responsive to the synchronized control signals carried by the second signal, for controlling the operating parameters of the exercise mechanism.

An exercise device configured to enable a user thereof to interact with a trainer in real-time communication via a communication line, comprising:

• (a) an exercise mechanism comprising a movable element for movement in performance of exercise by a user;
• (b) a user interface device configured to gather a first real-time signal from the user;
• (c) a communication interface cooperating with the user interface device and configured to enable real-time communication of the first real-time signal to the trainer and subsequently receiving a second real-time signal from the trainer through a communication system, the communication system being adapted to generate one or more control signals that are synchronized with the second real-time signal;
• (d) means for reproducing the second real-time signal;
• and
• (e) means, responsive to the one or more control signals, for controlling the operating parameters of the exercise device in real-time.

An exercise system comprising:

• (a) a local system including at least one exercise apparatus to an associated local computer;
• (b) a remote system including a least one remote computer;
• and
• (c) a communication link for communicating packetized data between the local computer and the remote system, such that the local system may receive remote system data from the remote system, including packetized control signals for controlling operation of the at least one excercise apparatus.