Systems and methods to achieve group exercise outcomes

摘要

A system and method for allowing a person to remotely participate in a group exercise program and receive feedback without being physically present at a health fitness studio with a live instructor. A computer system is used to record the movements of group exercise instructors in the form of an instructor file and subsequently show the instructor in the form of a video or an avatar or other animated representation on a display at the remote participant's location. The movements of remote participants are captured by networked computers or integrated game consoles equipped with motion capturing cameras operating in conjunction with 3D full body capture software. The movement data captured by the camera system is transmitted to a remote server. The server can place a representation of participants in a participant-selectable virtual scene such as a fitness studio or outdoor location. The virtual scene and animated representations of multiple participants may be displayed to each participant with the instructor representation and each participant's avatar enlarged on their own monitor. A pre-recorded virtual instructor or live instructor is presented in the studio to lead the group in a sequence of pre-recorded or live exercise routines. Exercise outcome and improvement suggestions based on biomechanics analysis determined by an instructor or software application are communicated to each individual participant. Individual recommendations for follow-on exercise programs or products such as exercise equipment may also be supplied to participants to improve outcomes or accelerate the attainment of desired goals.

主权项

1. A method for providing distributed group exercise instruction, comprising:
capturing an image of an instructor leading a group exercise event using an instructor component having video capture and communication capability; creating an instruction file from said captured image; communicating said instruction file to at least one remote participant computer for display of said instruction file on a participant display; receiving at an instructor server a participant file representing an image of said at least one participant captured from said participant's participation in said group exercise event; analyzing biomechanics of participant form from said participant file; and providing feedback to said participant regarding said analyzed biomechanics.