Apple Digital Fitness Companion System?

[MacRumors]

A newly published patent application reveals that Apple has been exploring the possibility of expanding their Nike + iPod sport kit into a full fledged fitness system.

The first segment of the interview process would poll the user on their fitness goals, desired activity level (moderate, advanced), fitness interests (such as jogging, pilates, and swimming), fitness goals (lose weight, firm and tone, and get back into shape), weight goals, desired workout schedule, and so forth.
....
Once the interview process is completed, the computer-based application would create a profile of the user and a workout regiment based around their feedback on goals and fitness interests. For instance, a user interested in weight training would be provided a work out schedule broken down into warmup cardio exercises and a weight training session comprised of sets, reps and weight levels.

The iPod or iPhone would then guide the user through their training, with the possibility of adding additional hardware sensors to track progress.

Article Link

[Moof1904]

it might be a little niche, but I think there's a market for this sort of thing...

[Sky Blue]

Holy Crap, yes. Apple's WiiFit.
Sign me up.

[deputy_doofy]

Are we talking about a new hardware device or simply a hardware connection? Couldn't an iPod Touch or iPhone do this just the same? Still, cool concept. I'd use it (the software version).

[P-Worm]

his is a fantastic idea. I bet that it would be a heck of a lot cheaper than paying for a personal trainer. I wonder if it would include diet help as well?

P-Worm

[Sky Blue]

Originally Posted by deputy_doofy

Are we talking about a new hardware device or simply a hardware connection? Couldn't an iPod Touch or iPhone do this just the same? Still, cool concept. I'd use it (the software version).

Looks like software, and an iPhone/iPod touch accessory.

[earthsick]

please take my money

i would love this

[Adokimus]

This could be really useful, especially since I hate being a guy carrying around a notebook with my workout plan in it. On the other hand, I like using my shuffle or nano at the gym... my touch is too precious and too breakable.

[Abstract]

Would anyone want to do this with their expensive iPhone? I wouldn't want one attached to my arm or something.

If it's detached from the body, it becomes less useful, IMO.

[megfilmworks]

I'd rather have this than 3g or GPS...but I'll take all three please!

[DavidCar]

I hope it includes a bluetooth heart rate monitor.

[JMax1]

I guess I'll be able to finally start working on those new years resolutions from 2002....

[Adokimus]

Originally Posted by P-Worm

his is a fantastic idea. I bet that it would be a heck of a lot cheaper than paying for a personal trainer. I wonder if it would include diet help as well?

P-Worm

Hmm, I was originally thinking it would just record your own plan and what you were doing... but, yeah, if nike provided real training programs that could be customized from novice to advanced (NOT just basic plans) then this could be really, really helpful.

Originally Posted by DavidCar

I hope it includes a bluetooth heart rate monitor.

I don't know if you were being serious, but this is a good idea. The problem is that the iPod touch doesn't have bluetooth like the iPhone. Hopefully there would be an attachment that came with it.

[gadgetdad]

Very cool, especially if I can strap it to my arm and it uses the accelerometer to count my reps!

[nagromme]

I've tried an early version of this--it's quite interesting. The initial weight/heartrate analysis suggested I start exercising with a slow to moderate pace. But then I filled out the "relationship interview" (yes, that's in the patent) and it told me to "Run as fast and as far as you can." Pretty neat.

[iDAG]

Maybe this has something to do with those iPod nano updates?

[LimeiBook86]

I think it would be a great idea for an iPhone/iPod Touch application. It would be nice to have the Nike Kit that was for the iPod Nano working on the iPhone/iPod Touch. But of course you'd need a little Bluetooth dongle for your iPod Touch.

I'd be happy to try it out since I've always wanted the Nike iPod kit before but I never had a compatible device.

[fastbite]

Don't know if it will work...

[juanm]

I recently worked on the presentation of a new phone named micoach by Samsung and Adidas which was supposed to do more or less the same thing. I guess this is Apple's answer. Link

[eyephone]

Originally Posted by nagromme

I've tried an early version of this--it's quite interesting. The initial weight/heartrate analysis suggested I start exercising with a slow to moderate pace. But then I filled out the "relationship interview" (yes, that's in the patent) and it told me to "Run as fast and as far as you can." Pretty neat.

Good One!

[miketcool]

Finally, a personal trainer you can trust to be alone with your significant other and still be jealous of.

[gmeddles]

Originally Posted by Abstract

Would anyone want to do this with their expensive iPhone? I wouldn't want one attached to my arm or something.

If it's detached from the body, it becomes less useful, IMO.

I work out at the gym with my iPhone all the time, attached to my arm. I was actually working on software with the SDK to do exactly this for my own use because I hate carrying a pen and paper around with me. It's certainly not novel software, as many apps exist for this on the windows mobile platform, but they honestly all stink. If you combine this with food tracking software (think weight watchers points tracking, or calories/fat etc.) then you have a handy system for keeping healthy that's always with you in a good form factor. The use of multi-touch gestures really does make this a much better option than similar software on other platforms.

[sunfast]

I thought exactly this when I was in the gym the other day. It would be so useful to use an iPhone / iPod Touch (which is there anyway to play the tunes) instead of a notebook

[flipperfeet]

Originally Posted by Abstract

Would anyone want to do this with their expensive iPhone? I wouldn't want one attached to my arm or something.

If it's detached from the body, it becomes less useful, IMO.

Absolutely, I took my, expensive at the time, first and second gen iPods to the gym, I take my iPhone now. I do not place it on top of a weight stack, but stuck inside a band or pocket it is plenty safe from damage. The biggest problem has always been the slack in the earphones getting caught on a handle or machine. The Nike+ kit is actually a reasonably priced accessory, if I can use this without buying Nike shoes I am very interested.

[sterlingindigo]

I use my iPhone strapped to my arm with a Belkin velcro armband case when working out. It's nice for listening to iPod (usually Tony Robbins workout). I would use this application, defintely. Instead of audio workouts getting stale after a while, this sounds like it would include personal programmable progressions that would facilitate faster gains. Great idea!