Apple Granted Patent for Weightlifting Tracker That Utilizes Watch-Like Device

[ciberkarlos]

Folks, for those who don't understand this patent, checkout this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6okgwaE8Fto

This is an accelerometer used to calculate speed and power on weightlifting exercises called Myotest, and sports scientists use it for at least 6 years.

This thing was a crap, had an ugly PC-based UI and was really expensive (3000$ on 2009). However it was very useful to calculate training intensity just like heart rate monitors are used on endurance training.

So Apple is not creating a new concept, but i really think they could popularize this training methodology. I'm really looking forward to it (in case it is finally released).

 

[x-evil-x]

So they shouldn't put it in because you don't need it? Weird. Didn't know it should revolve around people like you.

not saying that. It will probably help for the people Amnesia.

 

[Soulweaponry]

Wow. The sheer stupidity in here shows exactly why consumers don't make decisions. And shouldn't. Some people are literally assuming it's only a device that counts reps. "If that's all it does then I'm not getting an watch" being the vibe in here right now. The way you guys think fascinates me.

I wonder if back when apple was developing the iphone, if people heard it makes calls people would say "calls? Psh. If that's all it does I can keep my flip phone"

 

[spinedoc77]

Wow. The sheer stupidity in here shows exactly why consumers don't make decisions. And shouldn't. Some people are literally assuming it's only a device that counts reps. "If that's all it does then I'm not getting an watch" being the vibe in here right now. The way you guys think fascinates me.

I wonder if back when apple was developing the iphone, if people heard it makes calls people would say "calls? Psh. If that's all it does I can keep my flip phone"

It's always interesting to read forum posters and how stupid they can sound sometimes, people seem afraid of what they don't understand.

As a former personal trainer for 15 years something like this would have been very useful to me, both for myself and clients. You will find that 99% of personal trainers out there are basically motivation coaches and nothing else, they are good for the novice to not get hurt as they learn to workout but after than not much more good than a cheerleader.

Then you get the trainers who analyze your lifting patterns, exhaustion rates, recovery times, analyze gait, posture, form, etc etc and put it all together to get you the best workout for your hard earned time and to get you past sticking points and injuries. Just as your body adapts to a cardio training and that training becomes largely ineffective, and a body responds to a calorie deficit and slows down its metabolism, muscular work also encounters these road blocks.

I'm very excited to see what Apples biometric team is coming up with, what they can monitor and what apps can be built around that. Personally I'd love to see an app that could predict how to shuffle around periodization periods based on these metrics, I've found that periodization is one of the best things you can do for any training and even diet.

 

[MarkCollette]

Blakjack, I hear you on that. Also what I hope for here is a tracking of balance, consistency, and velocity.

Sometimes when we lift, we lift with more force on one side or at uneven rhythms. Something like this might be able to help weightlifters track the consistency of their lifts to help ensure they are using proper form and technique.

This would improve efficiency and decrease injury risk, ultimately leading to better results.

Within a year we will be talking about lifting cadence and the ideal decrease in velocity over reps. We will get warnings on our last lift when we have effectively burned out (before we attempt a pointless rep). Even better, for certain routines where you want to lift as much as possible WITHOUT burning out, this could estimate for us how far we are from burnout, helping to maximize return.

In short, THIS IS AWESOME!!!

Making ubiquitous what previously was only available to elite athletes, very exciting.

With new lifters it's so common to see one arm listing ahead of, or more than, the other. I'm not sure how a single sensor watch would help with that. Hopefully there will be an inexpensive way to have sensors on both wrists, working in conjunction with each other.

 

[JHankwitz]

Is that your excuse for not exercising? Apps can only help if you are motivated. Buying them is the easy part. Be honest with yourself, you'd rather couch surf because you'd start doing daily walks at a minimum otherwise. You don't need a gym. Have you tried Couch to 5K? I mean not just downloaded it but made an honest commitment?

Exactly my point. This is why most people won't use them after they buy them.

 

[xtshabi]

This is really cool. I would love to see more smart exercise devices. Tracking barbell speed throughout the lift would be interesting for sure.

However I cannot imagine apple releasing such a niche device.