First Advisor

Sjodin, Robert

Second Advisor

Graham, Cory

College

College for Professional Studies

Degree Name

MS Computer and Information Technology

School

School of Computer & Information Science

Document Type

Thesis - Open Access

Number of Pages

90 pages

Abstract

ICON Health & Fitness, Inc. has become one of the largest manufacturers of fitness equipment. This company now includes many popular fitness equipment manufacturers like Weider, Weslo, HealthRider, and NordicTrack through various acquisitions and launches of new lines. In 2005, it is projected four million units of fitness equipment will be manufactured by the company (ICON). With the popularity of treadmills and exercise bikes, ICON Health & Fitness added the capability to download exercise programs using its iFit© technology. This allows an audio cable to be plugged into the equipment from a PC and utilizes sound waves to control a treadmill's speed and inclination or an exercise bike's resistance. By mapping a race course with a GPS device, the GPS device could download its readings in a text format to a PC to have the course's elevation and length emulated. With this simulation, a Java program could process it and allow a program to be ran on a Java capable device to control a treadmill or exercise bike utilizing the iFit© technology. This capability would cater to the runners who cannot run a race due to family or work schedules. They could emulate an upcoming race on a treadmill and workout when their schedule permits. In 2005, the Springfield Road Runners of Springfield Illinois sanctioned 18 races for women and 17 races for men to be used for their points' series (Springfield). A member of the Springfield Road Runners can now train for the upcoming race without the worry of running at night or during inconvenient times. With this one example from a running club in a community in Illinois having 18 possible races to download, we see the market possibility when the number of running clubs in the United States is factored into the equation. This capability would also cater to the runner who wishes to run the Boston Marathon, ride in the Tour De France, or other popular races. Instead of qualifying and then joining the 20,000 runners in April for the Boston Marathon, the runner could load up the Java program and see how he would compare against other runners within the race ("Boston"). Once a GPS race is captured, it can be processed to emulate the race and store the simulation in an encrypted format. It will then be available to be purchased and downloaded from a website. A Java program will be available to purchase which will process the downloaded encrypted file and emulate the race on a treadmill or exercise bike.

Date of Award

Spring 2006

Location (Creation)

Colorado (state); Denver (county); Denver (inhabited place)

Rights Statement

All content in this Collection is owned by and subject to the exclusive control of Regis University and the authors of the materials. It is available only for research purposes and may not be used in violation of copyright laws or for unlawful purposes. The materials may not be downloaded in whole or in part without permission of the copyright holder or as otherwise authorized in the “fair use” standards of the U.S. copyright laws and regulations.

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