this simple idea inspired Cornell mechanical engineering students Michael Lyons and Greg Meess to create a device that guides you through one of the most common exercises: the biceps curl. They were motivated by time spent in the gym and encouraged by a kinesiology class.
The haptic exercise trainer looks a bit like a blood pressure cuff. It uses a microcontroller and accelerometers on the forearm and biceps to track arm movement. If you deviate even slightly from your ideal form, the grips will vibrate and prompt you to correct your form.
“Their system tells you in real time how to modify your arm position to achieve maximum muscle development,” says Bruce Land, who taught the course for which Lyons and Meess developed the device.
Lyons says it all comes down to torque.
“Keeping the elbow directly below the shoulder and the wrist facing directly up allowed the maximum amount of torque to be applied to the biceps muscle group,” he says. “When maximum force is applied to the muscle, the more muscle fibers will be torn, resulting in a better workout.”
Lyons and Meess built the haptic exercise trainer in five weeks during the spring of 2010 and spent a whopping $75. They filed a provisional patent application in September to protect their intellectual property while they refine the technology and decide what to do next. Although their goal was to guide people through the perfect curl, Lyons and Meess see applications for the device in professional sports training and physical therapy. They also see it helping everyday athletes improve their form, avoid injuries, and increase efficiency.
“At some point in the future I can see people using these devices in the gym, but that won’t be for some time,” he says.
Video: Bruce Land/Cornell University
