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The Nexersys is a human-sized, interactive fitness machine composed of seven accelerometer-tracked striking pads, a custom computer, speakers, and a flat-screen monitor on a steel frame. It conducts the user through customized workouts based on mixed martial arts sparring techniques and high-intensity interval training.

History
The Nexersys was invented in 2009 by fitness enthusiast and entrepreneur Terry Jones, who saw an opportunity when he found that striking boxing mitts was the part of his workout routine that he found most rewarding. The machine was designed by Produktworks Design LLC in Austin, TX, and was first shown to the public at the 2011 Ultimate Fighting Championship Fan Expo 136 in Houston, Texas. Nexersys also sponsors UFC middleweight Chael Sonnen.

Nexersys
With its pads arranged to approximate striking targets on a human opponent, the Nexersys seeks to simulate the experience of sparring with a boxing trainer or MMA opponent. The machine guides the user through interactive video clips of a personal trainer who encourages, demonstrates, and gives feedback.

In "strike training" mode, it also displays 3D graphics of an animated opponent and the pads that must be hit or kicked to progress in a virtual "round." It records the users' stats such as number of strikes and intensity. The Nexersys also includes a heart-rate monitor and keeps track of strike accuracy, power, and calories burned in the duration of each workout.

In "cardio training" and "core training" modes, it also can use the pad inputs to track the user’s progress through workouts that feature quick arm and leg movements, abdominal "crunch" contractions, body rotations, and other exercises.

The Nexersys weighs 154 pounds and is 54.5 inches tall, with a floor footprint of 4.1 feet by 4.1 feet. A Texas Instruments OMAP processor powers the unit and runs custom software under the Linux operating system.

Scientific Background
According to Nexersys, High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) is the scientific basis for the Nexersys’ workout format. Each workout consists of a set of four-minute rounds, each containing a thirty-second warmup, three minutes of active exercise, and a thirty-second cooldown. According to some studies, such constant shifting between rest and intense activity increases the number of calories burned during a workout. In research conducted by the University of Queensland in Australia, scientists found that HIIT training provides drastic results for study participants who live sedentary and low-activity lifestyles.

MMA Influences
The Nexersys training regimen uses striking techniques from Mixed Martial Arts (MMA), a popular sport which combines the principles of multiple martial arts. The personality who appears in the Nexersys videos is a professional MMA trainer.

Exergaming
The Nexersys is an example of exercise gaming, combining characteristics of both video games and fitness equipment. Nexersys describes the graphical user interface as "set up like a video game." The system incorporates video game elements such as striking combos, points, gradually increasing speed and tempo, and leveling.

Other Influences
The Nexersys’ techniques may be influenced by martial arts such as Kung-Fu, Karate, Muay Thai, Judo, streetfighting, Boxing, Aikido, Ju-Jitsu and Krav Maga. The Nexersys also shows ties to Wing Chun, a Chinese martial art that emphasizes close-range combat. Like mixed martial arts, Wing Chun utilizes both striking and grappling. One of the primary concepts of Wing Chung is the Six Gates principle which divides the body into upper right, upper left, middle right, middle left, lower right, and lower left zones.

The Nexersys can be seen as an adaptation of the Mu ren zhuang, a kind of wooden dummy that is used by Wing Chun instructors and often seen in martial arts films. It consists of a thick body post and four smaller limb posts mounted on a slightly flexible structure to simulate a live opponent.

External Sources

 * Christopher Calman (April 1, 2011). "Startup wants to be the next Bowflex". Austin Business Journal. http://www.bizjournals.com/austin/print-edition/2011/04/01/startup-wants-to-be-the-next-bowflex.html
 * "MMA-Based Fitness Equipment System Now Available at Nexersys.com". PRLeap.com press release, November 23, 2011. http://www.prleap.com/pr/183322/
 * "Nexersys Description." http://nexersys.com/fitness-product/trainer/ Nexersys.com. Retrieved March 17, 2011.
 * Wiley-Blackwell. "High-intensity interval training is time-efficient and effective, study suggests." ScienceDaily, March 11, 2010. Retrieved March 20, 2012. http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/03/100311123639.htm
 * "The scientific basis for high-intensity interval training: optimizing training programmes and maximizing performance in highly trained endurance athletes." US National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health. Retrieved March 20, 2012. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11772161
 * "Six Gates". Wingchunonline.com. Retrieved March 20, 2012. http://www.wingchunonline.com/Wingchun/Concepts_sixgates.html