The present invention is directed to systems and methods for controlling an exercise
device with one or more control signals associated with an exercise program received
from a telephone answering service. The exercise device includes an input device
through which a user can request an exercise program from the telephone answering
service. The telephone answering service delivers selectable options to the exercise
device, which presents the options to the user. In response to the user selecting
a particular option, the telephone answering service delivers the selected exercise
program, including one or more control signals, to the exercise device. The exercise
device identifies the one or more control signals, either by detecting the audible
representation of the one or more control signals or analyzing the electronic representation
of the received exercise program, and controls one or more operating parameters
of the exercise device based upon such one or more control signals.
