US Patent 8986165 User identification and safety key for exercise device

A key includes a safety mechanism operatively connectable to a safety port on an exercise device. When the safety mechanism is operatively connected to the safety port, the exercise device is placed in an operational configuration and when disconnected, the exercise device is in a non-operational configuration. The key further includes a user identification mechanism that is communicatively connectable to a user identification port on the exercise device and transmits user identification information to the exercise device.