Exercise apparatus wherein subject constraints such as supine position or joint stress can be accommodated to permit the maximum achievable exercise level. Provision for simulating limb muscle contraction for postural upright support is made through the use of elastic actuating members while in a non-standing position. Joint stress limitation can be accomplished by selection of the elasticity of these members. Apparatus materials and configuration can be selected to minimize interference in a magnetically sensitive enviornment to permit diagnositc biomagnetic imaging during exercise stress testing.

An exercising apparatus is disclosed having an exercise bench with independent supports for a user's hips and torso, the hip support is horizontally positioned with respect to the exercise bench while the pivotal torso support is angled upwardly on the bench relative to the floor upon which the exercise bench is resting, and is capable of arcuate rotation along an axis that is located above the upper surface of the support.

The prevent invention provides an apparatus 100 of a type on which a person exercises. The apparatus 100 includes a support frame 101 and a chair member 102 that is rotatably mounted to the support frame 101. A rotational resistance means 105 is also mounted to the support frame 101. The rotational resistance means 105 includes conical surfaces 255 and 256 that provide frictional resistance through interengagement between one of thirty-two teeth 257 on shaft member 154 and one of three ratcheting members 258a-c on rotatable friction member 155. A rotational arm means 106 is operatively connected to the rotational resistance means 105 to allow application of a rotational force in a given direction of rotation against the rotational resistance means 105. A foot anchor means 103 is mounted to the support frame 101, so that a person seated in the chair member 102 may anchor his feet beneath the foot anchor means 103 in order to perform abdominal flexions. Also, a foot brace means 104 is mounted to the support frame 101, so that a person seated in the chair member 102 may brace his feet against the foot anchor means 104 in order to perform abdominal flexions. Additionally, a pelvis stabilization means 107 and a thigh stabilization means 108 are operatively connected to the chair member 102 to stabilize the pelvis and the thighs, respectively, of a person seated in the chair member 101.

A simplified fluid flow resistance device and exercise equipment utilizing the same is disclosed. In a preferred embodiment, a rotating shaft is centered in a fluid filled sealed cylinder. A rotor is connected to the shaft and a baffle is connected to the internal wall of the cylinder. Rotation of the rotor in the cylinder drives fluid through bores in the baffle. Adjustable spring loaded ball valves are situated in at least two bores passing through the baffle so that resistance to fluid flow through the baffle in opposite directions can be controlled. The simplified design of the fluid flow resistance device of the present invention utilizes less materials so as to have minimal weight; thus the fluid resistance device is ideal for use in spacecrafts. Further, by use of spring loaded one way valves, the device can be used in any orientation, and a minimum resistance to motion of a lever arm connected to the fluid resistance device can be obtained.

A home and office health and fitness chair includes universally movable armrests (34) for supporting a user's arms and upper body weight while the user works. The armrests are mechanically supported to slide forward and rearward, move side-to-side, swivel about a vertical axis, tilt about two horizontal axes, and adjust laterally and vertically. They effortlessly follow the movement of a user's arms while typing on a keyboard or working a computer mouse. Each armrest comprises spaced hand grips (36); the combination being connectable to self-adjusting resistance devices (54, 100) for doing strength and fitness exercises. Having universal motion and orientation capabilities, the armrests/hand grips can be utilized for doing several different types of resistance workouts. The primary source of resistance is a fluid resistance reel (54) which includes an impeller (62) rotatably supported in a viscous liquid and surrounded by stators (70). Rotation of the impeller results in centrifugally driven liquid resistance. Also included in the chair are adjustable gravity resistance handles (102) for additional workouts. An alternative resistance reel (150) includes a generator (152) that generates usable electrical energy as the user exercises.