An exercise device having a coupling member movable by the user between rest and end limit of travel positions, a constant weight, and a weight-lifting arm operatively connected to the weight and movable through a vertical plane to move the weight between rest and elevated positions corresponding to the rest and end limit positions of the coupling member. The device further includes a pivot arm pivotally movable through a pivot arm plane having a user-selectable angular orientation to transmit a selectable force between the coupling member and weight dependent upon the selected angular orientation. A link arm is connected between the pivot arm and the weight-lifting arm to transmit force therebetween. The pivot arm is pivotally attached to a rotatable pivot arm support which is selectively rotated by a lever arm moved by an electric motor and screw arrangement to selectively change the angular orientation of the pivot arm plane. The pivot arm plane is movable into a non-loading horizontal orientation where movement of the pivot arm transmits substantially zero force between the coupling member and the weight-lifting arm. The pivot arm plane is adjustable to produce a true zero weight setting on the coupling member. The exercise device provides infinitely variable adjustment of the loading on the coupling member within the range of possible weight settings even while an exercise is in progress.

A variable resistance exercise device is provided which enables a user to select from an almost limitless set of resistance curves having various shapes and amplitudes. These results are achieved using a fixed baseline resistance and a variable resistance generated by a torque arm assembly. Preferably, the torque arm assembly either has a vertical diametric torque arm and two horizontal radial torque arms which are perpendicular to the vertical torque arm or two diametric torque arms which are perpendicular to each other. By varying the position of a weight member on each of these arms, as well as the ratio of the net horizontal torque and the vertical torque generated by the weight members, the baseline resistance force that the user experiences can be infinitely varied. Additionally, through the use of a gear assembly, the user can achieve a force variance during the exercise which is greater than the minimum force experienced during the exercise.

In a two piece hockey stick, or some other tool or sporting apparatus including a handle and a blade or implement portion, the handle is secured to the blade by means of inserting a tapered screw into an aperture in the shaft of the blade and tightening the screw, which causes the shaft of the blade to enlarge and fit snugly within the hollow handle.

A multiexercise weight lifting machine which features in its most basic embodiments a gearbox capable of converting the torque input through a first axle from a source of resistance (such as a weight stack) into a greater torque output at a second axle to which is connected a user interface (such as a handle); which gearbox is slidably mounted on a linear member such that the gearbox can be moved to different positions along the length of the linear member to allow different types of exercises. In its preferred embodiments it also features means for reversing the torque output at the second axle and user interface. Its numerous functions and benefits may also be supplemented by addition of a weight bench, provision of means for changing the gear ratio of the gearbox, and other features.

An exercise device having a coupling member movable by the user between rest and end limit of travel positions, a constant weight, and a weight-lifting arm operatively connected to the weight and movable through a vertical plane to move the weight between rest and elevated positions corresponding to the rest and end limit positions of the coupling member. The device further includes a pivot arm pivotally movable through a pivot arm plane having a user-selectable angular orientation to transmit a selectable force between the coupling member and weight dependent upon the selected angular orientation. A link arm is connected between the pivot arm and the weight-lifting arm to transmit force therebetween. The pivot arm is pivotally attached to a rotatable pivot arm support which is selectively rotated by a lever arm moved by an electric motor and screw arrangement to selectively change the angular orientation of the pivot arm plane. The exercise device provides infinitely variable adjustment of the loading on the coupling member within the range of possible weight settings even while an exercise is in progress. Using sensors and a microprocessor, the exercise device selects appropriate weight settings and changes the weight setting automatically during the course of an exercise program.