A hydraulic exercise apparatus includes a hydraulic pump for pumping fluid through a fluid circuit in response to movement of an exercise member along an exercise stroke in such a manner that the force required to move the exercise member is dependent upon the pressure of fluid pumped. The fluid circuit includes valve means for allowing fluid to flow through the circuit only when a fluid pressure exceeds a selected pressure. The hydraulic exercise apparatus further includes pressure selection means for determining the selected pressure in accordance with the position of the exercise member along the exercise stroke.
A control system is provided for an exercise machine. The control system varies the resistance of the exercise machine. The control system varies the resistance based on voice commands, based on commands programmed by the user, and based on how the user performs an exercise. The exercise machine can include a pneumatic system that can produce constant or variable resistance during on exercise, can include cable exercises, can include exercises utilizing a cam, and can include a cam that can be moved between different operative positions.
An exercise apparatus (10) includes a hydraulic resistance member (50) with a single sided hydraulic cylinder (53) for pumping fluid through a fluid circuit (80). Lever members (31, 32) pivot in a common plane and extend outward to embrace the hydraulic resistance member (50) between them. Stop members (221,223) limit movement of the lever members (31, 32), and biasing member (230) biases 10 the lever members (31,32) apart. An immobilizing member (40) may selectively immobilize either one of the lever members (31, 32). An extension arm (17) supports an exercise member (16) which may move along an exercise stroke only by pumping cylinder (53). The fluid circuit (80) allows fluid to flow from the cylinder (53) only when pressure in the cylinder (53) exceeds a selected pressure corresponding to a selected exercising force determined in accordance with the position of the member (16) along the exercise stroke by a control linkage (100). During the return stroke, no exercising force is required.
A control system is provided for an exercise machine. The control system varies the resistance of the exercise machine. The control system varies the resistance based on voice commands, based on commands programmed by the user, and based on how the user performs an exercise. The exercise machine can include a pneumatic system that can produce constant or variable resistance during on exercise, can include cable exercises, can include exercises utilizing a cam, and can include a cam that can be moved between different operative positions.
A resistance assembly for a hydraulic resistance exercise apparatus includes a single-action hydraulic cylinder having a longitudinal axis and extending from a first end to a second end. The single-action cylinder provides resistance to compression of the cylinder, one end toward the other, but provides little or no resistance to extension of the cylinder, one end away from the other. A first compression linkage compresses the hydraulic cylinder in response to movement of a first exercise resistance lever in a first direction. A second compression linkage compresses the hydraulic cylinder in response to movement of a second exercise resistance lever in a second direction directly opposed to the first direction. An engagement exercise lever includes an engagement pin for selectively engaging the engagement exercise lever to move in fixed relation to one or the other the first or second exercise levers in both the first and second direction.
The present invention relates to a low-impact, time-efficient way to exercise both the cardio-respiratory system and the muscular system, particularly the abdominal and back muscles. The exerciser uses his muscles to oscillate a pivoted carriage within a frame. In one embodiment, the exerciser pedals a crank to pump hydraulic fluid through a hydraulic circuit to a hydraulic cylinder connected between the carriage and the frame so as to urge the carriage to oscillate with respect to the frame. A limit sensor detects when the carriage is positioned at one extreme of its oscillation and signals the hydraulic circuit to reverse the flow of hydraulic fluid to the hydraulic cylinder.
