An exercise machine (10-10l) is provided having a platform (12-12l) on which a user (14-14l) is supported in a reclining position with the weight of the user (14-14G) being utilized as a resistance which may be selectively varied to the various exercises which may be performed on the exercise apparatus (10-10l). A lever (20-20l) is pivotally connected (30-32l) to the platform (12-12l) with the lever being actuated by the user for raising one end of the platform (12-12l) with respect to a pivot point with resistance to such raising being varied by the pivotal mounting of the lever (20-20l) on the platform (12-12l). Two of the various embodiments (FIGS. 13-16) include a base support (41F, 41G) having a rail (42F, 42G) on which a lever (20F, 20G) has a roller (47F, 47G) mounted for riding movement thereon and pivotally connected (32F, 32G) to a lower leg (62F, 62G) for pivotal movement. Other embodiments (FIGS. 17-18 include a lever (20H-20l) having telescoping members with an inner one (54H-54l) for such telescoping member being selectively fixed to a rail (41H-41l). Such inner telescoping member (54H-54l) reciprocates within an outer telescoping member (56H-56l) as the platform is raised and lowered. Another embodiment of the invention includes a lower body frame which may be rotated with lower limbs, an upper body frame which may be rotated with upper limbs and a weight stack-cable system for resisting rotation of the lower body frame and/or the upper body frame.
This application is a continuation of Ser. No. 08/279,281 filed Sep. 2, 1994, abandoned, which, in turn, is a continuation-in-part of Ser. No. 08/077,320 filed Jun. 14, 1993, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,346,447, which, in turn, is a continuation of Ser. No. 07/793,587 filed Nov. 18, 1991, abandoned.
The upper body exerciser assists the user in the performance of sit-up exercises. An inclining and reclining backrest is pivotally attached to a frame. An independent backrest support is pivotally attached to the frame behind the backrest. A pair of handles are operatively connected to the backrest support by a cable and pulley system. A pair of torsion springs are connected to the backrest support so as to operatively engage the backrest. The user pulls down on the handles to move the backrest support to lift the backrest through a first portion of a sit-up exercise. The torsion springs then propel the backrest forward to assist the user in completing the exercise.
A unique abdominal bench with a pivoting torso section has a number of pivots, rods, and levers that allow the fixed seat section of the abdominal bench to remain a constant distance from the pivoting torso section during an abdominal exercise. The leg section of the abdominal bench pivots towards the abdomen, as does the torso section when the torso is raised. The leg section is pivotably connected to the torso section through a number of rods, pivots and levers such that the gap between the seat and torso section remains the same. A push rod is connected to the pivoting leg brace and is in turn connected to a torso bracket through several guide rods and a dog-leg lever. The push rod, guide rods and the dog-leg lever allow the torso section to remain a constant distance from the fixed seat section. Allowing the torso and seat section to remain a constant distance eliminates the pressure on the lower body of the exerciser and will not cause any movement of the lower body of the exerciser with respect to the torso section.
An exercise machine has a base with an upright member secured thereto. A pair of lever arms are rotatably positioned on the upright member and rotate from a first position to a second position. A gas cylinder assembly is mechanically associated with the upright member and connected to the lever arms by a chain means. The gas cylinder assembly provides resistance to movement of the lever arms from the first toward the second position. A purchase assembly is mechanically associated with the frame and connected to the lever arms by a cable means. The purchase assembly includes a block and tackle to provide a mechanical advantage for moving the lever arms from the first position toward the second position. A line from the block and tackle is connected to one of several possible moveable elements such that operation of the moveable element results in movement of the lever arms.
An exercise device is constructed and arranged to be used by a user to perform multiple exercises, which exercises utilize the user's weight as resistance. The exercise device comprises a pair of manually movable structures including U-shaped rocker elements having downwardly facing convex surfaces constructed and arranged to be supported on a horizontal surface. The pair of movable structures include a pair of hand grips which are to be moved by the user when supported by a user support structure connected between the pair of movable structures. Movement of the hand grips moves the user support structure disposed adjacent the horizontal surface upwardly from the horizontal surface enabling the user to resist such movement and manually resist a return movement by the supported weight of the user on the user support structure.
A unique abdominal bench with a pivoting torso section has a number of pivots, rods, and levers that allow the fixed seat section, of the abdominal bench to remain a constant distance from the pivoting torso section during an abdominal exercise. The leg section of the abdominal bench pivots towards the abdomen, as does the torso section when the torso is raised. The leg section is pivotably connected to the torso section through a number of rods, pivots and levers such that the gap between the seat and torso section remains the same. A push rod is connected to the pivoting leg brace and is in turn connected to a torso bracket through several guide rods and a dog-leg lever. The push rod, guide rods and the dog-leg lever allow the torso section to remain a constant distance from the fixed seat section. Allowing the torso and seat section to remain a constant distance eliminates the pressure on the lower body of the exerciser and will not cause any movement of the lower body of the exerciser with respect to the torso section.
