A training device for use by a lacrosse player to practice checking an offensive player includes a main post extending upwardly from a base. An arm is operatively coupled to the main post and rotatable about a fixed point intermediate its proximal and distal ends. The arm includes a wrist near its distal end for holding a lacrosse stick. An activating member is mounted to the main post for separating a user from the arm's distal end. An actuator is coupled to the arm's distal member and to the activating member such that the arm is caused to move when a user attacks the activating member. The actuator may include rack and pinion gears for translating a linear force upon the activating member into a rotational force upon the arm. A spiral spring and cam provide for oscillating movement of the arm.

An exercising device has a flexible tension member connected to a user interface that is connected to a mechanism for generating a resistive force which is overcome by the user moving the user interface to obtain exercise. The exercising device has a driving member rotating about a first axis and a circular oscillating surface rotatably connected to the driving member to circle about the first axis while also rotating about a second substantially parallel axis through the center of the circular oscillating surface. The first and second axes are offset a distance d. The flexible member wraps at least part way around the circular oscillating surface to rotate the oscillating surface as the user interface moves during use of the exercise device. The offset d provides an oscillatory motion to the user interface to increase the effectiveness of the exercise.

A golf swing training and exercise device incorporates a spring-loaded retraction reel which pays out and pulls back a flexible cord which is releasably attached to the shank of a golf club a practice training wand simulating a golf club, or alternatively to an attachment point on the user's practice glove. The important muscles for the user's golf swing are trained and strengthened by repeatedly pulling the cord against the tension of the reel. To make the path of each golf swing more visible to the user, the cord is made of a highly visible material. Additionally, a lightweight simulated golf ball is slidably attached to the cord to simulate an actual golf ball addressed by before each swing. The reel has a multi-function attachment means by which it may be secured to a fixed stake or post, or to the forward edge of a golf practice mat, or to the turf or sod of a golf playing surface.

A versatile health care apparatus that can be used for physical therapy, or to exert a desired pulling force on a patient's body and maintain the pulling force, is disclosed. Beneficially, in a first aspect, the apparatus includes a power spring, a pull-line connected to the power spring, and mounting apparatus for securing the apparatus to varied support structures. Beneficially, this apparatus further includes when used for physical therapy, a pair of ergonomically spaced apart guide wheels.In accordance with a second aspect of the invention, the apparatus includes a pull-line, and a rotatable pull-line wheel mounted on an axle and operatively connected to a power spring in connection with the axle, and the pull-line has an end in connection with the pull-line wheel. In accordance with this aspect of the invention, the exercise load for physical therapy may advantageously be increased or a desired pulling force may be exerted on a patient's body, by rotating the axle in an appropriate direction so that energy is applied to the power spring, and an axle rotation-preventing element of the apparatus is thereafter engaged to maintain the increased load or to maintain the pulling force.

Golf swing training device having constant resistive and rewind forces throughout the swings. An anchor positions a constant force unit, supplies a tether to a special contoured handle and is used indoor or out, preferably at a driving range or golf course. The CFU is preferably hung from a door top by a bracket or anchored to a free-standing pole. Kiosks may be located at driving ranges and golf courses for automated, coin or credit-card operation, or attendant operation, and may be linked to local or remote Internet-enabled computer control and monitoring centers. The use of constant force trains the body to learn perfect planar swing muscle memory by pulling the user into a fully-extended back swing position and to be lead side dominant in the down swing. A "perfect" club swing plane is developed with the force acting at or near the interlock by use of the special handles.