A rowing simulator which provides an oarsman with realistic resistance, motion, and feel. A curved frame supports and guides a freely sliding seat and a freely sliding energy dissipation unit. An oarsman, positioned on the seat, places his or her feet on a footrest that is part of the energy dissipating unit and pulls on a handle that simulates an oar. A chain connected to the handle causes a geared, resistance-producing flywheel to spin and a take-up device, having a series of pulleys and an elastic element, controls chain tension. During exercise, the independent seat and energy dissipating unit move apart and then together in a coordinated manner as a function of the stroke cycle of the oarsman. The curvature of the frame allows gravity to keep the oarsman in a central portion of the frame.
The novel paddling adapter attachment apparatus for rowing machines is designed to be replaceably attached to a rowing machine in order to transform the rowing machine into a canoe paddling training device. The apparatus comprises a seating assembly that contains an adjustable seat and footrest that are mounted on a monorail unit. A separate paddling simulator unit contains sets of guide rollers for the unit's guide chain and the paddle rope attachment. A plurality of guide roller set are housed in a rear mast housing and also in the front mast housing. A travel pulley is used to attach the paddle rope attachment to the unit drive chain. The paddling adapter attachment apparatus is designed to be temporally attached easily and quickly and can be removed as easily and quickly from the rowing unit and allows the user to simulate the single blade, seated position canoeing stroke.
An exercise apparatus provides variable resistance and includes a high drag fan which includes a plurality of fan blades radially mounted on an axle. A multi-ratio pulley system is operably mounted to the axle with the differing ratios providing variable resistance. A cord is wound on a cord reel which is operably engaged with the multi-ratio pulley system. Thus, pulling the cord turns the cord reel which then rotates the multi-ratio pulley system and the high drag fan via the axle. The distal end of the cord opposing the cord reel has an apparatus attachment point.
