Abstract: An exercise machine, having: (a) a frame; (b) a pair of weight stacks connected to opposite sides of the frame; (c) a pair of vertically moveable pulley carriages connected to front portions of the frame; (d) a lifting bar assembly connected to a rear portion of the frame; (e) a pair of arm cables, wherein each of the arm cables are connected to one of the pulley carriages and pass around a first series of pulleys such that the weight stacks are lifted when the arm cables are pulled by a user through the pulley carriages; and (f) a pair of lifting bar cables, wherein each of the lifting bar cables are connected to one of the vertically moveable bar mounts and pass around a second series of pulleys such that the weight stacks are lifted when the lifting bar is raised by the user.

Abstract: A locking and release mechanism for simultaneously positioning an exercise arm in two perpendicular directions, having: (a) a first positioning guide for positioning an exercise arm in a first direction; (b) a second positioning guide for positioning the exercise arm in a second direction; and (c) a locking and release mechanism for locking and releasing the first and second positioning guides, wherein the locking and release mechanism includes: a moveable tab, and one or more positioning pins, wherein movement of the moveable tab locks one two positioning pins into apertures in each of the first and second positioning guides.

Abstract: A glute press exercise machine including: a four-bar linkage connected to a stationary frame; a rotatable back support connected to the four-bar linkage; a seat connected to the four-bar linkage; and a foot support connected to the stationary frame. A lower portion of the back support extends below the user's hips to support the users hips during a glute press exercise. This lower portion supports at least 10% of the user's weight. In operation, the seat rotates downwardly away from the user's hips during a glute press exercise and then rotates upwardly again to contact the user's bottom between every repetition of the glute press exercise. The four-bar linkage is pivotally connected to the stationary frame at a location near ground level. The foot support is positioned below 25 cm from the ground and extends forwardly beyond the front of the stationary frame.

Abstract: An exercise machine, having: (a) a frame; (b) a pair of weight stacks connected to opposite sides of the frame; (c) a pair of vertically moveable pulley carriages connected to front portions of the frame; (d) a lifting bar assembly connected to a rear portion of the frame; (e) a pair of arm cables, wherein each of the arm cables are connected to one of the pulley carriages and pass around a first series of pulleys such that the weight stacks are lifted when the arm cables are pulled by a user through the pulley carriages; and (f) a pair of lifting bar cables, wherein each of the lifting bar cables are connected to one of the vertically moveable bar mounts and pass around a second series of pulleys such that the weight stacks are lifted when the lifting bar is raised by the user.

Abstract: An exercise machine has a main frame and a user support movably mounted relative to the main frame for movement between a start position and an end position during an exercise. At least one user engagement device is movably mounted relative to the main frame for engagement and actuation by a user during an exercise, and a connecting linkage translates movement of the user engagement device to movement of the user support. A lifting arm is movably mounted relative to the main frame and associated with at least one of the user support, user engagement device, and connecting linkage so as to move during an exercise. A load associated with the lifting arm provides exercise resistance.

Abstract: A glute press exercise machine including: a four-bar linkage connected to a stationary frame; a rotatable back support connected to the four-bar linkage; a seat connected to the four-bar linkage; and a foot support connected to the stationary frame. A lower portion of the back support extends below the user's hips to support the users hips during a glute press exercise. This lower portion supports at least 10% of the user's weight. In operation, the seat rotates downwardly away from the user's hips during a glute press exercise and then rotates upwardly again to contact the user's bottom between every repetition of the glute press exercise. The four-bar linkage is pivotally connected to the stationary frame at a location near ground level. The foot support is positioned below 25 cm from the ground and extends forwardly beyond the front of the stationary frame.

Abstract: A locking and release mechanism for simultaneously positioning an exercise arm in two perpendicular directions, having: (a) a first positioning guide for positioning an exercise arm in a first direction; (b) a second positioning guide for positioning the exercise arm in a second direction; and (c) a locking and release mechanism for locking and releasing the first and second positioning guides, wherein the locking and release mechanism includes: a moveable tab, and one or more positioning pins, wherein movement of the moveable tab locks one two positioning pins into apertures in each of the first and second positioning guides.

Abstract: An exercise machine with a two directional pivoting user support assembly has a user support or platform which supports the user and pivots about a first pivot axis during an exercise movement, and is also pivotable about at least one second pivot axis to involve the user's core muscles in balancing and maintaining the user support in a stable position. A manually operable locking device with a simple flip switch lever is provided for selectively locking the user support against rotation about the second pivot axis, so that the user can easily chose whether to perform the exercise with a stable support or to add a level of difficulty by using the unstable seat mode and exercising core muscles during the exercise.

Abstract: A glute press exercise machine including: a four-bar linkage connected to a stationary frame; a rotatable back support connected to the four-bar linkage; a seat connected to the four-bar linkage; and a foot support connected to the stationary frame. A lower portion of the back support extends below the user's hips to support the users hips during a glute press exercise. This lower portion supports at least 10% of the user's weight. In operation, the seat rotates downwardly away from the user's hips during a glute press exercise and then rotates upwardly again to contact the user's bottom between every repetition of the glute press exercise. The four-bar linkage is pivotally connected to the stationary frame at a location near ground level. The foot support is positioned below 25 cm from the ground and extends forwardly beyond the front of the stationary frame.

Abstract: A glute press exercise machine including: a four-bar linkage connected to a stationary frame; a rotatable back support connected to the four-bar linkage; a seat connected to the four-bar linkage; and a foot support connected to the stationary frame. A lower portion of the back support extends below the user's hips to support the users hips during a glute press exercise. This lower portion supports at least 10% of the user's weight. In operation, the seat rotates downwardly away from the user's hips during a glute press exercise and then rotates upwardly again to contact the user's bottom between every repetition of the glute press exercise. The four-bar linkage is pivotally connected to the stationary frame at a location near ground level. The foot support is positioned below 25 cm from the ground and extends forwardly beyond the front of the stationary frame.

Abstract: A glute press exercise machine including: a four-bar linkage connected to a stationary frame; a rotatable back support connected to the four-bar linkage; a seat connected to the four-bar linkage; and a foot support connected to the stationary frame. A lower portion of the back support extends below the user's hips to support the users hips during a glute press exercise. This lower portion supports at least 10% of the user's weight. In operation, the seat rotates downwardly away from the user's hips during a glute press exercise and then rotates upwardly again to contact the user's bottom between every repetition of the glute press exercise. The four-bar linkage is pivotally connected to the stationary frame at a location near ground level. The foot support is positioned below 25 cm from the ground and extends forwardly beyond the front of the stationary frame.

Abstract: An exercise machine has a main frame and a user support movably mounted relative to the main frame for movement between a start position and an end position during an exercise. At least one user engagement device is movably mounted relative to the main frame for engagement and actuation by a user during an exercise, and a connecting linkage translates movement of the user engagement device to movement of the user support. A lifting arm is movably mounted relative to the main frame and associated with at least one of the user support, user engagement device, and connecting linkage so as to move during an exercise. A load associated with the lifting arm provides exercise resistance.

Abstract: An exercise machine with a two directional pivoting user support assembly has a user support or platform which supports the user and pivots about a first pivot axis during an exercise movement, and is also pivotable about at least one second pivot axis to involve the user's core muscles in balancing and maintaining the user support in a stable position. A manually operable locking device with a simple flip switch lever is provided for selectively locking the user support against rotation about the second pivot axis, so that the user can easily chose whether to perform the exercise with a stable support or to add a level of difficulty by using the unstable seat mode and exercising core muscles during the exercise.

Abstract: A gripping handle assembly for an exercise machine, the gripping handle assembly having an axial shaft connected at an angle to a gripping handle, wherein the axial shaft is receivable into a circular bearing housing that is mounted to an end of an exercise arm, and wherein the axial shaft and the circular bearing housing each have engaging mechanisms such that a user pushes on a knob or pulls on the gripping handle to first unlock the axial shaft and then rotate the gripping handle. Releasing the gripping handle causes a spring to lock it into its new radial position. A first engaging mechanism may be a collar connected to the gripping handle with an indexing tab on the collar and a second engaging mechanism may be a plurality of indexing slots on the circular bearing housing with the indexing tab receivable therein.

Abstract: An exercise machine has a main frame and a user support movably mounted relative to the main frame for movement between a start position and an end position during an exercise. At least one user engagement device is movably mounted relative to the main frame for engagement and actuation by a user during an exercise, and a connecting linkage translates movement of the user engagement device to movement of the user support. A lifting arm is movably mounted relative to the main frame and associated with at least one of the user support, user engagement device, and connecting linkage so as to move during an exercise. A load associated with the lifting arm provides exercise resistance.

Abstract: A quick release mechanism for an exercise arm assembly enabling a user to switch exercise arms very quickly, the mechanism having: (a) an elongated body; (b) a curved aperture passing laterally across a distal end of the elongated body, cutting downwardly through the elongated body, and being angled towards the distal end of the elongated body; (c) a button assembly positioned near the distal end of the elongated body, moveable to either project into or project away from the aperture; and a biasing member that urges the extending portion of the button assembly into the locked position.

Abstract: A resistance component configured for imparting a resistive force to a connected exercise component is provided. The device includes a frame pivotally supporting a selection arm which has a weight operatively connected to the selection arm by a pin arm. The weight imparts a force resisting rotation of the selection arm by a flexible member engaged with the exercise component. Adjusting the engagement of one end of the pin arm to an arched engagement path along the selection arm adjusts mechanical advantage and the resistive force.

Abstract: An exercise machine with a two directional pivoting user support assembly has a user support or platform which supports the user and pivots about a first pivot axis during an exercise movement, and is also pivotable about at least one second pivot axis to involve the user's core muscles in balancing and maintaining the user support in a stable position. A manually operable locking device with a simple flip switch lever is provided for selectively locking the user support against rotation about the second pivot axis, so that the user can easily chose whether to perform the exercise with a stable support or to add a level of difficulty by using the unstable seat mode and exercising core muscles during the exercise.

Abstract: A gripping assembly for a lateral pulldown exercise machine, having: a swivel link connected to a center mount, wherein the swivel link is adapted to be pivotally connected to a pulldown arm of a lateral pulldown exercise machine; an outwardly extending arm connected to the center mount for performing wide-angle grips; an inwardly extending arm connected to the center mount, wherein the inwardly extending arm is rotatable between a forwardly angled position and a backwardly pointing position; and a climb hold attached to the center mount.

Abstract: A leg press exercise machine, including: a main frame with first and second rotating bars connected thereto; a support assembly connected to each of the first and second rotating bars, wherein rotation of the first and second rotating bars causes the support assembly to move with respect to the main frame; a seat support bar; and a seat mounted onto the seat support bar, wherein the support assembly holds the seat support bar at a downward angle and wherein the rotating bars are disposed at an angle from 0 to 30 or about 20 degrees to the vertical when the machine is in its rest position.