Abstract: A chair arm exercise apparatus includes three distinct back positions with hand resistance members such as springs supported from a pair of supports spaced from the upper end of the back. The arm chair includes a base configured to rest on a horizontal floor surface, a seat, a pair of spaced apart trapezoidal shaped upright frame sides, a front upright end wall beneath and supporting a front end of the seat, a seat back pivotally supported from the frame sides behind the seat, and a seat cross member beneath the rear edge of the seat fastened to the frame sides. In a first position the back is at about 90 degrees to the seat. In a second position the back is about 80 degrees to the seat. In the third position the back is reclined.

Abstract: An exercise apparatus includes a base configured to rest on a horizontal floor surface. A vertical pole member is fastened to the base and extends vertically from the floor surface. A cross bar sleeve is fastened to an upper end portion of the vertical pole member and supports a pair of cross bar members extending in opposite directions. One or more elastic resistance members extends from the cross bar members. A rectangular foot support plate is removably supported on the base. This rectangular foot support plate has a pair of spaced apart lugs projecting from an underside surface of the foot support plate along one edge. Each is adapted to fit within one of a plurality of recesses in the base so as to incline the foot support plate at an angle with respect to the base when the foot support plate is supported on the base.

Abstract: A reformer includes a generally rectangular frame, a movable carriage mounted on the frame for movement between head end and foot end of the frame, and a plurality of springs biasing the carriage toward the foot end of the frame. The carriage has at least four roller wheels. A carriage drag adjustment device in accordance with the present disclosure generally includes a drag generator configured to apply an opposing force to at least one roller wheel of the wheeled reformer carriage, a mounting assembly fastening the drag generator to the wheeled reformer carriage, and an adjustment mechanism coupled to the drag generator to adjust the amount of drag applied to at least one roller wheel mounted to an underside of the reformer carriage, thereby opposing movement of the wheeled reformer carriage between the head and foot ends of the frame.

Abstract: A coil spring anchor bar and carriage stop is disclosed for use in a reformer exercise apparatus to fasten ends of one or more coil springs extending from the movable carriage to the foot end of the reformer frame. The anchor bar and carriage stop includes an elongated metal plate having a longitudinally flat straight portion extending between first and second ends, a first longitudinally straight curved portion curved in a first direction and extending between and forming part of the first and second ends, and a second curved portion between the first and second ends curved in a direction opposite the first direction. A pair of spaced apart carriage stops extend orthogonally from the straight portion engage the movable carriage to maintain a predetermined minimum distance between the anchor bar and the carriage when the anchor bar is supported from the foot end of the reformer frame.

Abstract: A frame corner member includes an elongated hollow extrusion having a central corner portion and two leg portions extending from the central portion. Each leg portion includes an inner side wall spaced from and parallel to an outer side wall, and merging with the central portion. An outer end wall joins the inner and outer side walls, which each include an inner surface facing the inner surface of the other side wall. An opening through the outer end wall defines a space between the inner and outer side walls adjacent one end of the extrusion for receiving one end of one of frame side members and end members. At least one of the inner surfaces in the space has discrete surface features adapted to grip and retain the one end of one of the side members and end members in the space when received through the opening.

Abstract: A frame corner member includes an elongated hollow extrusion having a central corner portion and two leg portions extending from the central portion. Each leg portion includes an inner side wall spaced from and parallel to an outer side wall, and merging with the central portion. An outer end wall joins the inner and outer side walls, which each include an inner surface facing the inner surface of the other side wall. An opening through the outer end wall defines a space between the inner and outer side walls adjacent one end of the extrusion for receiving one end of one of frame side members and end members. At least one of the inner surfaces in the space has discrete surface features adapted to grip and retain the one end of one of the side members and end members in the space when received through the opening.

Abstract: A sit box for use on a reformer exercise apparatus carriage is a unitary body having a rectangular flat top surface portion joining four curved portions. Each curved portion merges with one of an upright front wall, an upright back wall, an upright left side wall, and an upright right side wall. The walls terminate at a generally flat rectangular bottom parallel to the top surface portion. Each wall curves to merge with an adjacent wall. Each of the left and right side walls has an outwardly open vertical recess therein adjacent the front wall to receive within each recess one of a pair of shoulder stops projecting from the carriage.

Abstract: A rectangular frame for a reformer exercise apparatus is disclosed which includes a pair of spaced apart side rail members, a head end member, a foot end member; and four corner members, each joining one of the side rail members to one of the end members. Each side rail member and each end member is a rigid generally rectangular extrusion. The top wall, the bottom wall and the inner vertical wall have interior screw races. The outer vertical wall has a pair of spaced interior projecting screw races. Each corner member is fastened to one of the end members and one of the side members by threaded fasteners projecting from the screw races through apertures in the L shaped elongated corner member, and an L shaped cover hides these fasteners from view.

Abstract: A spring ring retainer device is described for retaining a spring ring on a spring anchor in an exercise apparatus such as a Pilates chair. The retainer device eliminates metal to metal contact between the spring ring and the anchor to minimize wear and also provide tactile feedback to a user of proper spring position on the anchor. The device is preferably an elongated unitary body having a central semi-cylindrical portion having a first radius, a first curved end portion, and a semi-cylindrical connector portion joining the first curved end portion to one end of the central semi-cylindrical portion, a second curved end portion and a second semi-cylindrical connector portion joining the second curved end portion with the central semi-cylindrical portion.

Abstract: A rotatable disc exercise apparatus includes a first disc having a first outer planar surface and a first inner surface, a second disc fastened to the first disc and rotatably supported on the first disc by a first annular set of ball bearings and a second annular set of ball bearings. The second disc has a second outer planar surface and a second inner surface facing the first inner surface. A single biasing member sandwiched between the first and second discs resiliently biases the second disc to a neutral rotational position between the discs. The first annular set of bearings is captured between the inner surfaces by an annular outer wall of one of the discs and an inner annular rib of the other one of the discs. The second set of bearings is carried in an annular race between the first and second inner surfaces.

Abstract: A system that allows for a variety of exercises for persons in prone, side lying and seated positions that may be executed with ease and stability using two foam rollers removably attached to each other. The system may utilize one or more straps and one or more accessory pieces in conjunction with the foam rollers to not only hold and stabilize two foam rollers together as one piece of equipment, but also to allow for separation for seated exercises. The system allows additional feedback to the right and left hemispheres of the body when the system is utilized by that person.

Abstract: A sit box for use on a reformer exercise apparatus carriage is a unitary body having a rectangular flat top surface portion joining four curved portions. Each curved portion merges with one of an upright front wall, an upright back wall, an upright left side wall, and an upright right side wall. The walls terminate at a generally flat rectangular bottom parallel to the top surface portion. Each wall curves to merge with an adjacent wall. Each of the left and right side walls has an outwardly open vertical recess therein adjacent the front wall to receive within each recess one of a pair of shoulder stops projecting from the carriage.

Abstract: An exercise apparatus includes a frame, first and second free pulleys, first and second handle portions, first and second frame pulleys attached to the frame, a central pulley, a pull cord, and a resistance member. The first free pulley includes a first pulley wheel and a first hub with the first pulley wheel configured to rotate in relation to the first hub. The second free pulley includes a second pulley wheel and a second hub with the second pulley wheel configured to rotate in relation to the second hub. The first and second handle portions are in mechanical communication with the first and second hubs with the pulley wheels configured to rotate relative to the handle portions. The pull cord is looped about the pulleys with the resistance member configured to resist movement of the pull cord.

Abstract: A spring connector that includes a loop is used in an exercise apparatus that has one or more springs fastened between a movable member and a stationary member. The connector of this disclosure includes a handle to aid a user to fasten one end of a spring to a stationary hook or post. The handle is a solid body generally symmetrical about a central axis, and has a large diameter base end and an opposite small diameter end, the base end having a transverse slot therein intersecting an axial bore through the solid body. The transverse slot has a curved bottom shape receiving a bottom portion of the connector loop. A user can grip the handle and install the loop over a hook or post without putting a finger in the loop.

Abstract: A removable locking shoulder stop assembly for use on a reformer exercise apparatus is disclosed that includes a flat rectangular lock plate fastenable to the platform adjacent the head rest on the carriage platform. The lock plate has a first locating member and a keyway spaced from the first locating member. An L-shaped shoulder stop bracket has a second locating member configured to mate with the first locating member of the lock plate. An elongated locking handle assembly is connected to the mounting portion of the bracket and spaced apart from the second locating member. The handle assembly aligns with the keyway when the first locating member is mated with the second locating member and is operable to clamp the shoulder stop bracket to the lock plate when the locating members are mated and the locking handle assembly is hand tightened against the mounting portion of the shoulder stop bracket.

Abstract: A portable multipurpose whole body exercise device which can be used for general fitness, Pilates-type, core strengthening, therapeutic, and rehabilitative exercises as well as stretching and physical therapy and which includes storable accessories that can be withdrawn from storage within the device and subsequently secured to the main tubular portion of the apparatus. The storable accessories can be used for a variety of resistance, stretching, and strength training exercises.