Abstract: A muscle stretching and spine decompressing apparatus including a base frame (20), a flexible sheet (12) attached to the top of the base frame (20) for supporting the body of a user, and a motorized actuation means (16) for bending the flexible sheet (12) from a substantially flat position to a substantial arc. The motor (18) includes a main shaft (30) connected at each end (30e) to counter grooved helix pulleys (46). As the motor (18) turns the main shaft (30), the counter grooved helix pulleys (46) wind up cable (48) attached to the ends (12a, 12b) of the flexible sheet (12), thereby drawing the flexible sheet ends (12a, 12b) inward to cause the flexible sheet (12) to bend. The motor control system (92) provides for automatic or manual control of the arc of flexible sheet (12).

Abstract: An exercise device having two chambers, underlying two elastic membrane portions, in a position to closely support above the ground, the left and right foot respectively, of a user. A support structure such as a housing for the first and second membrane portions permit raising and lowering, as by shifting body weight, of the left and right foot in a stair stepping action, preferably without raising each foot from contact with the membrane portions to elastically stretch the membrane portions in succession. A fluid underlies the first and second elastic membrane portions. The fluid preferably is displaced by the stretching of each membrane portion and in the preferred embodiments, it acts with the membrane portions to support the body of a user in use.