Abstract: A rotating barbell support rotatably holds a barbell in at least a first position and a second position by rotating the barbell between such positions. A user may lie on a bench and rotate the barbell to his or her lifting sweet spot while the rotating barbell support continues to support the weight of the barbell. The user may then begin one or more bench presses from his or her sweet spot without the need to maneuver the full weight of the barbell or the need for a spotter. The rotating barbell support may have a pair of biased support assemblies, each having a support arm and a post. The support arm may have a weight, spring, or elastic element attached thereto, while the post may have a barbell holder. The posts of the support assemblies may be biased to a backward tilted angle by the weight.

Abstract: An isolated curl machine and method therefor is disclosed herein. Generally, the isolated curl machine provides a resistance having a force which is directed upward and away from the user. The machine may also support the user's upper arms, or a portion thereof. In this manner, training on the machine is highly focused on the biceps. The machine may comprise a frame, a seat, an arm rest, and a resistance device. The user may engage the machine by sitting in the seat and placing his or her arms on the arm rest. In this position, the user may engage the resistance device such as by grasping a handle of the resistance device. The resistance device provides the resistance which resists movement of the user's arm during a bicep curl and may be configured such that the force of the provided resistance is directed upward and away from the user.

Abstract: A change of direction machine provides training for various muscles and body structures of a user. In one embodiment, the machine provides focused training for the muscles and body structures associated with making changes in the body's direction. The machine may comprise a pivoting arm assembly supported by a structure. The arm assembly may be configured to provide a resistance such that when a user engages the arm assembly a downward resistance may be applied to the user. The user may engage the arm assembly with his or her upper body and perform training or exercises involving lifting and lowering the user's body, moving laterally, or both. The machine may have various adjustable components to fit a user and to provide the desired resistance to the user.

Abstract: The power stride apparatus and method therefor is directed to training the quads and gluts. In one embodiment, the apparatus comprises rotatable pedal assemblies having articulating pedals which may be engaged by a user's feet. The apparatus may include a seat to support the user. Resistance devices, such as one or more springs, may attach to the pedal assemblies to provide resistance to the movement of the pedal assemblies and to return to pedal assemblies to their initial position. The user may push the pedal assemblies and resist the return of the pedal assemblies thus training the user's quads and gluts. The articulating pedals allow training to be focused on the quads and gluts and provide a safer workout for the user. In some embodiments, return mechanisms may be used to allow the articulating pedals to follow the rotation of the user's foot during training.

Abstract: A change of direction machine provides training for various muscles and body structures of a user. In one embodiment, the machine provides focused training for the muscles and body structures associated with making changes in the body's direction. The machine may comprise a pivoting arm assembly supported by a structure. The arm assembly may be configured to provide a resistance such that when a user engages the arm assembly a downward resistance may be applied to the user. The user may engage the arm assembly with his or her upper body and perform training or exercises involving lifting and lowering the user's body, moving laterally, or both. The machine may have various adjustable components to fit a user and to provide the desired resistance to the user.

Abstract: A lower back machine provides highly effective lower back and core training while protecting a user's body, namely the user's back, from injury. The machine may comprise a brace to prevent the user from overextending the user's back and a resistance device to provide a resistance to the user. The resistance may be at various force vectors directed forward from the user. To train, the user may move to a bent position over the brace while grasping the resistance device. The user may then move to a standing position by rotating the upper body over the brace while moving the lower body towards the brace. Contact with the brace in the standing position prevents overextension of the user's back. The machine may comprise one or more foot supports to secure the user's footing during training and one or more stops to prevent excessive leaning in the bent position.

Abstract: An abdominal training apparatus provides focused training on the abdominal muscles using a resistance provided by a resistance device. The user may be supported in an elevated position by a seat support. A cable may transfer the resistance from the resistance device to the user. One or more pulleys may guide the resistance such to the user such that a force vector below and away from the user is provided to the user. In use, the user may perform abdominal training by engaging or grasping the cable to engage the resistance. The user may also support or secure one or both legs using a leg support of the apparatus. The force vector of the resistance is highly beneficial in that it allows the resistance to target and strengthen the abdominal muscles.

Abstract: A shoulder flexion apparatus tones and strengthens the shoulder muscles, including the anterior deltoid muscles. The apparatus may provide a resistance having a downward force vector. The resistance may be applied to a user via a cable guided by one or more pulleys to the user. In one or more embodiments, a guide assembly may be provided to quickly and easily reposition the cable and the force vector of the resistance that the cable provides. The guide assembly thus allows rapid switching between shoulder exercises to tone and strengthen the shoulder muscles. The apparatus may comprise one or more sections corresponding to the left and right side of the user's body. In this manner, the sections may independently provide resistance to each of the user's shoulders.

Abstract: The power stride apparatus and method therefor is directed to training the quads and gluts. In one embodiment, the apparatus comprises rotatable pedal assemblies having articulating pedals which may be engaged by a user's feet. The apparatus may include a seat to support the user. Resistance devices, such as one or more springs, may attach to the pedal assemblies to provide resistance to the movement of the pedal assemblies and to return to pedal assemblies to their initial position. The user may push the pedal assemblies and resist the return of the pedal assemblies thus training the user's quads and gluts. The articulating pedals allow training to be focused on the quads and gluts and provide a safer workout for the user. In some embodiments, return mechanisms may be used to allow the articulating pedals to follow the rotation of the user's foot during training.

Abstract: An isolated curl machine and method therefor is disclosed herein. Generally, the isolated curl machine provides a resistance having a force which is directed upward and away from the user. The machine may also support the user's upper arms, or a portion thereof. In this manner, training on the machine is highly focused on the biceps. The machine may comprise a frame, a seat, an arm rest, and a resistance device. The user may engage the machine by sitting in the seat and placing his or her arms on the arm rest. In this position, the user may engage the resistance device such as by grasping a handle of the resistance device. The resistance device provides the resistance which resists movement of the user's arm during a bicep curl and may be configured such that the force of the provided resistance is directed upward and away from the user.

Abstract: A calf extension training device which focuses training on the calf muscles is disclosed herein. The training device may comprise a frame, base, riser, sled, and one or more springs. The sled may comprise a sled frame and shoulder extensions, and is configured to move along the length of the frame while attached to one or more springs. Generally, the user stands on the riser leaving the user's heels unsupported while the user's shoulders are engaged by the shoulder extensions of the sled. The user may then lift and lower the sled using his or her calf muscles. This occurs by the user raising or lowering his or her body by extending and flexing the ankles. Resistance may be provided by one or more springs attached to the sled and the frame. The springs may provide variable resistance against the force of the user's calf muscles.

Abstract: A hip flexor is a resistance training device used for training or rehabilitating the muscles and other body structures of the hip and thigh. The hip flexor comprises a frame with a hip actuator having an actuator arm which rotates about a pivot. One or more springs or other resistance devices provide resistance against a user's motion to train or rehabilitate the user's hip and thigh muscles. The position of the hip actuator and the amount of resistance, the variability of the resistance, or both may be adjusted as desired. During training, a user engages the actuator arm with his or her thigh and actuates the actuator arm against the resistance provided by the one or more springs. Training may be focused on various muscles of the thigh.