Abstract: An exercise machine has a main frame and a user support frame pivotally mounted relative to the main frame for rotation about a user support pivot axis between start and end positions. The user support frame has at least a primary support and a secondary support for supporting spaced positions on a user's body throughout an exercise movement. The user support pivot axis is spaced below at least one of the supports in at least one of the exercise start and end positions. A user engagement device is movably mounted relative to the frames for engagement by the user in performing exercises, and a multiple part connecting linkage translates movement of the user engagement device to rotational movement of the user support frame. A load resists movement of at least one of the user support, user engagement device, and connecting linkage.

Abstract: A shoulder press exercise machine has a main frame, a user support frame movably mounted on the frame for supporting a user in an exercise ready position, at least one exercise arm movably mounted on one of the frames and movable between a start position in which handles are located in front of the shoulders of a user on the user support frame and an end position in which the handles are located above the head of the user. A connecting linkage connects movement of the exercise arm to movement of the user support frame, so that movement of the exercise arm from the start to the end position simultaneously moves the user support frame. A load resists movement of at least one of the moving parts of the machine. The combined motion of the user, user support frame and exercise arm between the start and end position substantially replicates the natural movement of the upper part of a human body when performing a free weight shoulder press exercise.

Abstract: A dual action weightlifting machine has a stationary frame and first and second spaced vertical guides slidably mounted on the stationary frame for horizontal sliding movement relative to the frame. A horizontally extending exercise bar assembly has spaced first and second vertical slides slidably mounted on the vertical guides for vertical sliding movement relative to the frame, a user engaging portion for gripping by a user when performing weightlifting exercises, and opposite end portions for receiving one or more selected weights. The user engaging portion is located between the vertical slides and rotatably mounted relative to the vertical slides for free rotation through 360 degrees, so that the user's hands may be rotated relative to the vertical slides while lifting weights.

Abstract: A chest press exercise machine has a self-aligning pivoting user support on a main frame and an exercise arm which is linked to the pivoting user support to translate movement of the exercise arm into movement of the user support. A user support pivot pivotally connects the user support to the main frame. A connecting link is movably associated with the user engagement device or exercise arm and at least one of the main frame, user support, or user support pivot. A user-activated positioning device controls positioning of the exercise arm in an exercise ready position at the start of an exercise. The user support pivot is positioned so that part of the combined weight of the user and user support is positioned on both sides of the gravitational centerline throughout the exercise movement and a portion of the combined weight passes through the centerline to redistribute the weight as the exercise arm is moved.

Abstract: An arm exercise machine for performing isolation arm exercises has a self-aligning pivoting seat or user support on a main frame and an exercise arm for performing biceps curl and/or triceps extension exercises which is linked to the pivoting user support to translate movement of the exercise arm into movement of the user support. The user support is pivotally mounted on the main frame so as to automatically align in order to maintain positioning of the user throughout the exercise motion.

Abstract: An exercise machine has a main frame, a user support frame which supports a user in an exercise position, and a multiple pivot assembly pivotally mounting the user support frame for movement between a start position and an end position. The pivot assembly has multiple pivots which define a theoretical pivot axis of the user support pivotal movement and a vertical gravitational center line which extends through the theoretical pivot axis. The user support frame has at least a primary support and a secondary support for supporting spaced positions on a user's body throughout an exercise movement. A user engagement device is movably mounted relative to the frames for engagement by the user in performing exercises, and a multiple part connecting linkage translates movement of the user engagement device to rotational movement of the user support frame. A load resists movement of at least one of the user support, user engagement device, and connecting linkage.

Abstract: An arm exercise machine for performing isolation exercises has a self-aligning pivoting seat or user support on a main frame and an exercise arm for performing biceps curl and/or triceps extension exercises which is linked to the pivoting user support to translate movement of the exercise arm into movement of the user support. The user support is pivotally mounted on the main frame so as to automatically align in order to maintain positioning of the user throughout the exercise motion.

Abstract: An exercise machine for performing lat pull down exercises has a main frame having a user support pivot mount, a user support pivotally mounted on the user support pivot mount for supporting a user in a seated position, and an exercise arm having handles for gripping by a user movably mounted on the frame for movement between a start position located above the head of a user in a seated position on the user support and an end position lower than the start position and generally below the user's chin. A connecting linkage connects movement of the exercise arm to movement of the user support. A load resists movement of at least one of the moving parts of the machine. The combined motion of the user support frame and exercise arm substantially replicates the natural movement of the human body when performing a free bar chin up exercise.

Abstract: An exercise machine has a main frame with a pivot mount, a user support frame pivotally mounted on the pivot mount, the pivot mount defining a vertical, gravitational center line, an exercise arm movably mounted for engagement by the user in performing exercises, a connecting link linking movement of the exercise arm to movement of the user support frame, and a load for resisting movement of at least one of the moving parts. Movement of the user engagement device in an exercise movement simultaneously moves the user support frame between a start and an end position, the pivot mount being positioned at a predetermined location under the user support frame, such that portions of the combined weight of the user and user support frame are distributed on each side of the gravitational centerline throughout the entire exercise movement and only a portion of the combined weight passes through the gravitational centerline during the exercise movement.

Abstract: A dumbbell rack has a pair of upright supports and at least one support tier extending between the supports to hold a plurality of dumbbells positioned side-by-side along the length of the tier. The support tier has at least one raised portion extending along at least part of its length which is raised above opposite ends of the tier. The tier may be of arcuate shape or may have angled portions extending upwardly from each end which meet at a central peak or are bent to form a central straight section.

Abstract: An isolation exercise machine for exercising one muscle group has a user support which is pivotally mounted on a main frame by a pivotal mounting system. A user engaging exercise arm is pivotally connected to the user support, and a connecting link links movement of the user exercise arm to movement in the user support. A load provides resistance to movement of the user support, exercise arm and/or connecting link. The pivotal mounting system is configured to place the user support seat in a relatively flat position in the rest or exercise start position and to recline and change the seat angle to an inclined position as the exercise arm is moved.

Abstract: An exercise arm assembly for mounting on an exercise machine frame has a main arm, a swing arm, and a handle. The main arm has a first end for pivoting on a frame of the machine to pivot about a first pivot axis. The swing arm has a first end pivoted to the second end of the main arm for pivoting about a second pivot axis. The handle is pivoted to the swing arm for pivoting about a third pivot axis, with each pivot axis being non-parallel to the other two pivot axes, and at least one pivot axis being non-perpendicular to the other two pivot axes.

Abstract: A chest press exercise machine has a self-aligning pivoting user support on a main frame and an exercise arm which is linked to the pivoting user support to translate movement of the exercise arm into movement of the user support. A user support pivot which may be a single pivot, floating pivot link, or four-bar pivot linkage arrangement pivotally connects the user support to the main frame. A connecting link is movably associated with the user engagement device or exercise arm and at least one of the main frame, user support, or user support pivot. The user support pivot is positioned so that part of the combined weight of the user and user support is positioned on both sides of the gravitational centerline throughout the exercise movement and a portion of the combined weight passes through the centerline to redistribute the weight as the exercise arm is moved.

Abstract: An exercise arm apparatus has a stationary frame, a first pivoting arm pivoted to the frame at a location intermediate its ends for rotation about a first pivot axis, a second pivoting arm pivotally connected to the frame for rotation about a second pivot axis spaced from the first pivot axis, and a connecting link pivotally connected to the first arm and second arm. The first arm is an exercise arm with handles at one end for gripping by a user, and the connecting link is of sufficient weight to form a counter-weight to counter-balance the first exercise arm into a rest position corresponding to a start position for an exercise movement. In one example the connecting link is a solid, elongate bar of heavy metal or equivalent material.

Abstract: A triceps dip exercise machine has a main frame, a user support frame movably mounted on the frame, an exercise arm movably mounted on one of the frames, a connecting link connecting movement of the exercise arm to movement of the user support frame, such that movement of the exercise arm between a start and end position simultaneously moves the user support frame from a start to an end position, and an exercise resistance for resisting movement of one of the moving parts. The arrangement is such that the combined movement of the exercise arm and user support frame substantially replicates the natural movement of the upper part of the human body when performing a free bar, suspended triceps dip exercise.

Abstract: A multi-station exercise machine in one embodiment comprises at least two exercise stations for performing different exercises, at least one of the stations having a main frame, a user support frame pivotally associated with the main frame, a user engagement device movably mounted on one of the frames for actuating by a user in order to perform an exercise, and a connecting linkage which links movement of the user engagement device to movement of the user support. A load provides resistance to movement of the user support frame, user engagement device and/or connecting linkage. The connecting linkage, user support pivot, and user engagement device mount are arranged so that movement of the user engagement device results in self-aligning movement of the user support. The other station may have a fixed user support or a moving user support.

Abstract: A chest exercise machine has a main frame, a user support frame pivotally associated with the main frame and movable between a start position and an end position during an exercise, a user engagement device movably mounted relative to the frames and having at least one handle for gripping by a user positioned on the user support, and a connecting linkage which translates movement of the user engagement device to movement of the user support frame. The user engagement device provides articulated motion so that the handle moves in a user-defined chest exercise movement path between a start position and an end position. A load resists movement of at least one of the user support, user engagement device, and connecting linkage.