Abstract: An exercise machine for performing triceps press exercises, including a moving user support that supports a user in a seated position. The exercise machine includes a linkage assembly that allows the moving user support to tilt as the user performs the triceps press exercise. As the user extends his or her arms from an exercise starting position to an exercise ending position, a user support frame—and thus the user's torso—reclines progressively backwards. The user's natural reaction to this reclining sensation is to bring his or her head forward, which encourages the user to plant his or her lower back firmly into a stable position against a back pad and in turn reduces a risk of injury associated with excessively arching of the lower back.

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 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 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 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 to a different radial position. Releasing the gripping handle causes a spring to lock it into its new radial position. The first engaging mechanism may be a collar connected to the gripping handle with an indexing tab on the collar and the second engaging mechanism may be a plurality of indexing slots on the circular bearing housing such that the indexing tab is receivable into any one of the indexing slots.

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 for performing dip exercises, having: a stationary main frame; first and second mounting brackets connected to the stationary main frame; first and second dip handle assemblies connected to the mounting brackets, each dip handle assembly having a first exercise arm, a first stop plate, and a first arm mount hub, wherein the first and second dip handle assemblies are each configured to be converted between an exercise position and a storage position while connected to the exercise machine.

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: 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 detachable stabilizing support system for use on an exercise machine, such as a functional trainer exercise machine, has adjustable support positions and is capable of being configured between an exercise position and a more compact storage position.

Abstract: An exercise machine for performing a variety of different exercise routines includes a rotating arm assembly and a swing-away workout station. The workout stations may include a bench seat and a stabilizing support, and may be adjusted to provide for a number of different configurations. For example, the bench seat and the stabilizing support may pivot forward and backward, and the stabilizing support may extend upward and downward for supporting the user's body in different positions, while performing different exercise routines.

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 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.

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 tube rack-out system for use in an exercise machine having: a hollow support structure having an aperture therein; an angled tubular member, the angled tubular member having a first end received into the aperture in the hollow support and a second end that is angled upwardly; and a cover passing over an upper surface of the angled tubular member, the cover being connected onto the hollow support structure. The system enables the mounting of individual rack-outs on a support member and provides a large surface area between the covers and the angled tubular member below the covers, thereby contributing to the long life of the covers.

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 has at least one hollow column rotationally mounted between upper and base members of a frame. A pulley carriage is mounted inside the column in engagement with an internal track for travel up and down the track, and a cable linked to an exercise resistance extends through the pulley carriage before terminating at a cable pull attachable to a selected user engagement accessory. A pulley cover pivoted to the carriage extends partially out of a column opening and extends over one or more pulleys mounted in the pulley carriage.

Abstract: An assisted chin/dip exercise apparatus has a main frame and an assist or foot bar pivotally mounted on the frame and linked to a weight stack or resistance for assisting a user standing on the foot bar during performance of chin and dip exercises. The main frame has a first, overhead handle assembly and a second, dip handle assembly below the first handle assembly. The first handle assembly includes a pair of adjustably mounted handles freely pivotable between a first, chin-up position in which the handles extend towards one another at a rearward angle with a small spacing between the handles and a second, pull-up position in which the handles extend in a forward direction and are spaced apart by a larger spacing sufficient to provide head clearance for a user stepping onto the foot bar or while performing a dip exercise.