Abstract: An exercise system is comprised of an exercise machine, an external source of input signals, a control console and a display. The control console is associated with the exercise machine having an adjustment structure for a moveable member such as an endless belt on a powered treadmill or the pedals of an exercise cycle. Adjustment structures are connected to regulate the speed of the movable member as well as the resistance to movement. The control console has programs selectable and alterable from the external source at a remote location. A program supplies a variable input over selected time segments to regulate and control the adjustment structure such as the motor controller of the treadmill or a resistance strap associated with an inertia wheel of the exercise cycle.

Abstract: An exercise bench has a platform with a bracket extending thereunder. Two substantially tubular legs extend thereunder and rotate about separate axles. Pins are connected to two arms which in turn are connected to a torsion bar to urge the pins into registration with apertures or support surfaces of the legs. A handle is connected to the two arms for operation by the user to move the pins and adjust the leg positions. Free weights are attached to one of the legs for use in the performance of exercises.

Abstract: A support system for use in adjusting the incline of exercising equipment such as treadmills is disclosed. The system includes a pair of linked support legs pivotally mounted to one end of the equipment's frame. A length-adjustable gas spring is pivotedly associated with the linked support legs and the treadmill. Control means are provided to adjust the orientation of the spring, thereby controlling the elevation of the exercising equipment and hence its incline.

Abstract: A riding exercise machine has a frame with a pull housing operable by a user on a seat. The pull housing is secured to a frame by a pin. Upon removal the riding machine can be folded. A push housing may also be incorporated into the machine.

Abstract: A motivational exercise stepping machine has a pair of independently operable pivoting treadles for operation by a user's feet. Each treadle is connected to its own hydraulic cylinder device which provides resistance to downward movement of the treadle by a combination of fluid flow resistance and a biasing means. The treadle is biased upwardly by the biasing means. Fluid flow resistance is controlled to be less for upward movement than for downward movement of each treadle to permit the user to step at any desirable pace, yet motivate the user to maintain that pace.

Abstract: A game system includes two uprights formed of three telescoping sections. The lower section extends into a base which is positioned into the supporting surface or related ground. A plurality of securing structures are positioned along the length of each upright to receive a net. The net has at least two elastically-deformable straps extending away therefrom for securing the net to the uprights for use at least two sports. Alternate game structure may be secured to the upright, including a tetherball, a soccer ball, a soccer net, a golf ball receiving net, and a baseball practice structure. Also, net-securing structure may be secured to one of the uprights to receive a net for storage.

Abstract: A treadmill including an upper body system for manipulation by the upper extremities of a user walking or jogging on the treadmill belt. The upper body system includes pivotally mounted lever arms having substantially constant but adjustable resistance to rotational reciprocation by the user, such as a frictional resistance. The pivot points of the lever arms may be adjustable as to both height and longitudinal position on the treadmill, to accommodate different sized users and different exercises.

Abstract: A support system for use in adjusting the incline of exercising equipment such as treadmills is disclosed. The system includes a pair of linked support legs pivotally mounted to one end of the equipment's frame. A length-adjustable gas spring is pivotedly associated with the linked support legs and the treadmill. Control means are provided to adjust the orientation of the spring, thereby controlling the elevation of the exercising equipment and hence its incline.

Abstract: A step bench for performing repetitive stairstep exercises has adjustable-height support members and a retractable floor mat. The adjustable-height support members are configured as telescoping cylinders, with vertically extending stair-like slots formed in the wall of one of the cylinders, and corresponding pegs attached to the adjacent wall of the other cylinder to extend slidably through the slots. The height of the support members is adjusted by rotating the cylinders relative to each other to move the pegs from one "stair" of the slot to an upper or lower "stair". A retractable floor mat assembly comprises a roller mounted beneath the bench platform to left and right flanges depending from the ends of the platform, with a mat wound about the roller in a manner similar to a windowshade.

Abstract: A multipurpose pedal-type exercise device comprising a frame having a seat thereon, a pedal assembly having an adjustable resistance, and a multiposition adjustment mechanism connecting the pedal assembly to the frame to provide the user the capability of adjusting the position of the pedal assembly to compensate for the variation in the user's position during use of the pedal assembly.

Abstract: A weight training machine has a base with an upright member secured thereto. A trolley is positioned on the upright member to move along its length. A plate is rotatably secured to the trolley to rotate relative thereto. An arm is rotatably secured and lockable in a variety of orientations relative to the plate. A cable is trained around pulleys positioned on the trolley and on the rotatable plate and connected at one end to the apparatus and at its other end to a resistance mechanism. The resistance mechanism through the cable resists rotation of the plate by the user when performing exercises. The apparatus may also include a second trolley positioned to move along the upright member with an arm extending therefrom. The cable may be further engaged around another pulley secured to the second trolley so that the resistance mechanism may resist movement of the second trolley by the user along the length of the upright member in the performance of exercises.

Abstract: A multiple-exercise station may be used alone or as a station for a multi-gym type of exercise machine. The station has a frame supporting a bench for performance of leg presses and leg extensions. A user standing on the floor at one end of the bench may also perform standing leg curls. Two movable arms are attached to the frame at the one end of the bench. A first movable arm is pinned near the floor, having a plate attached to an upper end for placement of the feet of a user thereagainst. The first movable arm is rotated by the force of a user's legs, moving away at its upper end from the bench in response to a pressing action against the plate. A second movable arm is pinned at its top end to an aperture proximate the top of the first movable arm on the side opposite the bench. The lower end of the second movable arm is rotatable away from the first movable arm.

Abstract: An adjustable height basketball standard includes a lower tube secured to a ground surface. An upper tube engages the lower tube. A raising and lowering mechanism includes a friction element and engages a handle that may be turned by the user. The friction element substantially resists downward movement of the upper tube unless the friction element is overridden through movement of the handle by the user. The friction element may be a wrap spring, a friction cone clutch, brake plates or shoes, or a similar device. In one embodiment, the upper tube includes a series of notches. A drive mechanism includes a drive housing with a gear that engages successive ones of the notches as the drive housing is turned. When the drive housing is turned clockwise, the upper tube raises with respect to the lower tube, and when the drive housing is turned in counter-clockwise, the upper tube lowers with respect to the lower tube. A spring is wrapped around the drive housing.

Abstract: A treadmill has an endless belt trained about a front roller and a rear roller assembly. The front roller is connected between a left frame member and a right frame member of the treadmill frame. The rear roller is also connected between the left frame member and right frame member. A bracket connects one end of the rear roller to the frame and has an adjustment mechanism operable to adjust to the front roller to reduce wander of the endless belt. Another bracket connects the other end of the rear roller to the frame and has an adjustment mechanism operable to vary belt tension on the rear roller. One bracket includes a spring operable to continuously urge one end of the rear roller away from the base so the belt tension may be adjusted using the adjustment mechanism of the other bracket.

Abstract: An aerobic and anaerobic treadmill exercise system including a treadmill apparatus, independent upper body exercise apparatus and independent lower body exercise apparatus. The independent upper body exercise apparatus and lower body exercise apparatus are integrally connected to the treadmill forming a unified exercise apparatus system. The upper body exercise apparatus may comprise independently movable arms used in conjunction with the treadmill for push-pull exercises or for butterfly-type exercises, an arm lift exercise apparatus, or an overhead pull type exercise apparatus. The lower body exercise apparatus may be a pull type apparatus. An adjustable cable resistance system is interconnected to the independent upper exercise apparatus and lower body exercise apparatus.

Abstract: A control console for exercise machines such as treadmills having a microprocessor to generate signals to control the exercise. The console is operable to control an exercise program comprising a series of time segments for which the difficulty levels are individually specified, and to provide a display of the program time segments. The console is further operable to display and store user-designed programs of the type described. Optionally, the console is operable to control two difficulty parameters of an exercise machine. The console may also include preset programs selectable by a user. The preset programs may include a fitness test comprising a series of exercise time segments of increasing difficulty, in which a user's fitness level is based on the user's inability to continue exercising beyond a particular time segment.