Abstract: A variety of selectively variable resistance exercise machines, of the type in which the exerciser is seated while grasping and forcibly moving a hand operable force input portion of the machine, are modified to permit their use by both able bodied and physically challenged, wheelchair-seated exercisers. To permit this alternate usage of the machines, each is provided with a movable, height adjustable seat structure which may be selectively pivoted between an able bodied exerciser use position, and a physically challenged exerciser use position. With the movable seat structure in this latter position, a wheelchair-confined exerciser may move the chair into the space previously occupied by the seat structure to thereby permit the exerciser to conveniently reach and operatively manipulate the machine's force input portion.

Abstract: The pivotally mounted force input lever of a leg extension exerciser machine is connected by a chain, sprocket and cam system to a multi-element weight stack such that leg-driven pivotal motion of the lever may be resisted by a selectively variable portion of the weight stack. A counterbalanced foot engagement structure is pivotally secured to the outer end of the lever, and the lever is rotationally counterbalanced by a counterweight secured to its opposite end. User leg length adjustment of the machine is effected by pivotally adjusting the foot engagement structure relative to the lever, without shifting the center of gravity of the foot engagement structure, to thereby avoid disturbance of the rotational balance of the input lever. A resisted motion range adjustment mechanism is incorporated in the machine and is operative to selectively vary the weight-resisted angular start setting of the lever without altering the angular position relationship between the force input lever and the machine cam.

Abstract: Disclosed is a safety shield for a weight training machine. The safety shield includes a first shield member mountable about the weight stack of the weight training machine and a second shield member telescopingly engageable with the first shield member. The shield members are preferably made of a clear or tinted plastic material and they are sized such that the weight stack is enclosed at all times during normal operation of the weight machine.

Abstract: This machine includes a seat for supporting the user in substantially an upright position with the seat being mounted on a generally A-shaped frame assembly. An inverted U-shaped lever is provided with a padded roller on one end thereof. The padded roller is adapted to engage the back of the user at a position substantially in alignment with the shoulder blades and the other end of the lever is pivotally supported at a position in substantial alignment with the waist of the user. The other end of the user-actuated lever is operatively connected to a resistance applying device.

Abstract: This exercising machine is particularly adapted for execising the abdominal muscles of the user and is of a relatively lightweight construction adaptable for home use. The machine includes an exercising lever supported for pivotal movement in an arcuate path during each exercising movement and a resistance force is provided in the form of elongate resilient members. Variable numbers of the elongate resilient members are selectively connectable to the exercising lever for varying the amount of resistance force being applied to the exercising lever when it is moved by the user. A variable radius cam is interposed between the resistance force and the exercising lever so that the amount of resistance force required to move the exercising lever is varied throughout the various positions of the pivotal arc of movement of the exercising lever.

Abstract: A device for aerobic exercise characterized by increased user comfort, especially during extended periods of use which comprises an elongate frame, a housing enclosing the frame, a stress imposing pedal-driven fan carried by one end portion of the frame and a user supporting and positioning seat carried by the other end portion of the frame opposite the fan and comprising a seat portion inclined from front to rear at a predetermined acute angle to the horizontal, and a backrest portion inclined at a predetermined acute angle to the vertical, with at least the backrest portion having ventilation openings therein which communicate with the front and rear surfaces of the backrest portion.

Abstract: The machine disclosed is for particular use in the duo-squat exercising of the legs and provides the proper variation of resistance to movement in all positions when the legs are being moved between the extended and retracted positions and vice versa. The machine includes a negative profile cam to which the force is applied by the user and the negative profile cam has a different length radius (moment arm) at different degrees of rotation. A weight stack is supported by a flexible member reeved over a wheel which has a radius of uniform length and being fixed to rotate with the negative profile cam. The length of the longest radius of the negative profile cam is less than the length of the uniform radius of the wheel so that the amount of force applied by the user is greater than the amount of weight provided by the weight stack.

Abstract: This machine includes a saddle-type seat for supporting the user in substantially an upright position with the legs being maintained in position during use of the machine. A user-actuated lever is provided with a padded roller on one end thereof. The padded roller is adapted to engage the back of the user at a position substantially in alignment with the shoulder blades and the other end of the lever is pivotally supported at a position in substantial alignment with the waist of the user. The other end of the user-actuated lever is operatively connected to weights. The connection between the user-actuated lever and the weights includes a variable radius cam for providing a variable resistance force to lifting and lowering the weights with corresponding movement of the user between a first position with the spine in a forwardly bent position and a second position with the spine in a substantially straight position to provide a full range exercising of the muscles associated with the lower back of the user.

Abstract: An exercising apparatus and method incorporating an open loop system which monitors the activity of an exercising person and directs such activity by displaying the correlation of such activity with a programmed regimen. The apparatus is engaged by body portions of the exercising person operating the apparatus and preferably guides the person in "full range" exercise while monitoring and displaying a representation of work performed during exercising movement. Specific arrangements for using force exerted by one body portion to provide resistance to be overcome by another body portion are shown and described, as is an arrangement for monitoring the use of a number of apparatus so as to monitor a full physiological development program.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for exercising the abductor or adductor muscles in which the legs of the user are moved away from and toward one another and in which resistance to leg movement varies in predetermined relationship to leg movement. The apparatus is connected through link structure to accommodate rotation of the legs relative to the torso supporting structure. The rotations of the legs, both away from and toward each other, of a user is resisted by weights that are raised and lowered.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for exercising torso rotation muscles of a person and in which a user's body is supported in a generally upright seated position, upper and lower torso portions are engaged so as to restrict movement of the user's body to rotary movement of the upper torso relative to the lower torso about an axis extending longitudinally of the user's body, and force is imposed to resist such movement.

Abstract: An exercising apparatus in which the body is supported while being restricted to rotary movement of upper and lower torso portions one relative to the other. Restriction of movement isolates the abdominal muscle group while accomplishing "full range" exercise as herein defined.The apparatus includes an upper torso engaging backrest and a lower torso engaging backrest and seat so that the user is supported in a generally seated position. Weights and a variable cam provide a variable resistance force to pivotal movement when the upper torso engaging backrest and the lower torso engaging backrest and seat are moved toward and away from each other.