Abstract: An apparatus for lower back exercise has a support structure, a body support platform and a pendulum pivotably connected to the support structure below the body support platform for engaging the legs of a user. Actuators cause the pendulum to move upwardly or downwardly to either assist the movement of the legs of a user engaging the pendulum, or to resist motions of the pendulum initiated by the user. The body support platform may be tilted by an actuator to provide ease of mounting and dismounting the apparatus. Controls for the actuators are provided to allow a practitioner to monitor and adjust the assistance or resistance provided by the apparatus to the user. The apparatus thus avoids hyperextension of the back while providing strength conditioning with progressive intensity of work outs, especially for users injured or otherwise in poor condition.

Abstract: An apparatus for exercise of the lower back, has a support frame capable of supporting the body of a person exercising. The support frame supports left and right pendulums, for left and right legs, respectively. Each of the left and right pendulums further has an arm that is pivotably connected to the support frame, so that each of the left and right pendulums may pivot about the pivotable connection independently of the other. A resistance transfer apparatus is moveably coupled to the other end of the pendulum arm. The resistance transfer apparatus includes a bar for engaging the lower leg or ankle of a person exercising, and a coupling for moveably coupling the resistance transfer apparatus to the arm of the pendulum, so that the resistance transfer apparatus can pivot in substantially the same plane of movement as that of the pendulum. Use of the exercise apparatus raises the user's legs from the hanging vertical to the horizontal against the resistance of the weighted pendulums.