Abstract: An apparatus for supporting a weight on a supine person's abdomen for performing abdominal exercises, including a base and a platform removably resting on the base. The platform has at least one depression for receiving a curl barbell, a straight barbell, and/or dumbbells. Optionally, pegs may extend from the platform surface for maintaining the position of a stack of disc weights laid on top of the platform. Optionally, the platform under surface has resilient palm pads for the user to aid in stabilizing the apparatus while in use. The base has a curved underside with padding and rests on the user's abdomen. A unitary embodiment is a rigid plate. A two-part embodiment has a foundation with a tray and a pedestal that sits in the tray. Optionally, the curved wings extend from sides of the base down around the sides of the user's abdomen. Pins in holes position the platform on top of the base. Optionally, a removable latch secures the platform to the base.

Abstract: A stretching device is mounted to a positioning portion of furniture and includes a motor, a telescopic rod, and a handlebar. The motor is activatable for moving the telescopic rod in a retracting or extending direction. The telescopic rod is located in a position corresponding to a backrest of the furniture and includes an upper end fixed to the handlebar to move therewith. The handlebar is located on top of the furniture and includes a pair of grips. The handlebar further includes at least one button for controlling turning directions of the motor. When a user sits or lies in the furniture with two hands grasping the grips, a body of the user is stretched when the button is pushed to cause the motor to turn in a direction for moving the telescopic rod in the extending direction.

Abstract: An exercise machine includes a frame designed to rest upon a floor surface; a back rest mounted on the frame; and a foot platform mounted on the frame. At least one of the foot platform and the back rest is pivotally mounted on the frame in such a manner that a person may rest his back against the back rest and exercise his quadriceps muscles in isolated, closed chain fashion. A resistance device is preferably provided to resist movement of the back rest and/or the foot platform in a manner that opposes the user's efforts to straighten his legs at the knees.

Abstract: The stretching device has a leg support with an adjustable foot support attached to a first end of an elongate bar. First and second vertical hollow rods are attached to the elongate bar. A horizontal bar is attached to the first and second hollow vertical rods. A third vertical bar is attached to the second vertical hollow rod. An arm support unit is adjustably attached to the third vertical bar and has opposite upwardly bend sections attached thereto and a U-shaped arm holder. A bench unit has an adjustment mechanism to an underside of the bench unit and is insertable into the second vertical hollow bar. The adjustment mechanism has first and second openings for receiving a pin to adjust the horizontal position of the bench unit.

Abstract: An abdominal exerciser device includes a self-standing casing that freely movably supports an exercising member such as a ball with an exposed surface protruding upward from the casing for contacting a user's body part. The device also includes a hollowed cover connecting to the casing to protect the exposed surface from outside environment when the device is unused, and a handgrip for hand-carrying the same. The device can include a carrier having an adjustment member mounted thereon to adjust position of the casing relative to the carrier.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for exercising internal and external oblique muscles utilizes lateral forces generated by the feet and maintain the upper body in a fixed position to facilitate exercise of the oblique muscles. The apparatus and method vary the inertial forces applied outside the feet to affect the degree of difficulty of the exercise.

Abstract: The rotary tilt exercise machine is a gravity-controlled device wherein the user, cradled in a body support unit, employs bodily balance and thrust to roll the body support unit, which is tiltably mounted on the ball joint of a housing drum. A pendular shaft is fixed to the base of the body support unit so that body support unit tilt produces angular displacement of the shaft within the housing. At its extension, the pendular shaft is weighted to provide ballast and centrifugal impetus to body support unit roll. Body support unit motion parameters are defined by either of two optional control devices, specified as a rotary wheel motion controller and as a crank arm motion controller. Auxiliary equipment includes a seat belt and grab bars mounted on the body support unit that stabilize the torso and enable body balance movements that work the back and abdominal muscles.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a novel push-up device which is configurable by user body characteristics and by predetermined conditions for range of motion so as to guide an exerciser to perform a push-up which meets such predetermined range of motion and exercise form criteria. Through the use of the device of the present invention, exercisers are able to perform push-ups that meet predetermined range of motion criteria regardless of their body characteristics and receive feedback based upon whether the exercise was properly performed or not.

Abstract: A non-slip exercise mat for use on multiple surfaces including at least one layer of material having a top surface, a bottom surface, and side surfaces. The mat also includes systems for removably securing the mat to carpeted surfaces and for preventing the mat from slipping on non-carpeted surfaces. Both systems can be joined with the bottom surface or joined on opposite surfaces of the mat. The mat may include shock absorbing materials as well as texturized, slip-resistant materials. The sides of the mat may be beveled. The mat may also include a cover for the system for removably securing the mat to carpeted surfaces.

Abstract: A stretching machine is provided which can be used both for stretching and for measuring a level of flexibility. The machine rests on the floor and a beam is adjusted to a convenient height. The beam is provided with a plurality of handgrips. A foot plate is positioned to abut a user's feet. By leaning forward and grasping the handgrips a person can stretch their legs and lower back as well as determine a level of flexibility by noting which handgrip is grasped. The machine has a cutout on the foot plate to allow compact storage.

Abstract: An apparatus for performing abdominal and other muscle group exercises is disclosed. The apparatus is comprised of a backrest, tracks, a base and a resistance member, which provides the user with an adjustable level of resistance when the apparatus is in use. The tracks of the apparatus are removeably attached to the backrest, and the resistance member is removeably attached to a base, thereby allowing the apparatus to be easy assembled and stored in a compact manner.

Abstract: A method for strengthening coordination between a person's hand muscles and muscles of the lower part of a person's body involves (a) the person jumping into the air while holding a hanging article; and (b) placing while in the air the hanging article on an elevated, substantially horizontal flexible support, so that the hanging article is retained on the support after the person releases the article from his hold. The support is positioned above the extended height of the person. An exercise system for strengthening coordination between a person's hand muscles and muscles of the lower part of a person's body thus includes (a) an elevated substantially horizontal flexible support; and (b) a hanging article, wherein the support is positioned above the extended height of the person.

Abstract: An exercise kit includes an article of clothing stitched together using strands of a metallic fiber, wherein the metallic fiber imparts a memory property to the article of clothing to cause dynamic tensioning and compressing when the article of clothing is deformed from an original shape through the natural extension and flexing actions of a user wearing the article of clothing.

Abstract: An ankle support (10 ) includes a first portion (11), which is a boot-like member, and an outer member (30). A pre-configured figure eight member comprising a strap (240 ) is positioned around the boot-like member (11). The outer member (30) is secured to the boot-like member (11) and forms a cover to hold the pre-configured figure eight member in place to prevent misalignment of the strap (240).

Abstract: An apparatus for performing exercises to improve balance including an exercise platform on one end of a helical spring supported on a base platform. In a preferred embodiment, a plurality of legs extend perpendicularly from the base platform which function as stops to preventing tilt of the exercise platform from exceeding a maximum tilt. The bottom end of each leg is mounted on a plate lying flush on the base platform that can be oriented so that the leg is positioned at a location corresponding to the required maximum tilt. A vertical rod is supported at a location spaced from the exercise plaform selected by the user depending on his exercise. Various devices such as a punching bag of tethered ball is attached to the vertical rod for incorporation into the users exercise regimen.

Abstract: A foldable exercise bench is movable on a frame between a retracted, generally upright storage position and at least one deployed position for supporting a person during exercise. A support foot located adjacent one end of the bench is pivotally mounted for rotation between a first, storage position extending generally alongside the bench when the bench is in the storage position, and a second, support position in which the support foot extends forwardly at an angle to the bench and engages the floor to support the bench in the deployed position. A four-bar connecting linkage between the bench and frame automatically pivots the support foot from the second position to the first, storage position and locks it in the storage position when the bench is folded into the storage position.

Abstract: A compact push-pull exercise apparatus having a partial turn outer cam surface in contact with a random surface such as a floor, and one or more handles rotatably mounted to the cam rotational axis. The operator begins an exercise cycle in the kneeling position with hands on the handles and with arms generally near the vertical position. The operator pushes the apparatus forward to a stopping position with the operator nearly prone. During the first portion of the forward movement, gravitational energy is stored as the cam rotational axis is lifted. As the operator reverses the movement from the prone position to the kneeling position, gravitational energy is released during the first portion of the in-stroke to ease the return motion during the most difficult portion of the exercise cycle.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a climbing wall for simulating outdoor rock climbing activity. The climbing wall includes a front surface, a rear surface and an intermediate portion reaching between the front surface and the rear surface. The intermediate portion defines one or more openings which extend through the climbing wall. The openings are located in positions that allow a child to travel safely around on the climbing wall. The intermediate portion also includes a grip projecting outward from the front surface and preferably the rear surface of the climbing wall. The grips are designed to allow a child to maneuver safely around the climbing wall.

Abstract: A method for performing human isometric exercise includes the steps of sensing an applied force, providing a signal representing the applied force, receiving the signal and comparing the applied force to a preselected force, and providing the result of the comparison to a user in real time. The result of the comparison may be provided in an alphanumeric or other visible display, or by auditory means. The time that force is applied may be compared to a preselected time period, and a message provided to a user to rest when the preselected time period has been reached. The number of repetitions of the application of force during a session may be compared to a preselected number of repetitions, and an indication of session completion provided to a user when the number of completed repetitions equals the preselected number.

Abstract: A device for varying, in an exercise apparatus, forces and movements between a movement organ and a resistive component. The device includes a pulley; a movable structure bearing a pivot pin for rotation of the pulley to which is applied a traction force. A cable element is wound on the pulley and forms a pair of parallel branches, whereof one branch is connected to the resistive component and the other branch is connected to a bar movable within a guide. The device also includes selective fasteners which, in a first operative condition, anchor the bar to the guide opposing twice the force of the resistive component to the pin; and which, in the second operative condition, allow the bar to translate until the bar abuts the movable structure, opposing a reaction force equal to the reaction force of the resistive component to the pin.