Abstract: A practice device for simulating a cheerleading stunt includes a frame that has a base plate and a top plate; a tubular shaft that extends between the base and top plates; a weight that is disposed in the tubular shaft; a spring that is disposed in the tubular shaft and that contacts and biases the weight; a shoe structure; and a mount that supports the shoe structure at one end thereof and that is constructed and arranged to be disposed within the tubular shaft with the spring disposed between the weight and the mount.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are directed to a pole vault landing system configured for receiving a pole vault box collar. The pole vault landing system may be comprised of a base section and a cutout section positioned adjacent to the base section, where both the base section and the cutout section have top and bottom surface. The bottom surface of the cut out section additionally comprises a recess dimensioned to receive a pole vault box collar such that when the cutout section is placed over a pole vault box and a pole vault box collar, the pole vault box collar is received in the recess and the bottom surface of the cutout section is substantially flush with the ground surrounding the pole vault box.

Abstract: A system comprising structures connected to the rider of human-powered vehicles improves the force a rider may apply to the vehicle. The elements are primarily connected to the lower body and legs of the rider, with attachment to the rider's shoes, whereby a two-dimensional four-bar linkage is formed. Use of the system may permit a rider to go faster or farther with less effort. An optional novel shoe may be used with or without the other elements of the system.

Abstract: A biceps curl machine is described. The biceps curl machine includes: a resistance element; a user support coupled to the resistance element; a first movement element coupled to the user support; and a second movement element coupled to the user support. A biceps curl machine includes: a cable resistance element adapted to allow for a resistance path that is at least partly defined by a user; a user support adapted to move along a movement path as a biceps curl is performed; and a load including a set of plates that may be selectively coupled to the cable resistance element. A lateral raise machine includes: a cable resistance element adapted to allow for a resistance path that is at least partly defined by a user; a user support adapted to move along a movement path as a lateral raise is performed; and a load including a set of plates.

Abstract: A hook assembly may comprise a base portion and at least one hook. The base portion may be rotatably coupled to a weighted cable of an exercise machine. The at least one hook may be coupled to the base portion, and the at least one hook may be sized and configured for selective attachment to a handle. The base portion may be sized and configured to facilitate rotation of the at least one hook relative to a frame of an exercise machine when the weighted cable is extended. Additionally, the base portion may be sized and configured to prevent rotation of the at least one hook relative to the frame of the exercise machine when the weighted cable is fully retracted.

Abstract: A practice device for use with a bat in batting sports to instruct a batter on proper swing technique and form. It is a batter assist power trainer for sports exercise. This relates to an exercise method and apparatus for improving performance in sports that include swinging of a device such as a bat. It is a batter assist power trainer device made of an airtight airfoil structure made of flexible and durable material and a method or way for connecting the structure to a bat so that the batter assist power trainer device permits a batter to power train and to controllably increase hitting strength which allows the batter to achieve longer hits of a ball for baseball and/or softball. Other configurations include structures made with end sections, with reinforcing splines; and a various ways to connect the device to the bat.

Abstract: Provided is an exercise device including a planar support surface and a rolling joint which is configured to enable a 360° range of motion for the exercise device. In this regard, the user may roll the exercise device along a planar surface in a forward-and-backward motion, a side-to-side motion, or in an arcuate or circular motion.

Abstract: A core strengthening device includes a tray and a ball. The tray has first and second opposing sides. The first side of the tray has a recess formed therein. A ball is selectively positionable at least partially within the recess in the tray. The ball has a first hemisphere and a second hemisphere. The first hemisphere has a first radius and the second hemisphere has a second radius that is different than the first radius. The core strengthening device provides instability to exercises, which requires a user's core muscles to work harder to perform the exercises and maintain balance, which strengthens the user's core muscles.

Abstract: An exercise balance board may have at least a platform for a user supported by a resilient, air-filled partial sphere. It contains features which allow users of any size or fitness level to properly exercise muscle groups. The balance board allows a user to exercise upper and lower muscle extremity groups either individually or simultaneously.

Abstract: A multifunctional leg training machine includes a framework, a weight-bearing mechanism mounted at said framework and movable in direction toward or away from said framework and adapted to impart a downward pressure to the shoulders of the user using the machine, allowing the user to perform a squat exercise, a lunge exercise, a calf-raise exercise, a simple transverse body movement exercise, or a mixed training exercise of moving the body transversely and upwardly to fully train different muscle groups of the legs.

Abstract: A triceps cable extension for attachment to a cable resistance exercise machine is provided. The cable extension includes a gripping handle including a hand protection projection which extends at an angle B upwardly from a thumb groove provided in the handle. An open semi-circular cross-sectional channel is provided in the protection projection to receive a cover cable. A vertical bore extends from a handle base flange portion through a body portion and extending into the protection channel. The extension also includes a length of cable, a cable securing nut, a connection loop so as to allow a snap on connection to a cable resistance exercise machine and also includes a latex tubing cable cover to protect the user from injury from an exposed wire cable. The protection projection and the projection channel to protect the user's hand and reduces torque on the handle in use.

Abstract: An elliptical exercise device has guide links pivotally attached to a frame and foot support links pivotally attached to the guide links. Vertical control links couple a cam drive to forward ends of the foot support links such that rotation of the cam drive moves foot receiving areas vertically. Horizontal control links couple a crank system to the guide links such that rotation of the crank system pivots the guide links and moves the foot receiving areas horizontally. The vertical and horizontal movement is generally out of phase to move the foot receiving areas in an elliptical path.

Abstract: A curl-up device includes a base; and a counter arrangement. The base defines a foot placement indicator, a first start position indicator, and optionally a second start position indicator. The counter arrangement includes a button disposed between the foot placement indicator and the start position indicators. The counter arrangement also includes an electronic counter that tracks depression of the button. In use, a user touches the button while performing a curl-up to track the number of curl-ups performed.

Abstract: Described is a circuit arrangement for detection of a tone whose presence indicates insertion of a headphone plug into a jack. The circuit includes a receptacle having contacts configured to receive a plug inserted into the receptacle, a current sense circuit, an amplifier coupled to the current sense circuit and a band pass filter coupled to an output of the amplifier, the band pass filter configured to pass a signal having a frequency in a range of about 2 Hz to 20 Hz. Circuitry converts the passed signal into a digital signal to provide an input signal to a controller to indicate that a headphone plug was inserted into the receptacle.

Abstract: A locking mechanism for a shaft provides secure frictional engagement to the shaft while manually operable to be removed from the shaft. There is a first cylinder allowable to slide freely on the shaft. One or more holes retaining one or more balls allow a projection of the balls into an interior of the first cylinder. A tensioning ring (second cylinder) partially overlaps the first cylinder, retains the balls within the holes, and has at least a portion of the inside diameter increasing in diameter. A biasing mechanism acts against the second cylinder to urge the balls into the first cylinder interior to frictionally engage the shaft. Two release mechanisms movable with the biasing mechanism manually actuated against the bias move the second cylinder to allow the balls to freely move within the holes and the locking mechanism to be slid onto and removed from the shaft.

Abstract: Exercise devices, and related components and methods are provided. In one embodiment, an exercise device is provided having a frame, treadmill deck and a desk. The treadmill deck is movably coupled with the frame and selectively positionable between a first position wherein a user may run or walk on the treadmill deck, and a second position wherein the deck is placed in a stored position. The deck defines a running path when in the first position. The desk may move between multiple positions, including a first position wherein the desk is placed toward a front portion of the running path, and may even be positioned over a portion of the running path (or at least over a portion of the deck), and a second position where the desk is moved out of the running path. The desk may be adjusted as to height and inclination also.

Abstract: Some embodiments of the present disclosure include a stretching device for stretching and aligning a user's back. The stretching device may include a belt configured to wrap around the user's back and under the user's armpits and a first ring attached to a first end of the belt and a second ring attached to a second end of the belt, wherein the first ring and the second ring may engage with a hook such that the device may hang from a support system, using gravity to stretch and align the user's back.

Abstract: The invention encompasses a removable attachment for installing on a bicycle with the goal of altering the resistance to either front tire or back tire revolution. In this way, the bicycle includes enhanced physical training capabilities allowing the rider to use a bicycle on a standard trainer frame or as a regular bicycle for riding in the usual manner. In one embodiment, the attachment includes a resistance support connected to a bicycle and supporting a resistance device that engages a bicycle wheel or bicycle tire for altering the resistance to tire revolution. In this exemplary embodiment, the apparatus includes a resistance support attached to the bicycle proximate a bicycle tire along with a resistance device removably attached to the resistance support. In one embodiment, the resistance device defines a slot, and the resistance support projects through the slot to position the resistance device against the bicycle wheel or the bicycle tire.

Abstract: A gymnastic tool (1) is formed by at least two impermeable external walls (2, 3) which are each concave shaped and provided with respective edges (4,5). The at least two impermeable walls (2, 3) are mutually fixed together by a connector (6), the gymnastic tool having at least one inner cavity.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention have left and right guide links that are pivotally attached to the frame, typically to an upper part of the frame, and left and right foot support links each having a mid-portion pivotally interconnected with a lower end of the respective guide link. Reciprocal motion of the guide links causes the foot support links to move along a path having a horizontal component of motion (i.e. fore and aft). Left and right vertical control links are coupled to a vertical cam drive such that the vertical cam drive reciprocates the vertical control links. The vertical control links are each coupled to a forward portion of the respective foot support link such that the reciprocating control links cause foot receiving areas at the rear of the respective foot support links to reciprocate along a path having a vertical component of motion (i.e. upwardly and downwardly).