Abstract: A coil spring anchor bar and carriage stop is disclosed for use in a reformer exercise apparatus to fasten ends of one or more coil springs extending from the movable carriage to the foot end of the reformer frame. The anchor bar and carriage stop includes an elongated metal plate having a longitudinally flat straight portion extending between first and second ends, a first longitudinally straight curved portion curved in a first direction and extending between and forming part of the first and second ends, and a second curved portion between the first and second ends curved in a direction opposite the first direction. A pair of spaced apart carriage stops extend orthogonally from the straight portion engage the movable carriage to maintain a predetermined minimum distance between the anchor bar and the carriage when the anchor bar is supported from the foot end of the reformer frame.

Abstract: A rotatable disc exercise apparatus includes a first disc having a first outer planar surface and a first inner surface, a second disc fastened to the first disc and rotatably supported on the first disc by a first annular set of ball bearings and a second annular set of ball bearings. The second disc has a second outer planar surface and a second inner surface facing the first inner surface. A single biasing member sandwiched between the first and second discs resiliently biases the second disc to a neutral rotational position between the discs. The first annular set of bearings is captured between the inner surfaces by an annular outer wall of one of the discs and an inner annular rib of the other one of the discs. The second set of bearings is carried in an annular race between the first and second inner surfaces.

Abstract: A rotatable disc exercise apparatus is disclosed that includes a first disc having a first outer planar surface and a first inner surface, a second disc fastened to the first disc and rotatably supported on the first disc by a first annular set of ball bearings and a second annular set of ball bearings. The second disc has a second outer planar surface and a second inner surface facing the first inner surface. A single biasing member sandwiched between the first and second discs resiliently biases the second disc to a neutral rotational position between the discs. The first annular set of bearings is captured between the inner surfaces by an annular outer wall of one of the discs and an inner annular rib of the other one of the discs. The second set of bearings is carried in an annular race between the first and second inner surfaces.

Abstract: A removable locking shoulder stop assembly for use on a reformer exercise apparatus is disclosed that includes a flat rectangular lock plate fastenable to the platform adjacent the head rest on the carriage platform. The lock plate has a first locating member and a keyway spaced from the first locating member. An L-shaped shoulder stop bracket has a second locating member configured to mate with the first locating member of the lock plate. An elongated locking handle assembly is connected to the mounting portion of the bracket and spaced apart from the second locating member. The handle assembly aligns with the keyway when the first locating member is mated with the second locating member and is operable to clamp the shoulder stop bracket to the lock plate when the locating members are mated and the locking handle assembly is hand tightened against the mounting portion of the shoulder stop bracket.

Abstract: A reformer exercise apparatus is disclosed that has a generally rectangular frame. The rail portions of the frame each have an upright outer wall and a hidden outwardly open slot therein. A foot bar support assembly movably carried by each of the outwardly open slots supports the foot bar. Each foot bar support assembly has an elongated slide plate movably supported within the slot, a hook plate fastened to the slide plate, and a foot bar support arm rotatably and slidably fastened to the hook plate. A pair of tubular risers each having a lower and upper roller therein at the head end of the frame direct arm cord ends to a cord retraction assembly mounted on the carriage. The retraction assembly mounted to the carriage releases the cords by pivoting either one of the shoulder stops toward the foot end of the frame.

Abstract: A tubing terminator is disclosed having two parts that are threaded together to receive and capture an expanded end portion of an elastic tube without exerting a compressive force against the expanded end portion of the tubing. The terminator has a C shaped handle and a threaded cap which together capture the end portion therebetween. A kit for terminating a free end of an elastic tubing resistance member includes a ball sized to be inserted into one end of an elastic tubing resistance member so as to expand the end of the elastic resistance member, a C shaped handle for receiving therein an expanded end of the elastic tubing resistance member, and a tubular cap removably fastenable to the handle to capture and retain the expanded end of the elastic tube in the handle.

Abstract: A reformer exercise apparatus is disclosed that has a generally rectangular frame. The rail portions of the frame each have an upright outer wall and a hidden outwardly open slot therein. A foot bar support assembly movably carried by each of the outwardly open slots supports the foot bar. Each foot bar support assembly has an elongated slide plate movably supported within the slot, a hook plate fastened to the slide plate, and a foot bar support arm rotatably and slidably fastened to the hook plate. A pair of tubular risers each having a lower and upper roller therein at the head end of the frame direct arm cord ends to a cord retraction assembly mounted on the carriage. The retraction assembly mounted to the carriage releases the cords by pivoting either one of the shoulder stops toward the foot end of the frame.

Abstract: A reformer exercise apparatus is disclosed that has a generally rectangular frame. The rail portions of the frame each have an upright outer wall and a hidden outwardly open slot therein. A foot bar support assembly movably carried by each of the outwardly open slots supports the foot bar. Each foot bar support assembly has an elongated slide plate movably supported within the slot, a hook plate fastened to the slide plate, and a foot bar support arm rotatably and slidably fastened to the hook plate. A pair of tubular risers each having a lower and upper roller therein at the head end of the frame direct arm cord ends to a cord retraction assembly mounted on the carriage. The retraction assembly mounted to the carriage releases the cords by pivoting either one of the shoulder stops toward the foot end of the frame.

Abstract: A reformer exercise apparatus is disclosed that has a generally rectangular frame. The rail portions of the frame each have an upright outer wall and a hidden outwardly open slot therein. A foot bar support assembly movably carried by each of the outwardly open slots supports the foot bar. Each foot bar support assembly has an elongated slide plate movably supported within the slot, a hook plate fastened to the slide plate, and a foot bar support arm rotatably and slidably fastened to the hook plate. A pair of tubular risers each having a lower and upper roller therein at the head end of the frame direct arm cord ends to a cord retraction assembly mounted on the carriage. The retraction assembly mounted to the carriage releases the cords by pivoting either one of the shoulder stops toward the foot end of the frame.

Abstract: A removable locking shoulder stop assembly for use on a reformer exercise apparatus is disclosed that includes a flat rectangular lock plate fastenable to the platform adjacent the head rest on the carriage platform. The lock plate has a first locating member and a keyway spaced from the first locating member. An L-shaped shoulder stop bracket has a second locating member configured to mate with the first locating member of the lock plate. An elongated locking handle assembly is connected to the mounting portion of the bracket and spaced apart from the second locating member. The handle assembly aligns with the keyway when the first locating member is mated with the second locating member and is operable to clamp the shoulder stop bracket to the lock plate when the locating members are mated and the locking handle assembly is hand tightened against the mounting portion of the shoulder stop bracket.

Abstract: A reformer exercise apparatus is disclosed that has a generally rectangular frame. The rail portions of the frame each have an upright outer wall, an integral downwardly slanted inner wall and a hidden outwardly open slot therein between the outer and inner walls. A foot bar support assembly movably carried by each of the outwardly open slots supports the foot bar. Each foot bar support assembly has an elongated slide plate movably supported within the slot, a hook plate fastened to the slide plate, and a foot bar support arm rotatably and slidably fastened to the hook plate. A pair of tubular risers each having an upper roller therein at the head end of the frame direct arm cord ends to a cord retraction assembly mounted on the carriage. The retraction assembly releases the cords by pivoting either one of the shoulder stops toward the foot end of the frame.

Abstract: A tubing terminator is disclosed having two parts that are threaded together to receive and capture an expanded end portion of an elastic tube without exerting a compressive force against the expanded end portion of the tubing. The terminator has a C shaped handle and a threaded cap which together capture the end portion therebetween. A kit for terminating a free end of an elastic tubing resistance member includes a ball sized to be inserted into one end of an elastic tubing resistance member so as to expand the end of the elastic resistance member, a C shaped handle for receiving therein an expanded end of the elastic tubing resistance member, and a tubular cap removably fastenable to the handle to capture and retain the expanded end of the elastic tube in the handle.

Abstract: A reformer exercise apparatus is disclosed that has a generally rectangular frame. The rail portions of the frame each have an upright outer wall and a hidden outwardly open slot therein. A foot bar support assembly movably carried by each of the outwardly open slots supports the foot bar. Each foot bar support assembly has an elongated slide plate movably supported within the slot, a hook plate fastened to the slide plate, and a foot bar support arm rotatably and slidably fastened to the hook plate. A pair of tubular risers each having a lower and upper roller therein at the head end of the frame direct arm cord ends to a cord retraction assembly mounted on the carriage. The retraction assembly mounted to the carriage releases the cords by pivoting either one of the shoulder stops toward the foot end of the frame.

Abstract: A reformer exercise apparatus is disclosed that has a generally rectangular frame. The rail portions of the frame each have an upright outer wall, an integral downwardly slanted inner wall and a hidden outwardly open slot therein between the outer and inner walls. A foot bar support assembly movably carried by each of the outwardly open slots supports the foot bar. Each foot bar support assembly has an elongated slide plate movably supported within the slot, a hook plate fastened to the slide plate, and a foot bar support arm rotatably and slidably fastened to the hook plate. A pair of tubular risers each having an upper roller therein at the head end of the frame direct arm cord ends to a cord retraction assembly mounted on the carriage. The retraction assembly releases the cords by pivoting either one of the shoulder stops toward the foot end of the frame.

Abstract: A reformer exercise apparatus is disclosed that has a generally rectangular frame. The rail portions of the frame each have an upright outer wall and a hidden outwardly open slot therein. A foot bar support assembly movably carried by each of the outwardly open slots supports the foot bar. Each foot bar support assembly has an elongated slide plate movably supported within the slot, a hook plate fastened to the slide plate, and a foot bar support arm rotatably and slidably fastened to the hook plate. A pair of tubular risers each having a lower and upper roller therein at the head end of the frame direct arm cord ends to a cord retraction assembly mounted on the carriage. The retraction assembly mounted to the carriage releases the cords by pivoting either one of the shoulder stops toward the foot end of the frame.

Abstract: A reformer exercise apparatus is disclosed that has a generally rectangular frame. The rail portions of the frame each have an upright outer wall, an integral downwardly slanted inner wall and a hidden outwardly open slot therein between the outer and inner walls. A foot bar support assembly movably carried by each of the outwardly open slots supports the foot bar. Each foot bar support assembly has an elongated slide plate movably supported within the slot, a hook plate fastened to the slide plate, and a foot bar support arm rotatably and slidably fastened to the hook plate. A pair of tubular risers each having an upper roller therein at the head end of the frame direct arm cord ends to a cord retraction assembly mounted on the carriage. The retraction assembly releases the cords by pivoting either one of the shoulder stops toward the foot end of the frame.

Abstract: A spring connector that includes a loop is used in an exercise apparatus that has one or more springs fastened between a movable member and a stationary member. The connector of this disclosure includes a handle to aid a user to fasten one end of a spring to a stationary hook or post. The handle is a solid body generally symmetrical about a central axis, and has a large diameter base end and an opposite small diameter end, the base end having a transverse slot therein intersecting an axial bore through the solid body. The transverse slot has a curved bottom shape receiving a bottom portion of the connector loop. A user can grip the handle and install the loop over a hook or post without putting a finger in the loop.

Abstract: A reformer exercise apparatus is disclosed that has a generally rectangular frame. The rail portions of the frame each have an upright outer wall, an integral downwardly slanted inner wall and a hidden outwardly open slot therein between the outer and inner walls. A foot bar support assembly movably carried by each of the outwardly open slots supports the foot bar. Each foot bar support assembly has an elongated slide plate movably supported within the slot, a hook plate fastened to the slide plate, and a foot bar support arm rotatably and slidably fastened to the hook plate. A pair of tubular risers each having an upper roller therein at the head end of the frame direct arm cord ends to a cord retraction assembly mounted on the carriage. The retraction assembly releases the cords by pivoting either one of the shoulder stops toward the foot end of the frame.