Abstract: An abdominal bench having an extendable and retractable assist and resist assembly that will, depending upon how it is connected, provide variable levels of assistance forces to help pivot a torso section of the bench into an upright position and/or variable levels of forces that will resist the pivoting of the torso section. The extendable and retractable assist and resist assembly can include one or more elastic members that can work solely or in tandem to provide the assistance and resistance forces.

Abstract: A stretch therapy apparatus provides for enhanced physical fitness as well as rehabilitation and medical treatment by allowing the user to increase core flexibility and shoulder flexion. The stretch therapy apparatus includes both a hip locking mechanism that retains the user's hips securely so that he or she may than rotate about his or her spine to grasp a grip (i.e., handle, vertical pole, etc.) located outside the opposite hip and preferably located behind the user's opposite shoulder prior to beginning the stretch. One embodiment of the hip locking mechanism allows the user to easily and safely separate his or her legs by 180 degrees or more using a hand crank or motorized mechanism. Alternatively, the hips and pelvis may be locked in place by the legs being restrained and the hips pushed against an object such as the back of a chair.

Abstract: A torso rotation total core trainer in the form of a handle attachment is designed to cause the user to perform a shoulder movement during resistance training, as opposed to pulling with the hands and arms. The handle has a center shaft with a pair of hand grips and a pair of cuffs positioned on opposite sides of the center shaft. The cuffs are preferably held by the user's elbows when he or she grips the hand grips. The distance between the cuffs and the hand grips is preferably adjustable to accommodate different sized people (e.g., men, women and children). A connector, such as an eye loop, is positioned at or near the end of the center shaft, and is connectable with a resistance element such as a weight stack, bungie cord, elastic tubing, etc. By gripping the hand grips and holding the handle in position using the elbows, the person is effectively prevented from pulling the resistance using only his or her hands and arms.

Abstract: A stretch therapy apparatus provides for enhanced physical fitness as well as rehabilitation and medical treatment by allowing the user to increase core flexibility and shoulder flexion. The stretch therapy apparatus includes both a hip locking mechanism that retains the user's hips securely so that he or she may than rotate about his or her spine to grasp a grip (i.e., handle, vertical pole, etc.) located outside the opposite hip and preferably located behind the user's opposite shoulder prior to beginning the stretch. One embodiment of the hip locking mechanism allows the user to easily and safely separate his or her legs by 180 degrees or more using a hand crank or motorized mechanism. Alternatively, the hips and pelvis may be locked in place by the legs being restrained and the hips pushed against an object such as the back of a chair.

Abstract: A stretch therapy apparatus is disclosed which provides for enhanced physical fitness as well as rehabilitation and medical treatment. The stretch therapy apparatus includes both a leg stretching component and an arm and back stretching component. The leg stretching component allows the user to easily and safely separate his or her legs by 180.degree. or more using hand crank or motorized mechanisms. Sliding leg deck construction reduces the pressure on the user's knees during leg stretching exercises. The arm and back stretching component allows the user to maintain his or her arms and back muscles in a fully extended position without applying undue force during stretching. The arm and back stretching component includes a platform on which the user is seated and a stretching pole which can be selectively oriented in three dimensional space relative to the user's waist.

Abstract: A stretch therapy apparatus is disclosed which provides for enhanced physical fitness as well as rehabilitation and medical treatment. The stretch therapy apparatus includes both a leg stretching component and an arm and back stretching component. The leg stretching component allows the user to easily and safely separate his or her legs by 180.degree. or more using hand crank or motorized mechanisms. Sliding leg deck construction reduces the pressure on the user's knees during leg stretching exercises. The arm and back stretching component allows the user to maintain his or her arms and back muscles in a fully extended position without applying undue force during stretching. The arm and back stretching component includes a platform on which the user is seated and a stretching pole which can be selectively oriented in three dimensional space relative to the user's waist.

Abstract: A stretch therapy apparatus is disclosed which provides for enhanced physical fitness as well as rehabilitation and medical treatment. The stretch therapy apparatus includes both a leg stretching component and an arm and back stretching component. The leg stretching component allows the user to easily and safely separate his or her legs by 180.degree. or more using hand crank or motorized mechanisms. Sliding leg deck construction reduces the pressure on the user's knees during leg stretching exercises. The arm and back stretching component allows the user to maintain his or her arms and back muscles in a fully extended position without applying undue force during stretching. The arm and back stretching component includes a platform on which the user is seated and a stretching pole which can be selectively oriented in three dimensional space relative to the user's waist.

Abstract: According to the invention, a stretching machine is provided that can be used both for physical therapy/rehabilitation and for physical fitness. The stretching machine includes both an arm and back stretching component and a leg, thigh, and calf stretching component. The arm and back stretching component includes a mechanism for allowing the user to sit and fully extend his arms either directly above his head, directly in front of his torso, or at any angle therebetween. In addition, the arm and back stretching component can be pivoted to an angular orientation with respect to the user's waist, thereby allowing different muscle groups to be stretched. The leg, thigh, and calf stretching component includes a pair of leg supports which when moved apart holds the user's legs in a spread orientation for a period of time to stretch the muscles.