Abstract: An exercising apparatus of the rowing type having a seat freely slidable on a rail, feet stirrups, and poles representing oars that are provided with one-way resistance. With these features, the apparatus is usable as a conventional rowing-type machine. It is convertible to alternate use by the additional features as follows: the seat is provided with a backrest and the seat is reversible on the rail. The poles are pivoted front to back, the resistance being applied in one of these directions only, and are further freely pivotable side-to-side. The seat is locked in place in its reversed position so that the poles can be moved by the user between a position with the arms extended to the sides and the arms extended to the front. Such movement is resisted on the side-to-front motion only.

Abstract: An exercise devise that simulates cross country skiing. A pair of rails are mounted between pivotable handles simulating ski poles. Foot pads slidably mounted on the rails are interconnected by a loop including a flexible strap that extends along each rail and around curved static bearing surfaces at each end. A spring maintains the strap of the loop tightly against the static bearing surfaces to generate resistance to sliding movement of the foot pads. The tension in the spring is adjustable by a tightener that shortens the length of the loop and thereby tightens the strap against the static bearing surfaces.