Abstract: An exercise machine composed of a frame, a first four bar linkage system, a second four bar linkage system, and a means for transferring an incident force from the legs of a user is disclosed. The first four bar linkage system is operably mounted on the frame and operably connects the transferring means to the frame to allow for back and forth movement of the transferring means along a path of travel about an instantaneously changing axis of rotation. The second four bar linkage system operably engages the first four bar linkage system. Either or both of the first four bar linkage system and the second four bar linkage system are operably connected to a resistance means, whereby the second four bar linkage system operates in conjunction with the first four bar linkage system and the resistance means to create a mechanical disadvantage to the user.

Abstract: An exercise machine for exercising muscles in the back of an exerciser, includes: a frame; a seat assembly attached to the frame; a movement arm pivotally attached to the frame and movable along a stroke path between an upper forward position and a lower rearward position; a resistance-imparting unit operatively connected with the movement arm to provide resistance to the movement arm as it moves from the forward position to the rearward position; a pair of handles to be grasped by the exerciser; and a pair of extension members, each of which is attached to a respective handle such that each handle is free to rotate about a longitudinal axis of the extension member. The extension members are attached to the movement arm such that each extension member is free to at least partially rotate relative to the movement arm about vertical, longitudinal and transverse axes.

Abstract: An exercise machine includes: a frame configured to rest on an underlying surface; a seat mounted to the frame; a backrest mounted to the frame above the seat, the seat and backrest being configured to receive a seated user; a pair of movement arm units pivotally interconnected with the frame and movable about respective generally parallel first and second axes of rotation; and a resistance system connected with the movement arm units. Each of the movement arms is configured to engage at least one of the elbows, forearms and hands of the user and is movable, within a range of motion plane that is generally normal to the first and second axes of rotation, between an extended position and a flexed position. The range of motion plane forms an angle of between about 30 and 80 degrees with the backrest.

Abstract: An inclined leg press machine includes: a frame that includes a base configured to rest on an underlying surface and a pair of inclined guides; a seat assembly attached to the frame; a weight sled slidably engaged with the guides along a travel path that is substantially parallel with the guides, the weight sled operatively coupled with a resistance source; and a foot platform assembly movable with the weight sled, the foot platform assembly having a foot platform that receives the feet of an exerciser. The weight sled is movable along the travel path between flexed and extended positions. The foot platform rotates relative to the underlying surface as the weight sled moves between the flexed and extended positions so that, when the exerciser's feet are placed flat on the foot platform, the exerciser's feet and tibiae are maintained at an angle of approximately ninety degrees.

Abstract: A leg press exercise machine comprises: a frame; a seat unit attached to the frame; a press mechanism attached to the frame, the press mechanism including a foot panel and at least one swing link pivotally interconnected with the frame; a resistance-imparting unit operatively connected with the press mechanism; and a resistance coupling mechanism attached to the press mechanism and the resistance-imparting unit. The press mechanism is configured such that the foot panel is movable along a generally longitudinal stroke path between a retracted position and a fully extended position. The resistance-imparting unit provides resistance to the foot panel as it moves from the retracted position to the fully extended position. The resistance coupling mechanism includes a drawing link pivotally interconnected with the swing link and a control link pivotally interconnected with the drawing link and the press mechanism. The control link is further attached to the resistance-imparting unit.

Abstract: An exercise machine includes: a frame resting on an underlying surface; a seat mounted to the frame and configured to receive a seated user; a pair of support pads mounted to the frame forwardly of and above the seat, each of the support pads positioned to engage one of the upper arms and the elbows of the seated user; a pair of movement arm units pivotally interconnected with the frame and movable about respective generally horizontal axes of rotation; and a resistance system connected with the movement arm units. Each of the pair of movement arm units is configured to engage the forearms and/or the hands of the user and is movable between an extended position, in which the seated user's arms are substantially straight, and a curled position, in which the user's arms are bent. The axes of rotation form an angle of between about 115 and 155 degrees.

Abstract: An exercise machine includes: a frame configured to rest on an underlying surface; a seat mounted to the frame and configured to receive a seated user; a pair of support pads mounted to the frame forwardly of and above the seat, each of the support pads being positioned to engage the upper arms and/or elbows of the seated user; a pair of movement arm units pivotally interconnected with the frame and movable about respective generally horizontal axes of rotation; and a resistance system connected with the movement arm units. Each of the pair of movement arm units is configured to engage the forearms and/or the hands of the user and is movable between a retracted position, in which the seated user's arms are bent, and an extended position, in which the user's arms are extended, the axes of rotation forming an angle of between about 115 and 155 degrees.

Abstract: A rowing weight training machine includes: a frame; a seat assembly attached to the frame; a movement arm pivotally attached to the frame and movable along a generally longitudinal stroke path between a forward position and a rearward position; a resistance-imparting unit operatively connected with the movement arm to provide resistance to the movement arm as it moves from the forward position to the rearward position; a pair of handles to be grasped by an exerciser; and a pair of extension members, each of which is attached to a respective handle such that each handle is free to rotate about a longitudinal axis of the extension member. The extension members are attached to the movement arm (preferably via a universal ball joint) such that each extension member is free to at least partially rotate relative to the movement arm about vertical, longitudinal and transverse axes.

Abstract: An exercise machine for exercising muscles in the back of an exerciser, includes: a frame; a seat assembly attached to the frame; a movement arm pivotally attached to the frame and movable along a stroke path between an upper forward position and a lower rearward position; a resistance-imparting unit operatively connected with the movement arm to provide resistance to the movement arm as it moves from the forward position to the rearward position; a pair of handles to be grasped by the exerciser; and a pair of extension members, each of which is attached to a respective handle such that each handle is free to rotate about a longitudinal axis of the extension member. The extension members are attached to the movement arm such that each extension member is free to at least partially rotate relative to the movement arm about vertical, longitudinal and transverse axes.

Abstract: An inclined leg press machine includes: a frame that includes a base configured to rest on an underlying surface and a pair of inclined guides; a seat assembly attached to the frame; a weight sled slidably engaged with the guides along a travel path that is substantially parallel with the guides, the weight sled operatively coupled with a resistance source; and a foot platform assembly movable with the weight sled, the foot platform assembly having a foot platform that receives the feet of an exerciser. The weight sled is movable along the travel path between flexed and extended positions. The foot platform rotates relative to the underlying surface as the weight sled moves between the flexed and extended positions so that, when the exerciser's feet are placed flat on the foot platform, the exerciser's feet and tibiae are maintained at an angle of approximately ninety degrees.

Abstract: An exercise machine for exercising muscles in the back of an exerciser, includes: a frame; a seat assembly attached to the frame; a movement arm pivotally attached to the frame and movable along a stroke path between an upper forward position and a lower rearward position; a resistance-imparting unit operatively connected with the movement arm to provide resistance to the movement arm as it moves from the forward position to the rearward position; a pair of handles to be grasped by the exerciser; and a pair of extension members, each of which is attached to a respective handle such that each handle is free to rotate about a longitudinal axis of the extension member. The extension members are attached to the movement arm such that each extension member is free to at least partially rotate relative to the movement arm about vertical, longitudinal and transverse axes.

Abstract: An exercise machine composed of a frame, a first four bar linkage system, a second four bar linkage system, and a means for transferring an incident force from the legs of a user is disclosed. The first four bar linkage system is operably mounted on the frame and operably connects the transferring means to the frame to allow for back and forth movement of the transferring means along a path of travel about an instantaneously changing axis of rotation.The second four bar linkage system operably engages the first four bar linkage system. Either or both of the first four bar linkage system and the second four bar linkage system are operably connected to a resistance means, whereby the second four bar linkage system operates in conjunction with the first four bar linkage system and the resistance means to create a mechanical disadvantage to the user.

Abstract: An exercise machine for performing leg curl and leg extension movements includes: a frame configured to rest on an underlying surface; an upper leg-supporting assembly pivotally interconnected with the frame, the upper leg-supporting assembly having a seat pad; a torso-supporting assembly pivotally interconnected with the frame and with the upper leg-supporting assembly, the torso-supporting assembly having a backrest pad; a leg curl assembly arm pivotally interconnected with the frame about a first pivot axis; a leg extension assembly arm pivotally interconnected with the frame about a second pivot axis; a resistance-imparting unit coupled with the leg curl movement arm and the leg extension movement arm; and a conversion mechanism interconnected with the frame and/or the torso-supporting assembly and the upper leg-supporting assembly.

Abstract: An exercise machine includes a frame, a pair of arm assemblies, a pair of handle units, a coupling unit, and a resistance-imparting unit. Each of the arm assemblies has an arm and a mounting unit connected with the frame and the proximal end of the arm. The mounting units are configured such that the arm can pivot relative to the frame about a first generally vertical axis and about a second generally horizontal axis, the movement about the first axis being over a range of at least 50 degrees. The handle units are associated with a respective one of the distal ends of the arms and are moveable away from that distal end. The coupling unit is attached to each of the pair of handle units. The resistance-imparting unit is attached to the coupling unit and resists movement of the handle units away from the distal ends of the arms.

Abstract: An exercise machine includes: a frame configured to rest on an underlying surface; a seat mounted to the frame and configured to receive a seated user; a pair of support pads mounted to the frame forwardly of and above the seat, each of the support pads being positioned to engage the upper arms and/or elbows of the seated user; a pair of movement arm units pivotally interconnected with the frame and movable about respective generally horizontal axes of rotation; and a resistance system connected with the movement arm units. Each of the pair of movement arm units is configured to engage the forearms and/or the hands of the user and is movable between a retracted position, in which the seated user's arms are bent, and an extended position, in which the user's arms are extended, the axes of rotation forming an angle of between about 115 and 155 degrees.

Abstract: An exercise machine includes: a frame configured to rest on an underlying surface; a seat mounted to the frame; a backrest mounted to the frame above the seat, the seat and backrest being configured to receive a seated user; a pair of movement arm units pivotally interconnected with the frame and movable about respective generally parallel first and second axes of rotation; and a resistance system connected with the movement arm units. Each of the movement arms is configured to engage at least one of the elbows, forearms and hands of the user and is movable, within a range of motion plane that is generally normal to the first and second axes of rotation, between an extended position and a flexed position. The range of motion plane forms an angle of between about 30 and 80 degrees with the backrest.

Abstract: A rowing weight training machine includes: a frame; a seat assembly attached to the frame; a movement arm pivotally attached to the frame and movable along a generally longitudinal stroke path between a forward position and a rearward position; a resistance-imparting unit operatively connected with the movement arm to provide resistance to the movement arm as it moves from the forward position to the rearward position; a pair of handles to be grasped by an exerciser; and a pair of extension members, each of which is attached to a respective handle such that each handle is free to rotate about a longitudinal axis of the extension member. The extension members are attached to the movement arm (preferably via a universal ball joint) such that each extension member is free to at least partially rotate relative to the movement arm about vertical, longitudinal and transverse axes.

Abstract: An exercise machine for exercising muscles in the back of an exerciser, includes: a frame; a seat assembly attached to the frame; a movement arm pivotally attached to the frame and movable along a stroke path between an upper forward position and a lower rearward position; a resistance-imparting unit operatively connected with the movement arm to provide resistance to the movement arm as it moves from the forward position to the rearward position; a pair of handles to be grasped by the exerciser; and a pair of extension members, each of which is attached to a respective handle such that each handle is free to rotate about a longitudinal axis of the extension member. The extension members are attached to the movement arm such that each extension member is free to at least partially rotate relative to the movement arm about vertical, longitudinal and transverse axes.

Abstract: Exercise machine having a frame with a pair of upstanding sections disposed substantially at right angles to each other, a weight stack mounted on each of the frame sections, a cable coupled to each of the weight stacks for transferring a pull on the cable to the weights in the stack, a pulley block through which the cable is pulled, a leg connected to each of the frame sections for movement between a supporting position and a storage position, interlock means engagable between the legs and respective ones of the weight stacks for preventing the weights from being raised when the legs are in the storage position, a bench which is removably connected to the frame and can be folded up between the two frame sections for storage, a carriage mounted on each of the frame sections and adapted to be positioned at different heights, and means mounting one of the pulley blocks on each of the carriages such that each of the pulley blocks is free to pivot about two axes of rotation so that the pulley block can follow the

Abstract: An exercise apparatus includes a frame, user actuation components connected to the frame for being engaged and moved by a user during an exercise, and a rheological fluid brake operatively connected to the user actuation components for applying a controllable resistance to movement thereof. The rheological fluid brake includes a rheological fluid having a controllable viscosity, a housing connected to the frame and containing the rheological fluid, and a rotatable shaft extending outwardly from the housing and connected between the rheological fluid and the user actuation components. A flywheel is also preferably connected to the rotatable shaft to further smooth action of the brake. A controller, such as a microprocessor operating under stored program control, is preferably operatively connected to the rheological fluid brake for causing a predetermined field strength to be applied to the rheological fluid based upon a user-selected resistance value.