Abstract: An exercise machine with a two directional pivoting user support assembly has a user support or platform which supports the user and pivots about a first pivot axis during an exercise movement, and is also pivotable about at least one second pivot axis to involve the user's core muscles in balancing and maintaining the user support in a stable position. A manually operable locking device with a simple flip switch lever is provided for selectively locking the user support against rotation about the second pivot axis, so that the user can easily chose whether to perform the exercise with a stable support or to add a level of difficulty by using the unstable seat mode and exercising core muscles during the exercise.

Abstract: A swivel joint system for hanging a heavy punching bag from an overhead support has a swivel joint defining at least first and second perpendicular pivot axes and a hanging shaft having a lower end pivotally connected to the universal joint for rotation about the first pivot axis and an upper end configured for rotatable attachment to an overhead support for free rotation about a third pivot axis. A hanging tube is pivotally connected to the universal joint for rotation about the second pivot axis, and releasably secured to a mounting plate. A plurality of attachment members are rigidly attachable at spaced locations around the mounting plate to surround the hanging tube and configured for attachment to straps at the upper end of a heavy punching bag.

Abstract: An exercise machine with a two directional pivoting user support assembly has a user support or platform which supports the user and pivots about a first pivot axis during an exercise movement, and is also pivotable about at least one second pivot axis to involve the user's core muscles in balancing and maintaining the user support in a stable position. A manually operable locking device with a simple flip switch lever is provided for selectively locking the user support against rotation about the second pivot axis, so that the user can easily chose whether to perform the exercise with a stable support or to add a level of difficulty by using the unstable seat mode and exercising core muscles during the exercise.

Abstract: An exercise machine with a two directional pivoting user support assembly has a user support or platform which supports the user and pivots about a first pivot axis during an exercise movement, and is also pivotable about at least one second pivot axis to involve the user's core muscles in balancing and maintaining the user support in a stable position. A manually operable locking device with a simple flip switch lever is provided for selectively locking the user support against rotation about the second pivot axis, so that the user can easily chose whether to perform the exercise with a stable support or to add a level of difficulty by using the unstable seat mode and exercising core muscles during the exercise.

Abstract: An exercise machine for performing triceps press exercises, including a moving user support that supports the user in a seated position. The exercise machine includes a linkage assembly that allows the user support to tilt as the user performs a triceps press exercise. As the user extends his or her arms from the exercise starting position to the exercise ending position, the user support frame—and thus the user's torso—reclines progressively backwards. The user's natural reaction to this reclining sensation is to bring his or her head forward, which encourages the user to plant his or her lower back firmly into a stable position against the back pad and in turn reduces the risk of injury associated with excessively arching of the lower back.

Abstract: A swiveling user support assembly has a user support or seat rotatably mounted on a user support mounting device or frame for rotation about a first pivot axis, while the mounting device or frame is pivotally or rigidly connected to a main frame of an exercise machine. The user support has a base, and a primary user support and stabilizing device mounted on the base. A pivot connection between the base and mounting device or frame allows the user support to swivel from side to side about the first pivot axis. A centering mechanism helps to orient the user support in a central position for user entry or exit.

Abstract: An unstable user support device designed for mounting on an exercise machine has a base or mounting bracket and an unstable user support platform configured for engagement by user and pivotally mounted on the base for pivotal movement through a limited angular range about a non-vertical pivot axis. The pivoting movement may be a side to side tilting movement. Stops between the base and the unstable user support platform control the amount of pivoting movement. This arrangement provides a degree of instability to the unstable user support platform, to provide a greater challenge to the user's core muscles in balancing the unstable user support platform while performing an exercise motion.

Abstract: An exercise machine for performing prone leg curl exercises, including a moving support platform or frame that allows a user to perform prone leg curl exercises without excessively arching his or her lower back.

Abstract: An unstable user support device designed for mounting on an exercise machine has a base or mounting bracket and an unstable user support platform configured for engagement by the user and pivotally mounted on the base for pivotal movement through a limited angular range about a non-vertical pivot axis. The pivoting movement may be a side to side tilting movement. Stops between the base and the unstable user support platform control the amount of pivoting movement. This arrangement provides a degree of instability to the platform, to provide a greater challenge to the user's core muscles in balancing the platform while performing an exercise motion.

Abstract: An unstable user support device designed for mounting on a rotary torso exercise machine has a base or mounting bracket and an unstable user support platform configured for engagement by the user and pivotally mounted on the base for pivotal movement through a limited angular range about a non-vertical pivot axis. The pivoting movement may be a side to side tilting movement. Stops between the base and the unstable user support platform control the amount of pivoting movement. This arrangement provides a degree of instability to the platform, to provide a greater challenge to the user's core muscles in balancing the platform while performing an exercise motion.

Abstract: A swivel joint system for hanging a heavy punching bag from an overhead support has a swivel joint defining at least first and second perpendicular pivot axes and a hanging shaft having a lower end pivotally connected to the universal joint for rotation about the first pivot axis and an upper end configured for rotatable attachment to an overhead support for free rotation about a third pivot axis. A hanging tube is pivotally connected to the universal joint for rotation about the second pivot axis, and releasably secured to a mounting plate. A plurality of attachment members are rigidly attachable at spaced locations around the mounting plate to surround the hanging tube and configured for attachment to straps at the upper end of a heavy punching bag.

Abstract: A swiveling user support assembly has a user support or seat rotatably mounted on a user support mounting device or frame for rotation about a first pivot axis, while the mounting device or frame is pivotally or rigidly connected to a main frame of an exercise machine. The user support has a base, and a primary user support and stabilizing device mounted on the base. A pivot connection between the base and mounting device or frame allows the user support to swivel from side to side about the first pivot axis. A centering mechanism helps to orient the user support in a central position for user entry or exit.

Abstract: An exercise machine has a main frame and a user support movably mounted relative to the main frame for movement between a start position and an end position during an exercise. At least one user engagement device is movably mounted relative to the main frame for engagement and actuation by a user during an exercise, and a connecting linkage translates movement of the user engagement device to movement of the user support. A lifting arm is movably mounted relative to the main frame and associated with at least one of the user support, user engagement device, and connecting linkage so as to move during an exercise. A load associated with the lifting arm provides exercise resistance.

Abstract: An exercise machine with a two directional pivoting user support assembly has a user support or platform which supports the user and pivots about a first pivot axis during an exercise movement, and is also pivotable about at least one second pivot axis to involve the user's core muscles in balancing and maintaining the user support in a stable position. A manually operable locking device with a simple flip switch lever is provided for selectively locking the user support against rotation about the second pivot axis, so that the user can easily chose whether to perform the exercise with a stable support or to add a level of difficulty by using the unstable seat mode and exercising core muscles during the exercise.

Abstract: A swiveling user support assembly has a user support or seat rotatably mounted on a user support mounting device or frame for rotation about a first pivot axis, while the mounting device or frame is pivotally or rigidly connected to a main frame of an exercise machine. The user support has a base, and a primary user support and stabilizing device mounted on the base. A pivot connection between the base and mounting device or frame allows the user support to swivel from side to side about the first pivot axis. A centering mechanism helps to orient the user support in a central position for user entry or exit.

Abstract: A low back exercise machine has a pivotally mounted user support frame carrying a user seat and a foot rest assembly, an exercise arm carrying a back pad pivotally mounted relative to the user support frame, and a connecting linkage which translates movement of the exercise arm into rotation of the user support frame about its pivot axis, whereby the user support including the foot rests moves from an upright into a rearwardly reclined orientation as the user pushes the back pad rearward and downward to lean backwards so as to exercise the lower back muscles.

Abstract: A glute exercise machine has a stationary main frame, a pivotally mounted upper torso support, a knee support, and an exercise arm having a foot support for engaging a user's foot and configured for rotation from a start position by user engaging the knee support with one leg and the exercise arm with the other leg. A connecting linkage translates movement of the exercise arms into rocking movement of the upper torso support. A load is linked to one of the moving parts to provide exercise resistance.

Abstract: An exercise machine with a two directional pivoting user support assembly has a user support or platform which supports the user and pivots about a first pivot axis during an exercise movement, and is also pivotable about at least one second pivot axis to involve the user's core muscles in balancing and maintaining the user support in a stable position. A manually operable locking device with a simple flip switch lever is provided for selectively locking the user support against rotation about the second pivot axis, so that the user can easily chose whether to perform the exercise with a stable support or to add a level of difficulty by using the unstable seat mode and exercising core muscles during the exercise.

Abstract: A thigh exercise machine has a stationary main frame, a pivotally mounted user support seat, and a pair of exercise arms mounted for rotation between inner and outer positions, each arm having a pad positioned to engage part of a user's leg such as a user's inner or outer thigh. A connecting linkage translates movement of the exercise arms into rocking movement of the user support seat. The connecting linkage is arranged so that user is positioned in an upright or slightly reclined posture when their legs are together and a more reclined posture when their legs are spread apart.

Abstract: An unstable user support device designed for mounting on an exercise machine has a base or mounting bracket and a user support platform configured for engagement by the user and pivotally mounted on the base for pivotal movement through a limited angle about a pivot axis extending in a plane parallel to the user support platform, The pivoting movement may be a side to side tilting movement. Stops between the base and support platform control the amount of pivoting movement. This arrangement provides a degree of instability to the platform, to provide a greater challenge to the user's core muscles in balancing the platform while performing an exercise motion.