Abstract: A Pilates chair exercise apparatus has a frame configured to rest on a horizontal surface, an inverted Y shaped seat support member fastened to an upper portion of the frame, a seat fastened to an upper end of the seat support, and a pair of parallel arms each having a proximal end fastened to the frame and a foot support fastened to a distal end of the arm, wherein each arm is biased away from the frame. A rotary torque unit mounted to the frame beneath the seat biases each of the arms. The rotary torque unit includes a rotary spring cassette that carries a plurality of flat coil springs each having only one end fastened to an axle at one end of one of the arms. Combinations of the springs in the spring cassette may be user selected without the user leaving the seat of the chair exercise apparatus.

Abstract: An exercise device configured to be held by a person during exercise in order to provide proper spacing between body parts such as ankles or knees, and optionally pressure applied to by the person by squeezing the device during exercise includes an elongated, generally rectangular block shaped body having four enlarged convex rounded corner portions, a front concave surface portion, a rear concave surface portion, left and right concave end surface portions, concave top and bottom surface portions, wherein each of the corner portions merge with a different set of at least three of the concave surface portions.

Abstract: A reformer exercise apparatus is disclosed that has a generally rectangular frame, a carriage movably supported on the frame, and a foot support member supported by the side rail portions of the frame. The foot support member has an inverted U shape carbon fiber tube having ends each fixed to a foot bar support member having a cylindrical base, a cylindrical post welded to the base, and a foot bar support arm welded to one end of the cylindrical base, for connection to a foot support assembly operable to selectively position the foot support member at various positions along the side rail portions of the frame.

Abstract: A reformer exercise apparatus is disclosed that has a generally rectangular frame, a carriage movably supported on the frame, and a foot support member supported by the side rail portions of the frame. The foot support member has an inverted U shape carbon fiber tube having ends each fixed to a foot bar support member having a cylindrical base, a cylindrical post welded to the base, and a foot bar support arm welded to one end of the cylindrical base, for connection to a foot support assembly operable to selectively position the foot support member at various positions along the side rail portions of the frame.

Abstract: A reformer exercise apparatus is disclosed that has a generally rectangular frame, a carriage movably supported on the frame, and a foot support member supported by the side rail portions of the frame. The foot support member has an inverted U shape carbon fiber tube having ends each fixed to a foot bar support member having a cylindrical base, a cylindrical post welded to the base, and a foot bar support arm welded to one end of the cylindrical base, for connection to a foot support assembly operable to selectively position the foot support member at various positions along the side rail portions of the frame.

Abstract: An exercise apparatus includes a base configured to rest on a horizontal floor surface. A vertical pole member is fastened to the base and extends vertically from the floor surface. A cross bar sleeve is fastened to an upper end portion of the vertical pole member and supports a pair of cross bar members extending in opposite directions. One or more elastic resistance members extends from the cross bar members. A rectangular foot support plate is removably supported on the base. This rectangular foot support plate has a pair of spaced apart lugs projecting from an underside surface of the foot support plate along one edge. Each is adapted to fit within one of a plurality of recesses in the base so as to incline the foot support plate at an angle with respect to the base when the foot support plate is supported on the base.

Abstract: A frame corner member includes an elongated hollow extrusion having a central corner portion and two leg portions extending from the central portion. Each leg portion includes an inner side wall spaced from and parallel to an outer side wall, and merging with the central portion. An outer end wall joins the inner and outer side walls, which each include an inner surface facing the inner surface of the other side wall. An opening through the outer end wall defines a space between the inner and outer side walls adjacent one end of the extrusion for receiving one end of one of frame side members and end members. At least one of the inner surfaces in the space has discrete surface features adapted to grip and retain the one end of one of the side members and end members in the space when received through the opening.

Abstract: A frame corner member includes an elongated hollow extrusion having a central corner portion and two leg portions extending from the central portion. Each leg portion includes an inner side wall spaced from and parallel to an outer side wall, and merging with the central portion. An outer end wall joins the inner and outer side walls, which each include an inner surface facing the inner surface of the other side wall. An opening through the outer end wall defines a space between the inner and outer side walls adjacent one end of the extrusion for receiving one end of one of frame side members and end members. At least one of the inner surfaces in the space has discrete surface features adapted to grip and retain the one end of one of the side members and end members in the space when received through the opening.

Abstract: A frame corner member includes an elongated hollow extrusion having a central corner portion and two leg portions extending from the central portion. Each leg portion includes an inner side wall spaced from and parallel to an outer side wall, and merging with the central portion. An outer end wall joins the inner and outer side walls, which each include an inner surface facing the inner surface of the other side wall. An opening through the outer end wall defines a space between the inner and outer side walls adjacent one end of the extrusion for receiving one end of one of frame side members and end members. At least one of the inner surfaces in the space has discrete surface features adapted to grip and retain the one end of one of the side members and end members in the space when received through the opening.

Abstract: A sit box for use on a reformer exercise apparatus carriage is a unitary body having a rectangular flat top surface portion joining four curved portions. Each curved portion merges with one of an upright front wall, an upright back wall, an upright left side wall, and an upright right side wall. The walls terminate at a generally flat rectangular bottom parallel to the top surface portion. Each wall curves to merge with an adjacent wall. Each of the left and right side walls has an outwardly open vertical recess therein adjacent the front wall to receive within each recess one of a pair of shoulder stops projecting from the carriage.

Abstract: An exercise apparatus includes a base configured to rest on a horizontal floor surface. A vertical pole member is fastened to the base and extends vertically from the floor surface. A cross bar sleeve is fastened to an upper end portion of the vertical pole member and supports a pair of cross bar members extending in opposite directions. One or more elastic resistance members extends from the cross bar members. A rectangular foot support plate is removably supported on the base. This rectangular foot support plate has a pair of spaced apart lugs projecting from an underside surface of the foot support plate along one edge. Each is adapted to fit within one of a plurality of recesses in the base so as to incline the foot support plate at an angle with respect to the base when the foot support plate is supported on the base.

Abstract: A rectangular frame for a reformer exercise apparatus is disclosed which includes a pair of spaced apart side rail members, a head end member, a foot end member; and four corner members, each joining one of the side rail members to one of the end members. Each side rail member and each end member is a rigid generally rectangular extrusion. The top wall, the bottom wall and the inner vertical wall have interior screw races. The outer vertical wall has a pair of spaced interior projecting screw races. Each corner member is fastened to one of the end members and one of the side members by threaded fasteners projecting from the screw races through apertures in the L shaped elongated corner member, and an L shaped cover hides these fasteners from view.

Abstract: A spring ring retainer device is described for retaining a spring ring on a spring anchor in an exercise apparatus such as a Pilates chair. The retainer device eliminates metal to metal contact between the spring ring and the anchor to minimize wear and also provide tactile feedback to a user of proper spring position on the anchor. The device is preferably an elongated unitary body having a central semi-cylindrical portion having a first radius, a first curved end portion, and a semi-cylindrical connector portion joining the first curved end portion to one end of the central semi-cylindrical portion, a second curved end portion and a second semi-cylindrical connector portion joining the second curved end portion with the central semi-cylindrical portion.

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 rectangular frame for a reformer exercise apparatus is disclosed which includes a pair of spaced apart side rail members, a head end member, a foot end member; and four corner members, each joining one of the side rail members to one of the end members. Each side rail member and each end member is a rigid generally rectangular extrusion. The top wall, the bottom wall and the inner vertical wall have interior screw races. The outer vertical wall has a pair of spaced interior projecting screw races. Each corner member is fastened to one of the end members and one of the side members by threaded fasteners projecting from the screw races through apertures in the L shaped elongated corner member, and an L shaped cover hides these fasteners from view.

Abstract: A spring ring retainer device is described for retaining a spring ring on a spring anchor in an exercise apparatus such as a Pilates chair. The retainer device eliminates metal to metal contact between the spring ring and the anchor to minimize wear and also provide tactile feedback to a user of proper spring position on the anchor. The device is preferably an elongated unitary body having a central semi-cylindrical portion having a first radius, a first curved end portion, and a semi-cylindrical connector portion joining the first curved end portion to one end of the central semi-cylindrical portion, a second curved end portion and a second semi-cylindrical connector portion joining the second curved end portion with the central semi-cylindrical portion.