Abstract: Various linkage arrangements link rotation of left and right cranks to movement of left and right foot supports through generally elliptical paths. The linkage arrangements may also link rotation of the cranks to reciprocal movement of left and right handles. Also, connection points defined by the linkage arrangements may be moved relative to one another and/or a supporting frame to adjust the size, shape, and/or orientation of the elliptical paths.

Abstract: An exercise device includes a frame, and left and right force receiving members movably mounted on the frame. The force receiving members are selectively linked to one another to facilitate a first mode of exercise, wherein a person's hands or legs are repeatedly moved toward and away from one another. When so linked, the force receiving members may alternatively be biased toward one another or away from one another. The force receiving members may be decoupled to facilitate a second mode of exercise, wherein a person stretches and/or leans forward and then returns backward.

Abstract: An exercise device includes a frame, a foot support mounted on the frame, and a body supporting linkage mounted on the frame. The linkage includes a seat, a lower back support, and an upper back and head support. Also, a handlebar is preferably mounted on the upper back and head support. The linkage is movably mounted on the frame in a manner that comfortably supports a person during both a leg press exercise and an abdominal crunch exercise. A resistance device is interconnected between the linkage and the frame to provide resistance to each type of exercise.

Abstract: An exercise device includes a frame, and upper and lower force receiving members movably mounted on the frame and constrained to pivot in opposite directions. A resistance device is preferably interconnected between the frame and at least one of the force receiving members to resist movement of the members toward one another and/or to bias the members away from one another. The lower member is configured to support a person's feet, and the upper member is configured to support a person's hands and/or to engage a person's chest. The device facilitates a combination crunch and leg lift exercise that involves both a person's upper abdominal muscles and a person's lower abdominal muscles. The device may be operated in a manner that facilitates exercise of a person's oblique muscles, as well.

Abstract: An exercise device has left and right rails that are supported on respective pairs of equal length rocker arms, and left and right skates that are movably mounted on respective rails. Left and right cranks move the rails relative to a frame, and move the skates along the rails in a manner that defines adjacent paths of generally elliptical foot motion, while maintaining the foot supports in a fixed orientation relative to the frame.

Abstract: Various exercise apparatus have respective linkage assemblies which are movably mounted on a frame and link rotation of left and right cranks to elliptical movement of left and right foot supporting members. The linkage assemblies include separate linkage arrangements for horizontal and vertical displacement of the foot supporting members, and the linkage assemblies accommodate travel of the foot supporting members to positions laterally adjacent the cranks.

Abstract: An exercise apparatus has a linkage assembly which links rotation of a crank to generally elliptical movement of a foot supporting member. The linkage assembly includes a first link having a first end rotatably connected to a first rocker link, an intermediate portion rotatably connected to the crank, and a second end rotatably connected to a rearward end of the foot supporting member. An opposite, forward end of the foot supporting member is rotatably connected to a second rocker link. An upper distal portion of the second rocker link is sized and configured for grasping by a person standing on the foot supporting member. The foot path defined by the foot supporting member may be adjusted by selectively moving the crank axis relative to the handlebar axis.

Abstract: An exercise device has left and right foot supports that are pivotally connected to respective pairs of pivoting rocker arms, which in turn, are pivotally connected to respective skates. Left and right cranks move the skates along a frame, and move the foot supports relative to the skates in a manner that defines adjacent paths of generally elliptical foot motion, while maintaining the foot supports in a fixed orientation relative to the frame.

Abstract: An exercise apparatus links rotation of a crank to generally elliptical motion of a foot supporting member. A foot supporting linkage is movably connected between a rocker and a crank in such a manner that the foot supporting member moves through a range of motion greater in length than the distance between the points of connection to the crank.

Abstract: An exercise device has left and right foot supports that are supported on respective pairs of pivoting rails that are constrained to remain parallel to one another. Left and right cranks move the rails relative to a frame, and move the foot supports along the rails in a manner that defines adjacent paths of generally elliptical foot motion, while maintaining the foot supports in a fixed orientation relative to the frame.

Abstract: A stationary bike is adjustable through a range of configurations, including one suitable for recumbent cycling, another suitable for semi-recumbent cycling, and yet another suitable for mostly upright cycling. A handle assembly is mounted on the stationary bike, and provides left and right handle members that are operable in different modes of operation, including a stationary mode, a linked exercise mode, and an independent exercise mode.

Abstract: An exercise apparatus has left and right foot skates which are constrained to move back and forth in reciprocal fashion. Left and right foot platforms are movably mounted on respective foot skates and constrained to move up and down in reciprocal fashion. The apparatus may be operated in different modes of operation, including a first mode, wherein the foot skates are free to move back and forth and the foot platforms are free to move up and down; a second mode, wherein the foot platforms are free to move up and down, but the foot skates are locked (or biased) against movement; and a third mode, wherein the foot skates are free to move back and forth, but the foot platforms are locked (or biased) against movement. Resistance may be provided to back and forth movement of the foot skates and/or up and down movement of the foot platforms.

Abstract: An exercise device has a frame configured to engage a person's forearm, and a handle that is mounted on the frame for movement about at least two orthogonal axes relative to the frame and/or for movement in at least two orthogonal directions relative to the frame. The handle is preferably biased against movement out of a rest position relative to the frame.

Abstract: An exercise apparatus includes a linkage assembly interconnected between a frame and a crank rotatably mounted on the frame. The linkage assembly includes a rail that is supported by the crank and the frame, and a foot skate that moves up and down together with the rail and back and forth relative to the rail.

Abstract: An exercise apparatus has a linkage assembly which links rotation of a crank to generally elliptical movement of a foot supporting member. The linkage assembly includes a first link having a first end rotatably connected to a first rocker link, an intermediate portion rotatably connected to the crank, and a second end rotatably connected to a rearward end of the foot supporting member. An opposite, forward end of the foot supporting member is rotatably connected to a second rocker link. An upper distal portion of the second rocker link is sized and configured for grasping by a person standing on the foot supporting member. The foot path defined by the foot supporting member may be adjusted by selectively moving the crank axis relative to the handlebar axis.

Abstract: An exercise apparatus includes a frame; a front crank rotatably mounted on the frame; a rear crank rotatably mounted on the frame; left and right rails rotatably interconnected between respective portions of the front crank and respective portions of the rear crank; left and right foot supports movably mounted on respective rails; left and right rocker links pivotally mounted on the frame and operatively, connected to respective foot supports; and left and right drive links movably interconnected between respective front cranks and respective rocker links. The resulting assembly constrains the rails to move through respective circular paths relative to the frame, and constrains the foot supports to move back and forth relative to the rails in a manner that generates elliptical foot paths.

Abstract: An exercise machine (10-101) is provided having a platform (12-121) on which a user (14-141) is supported in a reclining position with the weight of the user (14-14G) being utilized as a resistance which may be selectively varied to the various exercises which may be performed on the exercise apparatus (10-101). A lever (20-201) is pivotally connected (30-321) to the platform (12-121) with the lever being actuated by the user for raising one end of the platform (12-121) with respect to a pivot point with resistance to such raising being varied by the pivotal mounting of the lever (20-201) on the platform (12121). Two of the various embodiments (FIGS. 13-16) include a base support (41F, 41G) having a rail (42F, 42G) on which a lever (20F, 20G) has a roller (47F, 47G) mounted for riding movement thereon and pivotally connected (32F, 32G) to a lower leg (62F, 62G) for pivotal movement. Other embodiments (FIGS.

Abstract: An exercise machine includes a frame designed to rest upon a floor surface; a back rest mounted on the frame; and a foot platform mounted on the frame. At least one of the foot platform and the back rest is movably mounted on the frame in such a manner that a person may rest his back against the back rest and exercise his quadriceps muscles in isolated, closed chain fashion. A resistance device is preferably provided to resist an increase in distance between the user's hips and the user's feet due to straightening of the user's legs at the knees.

Abstract: An abdominal exercise device includes a frame, and upper and lower force receiving members movably mounted on the frame and constrained to move in opposite directions. A resistance device is interconnected between the frame and at least one of the force receiving members to resist movement of the members toward one another and/or to bias the members away from one another. The lower member is configured to support a person's feet, and the upper member is configured to support a person's hands and/or to engage a person's chest. The device facilitates a combination crunch and leg lift exercise that involves both a person's upper abdominal muscles and a person's lower abdominal muscles. Also, the upper member may be resiliently supported in a manner that facilitates exercise of a person's oblique muscles, as well.

Abstract: A torso exercise machine includes a frame designed to rest upon a floor surface; a seat pivotally mounted on the frame; at least one handlebar pivotally mounted on the frame; and a link pivotally interconnected between the seat and the handlebar. The link constrains the seat and the handlebar to pivot in opposite directions relative to the frame. A resistance device may be interconnected between the handlebar and the frame to resist pivoting of the handlebar and the seat toward one another.