Abstract: An exercise device having a coupling member movable by the user between rest and end limit of travel positions, a constant weight, and a weight-lifting arm operatively connected to the weight and movable through a vertical plane to move the weight between rest and elevated positions corresponding to the rest and end limit positions of the coupling member. The device further includes a pivot arm pivotally movable through a pivot arm plane having a user-selectable angular orientation to transmit a selectable force between the coupling member and weight dependent upon the selected angular orientation. A link arm is connected between the pivot arm and the weight-lifting arm to transmit force therebetween. The pivot arm is pivotally attached to a rotatable pivot arm support which is selectively rotated by a lever arm moved by an electric motor and screw arrangement to selectively change the angular orientation of the pivot arm plane.

Abstract: An exercise apparatus having a vertically movable weight, and an input pedal mechanism engaged by the user to input an input power with a unidirectional exercise force at a user-selected velocity for moving the weight upward. Also included is a brake applying a negative braking power with a unidirectional braking force opposing the exercise force. The braking power has a braking velocity for permitting downward movement of the weight. A brake controller controls the application of the brake to maintain the braking velocity at a selected constant velocity for at least a selected portion of the user's exercise time. A differential member is coupled to the weight and receives the input power and the braking power. The differential member determines a differential between the user-selected velocity and the selected constant braking velocity, and applies the resultant to movement of the weight.

Abstract: An exercise device having a coupling member movable by the user between rest and end limit of travel positions, a constant weight, and a weight-lifting arm operatively connected to the weight and movable through a vertical plane to move the weight between rest and elevated positions corresponding to the rest and end limit positions of the coupling member. The device further includes a pivot arm pivotally movable through a pivot arm plane having a user-selectable angular orientation to transmit a selectable force between the coupling member and weight dependent upon the selected angular orientation. A link arm is connected between the pivot arm and the weight-lifting arm to transmit force therebetween. The pivot arm is pivotally attached to a rotatable pivot arm support which is selectively rotated by a lever arm moved by an electric motor and screw arrangement to selectively change the angular orientation of the pivot arm plane.