Abstract: A training garment (10) for developing an athlete's inspiratory muscles, comprises a resistance band (12) and adjustment means (13). The resistance band (12) is configured such that when the training garment (10) is in use during the performance of aerobic exercise, the resistance band (12) embraces the athlete's thorax and imparts a resistive load thereto. The adjustment means (13) enable the athlete to vary the applied resistive load. The training garment (10) resists the expansion of the athlete's thorax during the performance of aerobic exercise, but without restricting the athlete's range of motion.

Abstract: A training device (10) for exercising the abdominal muscles (40) of a user (30), comprises a base portion (11), an upstanding resistance member (21) contained within a housing (12) and a plunger (13). The resistance member (21) is operably connected to the plunger (13) and is biased normally to urge the plunger (13) upwardly out of the housing (12). By standing on the base portion (11) and exerting a downward force (c) on the plunger (13) whilst keeping his arms (41, 42) and legs (43, 44) straight, the user (30) causes his abdominal muscles (40) to work to overcome the resistance to the downward motion of the plunger (13) provided by the resistance member (21), thus driving the plunger (13) downwards into the housing (12).

Abstract: A training garment (10) for developing an athlete's inspiratory muscles, comprises a resistance band (12) and adjustment means (13). The resistance band (12) is configured such that when the training garment (10) is in use during the performance of aerobic exercise, the resistance band (12) embraces the athlete's thorax and imparts a resistive load thereto. The adjustment means (13) enable the athlete to vary the applied resistive load. The training garment (10) resists the expansion of the athlete's thorax during the performance of aerobic exercise, but without restricting the athlete's range of motion.

Abstract: Exercise apparatus (11) has a platform (12) divided into a back-rest element (18) and a seat portion (19). The back-rest element (18) is pivotably mounted in the platform (12) about a pivot point (21). The platform (12) has legs (13, 14) at each end thereof, each said leg (13, 14) having an upper part (22) and a lower part (23) pivotably connected thereto about a further pivot point (25). By varying the position of the back-rest element (18) relative to the platform (12), and the position of the lower leg portions (23) relative to the upper leg portions (22), the exercise apparatus (11) can be made to assume each of a range of configurations comprising bench, step, intermediate incline, high and low seated incline and chair configurations.

Abstract: A training device (10) for exercising the abdominal muscles (40) of a user (30), comprises a base portion (11), an upstanding resistance member (21) contained within a housing (12) and a plunger (13). The resistance member (21) is operably connected to the plunger (13) and is biased normally to urge the plunger (13) upwardly out of the housing (12). By standing on the base portion (11) and exerting a downward force (c) on the plunger (13) whilst keeping his arms (41, 42) and legs (43, 44) straight, the user (30) causes his abdominal muscles (40) to work to overcome the resistance to the downward motion of the plunger (13) provided by the resistance member (21), thus driving the plunger (13) downwards into the housing (12).

Abstract: Exercise apparatus (10) for training the abdominal muscles of a user (41) comprises a lever frame (11) linked to a support frame (12) at a pivot (13). The lever frame (11) has first and second arms (14, 15) joined at a central junction (16) which also forms a fulcrum for the lever frame (11). The support frame (12) consists of a base member (19) having a seat portion (21) associated therewith. The apparatus (10) is adapted to support a user (41) in a half-kneeling position so as to promote neutral pelvic alignment during the performance of abdominal muscle training exercise. In use, the exercise apparatus (10) is operated by the user (41) pushing the first arm (14) away from his or her body so as to cause the lever frame (11) to rotate about its fulcrum (16). This lifts the second arm (15), which in turn causes the seat portion (21) associated with the base member (19) to lift and/or tilt. The user's abdominal muscles are thus exercised in lifting his or her own body mass.

Abstract: Exercise apparatus (10) for training a user's abdominal muscles comprises a lever frame (11) linked to a support frame (12) at a pivot (13). The lever frame (11) has first and second arms (14,15) joined at a junction (16) also forming a fulcrum for the lever frame (11). The support frame (12) consists of a base member (22) having a seat portion (23) associated with, and laterally rotatable relative to, the base member (22). The apparatus (10) may be used to perform either simple or compound abdominal muscles training exercises. In a simple exercise, the user?s abdominal muscles are exercised by pushing the first arm (14) away from the user's body to rotate the lever frame (11) about its fulcrum (16), causing the seat portion (23) associated with the base member (22) to lift and tilt. In a compound exercise, the user's obliques and transversus abdominal muscles are exercised by performing an abdominal twisting motion to cause the seat portion (23) to rotate relative to the base member (22).

Abstract: A training harness (11) for exercising the inspiratory muscles of an athlete (10) is adapted to embrace the thorax (12) of the athlete (10) during the performance of aerobic exercise. The harness (11) has a back plate (13), a chest plate (14) and linkages (15-24) interconnecting said plates (13,14) by extending around the thorax (12) of the athlete (10). The linkages (15-24) define a pre-determined circumference of the harness (11), which may be increased when the athlete's thorax (12) expands upon inspiration—however such an increase in the circumference of the harness (11) requires the athlete (10) to work against an applied resistive load.

Abstract: Exercise apparatus (10) for training a user's abdominal muscles comprises a lever frame (11) linked to a support frame (12) at a pivot (13). The lever frame (11) has first and second arms (14,15) joined at a junction (16) also forming a fulcrum for the lever frame (11). The support frame (12) consists of a base member (22) having a seat portion (23) associated with, and laterally rotatable relative to, the base member (22). The apparatus (10) may be used to perform either simple or compound abdominal muscles training exercises. In a simple exercise, the user?s abdominal muscles are exercised by pushing the first arm (14) away from the user's body to rotate the lever frame (11) about its fulcrum (16), causing the seat portion (23) associated with the base member (22) to lift and tilt. In a compound exercise, the user's obliques and transversus abdominal muscles are exercised by performing an abdominal twisting motion to cause the seat portion (23) to rotate relative to the base member (22).

Abstract: An inspiratory muscle training device comprises a chamber having an opening for the passage of air to be inhaled and exhaled, and an inlet permitting air to be inhaled to enter the chamber and to pass to the opening. A one-way exhaust valve permits exhaled air entering through the opening to escape from the chamber, and another valve is provided to resist the entry of air to be inhaled into the chamber, the latter valve serving to vary the degree of resistance in dependence upon the volume of air that has passed through the inlet.