Abstract: Among other things, an exercise machine includes a resistance device connected to a flexible driving line used to drive the resistance device. A flexible exercise line receives forces applied by the user's hands and feet during cycles of exercising. A force transfer mechanism couples forces, received on the exercise line from the user during exercising, to the resistance device during the exercise cycles, and moves back and forth relative to a frame of the machine. The force transfer mechanism rides along, and is supported vertically, by a support during use of the machine.

Abstract: Among other things, a rowing exercise method includes enabling a combination of a force applied to a movable handle and a force applied to a movable foot rest to work against a resistance device and to permit relative motion of the footrest and the resistance device.

Abstract: An exercise machine in which a fan has a rotor that generates drag by causing air to move in response to exercising by a user. A deflection structure deflects air that the rotor has moved and is adjustable to control the amount of drag generated by the rotor.

Abstract: An exercise machine in which a fan has a rotor that generates drag by causing air to move in response to exercising by a user. A deflection structure deflects air that the rotor has moved and is adjustable to control the amount of drag generated by the rotor.

Abstract: Exercising is made more comfortable and effective by providing a foot rest that has a front end which holds the ball of the user's foot fixed and a back end that both cradles the user's heel and allows the user to pivot his heel around the ball of his foot in a natural manner. The frame of the machine can be easily and repeatedly taken apart and put back together because it has two arms which mate at a connector that can be mated and unmated by simple pivoting of the two arms.

Abstract: An exercise machine in which a fan has a rotor that generates drag by causing air to move in response to exercising by a user. A deflection structure deflects air that the rotor has moved and is adjustable to control the amount of drag generated by the rotor.

Abstract: Exercising is made more comfortable and effective by providing a foot rest that has a front end which holds the ball of the user's foot fixed and a back end that both cradles the user's heel and allows the user to pivot his heel around the ball of his foot in a natural manner. The frame of the machine can be easily and repeatedly taken apart and put back together because it has two arms which mate at a connector that can be mated and unmated by simple pivoting of the two arms.

Abstract: Exercising is made more comfortable and effective by providing a foot rest that has a front end which holds the ball of the user's foot fixed and a back end that both cradles the user's heel and allows the user to pivot his heel around the ball of his foot in a natural manner. The frame of the machine can be easily and repeatedly taken apart and put back together because it has two arms which mate at a connector that can be mated and unmated by simple pivoting of the two arms.

Abstract: The apparatus is adapted to an exercise device with an energy absorbing unit that has a self calibrating energy monitor. It comprises at least one rotating flywheel which is driven through a one way clutch. There is a braking mechanism to apply resistance to the flywheel. A self calibrating energy monitor computes the dissipated power with a formula relating power to angular velocity, typically a coefficient of resistance times the angular velocity of the flywheel raised by an exponent determined by the brake used. The monitor consists of a microprocessor that is programmed to periodically self calibrate the formula and receives its impulses from a sensor.

Abstract: The unit includes a single rowing and seat component connected to a simplified braking mechanism. The slideable seat is attached to a monorail frame. The braking unit has an adjustably geared flywheel connected to a plurality of fan-type blades. The rowing component includes a handle attached to a drive chain which propels the flywheel.

Abstract: The frame to which a backpack is fastened is formed of tubing bent in hourglass shape in rear elevation and two inward offsets in side elevation. A horizontal rigidifying cross bar extends through about the middle of the top part of the hourglass and is adjustable at different elevations. The upper end of a connector is fixed to the narrow part of the frame at adjustable elevations. The lower end of the connector is fixed to a hip level belt stretcher. The connector is constructed with generally vertical ribs which are wide in a front-rear sense and thin in side-to-side sense so that the connector flexes about the Y and Z axes passing through the narrowest part of the connector, which is positioned close to the point of the spine of the wearer, where there is little or no bending of the spine during bending or twisting of the torso, but is rigid against flexing about the X axis. A hip belt encircling the hips of the wearer is connected to the belt stretcher at the lower end of the connector.