Abstract: A machine is for exercising the muscles of the lower back. The machine includes a base frame and a resistance arm including a resistance pad engaged by the user, the resistance arm coupled to the base frame at a first rotation point and having a center of rotation about the first rotation point. The machine further includes a seat frame member carrying a seat, the seat frame member coupled to the base frame at one or more seat rotation points and having a center of rotation about each of the seat rotation points. The resistance arm and seat frame member are rotated in opposite directions during a repetition cycle about the respective first rotation point and at least one seat rotation point.

Abstract: A weight training apparatus includes a track rotatably connected to a frame for rotation about a first axis to define a first moment arm. A weight is carried by the track at preselected positions for providing torque. A movement arm is pivotally connected to the frame to define a second moment arm. A coupling between the movement arm and the track causes a rotating of the track in response to a rotation of the movement arm. An angular movement of the second moment arm through a second arc length results in an angular movement of the first moment arm through a first arc length, wherein the second arc length is greater than the first arc length for all rotations of the movement arm and the track. The weight thus moves more slowly than the resistance arm.

Abstract: A weight stack including a stack of weight plates received in a holder cage to move with the cage along guide rods. A selector pin is received through the cage in a passage in a selected weight plate to connect them for movement as a unit. The weight plates are contained in proper alignment within the cage by stationary members received within the cage at appropriate edge portions of the weight plates.

Abstract: A lumbar exercise machine having an adjustable pad assembly for engaging the legs above and below the knees while the legs extend generally forward with the feet against a foot rest and the knees bent so that the thighs and calves form an obtuse angle. A lock mechanism is provided to secure the pad assembly in the aforementioned position with the femurs restrained against movement so that the hips, buttocks and thighs cannot move during the exercise. The exerciser then moves his back against a movement arm in opposition to a resistance mechanism connected to the movement arm. The machine is adjustable to properly position a particular user for the exercise. One machine for home use utilizes dead weights plus the user's weight as the resistance mechanism while another machine for commercial use utilizes a compound weight stack as the resistance mechanism.

Abstract: A leg extension exercise machine having a movement arm engaged by the legs for moving the movement arm between a retracted position and an extended position. The movement arm has a vertically adjustable foot bar for holding the feet and preventing downward movement of the feet during the exercise. Resistance to the exercise is provided by a weight arm having one or more weight plates mounted thereon and pivotally connected to the movement arm. The prop is pivotally mounted to the fixed frame of the machine for movement between an extended position holding the weight arm in a raised position to facilitate entry to and exit from the machine by the exerciser. The prop arm is moveable by the exerciser into a retracted position for storage by means of a handle.

Abstract: A leg press machine includes a movement arm including a footboard and a pair of links pivotally mounting the footboard to a frame for movement by an exerciser's feet. A resistance arm is mounted to the fame and connected by a link to one of said pair of links. One or more free weight plates are mounted to the resistance arm which provides a predetermined resistance to the movement arm. The frame has a rack for mounting weight plates at a height at the level of the waist-chest area of the exerciser to facilitate movement of the weight plates between the rack and resistance arm. A prop is provided on the frame for holding the weight arm in the raised position to facilitate entry to and exit from the machine.

Abstract: A lumbar exercise machine having an adjustable pad assembly for engaging the legs above and below the knees while the legs extend generally forward with the feet against a foot rest and the knees bent so that the thighs and calves form an obtuse angle. A lock mechanism is provided to secure the pad assembly in the aforementioned position with the femurs restrained against movement so that the hips, buttocks and thighs cannot move during the exercise. The exerciser then moves his back against a movement arm in opposition to a resistance mechanism connected to the movement arm. The machine is adjustable to properly position a particular user for the exercise. One machine for home use utilizes dead weights plus the user's weight as the resistance mechanism while another machine for commercial use utilizes a compound weight stack as the resistance mechanism.

Abstract: A machine for exercising and/or testing the lumbar muscles including a movement arm mounted for rotational movement about a generally horizontal axis against a resistance provided by a weight stack. Movement of the movement arm is transmitted to the weight stack by means of a transmission including a cam fixed to the movement arm, a pulley belt fixed to the periphery of the cam and trained about one or more pulleys mounted with respect to the stationary frame of the machine. The pulley belt is connected to an actuating lever connected to the weight stack pin to drive the same. One of the pulleys is mounted for movement towards and away from the pulley belt to increase or decrease tension in the pulley belt to thus control the drive between the movement arm and the weight stack.

Abstract: An adductor machine including a pair of movement arms movable about a vertical axes between an open position extending laterally from the seat and a closed position extending forwardly of the seat. The movement arms are movable to the closed position by the user engaging with the inner sides of his thighs, pads respectively located on the movement arms. Movement of the movement arms is transmitted to move a resistance in the form of one or more weights in a weight stack. Such transmission is accomplished by a linkage and cam follower arrangement operatively connected between the movement arm and a weight stack pin included in the resistance weight stack. An auxiliary actuating mechanism is provided to move the movement arms between the open and closed positions independently of engaging the pads with the legs. This actuating mechanism includes a handle engageable with the cam included in the transmission to operate the cam independently of a linkage which extends between the movement arms and the cam.

Abstract: An exercise machine or apparatus having a movement arm to be moved upon exertion of a body part against a resistance including a weight that pivots about an axis as the movement arm is moved by the exerciser. To change the resistive force imposed by the weight, the weight is moved relative to its pivotal axis to thereby increase or decrease the effective resistive force. The movement arm is operatively connected to the resistance by a cam connected to the movement arm and engaged with a follower which in turn is connected to the weight to pivot the weight about its pivotal axis. The cam is operatively connected to the movement arm by a strain gauge and a releasable lock mechanism.

Abstract: An adductor machine including a pair of movement arms movable about a vertical axes between an open position extending laterally from the seat and a closed position extending forwardly of the seat. The movement arms are movable to the closed position by the user engaging with the inner sides of his thighs, pads respectively located on the movement arms. Movement of the movement arms is transmitted to move a resistance in the form of one or more weights in a weight stack. Such transmission is accomplished by a linkage and cam follower arrangement operatively connected between the movement arm and a weight stack pin included in the resistance weight stack. An auxiliary actuating mechanism is provided to move the movement arms between the open and closed positions independently of engaging the pads with the legs. This actuating mechanism includes a handle engageable with the cam included in the transmission to operate the cam independently of a linkage which extends between the movement arms and the cam.

Abstract: An abductor machine has a pair of movement arms including thigh pads engageable by the user's thighs to move the movement arms outwardly about vertical axes while the user is seated with the thighs located between the thigh pads. The movement arms are connected to a weight stack by a transmission including connecting rods interconnecting the movement arms and a cam, and a cam follower which is connected to an actuating lever which in turn drives the weight stack pin. The lateral position of the thigh pads is adjustable to suit the size of the user's thighs. The thigh pads are also self-adjustable about vertical axes. An adjustable backrest is also provided to change the posture of the user so that the exercise may be concentrated on different portions of the abductor muscles. Once adjusted, the backrest is locked in position.

Abstract: A leg press machine has a movement arm mounted by parallel links for pivotal movement about a generally horizontal axis in opposition to one or more resistance weight stacks on opposite sides of the movement arm. The linkage is connected to a drive lever below the movement arm which in turn is connected to the bottom of a weight stack rod to raise the latter and associated weights as the movement arm is pivoted by the legs. The movement arm is stabilized by the linkage and a counterweight connected to the linkage.

Abstract: A triceps exercise machine has a movement arm pivotable about a horizontal axis against the resistance of a weight stack. The machine includes a vertically adjustable seat, a shoulder restraint, and adjustable handgrips secured to the movement arm, all of which position the elbows of the user in general alignment with the axis of rotation of the movement arm. In the start position the arms are fully folded and positioned close to the user's sides. The user then proceeds to force the handles downwardly until the arms are fully extended. Movement of the movement arm is transmitted to the weight stack by a cam fixed to the movement arm and a cam follower which is connected to the bottom of a weight stack pin by a linkage mechanism.

Abstract: A resistance weight stack for an exercise machine includes a stack of weight plates each having identical sleeves fixed in central apertures of the plates for receiving the weight stack pin. The upper and lower ends of the sleeves each have a plurality of equi-angularly spaced projections and recesses. The projections on the upper ends of the sleeves project above the upper surfaces of the associated weights and are received in the recesses of the lower ends of the next adjacent upper weights for locating and angularly aligning the weight plates relative to each other. The sleeves each have a lateral passage through the wall thereof for allowing a key to be inserted into the weight stack pin to connect the plate to the weight stack pin.