Abstract: A stair exerciser apparatus for simulating stair climbing includes a frame, a lower shaft and an upper shaft mounted rotatably on the frame, a conveyor operatively engaged with the upper shaft and the lower shaft, a plurality of steps, a flywheel and a one-way clutch mechanism. The plurality of steps are joined to the conveyor for movement with the conveyor. The flywheel is operatively engaged with the conveyor. The one-way clutch mechanism is operatively engaged with the conveyor and the flywheel. The one-way clutch mechanism is configured to selectively couple the conveyor with the flywheel such that motion of the plurality of steps in a first step direction drives rotation of the flywheel when the one-way clutch mechanism is engaged, and the one-way clutch mechanism decouples the conveyor from the flywheel when the one-way clutch mechanism is disengaged.

Abstract: A method to automatically calibrate a load cell without the need to remove the loading on the load cell. This method takes advantage of the fact that weight stack strength equipment uses generally known discrete weight increments, and any signal drift in the load cell can be automatically recalibrated by offsetting the load cell signal to accurately reflect the expected discrete weight increments without the need for unloading the load cell and without the need for a manual recalibration of the load cells.

Abstract: A stair exerciser apparatus for simulating stair climbing includes a frame, a lower shaft and an upper shaft mounted rotatably on the frame, a conveyor operatively engaged with the upper shaft and the lower shaft, a plurality of steps, a flywheel and a one-way clutch mechanism. The plurality of steps are joined to the conveyor for movement with the conveyor. The flywheel is operatively engaged with the conveyor. The one-way clutch mechanism is operatively engaged with the conveyor and the flywheel. The one-way clutch mechanism is configured to selectively couple the conveyor with the flywheel such that motion of the plurality of steps in a first step direction drives rotation of the flywheel when the one-way clutch mechanism is engaged, and the one-way clutch mechanism decouples the conveyor from the flywheel when the one-way clutch mechanism is disengaged.

Abstract: A stair exerciser apparatus for simulating stair climbing includes a frame, a lower shaft and an upper shaft mounted rotatably on the frame, a conveyor operatively engaged with the upper shaft and the lower shaft, a plurality of steps, a flywheel and a one-way clutch mechanism. The plurality of steps are joined to the conveyor for movement with the conveyor. The flywheel is operatively engaged with the conveyor. The one-way clutch mechanism is operatively engaged with the conveyor and the flywheel. The one-way clutch mechanism is configured to selectively couple the conveyor with the flywheel such that motion of the plurality of steps in a first step direction drives rotation of the flywheel when the one-way clutch mechanism is engaged, and the one-way clutch mechanism decouples the conveyor from the flywheel when the one-way clutch mechanism is disengaged.

Abstract: A method to automatically calibrate a load cell without the need to remove the loading on the load cell. This method takes advantage of the fact that weight stack strength equipment uses generally known discrete weight increments, and any signal drift in the load cell can be automatically recalibrated by offsetting the load cell signal to accurately reflect the expected discrete weight increments without the need for unloading the load cell and without the need for a manual recalibration of the load cells.

Abstract: A stair exerciser apparatus for simulating stair climbing includes a frame, a lower shaft and an upper shaft mounted rotatably on the frame, a conveyor operatively engaged with the upper shaft and the lower shaft, a plurality of steps, a flywheel and a one-way clutch mechanism. The plurality of steps are joined to the conveyor for movement with the conveyor. The flywheel is operatively engaged with the conveyor. The one-way clutch mechanism is operatively engaged with the conveyor and the flywheel. The one-way clutch mechanism is configured to selectively couple the conveyor with the flywheel such that motion of the plurality of steps in a first step direction drives rotation of the flywheel when the one-way clutch mechanism is engaged, and the one-way clutch mechanism decouples the conveyor from the flywheel when the one-way clutch mechanism is disengaged.

Abstract: Disclosed is an exercise machine providing an upper body exerciser portion adapted for use with a lower body exerciser and having a semi-dependent retraction system. The exercise machine generally includes a frame adapted to be mounted on a lower body exerciser (though standalone versions are also disclosed) and the upper body exerciser consisting of first and second user members for pulling by a user to provide pull forces, single retraction means for providing retraction forces to the user members sufficient to retract them back to their start positions after being pulled out, and, non-floating combining means coupled to the single retraction means for making the retraction forces semi-dependent on the pull forces, and thereby reducing travel of the retraction means, by coupling the single retraction means to both user members. Drive and resistance means are further provided.