Multiple-piece exercise apparatus

Abstract

Various embodiments of the present invention are directed to a multiple-piece exercise apparatus for improving fitness. The multiple-piece exercise apparatus comprises a number of pieces of exercise equipment incorporated into a single apparatus. In one embodiment of the present invention, the multiple-piece exercise apparatus includes a support frame with a first exercise seat, a second exercise seat, and six pieces of exercise equipment mounted to the support frame. A support-frame-mounted hamstring press and shoulder press are each positioned for use by a user sitting on the first exercise seat. A support-frame-mounted knee extension and chest press are each positioned for use by a user sitting on the second exercise seat. Additionally, a support-frame-mounted shoulder wheel and standing rotator are each positioned for use by users not sitting in either of the exercising seats.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to the field of exercise equipment, and, in particular, to a multiple-piece exercise apparatus.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Many people strive to maintain, or even increase, their fitness level by regularly exercising. Regular exercise can improve fitness in a variety of ways, including improving cardiovascular health, strength, and balance and flexibility. Some people buy gym memberships so they can exercise at a gym. Many gyms contain exercise equipment with smooth motions and consistent resistances that can be used to improve fitness in various muscle groups. However, a gym membership can be expensive, and gyms can be crowded during popular workout times, making workouts slow and time-consuming. Blaring music, pushy trainers, and supplement salespeople can also be annoying to some users. Additionally, competitive and intense users can be intimidating to beginners and casual users. Gyms may be inconveniently located, may have inadequate parking, or may maintain hours of operation that conflict with a busy work, or school, schedule.

Some people, instead, opt to exercise at home using home exercise equipment, which can provide a convenient, low-cost, small-scale alternative to gyms. However, low-cost, small-scale home exercise equipment can be difficult and uncomfortable to use and often does not provide a user with the same level of smooth motions and consistent resistances that a user may find with larger-scale commercial exercise equipment found in gyms. Additionally, low-cost, small-scale home exercise equipment may not efficiently exercise various muscle groups, and may fail to exercise certain muscle groups altogether. People exercising at home can also be distracted by many different types of commonly-occurring events, including telephones ringing, pets and/or roommates needing attention, and people knocking on the door.

Exercise apparatuses that include multiple pieces of different exercise equipment incorporated into a single exercise apparatus are appealing to many people because a multiple-piece exercise apparatus can be used to exercise multiple muscle groups without the need for acquiring a separate piece of exercise equipment for exercising each different muscle group. Due to size constraints, low-cost, small-scale, multiple-piece exercise apparatuses often do not provide a user with many options for muscle groups to exercise and may not provide a full range of motion for some exercises. High-cost, large-scale, multiple-piece exercise apparatuses may be too large to fit comfortably in a home and may also be cost prohibitive for many users. People who are interested in physical fitness have, therefore, recognized a need for a multiple-piece exercise apparatus for exercising various different muscle groups without relying on obtaining a gym membership, or purchasing low-cost, small-scale, home exercise equipment.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Various embodiments of the present invention are directed to an indoor/outdoor, multiple-piece exercise apparatus for improving fitness. The multiple-piece exercise apparatus comprises a number of pieces of exercise equipment incorporated into a single apparatus. In one embodiment of the present invention, the multiple-piece exercise apparatus includes a support frame with a first exercise seat, a second exercise seat, and six pieces of exercise equipment mounted to the support frame. A support-frame-mounted hamstring press and a shoulder press are each positioned for use by a user sitting on the first exercise seat. A support-frame-mounted knee extension and a chest press are each positioned for use by a user sitting on the second exercise seat. Additionally, a support-frame-mounted shoulder wheel and standing rotator are each positioned for use by users not sitting in either of the exercising seats.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a first perspective view of a multiple-piece exercise apparatus that represents one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 shows a second perspective view of the multiple-piece exercise apparatus shown in FIG. 1 that represents one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 shows a first side view of the multiple-piece exercise apparatus shown in FIG. 1 that represents one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 shows a second side view of the multiple-piece exercise apparatus shown in FIG. 1 that represents one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 shows a front view of the multiple-piece exercise apparatus shown in FIG. 1 that represents one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 shows a rear view of the multiple-piece exercise apparatus shown in FIG. 1 that represents one embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 7A-7B show the motions of the exercise equipment incorporated into the multiple-piece exercise apparatus shown in FIG. 1 that represents one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 shows a user using a shoulder wheel incorporated into the multiple-piece exercise apparatus shown in FIG. 1 that represents one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 shows a user using a standing rotator incorporated into the multiple-piece exercise apparatus shown in FIG. 1 that represents one embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 10A-10B show a user using a hamstring press incorporated into the multiple-piece exercise apparatus shown in FIG. 1 that represents one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 shows a user using a shoulder press incorporated into the multiple-piece exercise apparatus shown in FIG. 1 that represents one embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 12A-12B show a user using a knee extension incorporated into the multiple-piece exercise apparatus shown in FIG. 1 that represents one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 shows a user using a chest press incorporated into the multiple-piece exercise apparatus shown in FIG. 1 that represents one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 shows a top view of the multiple-piece exercise apparatus shown in FIG. 1 that represents one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 15 shows a close-up view of an L-shaped bolt passed through a flat bar on the multiple-piece exercise apparatus shown in FIG. 1 that represents one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 16 shows three cement blocks anchoring the multiple-piece exercise apparatus shown in FIG. 1 that represents one embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Various embodiments of the present invention are directed to an indoor/outdoor, multiple-piece exercise apparatus for improving fitness. FIG. 1 shows a first perspective view of a multiple-piece exercise apparatus that represents one embodiment of the present invention. The multiple-piece exercise apparatus 100 (“exercise apparatus”) includes a support frame 102, a shoulder wheel 104, a standing rotator 106, a first exercising seat 108, a second exercising seat 110 oriented roughly back-to-back with the first exercise seat 108, a hamstring press 112, a shoulder press 114, a knee extension 116, and a chest press 118. The support frame 102 further includes two vertical support posts 120 and 122 and a horizontal base 124. The two vertical support posts 120 and 122 are supported by cross pieces 126 and 128 that interconnect the two vertical support posts 120 and 122. The horizontal base 124 further includes side horizontal base bars 130 and 132, a middle horizontal base bar 134, a front horizontal base bar 136, and a rear horizontal base bar 138.

The first exercising seat 108 interconnects to the support frame 102 of the exercise apparatus 100. The top of the first exercising seat 108 interconnects to the cross piece 126 and the bottom of the first exercising seat 108 interconnects to the front horizontal base bar 136. The second exercising seat 110 also interconnects to the support frame 102 of the exercise apparatus 101, with the top of the second exercising seat 110 interconnecting to the cross piece 126 and the bottom of the second exercising seat 110 interconnecting to the rear horizontal base bar 138. The shoulder press 114 and the hamstring press 112 are positioned for use by a user sitting on the first exercising seat 108, and the knee extension 116 and the chest press 118 are positioned for use by a user sitting on the second exercising seat 110. Accordingly, up to four users can simultaneously exercise on the exercise apparatus 100. A first user can exercise while sitting on the first exercising seat 108, a second user can exercise while sitting on the second exercising seat 110, a third user can use the shoulder wheel 104, and a fourth user can use the standing rotator 106.

FIG. 2 shows a second perspective view of the multiple-piece exercise apparatus shown in FIG. 1 that represents one embodiment of the present invention. The shoulder wheel 104 includes a wheel 200, two gripping knobs 202 and 203, a hub 204, and a number of spokes, such as the spoke 205. In FIG. 2, the hub 204 is shown mounted to the vertical support post 122. In one embodiment of the present invention, the rotation of the shoulder wheel 104 is controlled by a frictionless bearing (not shown in FIG. 2) located inside the hub 204 that mates with a horizontal bar (not shown in FIG. 2) extending from the vertical support post 122.

The hamstring press 112 includes a roughly vertical hamstring-press support post 206, a hamstring-press pivot 208 at the distal end of the hamstring-press support post 206, and a pivotable, weighted hamstring-press bar 210 interconnected to the hamstring-press pivot 208. The hamstring-press support post 206 extends upwards from the proximity of the junction of the side horizontal base bar 132 and the front horizontal base bar 136. The weighted hamstring-press bar 210 includes a number of hamstring-press weights 212 in proximity to the back end of the weighted hamstring-press bar 210 and a rounded leg rest 214 in proximity to the front end of the weighted hamstring-press bar 210.

The weighted hamstring-press bar 210 is shaped and positioned for use by a user seated in the first exercising seat 108. A hamstring-press spacer bar 215 interconnects the hamstring-press support post 206 and the side horizontal base bar 132. When the hamstring press 112 is not in use, the hamstring-press weights 212 rest against the hamstring-press spacer bar 215, thus positioning the rounded leg rest 214 in front of the first exercising seat 110 and unobtrusively positioning the hamstring-press weights 212 off to the side of the user.

The chest press 118 includes a pair of chest-press swing arms 216 and 217, a pair of chest-press pivots 218 and 219, and a weighted chest-press rack 220. The chest-press swing arms 216 and 217 interconnect to the rear horizontal base bar 138 of the exercise apparatus 100 via the chest-press pivots 218 and 219, respectively. The chest-press swing arms 216 and 217 include chest-press grips 222 and 223, respectively that are in proximity to the distal end of the chest-press swing arms 216 and 217. The weighted chest-press rack 220 includes a pair of upper chest-press support bars 224 and 225, a pair of lower chest-press support bars 226 and 227, and a rear chest-press support bar 228. The weighted chest-press rack 220 also includes a number of chest-press weights 230 and 231 for providing resistance while a user is exercising with the chest press 118. The upper chest-press support bar 224 and the lower chest-press support bar 226 connect each to the chest-press swing arm 216 at a first end and connect each to the chest-press weights 230 at a second end. Similarly, the upper chest-press support bar 225 and the lower chest-press support bar 227 each connect to the chest-press swing arm 217 at a first end and each connect to the chest-press weights 231 at a second end. The rear chest-press support bar 228 interconnects the number of chest-press weights 230 and 231.

The chest-press grips 222 and 223 are located to the sides of the second exercising seat 110 for use by the user while sitting on the second exercising seat 110. The weighted chest-press rack 220 is unobtrusively located behind the second exercising seat 110. When the chest press 118 is not in use, the weighted chest-press rack 220 rests on two chest-press support posts 232 and 233 that extend roughly vertically from the middle horizontal base bar 134. The two chest-press support posts 232 and 233 include chest-press bumpers at their distal ends, such as chest-press bumper 234, to protect the chest-press rack 220 from crashing into the two vertical chest-press support posts 232 and 233.

FIG. 3 shows a first side view of the multiple-piece exercise apparatus shown in FIG. 1 that represents one embodiment of the present invention. The standing rotator 106 includes a turntable 302, a pedestal 304 that rests on the ground for holding the turntable 302 steady, and two standing-rotator hand grips 306 and 307 attached to the vertical support post 120 for a user to grasp while using the standing rotator 106. The standing rotator 106 is located at the distal end of a horizontal spacer bar 308 that extends horizontally outward from the junction of the middle horizontal base bar (134 in FIG. 1) and the side horizontal base bar 130. The horizontal spacer bar 308 spaces the standing rotator 106 a distance from the vertical support post 120 in order to give a user space to rotate without bumping into the vertical support post 120, while still allowing the user to grip the standing-rotator hand grips 306 and 307 attached to the vertical support post 120. The pedestal 304 is located beneath the horizontal spacer bar 308. In one embodiment of the present invention, the rotation of the standing rotator 106 is controlled by a frictionless bearing (not shown in FIG. 3) located inside the turntable 302 that mates with a vertical bar (not shown in FIG. 3) extending from the top side of the horizontal spacer bar 308.

The shoulder press 114 includes a shoulder-press support rack 310, a pair of shoulder-press weight bars 312 (only one shoulder-press weight bar is shown in FIG. 3), and a pair of shoulder-press swing arms 314 (only one shoulder-press swing arm is shown in FIG. 3). The shoulder-press weight bars 312 and the shoulder-press swing arms 314 are arranged such that a shoulder-press weight bar 312 and an interconnected shoulder-press swing arm 314 are on either side of the first exercising seat 108. The shoulder-press support rack 310 further includes a pair of lower shoulder-press support bars 316 (only one shoulder-press swing arm is shown in FIG. 3) and a pair of upper shoulder-press support bars 318 (only one shoulder-press swing arm is shown in FIG. 3). Each shoulder-press weight bar 312 utilizes a number of shoulder-press weights 322 for providing resistance while a user is exercising with the shoulder press 114. Each shoulder-press swing arm 314 further includes a shoulder-press grip 324 in the proximity of the distal end of each shoulder-press swing arm 314 in order to provide a gripping surface for a user using the shoulder press 114.

Each shoulder-press weight bar 312 and interconnected shoulder-press swing arm 314 interconnects to the cross piece (128 in FIG. 1) via a pivot (not shown in FIG. 3). The lower shoulder-press support bars 316 extend from the cross piece (126 in FIG. 1). The upper shoulder-press support bars 318 each connect to the cross piece (128 in FIG. 1) on a first end and connect to the lower shoulder-press support bars 316 at a second end. In one embodiment of the present invention, each upper shoulder-press support bar 318 is welded to a corresponding lower shoulder-press support bar 316. The lower shoulder-press support bars 316 each include a shoulder-press bumper 320 in the proximity of the distal end to protect the shoulder press 114 from crashing into the shoulder-press support rack 310 during and after use.

FIG. 4 shows a second side view of the multiple-piece exercise apparatus shown in FIG. 1 that represents one embodiment of the present invention. The knee extension 116 includes a knee-extension support post 402 extending roughly vertically from the rear horizontal base bar 138, a knee-extension pivot 404 at the distal end of the knee-extension support post 402, and a pivotable weighted knee-extension bar 406 attached to the knee-extension pivot 404. The weighted knee-extension bar 406 includes a number of knee-extension weights 408, a pair of rounded foot bars 410 in the proximity of the distal end of the weighted knee-extension bar 406 (only one padded foot bar is shown in FIG. 4), and a knee-extension spacer bar 412. When the knee extension 116 is not in use, the knee-extension spacer bar 412 rests against the knee-extension support post 402 and positions the rounded foot bars 410 in front of the second exercising seat 110. The knee-extension spacer bar 412 includes a knee-extension bumper 414 at the distal end to protect the knee extension 116 from crashing into the vertical knee-extension support post 216.

FIG. 5 shows a front view of the multiple-piece exercise apparatus shown in FIG. 1 that represents one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 shows a rear view of the multiple-piece exercise apparatus shown in FIG. 1 that represents one embodiment of the present invention. FIGS. 7A-7B show the motions of the exercise equipment incorporated into the multiple-piece exercise apparatus shown in FIG. 1 that represents one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7A shows a side view of the exercise apparatus 100 with each piece of exercise equipment in a resting position. FIG. 7B shows a side view of the exercise apparatus 100 with each piece of exercise equipment in either an extended position or a rotated position that is consistent with being used for exercise by a user. Directional arrows 702-707 show a direction of movement of the shoulder wheel 104, the standing rotator 106, the hamstring press, 112, the shoulder press 114, the knee extension 116, and the chest press 118, respectively. The directions of movement shown by the directional arrows 704-707 indicate the direction of movement with increased resistance due to the lifting of attached weights. Movements in directions opposite to the directions indicated by the directional arrows 704-707 involve decreased resistance due to the lowering of the attached weights.

FIG. 8 shows a user using a shoulder wheel incorporated into the multiple-piece exercise apparatus shown in FIG. 1 that represents one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 8 shows a user 802 using the shoulder wheel 104 for stretching her shoulder muscles and other muscle groups. The user 802 is gripping the gripping knob 202 with her right hand and rotating the wheel 200 in one of the directions indicated by the directional arrow 702. The user 802 can grip either the gripping knob 202 or 203 and rotate the wheel 200 with either her right hand or her left hand. The user 902 can also grip both the gripping knobs 202 and 203 with both of her hands and rotate the wheel 200.

FIG. 9 shows a user using a standing rotator incorporated into the multiple-piece exercise apparatus shown in FIG. 1 that represents one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 9 shows a user 902 using the standing rotator 106 for stretching her abdominal muscles, back, hips, and other muscle groups. The user 902 is standing on the turntable 302 and rotating the standing rotator 106 in one of the directions indicated by the directional arrow 703 while gripping the two standing-rotator hand grips 306 and 307. The user 902 can use either or both hands and/or feet to rotate the turntable 302 in order to exercise different muscle groups. The user 902 can also sit or lie on the turntable 302 and rotate the turntable 302 using her hands and/or feet against the ground and/or the vertical support post 120.

FIGS. 10A-10B shows a user using a hamstring press incorporated into the multiple-piece exercise apparatus shown in FIG. 1 that represents one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10A shows a user 1002 sitting on the first exercising seat 108 with his lower calves resting on the rounded leg rest 214 of the weighted hamstring-press bar 210. The user 1002 can press down on the rounded leg rest 214 with his legs to pivot the weighted hamstring-press bar 210 in the direction indicated by the directional arrow 704. FIG. 10B shows the user 1002 pressing down on the rounded leg rest 214, thus pivoting the weighted hamstring-press bar 210 at the hamstring-press pivot 208 and lifting a number of hamstring-press weights 212. Pressing down on the rounded leg rest 214 can exercise the user's 1002 hamstring muscles and other muscle groups. When the user 1002 is finished exercising with the hamstring press 112, the user 1002 can rest the hamstring-press weights 212 against the hamstring-press spacer bar (215 in FIG. 2). In alternate embodiments of the present invention, the first exercising seat 108 includes handles, such as handle 1004 that can be gripped by the user 1002 while exercising.

FIG. 11 shows a user using a shoulder press incorporated into the multiple-piece exercise apparatus shown in FIG. 1 that represents one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 11 shows a user 1102 sitting on the first exercising seat 108 and grasping the shoulder-press grips 324 on the shoulder-press swing arms 314 and pushing the shoulder-press swing arms 314 in the direction indicated by the directional arrow 705. By pushing the shoulder-press swing arms 314 in the direction of the directional arrow 705, the user 1102 can exercise her shoulder muscles and other muscle groups. When the user 1102 is finished exercising with the shoulder press 114, the user 1102 can rest the shoulder-press swing arms 314 on the shoulder-press support rack 310.

FIGS. 12A-12B shows a user using a knee extension incorporated into the multiple-piece exercise apparatus shown in FIG. 1 that represents one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 12A shows a user 1202 sitting on the second exercising seat 110 with one leg on each side of the knee-extension pivot 404 and her feet beneath the padded foot bars 410 on the weighted knee-extension bar 406. The user 1202 can push the rounded foot bars 410 upwards with her legs to pivot the weighted knee-extension bar 406 in the direction indicated by the directional arrow 706. FIG. 12B shows the user 1202 pushing up on the rounded foot bars 410, thus pivoting the weighted knee-extension bar 406 at the knee-extension pivot 404 and lifting the knee-extension weights 408. Pushing up on the rounded foot bars 410 can exercise the user's 1202 quadriceps and other muscle groups. When the user 1202 is finished exercising with the knee extension 116, the user 1202 can rest the knee-extension spacer bar (412 in FIG. 4) against the knee-extension support post (402 in FIG. 4). In alternate embodiments of the present invention, the second exercising seat 110 includes handles that can be gripped by the user 1202 while exercising.

FIG. 13 shows a user using a chest press incorporated into the multiple-piece exercise apparatus shown in FIG. 1 that represents one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 13 shows a user 1302 sitting on the second exercising seat 110 and grasping the chest-press grips 222 and 223 on the chest-press swing arms 216 and 217 and pushing the chest-press swing arms 216 and 217 in the direction indicated by the directional arrow 707. By pushing the chest-press swing arms 216 and 217, the user 1302 can exercise his chest muscles and other muscle groups. When the user 1302 is finished exercising with the chest press 118, the user 1302 can rest the interconnected weighted chest-press rack 220 on the vertical chest-press support posts 232 and 233.

FIG. 14 shows a top view of the multiple-piece exercise apparatus shown in FIG. 1 that represents one embodiment of the present invention. Four flat bars 1402-1405 interconnect the side horizontal base bars 130 and 132 to the front horizontal base bar 136 and the rear horizontal base bar 138 in the proximity to the side-horizontal-base-bar/front-horizontal-base-bar junctions 1406 and 1407 and the side-horizontal-base-bar/rear-horizontal-base-bar junctions 1408 and 1409. Each flat bar 1402-1405 includes a vertically-facing mounting aperture 1410-1413, respectively. The mounting apertures 1410-1413 can be used as part of a mounting mechanism for attaching the exercise apparatus 100 to the ground.

The support frame for the exercise apparatus, described above with reference to FIGS. 1-14, allows the exercise apparatus to be self-standing. However, the exercise apparatus can be mounted to the ground when, for example, theft prevention is a concern, or when additional stability is desired during a particularly strenuous exercise session. FIG. 15 shows a close-up view of an L-shaped bolt passed through a flat bar on the multiple-piece exercise apparatus shown in FIG. 1 that represents one embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 15, the flat bar 1404 is shown with an L-shaped bolt 1502 passing through the mounting aperture 1412. The lower portion of the L-shaped bolt 1502 can be secured, for example, by being placed into a curing cement footing with a threaded locking nut 1504 screwed onto the threaded portion of the L-shaped bolt 1502, above the mounting aperture 1412 in the flat bar 1404. Once the cement footing is cured and the locking nut 1504 is threaded onto the L-shaped bolt 1502, the exercise apparatus 100 is secured to the cement footing. The same procedure can be performed with each of the remaining flat bars 1402, 1403, and 1405 on the exercise apparatus 100. In alternate embodiments of the present invention, a covering (not shown in FIG. 14) can be placed over the locking nut 1504 when attached to the L-shaped bolt 1502 to reduce the risk of injury to a user caused by contacting the L-shaped-bolt/locking-nut assembly 1506.

FIG. 16 shows three cement blocks anchoring the multiple-piece exercise apparatus shown in FIG. 1 that represents one embodiment of the present invention. The exercise apparatus 100 is anchored to cement blocks 1602-1604 by the flat bars 1402, 1403, and 1405, respectively. L-shaped bolts, such as L-shaped bolt 1502, are placed in curing cement blocks and passed through mounting apertures (not shown in FIG. 16) in the flat bars 1402-1405. A threaded locking nut, such as locking nut 1504, is threaded onto the exposed portion of the L-shaped bolts, as discussed above with reference to FIG. 15.

The multiple-piece exercise apparatuses described above can be placed indoors and outdoors at a number of different locations, including private homes, yards, elementary schools, middle schools, high schools, colleges, universities, hotels, motels, resorts, cruise ships, commercial-building courtyards, parks, trails, recreation centers, community centers, residential and lifestyle communities, hospital grounds, out-patient clinics, golf courses, and other indoor and outdoor locations. The anchoring mechanisms described above, with reference to FIGS. 15 and 16, allow various embodiments of the present invention to be securely anchored to the ground to reduce the risk of theft. Accordingly, various embodiments of the present invention can be placed in locations that lack constant and careful supervision. Additional design elements can be included to allow the present invention to be placed in outdoor locations, including using powder coated steel components to provide rust protection and using stainless steel nuts and bolts for assembly. In one embodiment of the present invention, there are no electronic components mounted to the exercise apparatus. Various embodiments of the present invention also provide safety features, including rounded edges, smooth surfaces, and rubber padding around various moving and non-moving parts.

Additional modifications within the spirit of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art. For example, the numbers, sizes, shapes, and densities of the weights can be different for each of the pieces of exercise equipment. Varied resistances can be incorporated into each different piece of exercise equipment within a multiple-piece exercise apparatus by the manufacturer, distributor, and/or a user. For example, the chest press may include a number of chest-press weights that can be added, subtracted, or switched out on the weighted chest-press rack. Alternate methods of weight resistance can be used from the various weights described above, including elastomers, specifically-weighted support bars, and containers that can be filled with various weighted items, such as sand, water, and rocks. Each piece of exercise equipment can be removably attached to the support frame. Various materials can be used to fabricate exercise apparatuses, such as metals and composite materials. Additional flat bars can be attached to the support frame of an exercise apparatus for anchoring the exercise apparatus to the ground. Removable and non-removable devices can be attached to the support frame, such as water-bottle holders, book and magazine holders, towel holders, and radio/MP3-player holders.

The foregoing detailed description, for purposes of illustration, used specific nomenclature to provide a thorough understanding of the invention. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that the specific details are not required in order to practice the invention. Thus, the foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention are presented for purposes of illustration and description; they are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed. Obviously many modifications and variation are possible in view of the above teachings. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical applications and to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.

Claims

1. A multiple-piece exercise apparatus for performing various exercises, the multiple-piece exercise apparatus comprising:

a support frame;

a number of pieces of stretching equipment mounted to the support frame;

a first exercising seat mounted to the support frame;

a number of pieces of exercise equipment mounted to the support frame and positioned for use by a user sitting on the first exercise seat;

a second exercising seat mounted to the support frame; and

a number of pieces of exercise equipment mounted to the support frame and positioned for use by a user sitting on the second exercise seat.

2. The multiple-piece exercise apparatus of claim 1 wherein the stretching equipment includes one or more of

a shoulder wheel; and

a standing rotator.

3. The multiple-piece exercise apparatus of claim 2 wherein the shoulder wheel comprises

a hub;

a wheel;

a number of spokes interconnecting the hub to the wheel; and

a number of gripping knobs interconnected to the wheel.

4. The multiple-piece exercise apparatus of claim 2 wherein the standing rotator comprises

a turntable;

a pedestal interconnecting the turntable to the ground; and

a number of standing-rotator hand grips attached to the support frame.

5. The multiple-piece exercise apparatus of claim 1 wherein a number of pieces of exercise equipment mounted to the support frame and positioned for use by a user sitting on the first exercising seat includes one or more of

a hamstring press; and

a shoulder press.

6. The multiple-piece exercise apparatus of claim 5 wherein the hamstring press comprises

a hamstring-press support post;

a hamstring-press pivot at the distal end of the hamstring-press support post; and

a pivotal hamstring-press bar interconnected to the hamstring-press pivot.

7. The multiple-piece exercise apparatus of claim 6 wherein the hamstring-press bar further includes

a rounded leg rest at a first end; and

a number of hamstring-press weights interconnected to a second end.

8. The multiple-piece exercise apparatus of claim 5 wherein the shoulder press comprises

a pair of shoulder-press swing arms;

a pair of shoulder-press weight bars, each shoulder-press weight bar interconnected to one of the shoulder-press swing arms;

a number of shoulder-press weights interconnected to each of the shoulder-press weight bars; and

a shoulder-press support rack for supporting the pair of shoulder-press swing arms and shoulder-press weight bars when not in use by a user.

9. The multiple-piece exercise apparatus of claim 8 wherein the shoulder-press support rack further includes

a pair of lower shoulder-press support bars attached to the support frame; and

a pair of upper shoulder-press support bars, each upper shoulder-press support bar attached at a first end to the support frame and attached at a second end to one of the lower shoulder-press support bars.

10. The multiple-piece exercise apparatus of claim 1 wherein a number of pieces of exercise equipment mounted to the support frame and positioned for use by a user sitting on the second exercising seat includes one or more of

a knee extension; and

a chest press.

11. The multiple-piece exercise apparatus of claim 10 wherein the knee extension comprises

a knee-extension support post;

a knee-extension pivot at the distal end of the knee-extension support post; and

a pivotal knee-extension bar attached to the knee-extension pivot.

12. The multiple-piece exercise apparatus of claim 11 wherein the knee-extension bar further includes

a number of weights interconnected to the knee-extension bar;

a pair of rounded foot bars in proximity to the distal end of the knee-extension bar; and

a knee-extension spacer bar for positioning the pair of rounded foot bars in front of the second exercising seat when the knee extension is not in use by a user.

13. The multiple-piece exercise apparatus of claim 10 wherein the chest press comprises

a pair of chest-press swing arms, each chest-press swing arm interconnected to the support frame at a proximal end;

a pair of chest-press pivots, each chest-press pivot interconnecting a chest-press swing arm to the support frame; and

a chest-press rack attached to the chest-press swing arms.

14. The multiple-piece exercise apparatus of claim 13 wherein the chest-press rack further includes

a number of chest-press weights attached to the chest-press rack;

a pair of upper chest-press support bars, each upper chest-press support par attached at a first end to one of the chest-press swing arms and attached at a second end to a number of chest-press weights;

a pair of lower chest-press support bars, each lower chest-press support par attached at a first end to one of the chest-press swing arms and attached at a second end to a number of chest-press weights; and

a rear chest-press support bar interconnected to the number of chest-press weights.

15. The multiple-piece exercise apparatus of claim 1 wherein the support frame includes

a number of vertical support posts; and

a horizontal base.

16. The multiple-piece exercise apparatus of claim 15 wherein a number of cross pieces interconnect the number of vertical support posts.

17. The multiple-piece exercise apparatus of claim 15 wherein the horizontal base further includes one or more of a front horizontal front base bar;

a rear horizontal base bar;

a side horizontal base bar; and

a middle horizontal base bar.

18. The multiple-piece exercise apparatus of claim 1 further including a number of flat bars for mounting the multiple-piece exercise apparatus to the ground.

19. The multiple-piece exercise apparatus of claim 18 wherein each flat bar includes a number of mounting apertures.

20. The multiple-piece exercise apparatus of claim 19 wherein the multiple-piece exercise apparatus can be anchored to a cement footing by partially sinking a bolt into the cement footing and passing the exposed portion of the bolt through the mounting aperture of one of the flat bars and positioning a locking nut onto the bolt.