Abstract: An exercise apparatus is disclosed for exercising a user thereof. The apparatus includes a frame and an elongate beam having a first and a second end. The beam is pivotally secured to the frame about a first pivotal axis disposed between the first and the second end of the beam. A user operated arrangement having a first and a second extremity is connected to the beam between the first end of the beam and the first pivotal axis. The arrangement is such that in use of the apparatus, when the user is exercising, the user exerts a variable force through the user operated arrangement, the variable force being transmitted to the beam for pivoting the beam about the first pivotal axis. Weights are pivotally secured to the frame such that in use of the apparatus, movement of the weights from a first to a second disposition thereof is permitted.

Abstract: An exercise machine which includes a base which supports the user. Mounted on the base and to be manipulated by the user is a pair of arm assemblies, with each assembly including a lever which pivots about an axis extending generally transverse of the user. Mounted on the lever is a further lever or shaft, which further lever or shaft is also moved angularly by the user. Accordingly the user performs two exercise movements which include movement about the axis extending transverse of the user, and a second axis which may extend parallel to the first axis or generally normal thereto.

Abstract: A lateral raise exercise machine having a movement arm pivotable about an axis extending in a horizontal plane but inwardly at an angle of about 25.degree. relative to the forward-rearward direction, a weight stack having at least one resistance weight, and transmission including a belt and pulley and a linkage interconnecting the movement arm and the weight to raise the weight when the movement arm is raised to a first position. The movement arm has a handle bar, mounted for adjustment about an axis which generally coincides with the axis of the humerus of the exerciser. A forearm pad is fixed to the handle bar to be adjustable together with the handle bar relative to the movement arm.

Abstract: An exercise device has a support frame and a lever arm attached to the support frame and pivotably movable between a rest position, wherein the lever arm hangs downwardly relative to the support frame, and an extended position, wherein the lever arm is pivoted upwardly from its rest position. A range of motion (ROM) block is rigidly attached to the lever arm, and pivots with the lever arm. The orientation of the ROM block relative to the lever arm can be selectively varied.A tackle is attached to the ROM block to provide an opposing force to motion of the lever arm from the rest position to the extended position. This tackle includes two pulleys that are attached to the ROM block. The tackle also includes a substantially taut cable that extends between the pulleys, and the cable is connected to a mass.

Abstract: An exercise machine for performing leg extension and leg curl exercises has a seat from the front of which a swing member depends. A swing link is pivotally connected near the lower end of the swing member and supports a pair of laterally extending pads. A rearwardly directed force is applied to the swing member to act in opposition to forward movement of the swing member and swing link when an exerciser pushes against one of the pads with one of his (her) legs when the exerciser is seated (leg extension exercise) or is standing facing rearwardly with the seat swung upwardly to an upright position.

Abstract: An exercise device having a coupling member movable by the user between rest and end limit of travel positions, a constant weight, and a weight-lifting arm operatively connected to the weight and movable through a vertical plane to move the weight between rest and elevated positions corresponding to the rest and end limit positions of the coupling member. The device further includes a pivot arm pivotally movable through a pivot arm plane having a user-selectable angular orientation to transmit a selectable force between the coupling member and weight dependent upon the selected angular orientation. A link arm is connected between the pivot arm and the weight-lifting arm to transmit force therebetween. The pivot arm is pivotally attached to a rotatable pivot arm support which is selectively rotated by a lever arm moved by an electric motor and screw arrangement to selectively change the angular orientation of the pivot arm plane.

Abstract: An exercise device, as for example, the wing on a butterfly exercise machine, is arranged to be moved from an at rest position in an exercising direction in a range of travel counter to a load and to be returned to the at rest position by the load. An adjustment mechanism between the exercise device and load selectively adjusts the start of the travel range by movement of the exercise device in a direction opposite from the exercising direction. The adjustment mechanism includes a rack and pawl arranged to be engaged with one another when the exercise device is moved in the exercising direction.

Abstract: An exercise apparatus with a horizontally adjustable, detachable, and inclinable workout bench that is combinable with an angularly adjustable bench press. The apparatus includes a main frame and a foundation member extending horizontally from the main frame, which supports the bench. The bench is removably coupled to the foundation member by a base for horizontal displacement and detachment of the bench from the main frame. The bench includes a body support that is pivotally connected to the distal end of the base and pivotally connected to the base at a second point through a raising and lowering arm. The seat portion of the bench may be positioned perpendicular to the back portion. A brace is nested in a container located beneath the back portion and a seat support is located beneath the seat portion.

Abstract: A rotary weighted exercising device having a base, and a rotary plate mounted on the base with upright guides for one's foot to rest therebetween. A weighted member is disposed on said base movable from a first position adjacent to the base to a second position extending away from the base. An elongated member is coupled at one end to the rotary plate and at the other end to the weighted member, the elongated member being guided between the rotary plate and the weighted member so that rotation of said rotary plate raises said weighted member.

Abstract: A leg press machine that provides an increasing resistance curve which approximates the strength curve of a user. The machine has a weight stack that can move relative to a frame. The machine also has a push plate that is coupled to the weight stack by a cable which is guided and held in tension by a series of pulleys. The push plate is attached to a first linkage arm which is pivotally connected to a second linkage arm and a third linkage arm. The second and third linkage arms are pivotally connected to the frame, so that the push plate can rotate between a rest position and an extended position. Attached to the third linkage arm is a first rotating pulley that moves through an arc when the push plate moves between the rest and extended positions. The cable is coupled to the first rotating pulley, so that when the push plate moves toward the extended position, the arcuate motion of the pulley pulls the cable and lifts the weight stack.

Abstract: An exerciser includes a weighted base, a frame member, a resistance assembly mounted in the frame member, and a lifting bar mechanism. The lifting bar mechanism includes an axle rotatably mounted in the frame member, a gear securely mounted on the axle, a lifting bar connected to the axle to rotate therewith, a clutch seat mounted on the axle surrounding and receiving the gear and having a cutout in a periphery thereof, a rocker arm extending outward from an outer periphery of the clutch seat, a cable having a first end attached to the rocker arm and a second end attached to the resistance assembly, and a clutch assembly with a pawl member for releasably engaging with the gear under the control of a clutch lever thereof. When the clutch lever is pressed, the user may adjust the lowermost position of the lifting bar.

Abstract: An exercise machine (10) and method for testing and exercising the cervical muscles of a patient or user. A movement arm (58) is mounted for pivotal movement about a horizontal axis defined by stub shafts (64, 66) and has a head pad (60) adapted to be contacted by the head of the patient. The exercise machine (10) has a chair (22) mounted for rotation to a desired angular position and mounted for vertical adjustment by actuation of a foot lever (38) to position the chair (22) relative to movement arm (58) and head pad (60). Chair (22) is also mounted for translatory horizontal movement parallel to the pivot axis of the movement arm (58) and for translatory horizontal movement perpendicular to the pivot axis of the movement arm (58) by movable bases (45, 46) thereby to precisely position the head of a user relative to head pad (60) while the user is seated in the chair (22) and pivoted among angular positions.

Abstract: An adjustable lever arm--variable resistance cam assembly employing a cam for producing therefrom a variable resistance force when a constant resistance force is applied thereto and in which the lever arm may be initially positioned at a range of angular positions without thereby affecting the variable resistance force produced by the cam at each particular angular position of the lever arm upon rotation thereof. The adjustable lever arm--variable resistance cam assembly may be employed in a weight lifting machine or device of the type having a rotating lever arm for application of weight lifting force by the user. The assembly allows the user to angularly adjust the initial position of the lever arm in relation to the axis of the cam and, nevertheless, maintain the cam in appropriate relation with the constant resistance force. The variable resistance force produced by the cam will then not vary with respect to positioning of the lever arm as rotated during exercise.

Abstract: An exercising machine that has an adjustable actuator arm assembly coupled to a weight stack by a pulley/cable assembly. The actuator arm assembly includes an actuator arm that lifts the weight stack when rotated through an arc. The machine is constructed with a frame that has a vertical bar. The actuator arm is coupled to a sleeve assembly that can slide along the vertical bar, to provide a number of operating locations. The machine also has a first cable that is coupled to the actuator arm. The cable is looped around a first tension pulley, a first floating pulley and then fixed to the sleeve assembly. The first floating pulley is coupled to a second cable that loops around a second tension pulley and is attached to the weight stack. When the actuator arm is rotated, the first floating pulley is pulled in a downward direction. The movement of the first floating pulley pulls the second cable and lifts the weight stack in an upward direction.

Abstract: A machine for exercising leg muscles including a movement arm rotatable about a horizontal axis, a seat for receiving a user with the legs engageable with the movement arm to rotate it in one direction about the axis, and a weight stack including a resistance weight and a vertical stack pin connectable to the resistance weight. A sprocket is connected to the movement arm to rotate with the movement arm, and a drive connection including a chain or cable is established between the sprocket and the bottom of the stack pin to raise the stack pin when the movement arm is rotated in one direction. In one embodiment a drive lever is pivotally connected to the bottom of the stack pin to raise the stack pin when the movement arm is rotated in one direction in opposition to the resistance weight. The chain is connected to an intermediate portion of the drive lever. The movement arm is provided with a convenient handle for rotating the movement arm while the user is seated.

Abstract: A vertical type abdominal and hip exercising apparatus including two swivel frames bilaterally and revolvably fastened to two angle bars on two opposite sides of a back rest being fastened to a bevel frame above a machine base and turned by the player's chest or legs to lift weights through traction cables and a pulley block for trunk bending or leg pressing exercises. The swivel frames are linked for synchronous movement. Each swivel frame has two position-adjustable actuating members for turning with the chest or the leg in lifting the weights.

Abstract: A multipurpose gymnastic apparatus comprises a frame unit, a pulley unit, and a load carrying unit. The frame unit is composed of a ladder frame having a front end on which a dual-purpose pushing and rotating device is mounted, a chair set and a leg stretching device. The pulley unit comprises a plurality of independent ropes running through the pulleys and having free ends connected with the pushing and rotating device and the leg stretching device. The load carrying unit is capable of being lifted and lowered by the ropes. The pushing and rotating device comprises two wheel fitting members, two arresting pieces, and a protective rod. The ropes running on the two fitting members can be actuated by the two arresting pieces to permit a chest building exercise to be done while the ropes can be pressed against by the protective rod to permit an arm building exercise to be done.

Abstract: An exercise device having a coupling member movable by the user between rest and end limit of travel positions, a constant weight, and a weight-lifting arm operatively connected to the weight and movable through a vertical plane to move the weight between rest and elevated positions corresponding to the rest and end limit positions of the coupling member. The device further includes a pivot arm pivotally movable through a pivot arm plane having a user-selectable angular orientation to transmit a selectable force between the coupling member and weight dependent upon the selected angular orientation. A link arm is connected between the pivot arm and the weight-lifting arm to transmit force therebetween. The pivot arm is pivotally attached to a rotatable pivot arm support which is selectively rotated by a lever arm moved by an electric motor and screw arrangement to selectively change the angular orientation of the pivot arm plane.

Abstract: An exercising machine that has an adjustable actuator arm assembly coupled to a weight stack by a pulley/cable assembly. The actuator arm assembly includes an actuator arm that lifts the weight stack when rotated through an arc. The machine is constructed with a frame that has a vertical bar. The actuator arm is coupled to a sleeve assembly that can slide along the vertical bar, to provide a number of operating locations. The machine also has a first cable that is coupled to the actuator arm. The cable is looped around a first tension pulley, a first floating pulley and then fixed to the sleeve assembly. The first floating pulley is coupled to a second cable that loops around a second tension pulley and is attached to the weight stack. When the actuator arm is rotated, the first floating pulley is pulled in a downward direction. The movement of the first floating pulley pulls the second cable and lifts the weight stack in an upward direction.

Abstract: A rowing exercise machine including a seat, a chest pad located forwardly of the seat, a movement arm to be pivoted about a horizontal axis by the exerciser while the chest pad limits forward movement of the exerciser, and a weight stack connected to the movement arm to impose a resistance to movement of the movement arm by the exerciser in one direction. A vertical pin is connectable to the resistance weight while being connected to the movement arm by a transmission including a vertical drive rod whose upper end is connected to the movement arm by a first linkage and whose lower end is connected to the pin by a second linkage located below the level of the seat. The chest pad is adjustable by a parallelogram linkage which mounts the chest pad relative to a fixed frame.

Abstract: An exerciser including a generally horizontal top frame having a front end, a column supporting the top frame, a movable frame mounted on the top frame and movable between the front end of the top frame and the column, the movable frame having two spaced vertical hollow frame sections and a cross frame section interconnecting lowermost ends of the vertical hollow frame sections, two push arms connected privotally to the movable frame and capable of being pivoted toward each other, and a stop rod extending frontward from the column below the top frame so as to limit movement of the movable frame toward the column. The exerciser further includes a first locking unit which is operable to prevent movement of the movable frame relative to the top frame and a second locking unit which is operable to prevent movement of the push arms relative to the movable frame.

Abstract: A variable resistance exercise device is provided which enables a user to select from an almost limitless set of resistance curves having various shapes and amplitudes. These results are achieved using a fixed baseline resistance and a variable resistance generated by a torque arm assembly. Preferably, the torque arm assembly either has a vertical diametric torque arm and two horizontal radial torque arms which are perpendicular to the vertical torque arm or two diametric torque arms which are perpendicular to each other. By varying the position of a weight member on each of these arms, as well as the ratio of the net horizontal torque and the vertical torque generated by the weight members, the baseline resistance force that the user experiences can be infinitely varied. Additionally, through the use of a gear assembly, the user can achieve a force variance during the exercise which is greater than the minimum force experienced during the exercise.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for exercising the muscles of the upper legs and lower torso wherein the exerciser is placed on his/her side in a generally horizontal position on a support including a movable portion which rotates about a vertical axis in response to forces generated by the exerciser. At least two vertically extending pads are secured to the movable support portion to receive the exerciser therebetween. The pads serve to position and retain the exerciser as well as to transmit forces from the exerciser to the movable support portion to rotate the same. A weight stack is connected to the rotatable support portion by a drive mechanism located below the support portion and connected to the bottom of a weight rod included in the weight stack. During the exercise, the movable support portion is rotated by the exerciser from a start position in one direction against the resistance of the weight stack and then returned to the start position whereupon the exercise is repeated.

Abstract: An exercise machine (10) and method for testing and exercising the lumbar muscles of a user or patient (P) while in a secured seated position on a seat (20) by the user exerting a rearward force against a back pad (32) on a pivoted movement arm (30) is described. The user (P) is positioned on seat (20) with feet on a horizontal plate (82) and tibias restrained against upward movement by thigh pads (72). Upward vertical movement of platform (80) relative to pads (72) secures the user (P) tightly on the machine (10) and permits a limited rocking movement of the pelvis during exercising as shown at (D) in FIG. 12. A strain gauge (172) anchored at one end (176, 178) to the fixed support frame (14) is mounted for connection to a pulley wheel (132) for static testing and for disconnection from pulley wheel (132) during the exercise mode.

Abstract: An exercise method having one or more exercise members connected by a cable system to a weight, such as a variable weight stack, and each movable by a user along an exercise path to perform an exercise routine against the resisting force of the weight, and a pre-stretch adjustment feature, whereby the position of each exercise member along its exercise path at which the resisting force of the weight commences to act on the member, and hence also the portion of the exercise path over which the resisting force acts on the member, are adustable in order to vary the exercise routine performed with each exercise member.

Abstract: A first end of a lever pivots about a fixed axis as a second end is raised and lowered by the user. A carriage is disposed on the lever and is designed to travel the length of the lever between the first and second ends. A belt is coupled to a weight and to the carriage through a series of pulleys. The lever is shaped so that the weight neither raises nor lowers as the carriage travels from one end of the lever to the other. The distance that the weight travels in response to movement of the second end is thus proportional to the position of the carriage on the lever. By moving the carriage to numerous positions between the first and second ends of the lever, the torque needed to lift the weight and the distance by which the weight moves may be varied correspondingly in numerous increments over a very large range. A number of different user interfaces may be coupled to the lever for creating an equal number of different weight training machines.

Abstract: A limb movement exercising and training apparatus having a cable connected, at one end, to a weight plate and connected, at the other end, to a rotatable cam rail. A pivotal swing arm is connected to the cam rail to rotate the cam rail upon pivotal motion of the swing arm. Rotation of the cam rail pulls the cable and lifts the weight plate. A handle, or other suitable structure, is connected to the swing arm so as to pivot the swing arm and rotate the cam rail as a user moves a limb in an exercise or training motion. The outer peripheral shape of the cam rail and/or the location of the axis of rotation of the cam rail may be designed to require varying amounts of work or power to rotate the cam rail as the cam rail is rotated by varying degrees of rotation. Adjustment structure allows the height and angle of the cam rail and swing arm to be adjusted.

Abstract: An exercise device has a support frame and a lever arm attached to the support frame and pivotably movable between a rest position, wherein the lever arm hangs downwardly relative to the support frame, and an extended position, wherein the lever arm is pivoted upwardly from its rest position. A range of motion (ROM) block is rigidly attached to the lever arm, and pivots with the lever arm. The orientation of the ROM block relative to the lever arm can be selectively varied.A tackle is attached to the ROM block to provide an opposing force to motion of the lever arm from the rest position to the extended position. This tackle includes two pulleys that are attached to the ROM block. The tackle also includes a substantially taut cable that extends between the pulleys, and the cable is connected to a mass.

Abstract: A compact exercise apparatus for use in performing a plurality of exercises having a resistive load is disclosed. A frame structure is provided for supporting the load and a mechanism is employed for moving the load from a first to a second position. A linkage arrangement is disposed between the moving mechanism and the load and includes a plurality of interconnected pivotably operably lever arms. The linkage arrangement is in multiple mounting communication with the moving mechanism at one of the interconnected lever arms. This combination of structure enables the proper biomechanical and kinesiological movement of each of the exercises and permits moving the load from the first position to the second position. In a preferred embodiment, a frame structure supports a movable weight stack and an exercise bar is utilized to move the load from a first to a second position.

Abstract: In accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the present invention, a motion converting mechanism for an exercise machine includes a shaft mounted on spaced bearings on opposite walls of a side compartment of the machine, a pitman arm on the shaft, a drive assembly including inner and outer arms extending above and below the shaft, a linkage and transducer that connect the outer end of the pitman arm to the lower end of the drive assembly, a lifting wheel on the shaft between the inner and outer drive arms, and a laterally shiftable pin that extends through the outer drive arm, one of a plurality of holes near the outer periphery of the lifting wheel and into the inner arm to connect the drive assembly to the lifting wheel in any one of a plurality of relative orientations. A stop against pivotal rotation of the lifting wheel also is provided to enable static tests to be made of certain ones of the users muscles.

Abstract: A muscle exercise and rehabilitation apparatus including a patient chair having a first side and a second side is disclosed. Structure is provided for the rehabilitation and exercise of a patient seated in the patient chair. Structure is provided to move the rehabilitation and exercise structure between a first position adjacent the first side of the patient chair and a second position adjacent the second side of the patient chair in a first linear path. Structure is provided to support the patient chair for movement along a second linear path toward and away from the exercise and rehabilitation structure.

Abstract: An exercise apparatus for providing improved muscle conditioning via push-ups or similar exercises. The apparatus comprises an elongated body with end supports and two rotatably affixed hand grips. The elongated body has a plurality of pairs of bushing lined holes. Each hole of each pair is equally spaced from the elongated body's vertical centerline. The hand grips are rectangularly shaped having a pin extension that slidably and rotatably fits in the body's bushing lined holes. The top horizontal portion of the rectangle is an ergonomically shaped handle. The pin and, consequently, the hand grip are locked into place in the body via a spring clip which engages the pin at its free end. The spring clip engages the underside of the body such that the hand grips cannot be withdrawn from the body until the clip is removed. While being used, the user grabs the ergonomically contoured handles and performs a push-up or similar exercise.

Abstract: An exerciser for the upper body including a frame supporting a seat whose position can be adjusted in the vertical direction, a weight assembly slidably mounted on a vertical track, an overhead cam assembly coupled by a cable to the weight assembly and which is turned by a seated user forcibly contacting a lever arrangement adjustably secured to the cam assembly. By adjustably orienting the lever on the cam, different starting positions for the exercises are provided enabling the user to perform forward forearm presses or rearward forearm presses. A second cam system has a pair of double cams, one on the right side and one on the left side of the seated user. Each double cam is coupled to the weight stack by a cable having a pair of branches on each end. One branch cable member is attached to the periphery of one cam of the double cam and the other branch member is attached to the periphery of the second cam of the double cam providing that resistance is applied by turning the double cam in either direction.

Abstract: An exercise machine for performing an incline press includes a frame, a declined seat connected to the frame along a vertical midplane and two independently maneuverable levers with upper rearward ends pivotally connected to the frame above the seat, on opposite sides of the midplane. The lower, forward ends of the levers are adapted to hold removable weights. Handles also extend inwardly, rearwardly and upwardly from the lower ends of the levers. Each handle is adapted to be grasped by a person supported on the seat and upwardly extended and adducted in an incline press motion against the held weights to move the respective lever along a vertical plane that converges inwardly with respect to the vertical midplane. This incline press exercise machine accommodates the natural musculoskeletal movements of the arms and shoulders of a person, thereby maximizing muscular benefit while minimizing joint stress.

Abstract: A rotary cuff exercise machine includes a frame, an elongated platform aligned along a vertical midplane through the frame, and two sides rotatably connected to the frame on opposite sides of the midplane. Each rotatable side includes a horizontally pivotal lever, a hub for holding removable weights on one end of the lever, at least one actuating pad connected to the lever away from the hub for pivotally moving the weighted lever and an elbow rest located below the actuating pad for supporting the elbow during pivotal movement. With elbows supported on the elbow rests, and the hands bearing against the actuating pads, an exerciser lying face up on the platform may pivotally move the weighted levers, through either an internal rotation or an external rotation, depending upon the direction the exerciser is pointed, to exercise the muscles associated with the rotary cuff joint.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for exercising and/or testing the cervical muscles of the neck wherein a seated person is secured against a backrest to isolate movement of his head and neck from the remainder of his body. For exercising the cervical muscles between opposite positions of full extension and flexion, the muscles are used to move the head rearwardly against a pivotable movement arm to move the latter against a yieldable resistance weight connected to the movement arm to bias the movement arm in one direction. The head is then moved forwardly and the process is repeated until the movement arm can no longer be moved by said muscles. The number of repetitions is measured and recorded throughout the exercise.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for exercising the lumbar muscles including a movement arm which is moved about either a vertical or a horizontal axis depending on how a support for the movement arm is oriented relative to a primary support. In one position of the support the movement arm is moveable about a horizontal axis with the person seated in a generally upright position while in another position of the support, the movement arm is moveable about a generally vertical axis with the person positioned on his/her side. During exercise, the position of the persons head is fixed relative to the movement arm, and the pelvis is also fixed against movement.

Abstract: An adjustable weight position harness system having a backpack like harness and a rigid frame with a slidable weight support which is movable up and down the frame a distance of at least 8 inches and may be secured at any point between its upper and lower positions without removing the harness. A freestanding harness rack having adjustable support rods which extend outwardly and slightly upwardly and correspond to eyelets in the harness so that the user may walk the harness onto the support rack for easy and safe engagement or disengagement of the harness and alteration of the weights and weight positoning.

Abstract: A method of testing muscles of the lower trunk of a subject human body including the steps of restraining the pelvis against movement, connecting to a movement arm to a resistance weight of known force less than the maximum static strength of the muscles to pivot the movement arm in one direction to lift the resistance weight and then in an opposite direction to relieve the force on the movement arm to cause the resistance weight to return to its starting position, repeating the steps until the muscles fatigue and, wherein there is further included the steps of counterbalancing the upper trunk by a counter-weight connected to the movement arm wherein the stroke of the resistance weight is limited to three inches in order to reduce kinetic energy of the weight.

Abstract: A calf exercise machine to develop the muscles with a plantarflexion movement and dorsiflexion movement. The main muscles involved in these two movements while the subject is using the machine are the soleus and the tibialis anterior. The soleus muscle is isolated in this machine by bending the knee to place that muscle in a bio-mechanically advantageous position. During plantarflexion movement, the angle between the tibia and femur muscle is kept to a minimum. The bottom of the subject's foot pushes against a leverage arm to contract the soleus muscle. During dorsiflexion, the subject's foot moves the leverage arm back to the starting position of the exercise.

Abstract: A leg press machine includes resistant weights and a resistant plate movably mounted relative to the machine for effecting reciprocation of the plates, wherein an adapter plate organization includes a "C" shaped plate member positionable about the resistant plate permitting an enlarged support platform enabling an enlarged spacing between the feet members of an individual effecting displacement of the resistance plate. The invention includes "C" shaped cushion members selectively securable to a forward surface of the adapter plate member in a complementary manner, wherein a plurality of such cushion members are provided utilizing selective pneumatic or friction powder within a respective plurality of cushion members.

Abstract: A rear deltoid exercise machine includes a frame, a bench supported by the frame along a vertical midplane and two independently pivotal levers connected to the frame on opposite sides of the midplane adjacent a head end of the bench. Each lever includes a hub adapted to hold at least one removable weight, a connector that extends rearwardly toward the bench and an actuating pad at the rear end of the connector. With the backs of the upper arms engaging inwardly directed surfaces of the actuating pads, an exerciser lying face down on the bench may pivotally raise the levers upwardly, through shoulder adductive motion, against the weight supported on the hubs to exercise the rear deltoid muscle groups.

Abstract: A convertible gymnastic apparatus for doing push-lift movement or chest building movement makes use of a short cross bar having thereon a protruded bar extending upwardly and a swing frame comprising a longitudinal bar, to which a movable body is attached, and two gyrating arms having a baffle disposed at inner side end thereof. As movable body is moved upwardly, the movement of the baffle of gyrating arm is obstructed by the bump of the movable body so that the gyrating arm can not be rotated. Therefore, the user can do the push-lift movement. As movable body is moved downwardly, the protruded bar of the short cross bar is locked securely into the hole of the movable body, thereby resulting in prevention of the swing frame from swinging forward and allowing the user to do the chest building movement.

Abstract: Method for exercising and/or testing the cervical muscles of the neck wherein a seated person is secured against a backrest to isolate movement of his head and neck from the remainder of his body. For exercising the cervical muscles between opposite positions of full extension and flexion, the muscles are used to move the head rearwardly against a pivotable movement arm to move the latter against a yieldable resistance weight connected to the movement arm to bias the movement arm in one direction. The head is then moved forwardly and the process is repeated until the movement arm can no longer be moved by said muscles. The number of repetitions is measured and recorded throughout the exercise.

Abstract: A leg exercise machine includes a frame having a seat connected thereto for supporting a user in a seated position thereon. A foot engaging member is adapted for engaging the feet of a user and receiving force from the user leg. The foot engaging member is pivotally mounted on the frame by a four-bar linkage which includes first and second lever arms pivotably mounted on the frame. The pivotal mounting of the lever arms provides for back and forth movement along a path of travel and about an instantaneous (changing) axis of rotation for changing the angle of inclination of the foot engaging member so that a force substantially normal to the foot engaging member is directed substantially up the leg and tibia during corresponding movement of the user. The second lever arm is operatively connected to a weight stack for transmitting the pivotal back and forth movement of the leg engaging member to movement of the weight stack to thereby exercise the legs of a user.

Abstract: A torso exercise machine includes a seat connected to a frame for supporting a user thereon. An upper body engaging member receives force from an upper body part for exercising the torso. The upper body engaging member is pivotally mountd to the frame for pivotal movement along an eccentric path of travel while generating an instantaneous axis of rotation substantially along the torso and spine of the seated user. The eccentric path of travel of the upper body engaging member is illustrated as being obtained by pivotally mounting the upper body engaging member to the frame by a four-bar linkage. A resistance weight opposes movement of the user while the user exercises. A range limiter is provided to reduce the normal range of back and forth movement of the upper body engaging member.

Abstract: Method for exercising or testing the rotary torso muscles in which the chest and shoulder area of the subject is secured against movement while the pelvis is also secured against movement to isolate the rotary torso muscles for testing or exercise. The subject while so secured and seated exerts a force with the rotary torso muscles to rotate a movement arm about a vertical axis against a resistance suitably chosen from a weight stack to be less than the maximum static strength of said muscles. The subject then returns to the starting position and repeats the exercise until the rotary torso muscles can no longer rotate the movement arm. The subject's static strength is measured by fixing the movement arm in several different angular positions and measuring the force exerted by said muscles on the movement arm in each of said positions.

Abstract: An exercise machine has multiple stations at each of which two or more exercises are performed in opposition to a selected amount of weight in a weight stack. A cable and pulley system connects the exercise apparatus at the exercise stations with the weight stack in such a manner that only one pull cable in the system is connected to the weight stack.

Abstract: An exercise apparatus for performing a variety of exercises, including chest and incline shoulder press exercises during which the user sits on a seat with a backrest which is adjustably secured in upright and forwardly inclined positions for supporting the user's upper body in the proper positions for these exercises. The exercises all utilize the same weight stack or other device for resisting the exercise motions of the user. The apparatus has a plurality of exercise members mounted on a frame for different prescribed exercise movements by the user, a resisting force producing arrangement, and a cable for selectively connecting the resisting force to the different exercise members. The cable is guided and supported by pulleys, one of which is adjustable from one position to another to accommodate the different exercises.