Abstract: A compact attachment for a multi-station exercise machine conveniently couples to a low pull station and therefore utilizes the weight stack or other resistance mechanism of the exercise machine. The attachment is designed for performing leg press and other lower limb exercises. The attachment has a frame on which a pair of foot pads are mounted. A seat for the operator of the attachment is suspended from the frame by a pair of parallel pivoting arms so that the seat remains in a relatively constant attitude throughout the exercise stroke. The invention may be alternatively embodied as a stand alone device utilizing free weights as a means for providing exercise resistance.

Abstract: The exercise apparatus is for supportively aiding a patient's therapeutic upper limb movements and rehabilitation of those corresponding muscles. A skeletal frame has two exercise assemblies mounted on it. Each exercise assembly has a substantially horizontal boom, a first weight resistance assembly in depending relationship to the rearward end of said boom, a flexible connecting line extending from the first weight assembly and then along the boom to a sling for a patient's upper limb, and a depending leg to which the boom is pivotally mounted at its rearward end for pivot swinging adduction and abduction movement of the boom. An adjustable stop system is associated with the boom pivot mounting and permits step-wise setting of stop limits for the adduction and abduction pivot swinging movement of the boom. The flexible connecting line does not extend across the axis for the pivot of the boom. Color coded connecting lines for different slings and weight assemblies are used.

Abstract: An exercise method for strengthening the trunk muscles has a horizontally-movable plunger that contacts the trunk of a user for linearly applying the force of a weight stack to resist trunk flexion and extension of a seated user. The plunger is attached to a carriage mounted for horizontal movement on rails. A cable connection between the carriage and the weight stack includes a cam for varying resistance with changes in position of the plunger. The backrest and seat are made optionally tiltable.

Abstract: An exercise machine has a frame, a seat and a pair of articulated exercise arm assemblies. Each of the exercise arm assemblies is pivotally attached to the frame with a four bar linkage. Handles at the outer extremities of the articulated arm assemblies are gripped by the user to perform the intended exercise. The geometry of the arms and their pivot points is arranged so that the handles of the articulated assemblies follow arcuate paths which converge as the handles are moved forwardly. At a starting position for a press exercise, the handles are approximately in line with the shoulders of the user. As the handles are pushed forwardly against an exercise resistance, they converge inwardly until they are nearly touching when the user's arms are fully outstretched. The machine may also be used to perform a seated-row exercise, in which case the handles are pulled rearwardly against the exercise resistance.

Abstract: Horizontal squat exercise apparatus includes a substantially horizontally disposed base frame. The base frame supports at its front a substantially vertically disposed foot plate frame and supports at its rear a substantially vertically disposed weight rack frame carrying a plurality of selectable weights. A track frame is supported on the base frame between the foot plate frame and the weight rack frame and includes a substantially horizontal section and a section inclined downwardly from the horizontal section toward the front of the base frame. A carriage is supported on the track frame so as to be displaced first upwardly along the inclined section and then along the horizontal section by an exerciser pushing with his/her feet against the foot plate frame. Selected weights are arranged to be lifted in the weight rack as the carriage is so displaced.

Abstract: An exercise mechanism includes a base, a post and a pole extended upward from the base, a sleeve slidably engaged on the pole, a weight secured to the sleeve, a bracket pivotally secured to the post, and a cable coupling the bracket to the sleeve for lifting the sleeve and the weight upward when the bracket is rotated, a curved track fixed in the bracket, a frame pivotally secured to the post and having one end engaging with the curved track. The exercise mechanism can be used for practicing various kinds of exercises.

Abstract: An exercise apparatus for strengthening and toning gluteal muscles of an exerciser includes structure for supporting the exerciser with his feet fixedly elevated over the remainder of his body, linearly moveable structure for directing movement of the upper portion of the exerciser's body as he pushes that portion of his body out-and-away from his fixedly positioned feet, and structure for varying the resistance presented by the linearly moveable structure to the out-and-away movement made by the exerciser.

Abstract: A Gravity Sled Exercise Machine wherein leveraged body forces act to overcome gravity to move a two piece body sled and client upward, along biangular support rails, from a horizontal to a vertical orientation. To support the torso during the change in spatial orientation, a fixed angle sled seat reciprocates in lineal motion on the lower of two differentially inclined rails. In concurrent action, the lower section of a back rest pivots on an axle at the rear of the seat, while its upper end rides via a pivot guide on the upper, more vertically inclined rail. That kinetic linkage produces a curvilinear motion that constantly repositions the sled and introduces variable resistance to the exercise cycle.An arrangement of handrings, lines and pulleys provides the leverage for arm and upper body exercises, while Class I and II levers enable leg and lower body exercises. A flexible coupling attaches a leg lever assembly to either the static lower rail or to the moving sled seat.

Abstract: An exerciser includes a weighted base, a pair of spaced vertical beams, a resistance assembly mounted in each vertical beam, a lifting bar with two ends thereof respectively and removably mounted to each resistance assembly at a desired height, and a foldable bench.

Abstract: An exercise machine for strengthening the trunk muscles has a horizontally-movable plunger that contacts the trunk of a user for linearly applying the force of a weight stack to resist trunk flexion and extension of a seated user. The plunger is attached to a carriage mounted for horizontal movement on rails. A cable connection between the carriage and the weight stack includes a cam for varying resistance with changes in position of the plunger. The backrest and seat are made optionally tiltable.

Abstract: The application discloses a handle for an exercise machine having a force resistor such as the cable type wherein a weight stack supplies resistance to movement of the handle along a path through an interconnecting cable system. The handle includes a grip supported on an elongate arm. A base includes structure for connecting the handle to the force resistor. A ball joint connects the arm to the base to enable simultaneous rotation of the arm about its length axis and pivotal movement of the arm in an orbital fashion relative to the base to provide an expanded range of positions of the user's hand during opposed movement of the handle along the path.

Abstract: A method for training a baseball trainee in the art and science of batting a baseball. The method comprises the steps of providing an entirely and totally constrained straight track for a ball striking portion of a bat to follow during the swinging motion of a batter; providing a measured resistance to movement of the bat along the constrained path; and increasing the resistance to movement of the bat along the straight path as bat training progresses.

Abstract: This invention pertains to a throwing arm exercising machine that not only strengthens the throwing arm of the user, but also instructs the user as to the proper form for throwing. It encompasses a frame having an overhead track upon which a handle slides. A counterweight is secured to this handle so as to resist the movement of this handle along the track. A user positions himself underneath the track and grasps the handle and, by moving the handle along the track against the bias of the counterweight, exercises his throwing arm. Additionally, this throwing arm is strengthened while the proper form for throwing is practiced due to the track conforming to such form. For user stability and to isolate the throwing muscles, a hand grip for the non-throwing hand is provided for the user to grasp during this exercise.

Abstract: A finger exercise device which allows a user to move his/her fingers against resistance while allowing the user to perform different types of finger movement, such as flexion, extension, abduction, adduction, etc. The device also provides a finger exerciser that will allow the user to exercise an individual finger or a combination of fingers and which will allow the user to select the degree of resistance placed on the finger movement. By use of a pulley system that provides for even distribution of load on active fingers, and a weight unit that provides variable resistance, finger exercise is performed by placing fingertips in finger rests located in slots and moving the fingertips outwardly or inwardly against the resistance of the weight unit.

Abstract: An exercise, testing and training apparatus includes an upstanding frame, a support rotatably supported by the frame for rotation about a support axis of rotation, a resisting force, such as a weight stack, a force receiving extension supported by the support having a longitudinal axis perpendicular to the axis of the support axis, the extension movable with respect to the support along the longitudinal axis to cause force to be applied against the resisting force, and a resisting force connected device for connecting the extension to the resisting force being responsive to the application of force on the extension to cause force to be applied against the resisting force when the extension is moved along the longitudinal axis. The resisting force may be supported by the frame and a portion of the connecting device may extend parallel with and pass substantially through, the support axis.

Abstract: A resistance training device which includes a boom which may be connected at a variety of positions to a frame. The boom is provided with a curvilinear track in which a runner attached to handle is disposed. The runner is connected to a set of weights via a cable and pulley arrangement. In use, the handle and associated assembly is moved down the track against the resistance of the weights. The shape of the track is arranged to simulate the action of a limb during a sporting movement, for example the movement of the user's arm when taking golf swing, so that the apparatus exercises the user's muscles in precisely the way that is required for maximum benefit for the sporting action which corresponds to the shape of the track.

Abstract: An isoinertial lift machine is described which can be used to evaluate and train patients in the static and dynamic lift modes. The machine consists of an arm which can be positioned on a vertical column. At the end of the arm, various size attachments and handles can be attached. The arm also carries a force sensor that measures the forces applied to the handles. In the static mode, the arm is positioned at a desired height and locked in place. The patient lifts on the handle, and the force sensor registers the lifting force. Since the handle does not move during the lift, the mode is called static. In the dynamic mode, the arm/handle moves in the vertical direction during the lift. A resistance mechanism is used to resist the lifting force applied by the user at the handle. The resisting force is always pulling the arm down, both in the lifting and the lowering motion. The resisting force remains constant throughout the range of motion during lifting.

Abstract: An exercise machine for isolating and strengthening the abdominal muscles has a horizontally-movable plunger having a convex-shaped back contacting pad for linearly applying the force of a weight stack to resist back flexing of a seated user, and also has arm and leg immobilizing structure to arrest reactionary forces during such flexing, thereby minimizing hip flexion. The plunger is attached to a carriage mounted for horizontal movement on rails. A cable connection between the carriage and the weight stack includes a cam for varying resistance with changes in the degree of flexing.

Abstract: A multipurpose exercise apparatus for performing free weight bar bell exercises is disclosed. The machine includes a pair of weight frames, each of which includes spaced apart columns and spaced apart horizontal top beams supported by the columns. A weight support member is disposed vertically between the columns and includes a plurality of apertures, a stack of primary weights being supported on the weight support member by a pin which is specially adapted to carry one or more supplementary weights. A bar assembly for performing diverse barbell exercises is connected by a pair of cables to the weight stacks and includes a pair of spaced apart bar support members which provide limited universal joint action with a lifting bar. Optionally, the cables may have detachable couplings intermediate their lengths in order that the bar assembly may be disconnected from the weight stacks and individual hand grips then connected to the cable segments for performing diverse additional exercises.