U.S. patent application number 11/233064 was filed with the patent office on 2006-06-01 for total body strengthening and toning workstation and method of using same.
Invention is credited to Nash Nizam.
Application Number | 20060116253 11/233064 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 36497693 |
Filed Date | 2006-06-01 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060116253 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Nizam; Nash |
June 1, 2006 |
Total body strengthening and toning workstation and method of using
same
Abstract
A stand-alone exercise apparatus includes a seat to support a
user in a position thereon, and upper and lower body exercising
assemblies which are configured for activation either sequentially
of simultaneously to permit the concurrent exercising movement of
his or her upper body area and lower body leg muscles,
respectively, without necessitating that the user stop exercising
when switching from upper body exercises to lower body exercises.
The lower body exercising assembly includes a lower frame assembly
which is operable to provide resistance exercise to the user's leg
muscles, and which includes a selectively reciprocally movable
pedal, platform or bar which is coupled to a suitable resistance
mechanism and which is engageable by the user's feet and/or legs as
they are moved together in unified movement to effect leg
extensions or curls. The upper body exercising assembly includes
one or more reciprocally movable frame members, hand pulleys or
swing arms coupled to a resistance mechanism, and which are
engageable by the user's hands and/or arms. The resistance
mechanisms used to provide the selected resistance to the upper and
lower exercising assemblies are operable independently from each
other, and enable the user to select the degree of resistance to
each of the upper and lower body exercising assemblies
separately.
Inventors: |
Nizam; Nash; (Thornhill,
CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
RICHES, MCKENZIE & HERBERT, LLP
SUITE 1800
2 BLOOR STREET EAST
TORONTO
ON
M4W 3J5
CA
|
Family ID: |
36497693 |
Appl. No.: |
11/233064 |
Filed: |
September 23, 2005 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60630208 |
Nov 24, 2004 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
482/94 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 21/0628 20151001;
A63B 23/0211 20130101; A63B 23/03575 20130101; A63B 2225/107
20130101; A63B 21/0004 20130101; A63B 23/0233 20130101; A63B 21/02
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
482/094 |
International
Class: |
A63B 21/06 20060101
A63B021/06 |
Claims
1. An exercise apparatus for providing toning exercising movement
of a user's upper and lower body muscle groups, the apparatus
including, a seat for supporting the user in a seated position
thereon, a lower frame assembly actuable to exercise leg muscles of
said user, the lower frame assembly being selectively reciprocally
movable from a first rest position to a second displaced position,
and including a leg support having support surfaces which are
engageable by a portion of both of said user's legs or feet,
whereby engagement of the support surfaces by said user's legs or
feet as said user's legs are symmetrically extended or retracted
together in unison moves the lower frame assembly between said
first rest and second displaced positions, a first resistance
mechanism coupled to said lower frame assembly and operable to
selectively vary resistance to movement of the lower frame
assembly, an arm exercising assembly actuable to exercise arm
muscles of said user, said arm exercising assembly including at
least one reciprocally movable member, the at least one
reciprocally movable member being reciprocally movable by the
engagement of at least one of said user's arms or hands between an
initial rest position and a subsequent displaced position, a second
resistance mechanism coupled to said arm exercising assembly and
operable to selectively vary resistance to movement of said arm
exercising assembly independently from said first resistance
mechanism, whereby said lower frame assembly and said arm
exercising assembly are selectively operable in at least one of
simultaneous or alternating sequential movement, a first pulley
system mechanically coupling the lower frame assembly and the first
resistance mechanism, and a second pulley system mechanically
coupling the arm exercising assembly and the second resistance
mechanism.
2. The exercise apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said lower
frame assembly and said arm exercising assembly are selectively
operable in both simultaneous and alternating sequential
movement.
3. The exercise apparatus of claim 2 wherein said first resistance
mechanism is selected from the group consisting of a user
selectable array of vertically displaceable weight plates, an array
of resiliently deformable elastomeric members, and an array of
resiliently deformable bendable rods.
4. The exercise apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said arm
exercising assembly comprises a pivotally movable upper frame and a
pair of generally horizontally spaced hand grips mounted to said
upper frame and positioned for gripping by said user, said hand
grips being selectively reciprocally movable between a first
position spaced a first vertical distance from said seat when said
arm exercising assembly is in said initial rest position, and a
second position moved vertically from said first position when said
arm exercising assembly is in said displaced position.
5. The exercise apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said first
resistance mechanism is selected to provide a maximum leg
resistance force selected less than about 300 lbs, preferably less
than 250 lbs, and said second resistance mechanism is selected to
provide a maximum arm resistance force of less than about 200 lbs,
preferably less than 150 lbs.
6. The exercise apparatus as claimed in claim 5 wherein the lower
frame assembly is actuable to perform leg presses, in said first
rest position said support surface assumes a position spaced
towards said seat at a proximal location selected to be engageable
by said user's feet with said user's legs in a partially bent
orientation, and in said second displaced position said support
surface being moved to a distal location selected to be engageable
by said user's feet with said user's legs in a fully extended
orientation.
7. The exercise apparatus as claimed in claim 4 wherein said seat
is positionable in a partially inclined orientation selected to
support said user seated thereon during exercise of said arm
muscles with said user's spine inclined at an angle of between
about 10 and 60.degree. from vertical.
8. The exercise apparatus as claimed in claim 7 wherein said seat
is pivotable about a substantially horizontal axis between said
partially inclined orientation, and a substantially upright
orientation selected to support said user in the seated position
thereon during exercise of said leg muscles with said user's spine
aligned in a generally vertical orientation.
9. An exercise apparatus for simultaneous toning of a user's arm,
abdominal and leg muscles including, a seat for supporting the user
in a forward facing seated position, a lower frame assembly
actuable to provide exercising movement to said user's leg muscles,
the lower frame assembly being reciprocally movable between a first
rest position and a second displaced position, and including a leg
support positioned for simultaneous symmetrical engagement by each
of said user's legs and feet with said user's legs in substantially
juxtaposed unison alignment, the leg support being actuable in
movement by movement of said user's legs between extended and
retracted positions to move the lower frame assembly between said
first and second displaced positions, a first resistance mechanism
coupled to said lower frame assembly and actuable to selectively
vary resistance to movement of the lower frame assembly, an upper
body exercising assembly actuable to provide exercising movement to
said user's arm muscles, said upper body exercising assembly
including at a reciprocally movable member which is movable by said
user's arms between an initial rest position and a subsequent
displaced position, a second resistance mechanism coupled to said
arm exercising member and operable to selectively vary resistance
to movement of said arm exercising assembly independently from said
first resistance mechanism, and wherein said exercise apparatus
comprises a free standing unitary workstation having a sub-frame,
each of said lower frame assembly, said upper body exercising
assembly and said first and second resistance mechanisms being
coupled to said sub-frame.
10. The exercise apparatus as claimed in claim 9 further including
a first pulley system mechanically coupling the lower frame
assembly to said first resistance mechanism, and a second pulley
system mechanically coupling the upper body exercising assembly to
the second resistance mechanism.
11. The exercise apparatus of claim 10 wherein each of the first
and second resistance mechanisms comprise a user selectable stacked
array of vertically displaceable weight plates.
12. The exercise apparatus as claimed in claim 9 wherein said arm
exercising assembly further includes a pivotally movable upper
frame, said pair of hand grips being coupled to said upper frame in
a substantially horizontally aligned orientation when said arm
exercising assembly is in said initial rest position, said hand
grips being spaced a first vertical distance above said seat, and
when said arm exercising assembly is in said subsequent displaced
position said hand grips being moved vertically therefrom to a
relocated position spaced a second vertical distance above the
seat.
13. The exercise apparatus as claimed in claim 9 wherein said
unitary workstation comprises a portable workstation, and wherein
said first resistance mechanism is operable to provide a range of
resistance forces selected less than a maximum of about 250 lbs,
and said second resistance mechanism is operable to provide a range
of resistance forces selected less than a maximum of about 150
lbs.
14. The exercise apparatus as claimed in claim 9 wherein said seat
includes a seat back positionable in a first partially inclined
orientation selected to support said user during exercise of said
arm muscles and leg muscles with said user's spine inclined at an
angle of between about 10 and 60.degree. from vertical, and a
second substantially upright orientation selected to support said
user seated thereon with said user's spine aligned in a generally
upright orientation.
15. An exercise apparatus for providing simultaneous toning
exercising movement of a user's arm, abdominal and leg muscle
groups, the apparatus including, a seat for supporting the user in
a seated position thereon, a leg exercising assembly actuable to
exercise quadriceps, hip or glutius muscles of said user's right
and left legs in substantially unified movement, and including a
leg support which is engageable by both of said user's legs and/or
feet, said leg support being selectively reciprocally movable from
a first rest position to a second displaced position, whereby
engagement of the leg support by said user's legs and/or feet as
said user's legs are moved together in symmetrical movement
actuates the leg support in movement between said first rest and
second displaced positions, a first resistance mechanism coupled to
said lower frame assembly and operable to selectively vary
resistance to movement of the leg support, an arm exercising
assembly actuable to exercise arm muscles of said user's right and
left arms in substantially unified movement, said arm exercising
assembly including a pair of hand grips which in the activation of
the arm exercising assembly are reciprocally movable by engagement
of said user's arms and/or hands between an initial rest position
and a subsequent displaced position, a second resistance mechanism
coupled to said arm exercising assembly and operable independently
from said first resistance mechanism to selectively vary resistance
to movement of said hand grips, and whereby said leg exercising
assembly and said arm exercising assembly are operable
simultaneously to move said leg support from said first rest
position to said second displaced position while said hand grips
move from said initial rest position to said subsequent displaced
position.
16. The exercise apparatus of claim 15 further including a first
pulley system mechanically coupling the leg exercising assembly to
the first resistance mechanism, and a second pulley system
mechanically coupling the arm exercising assembly to the second
resistance mechanism, each of said first and second resistance
mechanisms being selected from the group consisting of a user
selectable array of vertically displaceable weight plates, and an
array of resiliently deformable bendable rods.
17. The exercise apparatus as claimed in claim 16 wherein said arm
exercising assembly further includes a pivotally movable upper
frame, said pair of hand grips being coupled to said upper frame at
substantially horizontally aligned positions spaced vertically
above said seat, wherein in said initial rest position, said hand
grips being spaced a first distance above said seat, and in said
subsequent displaced position being vertically spaced
therefrom.
18. The exercise apparatus as claimed in claim 17 wherein said
apparatus comprises a unitary stand-alone workout station, said
first resistance mechanism being operable to provide a range of
resistance forces selected less than a maximum of about 250 lbs,
and said second resistance mechanism being operable to provide a
range of resistance forces selected less than a maximum of about
150 lbs.
19. The exercise apparatus as claimed in claim 17 wherein the leg
exercising assembly includes a movable lower frame member, said leg
support being coupled to said lower frame member for reciprocal
movement therewith and actuable by said user to perform leg
extensions.
20. The exercise apparatus as claimed in claim 19 wherein said seat
includes a seat back positionable in a first partially inclined
orientation selected to support said user seated thereon during
exercise of said arm muscles with said user's spine inclined at an
angle of between about 10 and 40.degree. from vertical, and a
second substantially upright orientation selected to support said
user seated thereon during exercise of said leg muscles with said
user's spine aligned in a generally upright orientation.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of priority to U.S.
provisional application Ser. No. 60/630,208, filed Nov. 24, 2004,
pursuant to 35 U.S.C. 119(e).
SCOPE OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to an exercise apparatus for
providing a toning exercise movement, and more particularly an
exercise apparatus which is operable by a user to simultaneously
achieve toning exercise of the user's arms, legs and abdominal
muscles, while the user's feet are moved in unified movement to
effect either leg extensions and/or leg curls.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] The use of weight stacks as adjustable resistance mechanisms
in health club exercise machines is well known. Typically, weight
stacks consist of a number of 2 to 10 kg steel plates which are
slidably mounted so as to be selectively raised and lowered within
a support frame. A release pin is used to couple a selected number
of weight plates to a lift rod, which in turn is connected by a
cable/pulley arrangement to a movable frame or pedal used to
provide body exercise. In this manner, as the frame or pedal is
moved by a user, the lift rod is raised together with the selected
number of weight plates, so as to provide the user with the desired
degree of exercise resistance.
[0004] Conventional commercial exercise machines suffer a
disadvantage in that typically, they are configured to work only a
single specific set of muscles in isolation, with a view to
developing strength and building muscle tissue bulk in the specific
muscle group. In this regard, conventional exercise machines are
constructed with a movable frame or pedal coupled to a single
weight stack, and which in operation is movable to permit the user
to provide resistance exercise to only a single muscle group, such
as his or her biceps or quadriceps.
[0005] As conventional commercial exercise equipment stresses the
isolation exercise of individual target muscles, it has been
necessary for fitness clubs to purchase a number of separate
exercise machines, each tailored to permit a user to exercise a
specific upper or lower muscle group. The exercising of single
muscle groups by such equipment, while beneficial to individuals
who wish to add muscular bulk in strength training exercises, is
less desirable to users who wish to achieve overall improved muscle
toning within a limited time. In addition, conventional exercise
equipment does not lend itself to the benefits of fuller body
exercises, which encourage muscle coordination and the development
of core muscles, such as abdominal muscles, and better replicate
everyday life or sport. In addition, performing repetitions on one
body part on one muscle group for an extended time can be fairly
monotonous, and typically no opportunities exist to easily "mix up"
exercises that involve upper body and lower body. The applicant has
appreciated that increased variety during exercise advantageously
enhances the enjoyment of use of the equipment, encouraging the
user to exercise longer during each visit. In addition to the
increased cost and space requirements associated with purchasing a
number of different exercise machines, conventional exercise
apparatus suffer the disadvantage in that more time is required for
users to complete a full exercise regime.
[0006] Certain exercise equipment manufacturers have proposed
"multi-function" or universal exercise machines which use a series
of pulleys to connect both movable upper and lower body exercising
frames to a single weight stack. Such machines are most frequently
marketed for in-home use, and continue to suffer the disadvantage
that they are adapted to provide resistance exercise to only a
single muscle group at any one time. Typically, conventional
"multi-function" exercise machines necessitate that the user
physically reposition one or more tensioning bands, release pins or
pulleys, to selectively connect and disconnect upper and lower
equipment frames when switching between upper and lower body
exercises, and like existing commercial machines, focus on the
exercise of single muscle groups at any one time as part of a
comprehensive weight training regime.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] The present invention seeks to provide a resistance training
machine that combines both upper and lower body exercising
assemblies which are operable to enable the simultaneous toning
exercise of the user's upper and lower body muscles.
[0008] Another object of the present invention is to provide an
exercise machine and method of its use, which includes separately
actuable upper and lower pulleys, pedals, movable frames or arm
members, or the like (hereinafter generally referred to as
exercising assemblies) which when simultaneously engaged by the
user's legs and arms in exercising movement, concurrently exercise
the user's upper and lower body muscles, and more preferably, his
or her core abdominal muscles, to provide the user with more
efficient full body exercise, enabling a fuller body toning workout
within a comparably limited time.
[0009] A further preferred object of the invention is to provide a
commercial grade exercise machine which is adapted to be set up and
used as a free standing or stand-alone exercise workstation, and
which is configured for use to either simultaneously or
sequentially exercise a user's arm and leg muscles in toning
exercise.
[0010] Another object of the invention is to provide a stand-alone
exercise workstation which includes both upper and lower body
exercising assemblies which are operable by a user to achieve a
simultaneous toning resistance exercise of the user's arm, leg and
core muscle groups, and which in a most preferred embodiment
includes two or more independently operable weight stacks as a
resistance mechanism.
[0011] A further object of the invention is to provide an exercise
apparatus which is adapted for the simultaneous or sequential
toning exercise of a user's arms and leg muscle groups, and which
includes as part of a lower body exercising assembly, a movable
lower frame member which is engageable by the user's feet and/or
legs in a unified movement to effect either leg extensions or leg
presses.
[0012] In a simplified construction, the present invention provides
an exercise apparatus which includes a bench or seat to support a
user in a position seated or reclined thereon. The apparatus
includes upper and lower body exercising assemblies which are
configured for activation simultaneously and/or sequentially to
permit the user to effect exercising movement of his or her upper
body area and lower body leg muscles, respectively, without
necessitating that the user stop exercising and manually
repositioning pins, pulleys, belts or the like when switching from
upper body exercises to lower body exercises. In one possible
construction, the lower body exercising assembly includes a lower
frame assembly which is operable to provide resistance exercise to
the user's leg muscles. The lower frame assembly may, for example,
include a selectively reciprocally movable pedal, platform or bar
which is coupled to a suitable resistance mechanism and which is
engageable by the user's feet and/or legs. Most preferably, the
lower frame assembly is configured for engagement by both of the
user's feet and/or legs simultaneously as the user's legs are moved
together in unified movement to effect either leg presses,
extensions and/or leg curls. The upper body exercising assembly is
preferably selectively actuable by the user extending and/or
retracting his or her arms. In one possible construction, the upper
body exercising assembly includes one or more reciprocally movable
frame members or swing arms which are coupled to a resistance
mechanism and which are engageable by the user's hands and/or arms.
Alternately, the apparatus could incorporate selectively actuable
hand pulleys which include hand grips secured to the end of pulley
wires.
[0013] The resistance mechanism used to provide the desired degree
of resistance to the upper and lower exercising assemblies are most
preferably operable independently from each other, and enable the
user to select the degree of resistance to each of the upper and
lower body exercising assemblies separately. With this
construction, the desired degree of resistance for leg exercises
may be pre-selected by the user, independently from the resistance
to be used for toning upper body exercise. This furthermore
advantageously allows the user to operate the upper and lower body
exercising assemblies both simultaneously to effect the concurrent
resistance exercise of his or her arm and leg muscle groups or
alternately sequentially or independently to provide a more varied
workout.
[0014] Suitable resistance mechanisms to be used with the present
invention include arrays of one or more resiliently bendable rods,
resiliently deformable elastomeric bands, weight stacks, or other
such suitable devices, and which would be suitable to permit either
the alternating sequential and/or simultaneous exercising of upper
and lower body muscle groups, including without restriction, the
user's leg, back, abdominal and/or arm muscles. In a simplified
construction, the apparatus incorporates a weight stack assembly as
a resistance mechanism which includes a number of vertically
displaceable metal plates. The weight stack assembly is coupled to
both the lower body exercising assembly and the upper body
exercising assembly, such that different groupings of weight plates
may be pre-selected by the user for upper and lower body exercise.
Following the selection of the desired amount of resistance, the
upper and lower frame assemblies are concurrently or sequentially
actuated, to raise and lower the selected plates as the user
performs arm and leg exercises. In one possible embodiment, the
weight stack assembly may include at least two independently
operable weight stacks which operate by way of lift rods, and which
are each independently coupled by a respective cable/pulley
assembly to the upper body exercising assembly and the lower body
exercising assembly, provide the user-selected desired degree of
resistance. This construction advantageously enables the user to
quickly and easily lift different combinations of weight plates in
the simultaneous exercising of different muscle groups, without
requiring the repositioning of weight stack release pins
interrupting the flow of repetitions during a set or between
sets.
[0015] The lift rods extend vertically through an associated array
of aligned apertures formed through the weight plates. The upper
end of the lift rods is coupled via respective cable/pulley
assembly or other suitable linkage to movable frame members of the
exercise apparatus used to provide exercise movement to the user's
arms and legs. In this manner, the activation of the exercise
apparatus frame members selectively raises and lower the lift rod
associated therewith, providing resistive tension. Each weight
stack preferably includes one or more release pins used in
selecting the weight of resistance to be provided. The pins are
insertable into selected grooves, notches or recesses formed in a
surface of each weight plate, and have a length chosen so as to
extend into and engage a selected retention hole formed in the lift
rod aligned therewith. The engagement of the release pins with the
associated lift rod hole couples the pin, together with each of the
weight plates stacked thereabove, to its associated lift rod for
movement therewith.
[0016] The applicant has appreciated that concurrent resistance
exercise of both upper arm and lower leg muscle groups
advantageously also effects toning exercise of the user's bridging
abdominal muscles. Abdominal muscle exercises are furthermore
enhanced and optimized when the lower body leg muscles are
exercised by effecting leg extensions or leg presses, with the
user's legs moved together in unified movement.
[0017] The applicant has appreciated that the invention is operable
to provide toning exercise, as contrasted with isolation weight
training exercise which is used primarily to increase muscular
bulk. In this regard, the individual weight stacks used to provide
resistance may be made comparatively lighter than those found on
conventional exercise machines adapted to achieve isolated muscle
exercise. Most preferably, the weight stack assembly is configured
to provide a greater weight resistance to the lower body exercising
assembly which is actuable by the user's legs, than compared with
the weight resistance provided to the upper body exercising
assembly used to provide arm exercise. In a preferred embodiment,
the individual weight stack used to provide resistance to a lower
frame assembly may be selected to provide a range of resistance
forces of less than about 300 lbs, preferably less than about 250
lbs, and more preferably less than about 200 lbs. Similarly, the
weight stack used to provide resistance to the upper body
exercising assembly for upper body exercise, may be made
comparatively smaller and provide a preferred maximum resistance
force of less than about 250 lbs, and more preferably about less
than a maximum of 150 lbs. The comparatively smaller weight stacks
of the present invention furthermore advantageously enable the
exercise apparatus to be made lighter as a stand-alone machine and
smaller than conventional isolation exercising equipment, thereby
providing the apparatus with an overall smaller footprint, and
minimizing the square footage operational cost to health club
purchasers.
[0018] The invention is operable by a user to undertake a full body
toning workout by either simultaneously exercising both upper and
lower body muscle groups or by alternating upper and lower body
exercises. In a most preferred mode of operation, in use, the user
initially pre-selects the desired resistance forces to be used with
both the upper body exercising assembly and the lower body
exercising assembly. Once the desired resistance is chosen, the
user sits or reclines on the bench or seat in a position so that
the upper body exercising assembly is engaged by his or her hands
or arms, with the movable frame member of the lower body exercising
assembly engaged by his or her feet and/or legs. The movable lower
body frame member is reciprocally moved between a first rest
position to a second biased position against the pre-selected
resistance of the first weight stack displaced from the rest
position by the user performing leg extensions or leg presses with
the user's legs moved together in unison, with the resistance
forces of the resistance mechanism returning the frame member from
its biased position.
[0019] Most preferably, simultaneously with the movement of the
lower body exercising frame, the upper body exercising apparatus is
actuated. The upper body frame member or pulleys are reciprocally
moved by the user's arms and/or hands against the resistance forces
of the second weight stack between a first rest position and a
second biased position spaced therefrom. As the respective lower
frame and upper body frames are used simultaneously to exercise the
user's arms and legs, the simultaneous operation of the upper and
lower frames enables the user to undertake a more full body toning
workout. The concurrent activation of the upper and lower body
frame members achieves exercise of not only the user's arm and leg
muscles in isolation, but also the user's bridging abdominal and
back muscles. As such, the present invention advantageously may be
used with lower weight levels than compared to conventional
strength training equipment, reducing the risk of injury and
permitting a greater number of repetitions that provide muscle
toning, without rapidly adding muscular bulk.
[0020] Accordingly, in one aspect the present invention resides in
an exercise apparatus for providing toning exercising movement of a
user's upper and lower body muscle groups, the apparatus
including,
[0021] a seat for supporting the user in a seated position
thereon,
[0022] a lower frame assembly actuable to exercise leg muscles of
said user, the lower frame assembly being selectively reciprocally
movable from a first rest position to a second displaced position,
and including a leg support having support surfaces which are
engageable by a portion of both of said user's legs or feet,
whereby engagement of the support surfaces by said user's legs or
feet as said user's legs are symmetrically extended or retracted
together in unison moves the lower frame assembly between said
first rest and second displaced positions,
[0023] a first resistance mechanism coupled to said lower frame
assembly and operable to selectively vary resistance to movement of
the lower frame assembly,
[0024] an arm exercising assembly actuable to exercise arm muscles
of said user, said arm exercising assembly including at least one
reciprocally movable member, the at least one reciprocally movable
member being reciprocally movable by the engagement of at least one
of said user's arms or hands between an initial rest position and a
subsequent displaced position,
[0025] a second resistance mechanism coupled to said arm exercising
assembly and operable to selectively vary resistance to movement of
said arm exercising assembly independently from said first
resistance mechanism, whereby said lower frame assembly and said
arm exercising assembly may be operated in at least one of
simultaneous or alternating sequential movement
[0026] In another aspect, the present invention resides in an
exercise apparatus for simultaneous toning of a user's arm,
abdominal and leg muscles including,
[0027] a seat for supporting the user in a forward facing seated
position,
[0028] a lower frame assembly actuable to provide exercising
movement to said user's leg muscles, the lower frame assembly being
reciprocally movable between a first rest position and a second
displaced position, and including a leg support positioned for
simultaneous symmetrical engagement by each of said user's legs and
feet with said user's legs in substantially juxtaposed unison
alignment, the leg support being actuable in movement by movement
of said user's legs between extended and retracted positions to
move the lower frame assembly between said first and second
displaced positions,
[0029] a first resistance mechanism coupled to said lower frame
assembly and actuable to selectively vary resistance to movement of
the lower frame assembly,
[0030] an upper body exercising assembly actuable to provide
exercising movement to said user's arm muscles, said upper body
exercising assembly including at a reciprocally movable member
which is movable by said user's arms between an initial rest
position and a subsequent displaced position,
[0031] a second resistance mechanism coupled to said arm exercising
member and operable to selectively vary resistance to movement of
said arm exercising assembly independently from said first
resistance mechanism, and
[0032] wherein said exercise apparatus comprises a free standing
unitary workstation having a sub-frame, each of said lower frame
assembly, said upper body exercising assembly and said first and
second resistance mechanisms being coupled to said sub-frame.
[0033] In a further aspect, the present invention resides in an
exercise apparatus for providing simultaneous toning exercising
movement of a user's arm, abdominal and leg muscle groups, the
apparatus including,
[0034] a seat for supporting the user in a seated position
thereon,
[0035] a leg exercising assembly actuable to exercise quadricep,
hip or glutius muscles of said user's right and left legs in
substantially unified movement, and including a leg support which
is engageable by both of said user's legs and/or feet, said leg
support being selectively reciprocally movable from a first rest
position to a second displaced position, whereby engagement of the
leg support by said user's legs and/or feet as said user's legs are
moved together in symmetrical movement actuates the leg support in
movement between said first rest and second displaced
positions,
[0036] a first resistance mechanism coupled to said lower frame
assembly and operable to selectively vary resistance to movement of
the leg support,
[0037] an arm exercising assembly actuable to exercise arm muscles
of said user's right and left arms in substantially unified
movement, said arm exercising assembly including a pair of hand
grips which in the activation of the arm exercising assembly are
reciprocally movable by engagement of said user's arms and/or hands
between an initial rest position and a subsequent displaced
position,
[0038] a second resistance mechanism coupled to said arm exercising
assembly and operable independently from said first resistance
mechanism to selectively vary resistance to movement of said hand
grips, and whereby said leg exercising assembly and said arm
exercising assembly are operable simultaneously to move said leg
support from said first rest position to said second displaced
position while said hand grips move from said initial rest position
to said subsequent displaced position.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0039] Reference may now be had to the following detailed
description taken together with the accompanying drawings in
which:
[0040] FIG. 1 shows schematically a stand-alone exercise machine in
accordance with a first embodiment of the invention;
[0041] FIGS. 2 and 3 show the exercise machine of FIG. 1 in
operation with a user seated thereon;
[0042] FIG. 4 illustrates a weight stack assembly for use in the
apparatus of FIG. 1, with weight stacks for upper and lower body
exercise assemblies in an initial rest position;
[0043] FIG. 5 illustrates the weight stack assembly of FIG. 4 in
operation of the apparatus, with weight stacks moved in the
concurrent operation of the upper and lower body exercise
assemblies in unison;
[0044] FIG. 6 illustrates a perspective view of an exercise
apparatus in accordance with a second embodiment of the
invention;
[0045] FIG. 7 shows a side view of the exercise apparatus of FIG. 6
showing its operation with a user seated thereon; and
[0046] FIG. 8 shows a perspective view of an exercise apparatus in
accordance with a further embodiment of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0047] Reference is first made to FIG. 1 which illustrates
schematically an exercise machine 10 which, as will be described,
is operable to effect simultaneous toning exercise movement of a
user's 12 (FIG. 2) upper, lower and abdominal muscle groups. The
exercise machine 10 is provided with a seating/support frame
assembly 14, a lower body exercising assembly 16, an upper body
exercising assembly 18, a weight stack assembly 20 and a pair of
cable/pulley assemblies 22,24.
[0048] The seating/support frame assembly 14 is shown best in FIGS.
1 and 2 as including a base 30 and a seat 32. The base 30 is formed
as a square tubular steel frame and has mounted thereto each of the
lower body exercise assembly 16, the upper body exercising assembly
18, the weight stack assembly 20 and the cable/pulley assemblies
22,24. The base 30 has a foot-print selected to provide stability
to the machine 10 as a unitary stand-alone unit in a health club or
the like. The seat 32 is provided to support the user 12 in a
seated and more preferably partially reclined position thereon, in
a position which allows the user 12 to simultaneously or
sequentially actuate both the lower body exercising assembly 16 and
the upper body exercising assembly 18. As will be described,
although not essential, the seat 32 is most preferably coupled to
the base 30 by means of a pair of vertical seat supports 34, so as
to be pivotable in a front-to-back direction, about a horizontal
axis A.sub.1-A.sub.1 (FIG. 1).
[0049] FIG. 1 shows best the lower body exercising assembly 16 as
including a pivot bar 40, which is mounted to the base 30 forwardly
from the seat 32, by means of a vertically extending connecting
support 43 which in turn is welded to the lower base 30 of the
machine 10. The pivot bar 40 is connected to the support 43 by a
selectively rotatable mount 44. The mount 44 is coupled to the
weight stack assembly 20 via the cable/pulley assembly 22. The
mount 44 is further configured to be selectively journaled in
rotation against the resistance forces applied by the weight stack
assembly about a horizontal pivot axis A.sub.p-A.sub.p which
extends parallel to axis A.sub.1-A.sub.1, through 30 to 120.degree.
of movement. Most preferably, the mount 44 is configured to permit
the pivot bar 40 to be reciprocally rotated by the extension and
retraction of the user's legs 102 (FIG. 2) through approximately a
30 to 90.degree. arc of movement, between a first rest position
shown in FIG. 2 in solid lines, and a second biased position shown
in phantom. In a conventional manner, the resilient bias applied by
the weight stack assembly 20, returns the pivot bar 40 to the rest
position against the exercise forces applied by the user's legs
102. The pivot bar 40 is generally "L-shaped" and includes an
elongated padded contact arm 46. The padded arm 46 extends
horizontally in a direction spaced from, and generally parallel to
the pivot axis A.sub.p-A.sub.p so as to be engageable by the shins
of both of the user's legs 102, simultaneously, when the user 12 is
in a position seated for exercise on the seat 32. Most preferably,
the padded arm 46 is positioned to provide exercising resistance to
the user's quadricep and lower body leg muscles, in the performance
of leg extensions.
[0050] FIGS. 1 to 3 show best the upper body exercising assembly 18
used to provide toning body exercise to the user's arms 104 (FIG.
2) and upper body muscle groups. The upper body exercising assembly
18 includes a vertically displaceable frame member 50 which is
secured to a vertical support 52. The support 52 extends upwardly
from the base 30 from a position rearward of the seat 32, to
position the frame member 50 above the user 12 when seated thereon.
The frame member 50 is pivotally connected to the support 52 by way
of a suitable pivot mount 54, so as to be movable from an initial
raised rest position shown in solid lines in FIG. 3 to a lowered
biased position shown in phantom. As will be described,
displaceable frame member 50 is coupled to the weight stack
assembly 20 via cable/pulley assembly 24, so as to be movable
between the rest and lowered positions against resistance forces
supplied thereby. Preferably, the resistance forces supplied by the
weight stack assembly 20 act to resiliently bias the frame member
50 to return to the rest position. The vertically displaceable
frame member 50 is provided with a pair of handle grips 56a,56b.
The vertical support 52 has a height selected, and the frame member
50 is configured such that when in the initial rest position, the
handle grips 56a,56b are positioned generally above axis
A.sub.1-A.sub.1 spaced immediately above the user's head. With this
configuration when initially positioned seated on the seat 32, as
shown in FIG. 2 in use of the exercise apparatus 10, the frame
member 50 may be gripped by the user 12 and reciprocally moved
about the pivot mount 54, between the initial raised rest position
and a lowered biased position, to effect arm 104 and upper body
muscle exercise.
[0051] The weight stack assembly 20 is configured to permit either
the alternating sequential, or more preferably, the simultaneous
concurrent operation of the upper and lower body exercising
assemblies 16,18. FIGS. 4 and 5 show best the weight stack assembly
20 as including a pair of independently operable weight stacks
60a,60b. Each of the weight stacks 60 consists of a number of steel
weight plates 62 which are slidably mounted for selective vertical
movement along a respective pair of tubular frame rails 64. The
tubular frame rails 64 of each weight stack 60a,60b are each
coupled to the base 30, so as to provide the exercise machine 10
with its stand-alone construction. Preferably, the weight plates 62
furthermore have side apertures 65 formed therethrough which are
sized to receive therein a respective one of the rails 64. It is to
be appreciated, however, that other configurations supporting the
weight plates 62 as a selectively movable, stacked vertical array
may also be used and will be apparent. The weight stacks 60a,60b
are shown best in FIG. 4 as each further including an elongated
selectively actuable lift rod 66a,66b, which extends vertically
through a central aperture 68 formed in the centre of each of the
weight plates 62 of each stack 60a,60b. The lift rods 66a,66b have
provided along their length a longitudinally extending array of
apertures 70 (FIG. 5). In a conventional manner, the apertures 70
of each lift rod 66,66b are respectively engageable by a release
pin 72 used to couple a desired number of plates 62 to each lift
rod 66, depending upon the desired weight of resistance. The lift
rods 66a and 66b are in turn coupled to a respective cable/pulley
assembly 20a,20b.
[0052] As shown best in FIG. 1, the lift rod 66a of the weight
plate stack 60a is connected via the cable/pulley assembly 22 to
the rotatable mount 44 to resiliently bias and return the pivot bar
40 to the initial rest position. In addition, the user 12 may
simply and easily select the desired degree of resistance forces to
the rotation of the pivot bar 40 to be used. In a similar manner,
the lift rod 66b of the weight plate stack 60b is connected to the
vertically replaceable frame member 50 by means of cable/pulley 24,
to resiliently bias the frame member 50 to the initial raised
position. The apparatus 10 enables the user 12 to select the
desired degree of resistance to the movement of the member 50
independently from the amount of resistance provided by the weight
stack 60a to the rotation of the pivot bar 40, by using the pins 72
to couple the desired number of weight plates 32 to each respective
rod 66a,66b.
[0053] In this manner, the weight stack 60a is used to provide the
selected degree of resistance forces to the rotational movement of
the mount 44 and padded arm 46 in the exercising movement of the
user's legs 102. Similarly, the weight stack 60b is operable
independently of the weight stack 60a to provide a selected degree
of resistance forces to the movement of vertically displaceable
frame member 50 in use of the exercise machine 10 to exercise the
user's arm and upper body muscles.
[0054] Because the exercise apparatus 10 is primarily intended for
a toning workout, as contrasted with increasing muscular bulk, the
weight stack assembly 20 may be made lighter and more compact than
compared with those found in conventional exercise machines which
are adapted to provide isolated muscle exercise. In this regard,
the weight stack 60a used to provide resistance to the lower body
exercising assembly 16 is preferably slightly larger than the
weight stack 60b. In a simplified construction, the weight stack
60a includes a number of weight plates 62 selected to provide a
preferred maximum leg resistance force of less than 300 lbs., and
more preferably less than about 250 lbs. Similarly, the weight
stack 60b may be provided with a reduced number of weight plates
62, providing a preferred maximum resistance force of less than
about 200 lbs., and preferably less than about 150 lbs. It is to be
appreciated, however, that weight stacks of greater or lesser total
weight may also be used, depending upon the needs of the individual
user.
[0055] FIGS. 1 to 3 show best the seat 32 as including a back
support 80 and is adapted for pivotal movement about the horizontal
axis A.sub.1-A.sub.1, so as to be movable between a forward,
upright position shown in FIG. 2, and a rearward partially reclined
position shown in FIG. 3. Preferably, in use of the machine 10, the
seat 32 may be either locked in place, or alternatively may be
freely swiveled. In one possible mode of operation, the seat 32 is
swiveled upwardly in the direction of arrow 200 to the forward
position (FIG. 2) when in the simultaneous operation of the lower
body exercise assembly 16 and the upper body exercising assembly
18, the pivot bar 40 and vertically displaceable frame 50 are
returned to their respective initial rest positions. As the user 12
activates the padded arm 46 and handle grips 46a,46b to move pivot
bar 40 and frame 50 to their respective biased positions, the seat
32 pivots in the direction of arrow 300 to the reclined position of
FIG. 3, allowing for more optimal positioning of the user's torso.
The movement of the seat 32 during exercise advantageously allows
the user 12 to achieve a `feel` of full body involvement and better
maintain a rhythmic pattern that would allow for increased
repetitions of arm and leg exercises. Furthermore, the change in
position of the seat 32 encourages proper body positioning, and
more varied exercises between the upper body and lower body.
[0056] A locking mechanism 82 is provided to secure the seat 32 in
either the fully reclined and/or fully upright position, as for
example during respective lower and upper body isolated exercise.
In particular, exercise machine 10 of FIGS. 1 to 3 advantageously
allows the user 12 to sequentially alternate his arm and leg muscle
exercises by the selective operation of the exercising frames
16,18. In such operation, the user 12 may lock the seat 32 in a
desired position to perform repetitive isolating exercises
targeting the upper and lower body. Most preferably, however, the
machine 10 is operable to the user 12 concurrently performing upper
and lower body exercises by simultaneously activating each
exercising assembly 16,18. Preferably, however, the locking
mechanism 82 is selectively operable to lock and release the seat
32 for pivotal movement by simultaneous upper and lower body
exercise. In one simplified construction, the locking mechanism 82
includes a releasable latch 84 which is connected to the seat
support 34, an actuator cable 86 coupled to the lower body
exercising assembly 16, a release cable 88 coupled to the upper
body exercising assembly 18 and a pneumatic or hydraulic cylinder
90. The cylinder 90 is preferably provided to resiliently bias the
seat 32 to return to the fully upright position shown in FIG. 2.
With this construction, the activation of the lower body exercising
assembly 16 results in the activator cable 86 drawing the seat 32
towards the reclined position of FIG. 3 where it is engaged by the
latch 84 and retained in place. As the upper body exercising
assembly 18 is activated and the frame 50 fully lowered to its
maximum displaced position, the release cable 88 releases the latch
84 resulting in the seat 34 being biased by the cylinder 90 to
return to the upright position.
[0057] An advantage of the present invention resides in that the
machine 10 is operable to maximize the user's `repetitions per
visit` as compared to traditional isolation strength training
methods wherein users are encouraged to perform `continuous sets`,
where repetitions targeting various muscle groups are performed
without rest, until muscles are fatigued. As such, the user 12 may
obtain an effective workout in a more time efficient manner. With
the exercise machine 10, the flow of repetitions involving more
than one muscle group, utilizing a resistance level for the upper
body that may vary from the lower body, are not interrupted by the
need to stop and reposition the pins 72 as exercises are performed.
Furthermore, during exercise the user 12 may vary patterns that
involve the entire body. In addition, the configuration of the
machine 10 allows for the mixing up of repetitions by isolating,
consecutive or simultaneous use of the lower body exercising
assembly 16 and the upper body exercising assembly 18. This, in
turn, makes the machine 10 more enjoyable and interactive, and less
monotonous than conventional isolation exercises performed one
station at a time.
[0058] FIGS. 2 and 3 show best a preferred mode of operation of the
exercise machine 10 by the user 12, in achieving a toning exercise
workout. To achieve optimal toning exercise of the user's abdominal
muscle groups 106 concurrently with his leg and arm muscles, the
user 12 first independently selects the desired degree of weight
resistance to be provided by the weight stacks 60a,60b to each of
the upper and lower body exercising assemblies 16,18. The desired
degree of weight resistance is selected in a conventional manner,
by inserting the pins 72 of each weight stack 60a,60b into
engagement with the desired aperture 70 formed in each of the lift
rods 66a,66b. The user 12 may simply select a lower weight for
providing the resistive tension to the cable/pulley arrangement 24
and upper body exercising assembly 16 of the machine 10, by
inserting release pin 72 in the desired aperture 70 of the stack
60b. A greater number of weight plates 62 may be used to provide
exercise resistance to the cable/pulley arrangement 22 in the lower
body exercising assembly 18 by inserting release pin 72 into
engagement with the selected plate 62 of the stack 60a. The user 12
then assumes an initial forward facing upright position, seated on
the seat 32, as shown in FIG. 2. In such a position, the front of
the user's legs 102 are positionable in bearing contact with the
padded arm 46, and the user 12 may reach above his head to grasp
the handle grips 56a,56b of the frame member 50 with his hands.
[0059] In use of the machine 10, the pivot bar 40 is operable so as
to be journaled in rotation about the pivot axis A.sub.p-A.sub.p by
the engagement of the user's legs 102 against the padded arm 46, as
they are extended or retracted in leg extensions.
[0060] To effect an exercising workout, the user 12 extends both of
his legs 102 simultaneously outwardly and upwardly, pushing
upwardly against the padded arm 46 of the pivot bar 40 and causing
its rotation from the initial rest position together to the biased
position. It is to be appreciated that the rotation of the pivot
bar 40 effects the movement of the rotatable mount 44 to rotate
about the axis A.sub.p-A.sub.p against the selected resistance
force provided by the weight stack 60a, as the cable/pulley 22
draws the rod 66a upwardly to vertically raise the selected number
of weight plates 62 of the stack 60a. Concurrently with the
extension of the user's legs 102, the user 12 reclines the seat 32
in the direction of arrow 300 to the rearward tilted position shown
in FIG. 3. As the seat 32 and user 12 recline, the user 12 uses his
arms 104 to pull downwardly on the frame assembly 50, effecting its
movement from the initial raised rest position to the lowered
biased position shown in phantom in FIG. 3. The movement of the
frame member 50 downwardly occurs against the upper body resistance
forces applied by the cable/pulley assembly 24 drawing the rod 66b
upwardly, to raise the user selected number of weight plates 62 of
the weight stack 60b. Once the pivot bar 40 and frame member 50
reach their respective maximum displaced positions, the pivot bar
40 and frame member 50 are then returned by the user 12 providing
resistance against the return forces of respective weight stacks
60a,60b to their initial rest positions, and the cycle is then
repeated. As the pivot bar 40 and frame member 50 are returned to
their respective rest positions, the user 12 simultaneously tilts
forwardly in the seat 32, causing its pivotal movement about axis
A.sub.1-A.sub.1 in the direction of arrow 200 and returning it to
the generally upright position. The applicant has appreciated that
the concurrent exercising movement of the user's arms 104 and legs
102, in addition to strengthening the respective upper and lower
muscle groups, advantageously also acts to exercise the user's
bridging abdominal muscles 106. As a result, the user may obtain a
faster, full body toning workout using comparatively lighter
weights, as contrasted with the successive exercising of upper
muscle groups followed by lower muscle groups in isolation.
[0061] In an alternate mode of exercise, with the movement of the
pivot bar 40 and vertically displaceable frame member 50, the user
12 may fix the seat 32 in either an upright or inclined position
against movement, preventing its pivotal movement.
[0062] An advantage of the present machine 10 exists in that it
enables more than one exercise on the single machine 10, as for
example consecutively or in an alternating regime, and which is not
possible with conventional strength training gym equipment.
Furthermore, the use of the machine 10 permits the user 12 to
engage his or her body muscles more fully and permits a greater
number of repetitions of exercise movement. As such, by exercising
both upper and lower body muscle groups, the machine 10 may
advantageously provide enhanced fat burning, without rapidly adding
muscular bulk.
[0063] Although the preferred embodiment of the invention discloses
a weight stack assembly 20 consisting of a pair of weight plate
stacks 60a,60b as a preferred resistance mechanism, the invention
is not so limited. It is to be appreciated that other types of
resistance mechanisms are also envisioned, including resiliently
deformable elastomeric members, as well as resiliently deformable
bendable rods, and will now become apparent. Similarly, although
FIGS. 1 to 3 illustrate an exercise machine 10 having a vertically
displaceable frame member 50 as being used to provide upper body
exercise, and a selectively rotatable pivot bar 40 for lower body
exercise, the invention is not so limited. FIGS. 6 and 7 show an
alternate embodiment of an exercise machine 110 adapted for the
simultaneous exercise movement of a user's upper and lower muscle
groups, wherein like reference numerals are used to identify like
components. In FIGS. 6 and 7 the exercise machine 110 includes an
array of bendable rods 160 in place of the weight stack assembly
for providing resistance to the upper and lower body exercising
assemblies 16,18.
[0064] FIGS. 6 and 7 shows best the machine 110 as including a seat
32 which is provided in a fixed position partially inclined on the
seating/support frame 14. Preferably, the seat 32 is provided in a
fixed position with the seat back 80 inclined so as to support the
user 12 in a position seated thereon with his or her spine inclined
rearwardly at an angle of between about 0 and 60.degree. from
vertical. In place of the pivot bar 40 shown in FIG. 1, the machine
110 incorporates a lower body exercising assembly 16 which includes
a movable foot frame 140 which is coupled for reciprocal pivotal
movement to the base 30 in a generally downward curving arc of
movement by way of a pivot pin 142. As shown best in FIG. 7, the
foot frame 140 includes a generally planar foot plate 144 which is
sized and positioned so as to be simultaneously engaged by both of
the user's feet in the performance of leg press-type exercises, as
the user's legs 102 are fully extended.
[0065] In place of the vertically displaceable frame member 50
(FIG. 1), the upper body exercising assembly 18 of the machine 110
includes a pair of cable operated hand pulleys 150a,150b. The hand
pulleys 150a,150b are connected directly to a selected number of
bendable rods 160 via the cable/pulley assembly 24, for use in
effecting exercise movement of the user's arms 104. The machine 110
provides the desired degree of resistance to the movement of the
upper and lower body exercising assemblies 16,18 by coupling or
uncoupling a selected number of rods 160 to each cable/pulley
assembly 22,24. The rods 160 may, for example, be configured
similar to those found on the Bowflex.TM. exercise machines and
provide resistance via the respective cable/pulley assemblies 22,24
to the movement of the foot frame 140 and hand pulleys
150a,150b.
[0066] In use of the exercise machine 110, the user 12 pre-selects
the desired amount of resistance to be applied to the foot frame
140 and hand pulleys 150a,150b. Resistance is selected by coupling
a selected number of bendable rods 160 to each cable/pulley
assembly 22,24. The user 12 then assumes the position partially
reclined on the seat 32 as shown in FIG. 7.
[0067] With the user's feet resting against the foot plate 144, the
user 12 grips both hand pulleys 150a,150b. Exercising movement is
effective by simultaneously performing leg presses against the foot
plate 144 while pulling each of the hand pulleys 150 forward in the
direction of arrows 400a,400b. The foot plate 144 and pulleys 150a,
150b are moved to the displaced biased positions shown in FIG. 7,
with the user's leg fully extended forwardly in a generally
straightened orientation, and his or her arms 104 are pulled
forward of the user's abdomen. Thereafter, the user 12 permits the
foot frame 140 and hand pulleys 150a,150b to return in the reverse
direction to the rest position by the return bias of the bendable
rods 160, and the cycle is thereafter repeated.
[0068] By the use of the machine 110, the foot plate 144 is thus
operable to exercise quadricep muscles of the user's right and left
legs in substantially unified movement and leg muscle exercise may
be achieved concurrently while the user 12 activates the hand
pulleys 150a,150b against the resistance of the rods 160 to
exercise the upper and lower body muscles, as well as achieving
exercising movement of the abdominal muscles 106 as well.
Simultaneously, with the user's feet engaging the foot plate, the
user extends his or her legs in unified movement to move the foot
plate 144 from the initial rest position to the second displaced
position against the resistance provided by the rods 160.
[0069] As with the first embodiment, as the exercise machine 110 is
adapted for toning exercise, as contrasted with weight training
exercise, with upper and lower muscle groups exercised
concurrently. The applicant has appreciated that the machine may be
provided with comparatively lower number of bendable rods 160 than
those found in conventional strength training equipment. The
applicant has appreciated that as a result, the exercise machine
110 may be made more inexpensively and with an overall reduced
size, occupying comparatively less floor space than separate
conventional exercise machines adapted to independently achieve
upper and lower body leg exercises.
[0070] FIG. 8 shows schematically a modified exercise machine 110
in which like reference numerals are used to identify like
components. In FIG. 8, the exercise machine 110 incorporates a
weight stack assembly 20 similar to that described with reference
to the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 as a resistance mechanism in
place of the array of bendable rods 160. With the embodiment shown,
individual weight stacks 60a,60b are coupled respectively via the
cable/pulley assemblies 22,24 to the foot frame 140 and hand
pulleys 150a,150b to provide the desired degree of resistance.
[0071] The weight stack assembly 20 of FIG. 8 similarly enables the
user 12 to sit at the exercise machine 110 and alternately and/or
sequentially perform arm and leg exercises. In an alternate
possible mode of use, the user 12 may choose to repeatedly
alternate leg and arm exercises for muscle endurance training,
without having to interrupt the flow by having to reposition the
pins 72.
[0072] The applicant has appreciated that the construction of the
present exercise machine and its method of use provide various
advantages over conventional strength training apparatus. With the
present invention, the user 12 utilizes his or her whole body by
engaging the upper body, lower body and midsection muscles during
exercise. With such upper body and lower body muscle exercise, the
user 12 also exercises and utilizes the user's back and abdominal
muscles more often than traditional equipment.
[0073] Although the detailed description describes and illustrates
various preferred embodiments, the invention is not so limited.
Many modifications and variations will now occur to persons skilled
in the art. For a definition of the invention, reference may be had
to the appended claims.
* * * * *