U.S. patent application number 13/919529 was filed with the patent office on 2013-10-24 for total body strengthening and toning workstation and method of using same.
The applicant listed for this patent is Nash NIZAM. Invention is credited to Nash NIZAM.
Application Number | 20130281271 13/919529 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 49380633 |
Filed Date | 2013-10-24 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130281271 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
NIZAM; Nash |
October 24, 2013 |
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
or 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 engagable 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
engagable 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) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
NIZAM; Nash |
Thornhill |
|
CA |
|
|
Family ID: |
49380633 |
Appl. No.: |
13/919529 |
Filed: |
June 17, 2013 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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13067634 |
Jun 16, 2011 |
8485947 |
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13919529 |
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12149631 |
May 6, 2008 |
7985167 |
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13067634 |
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11233064 |
Sep 23, 2005 |
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12149631 |
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60630208 |
Nov 24, 2004 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
482/139 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 23/1281 20130101;
A63B 23/03583 20130101; A63B 2225/107 20130101; A63B 23/03575
20130101; A63B 23/0405 20130101; A63B 21/4035 20151001; A63B
23/03558 20130101; A63B 23/1209 20130101; A63B 2208/0247 20130101;
A63B 2208/0204 20130101; A63B 21/154 20130101; A63B 21/02 20130101;
A63B 23/0222 20130101; A63B 23/03541 20130101; A63B 21/4034
20151001; A63B 22/0012 20130101; A63B 21/4043 20151001; A63B 21/062
20130101; A63B 21/4047 20151001; A63B 21/0628 20151001 |
Class at
Publication: |
482/139 |
International
Class: |
A63B 23/035 20060101
A63B023/035 |
Claims
1. An exercise apparatus operable to effect simultaneous upper and
lower body strengthening in a user, the apparatus comprising, a
seat having a seat back support for supporting said user in an
exercising position with said user's spine juxtaposed thereon, the
seat back support being fixed or fixedly positionable in a
downwardly sloping orientation, a lower frame assembly including a
foot support actuable in movement by the extension and retraction
of said user's legs, the foot support being movable along a first
path of movement from a first raised position to a second lowered
position, a first resistance mechanism coupled to the lower frame
assembly and operable to selectively vary resistance to foot
support movement, an arm exercising assembly actuable to exercise
arm muscles of said user when in the exercising position, the arm
exercising assembly including at least one reciprocally movable
member which is selectively movable by said user's hands or arms
along a second path of movement from an initial rest position to a
displaced position moved therefrom, the second path of movement
extending generally in a direction oriented at between about
80.degree. and 280.degree. relative to the downward inclination of
said seat back, a second resistance mechanism coupled to said arm
exercising assembly and operable to vary resistance to movement of
said arm exercising assembly independently from said first
resistance mechanism, wherein in said exercising position, said
lower frame assembly and said arm exercise assembly being
simultaneously operably by said user to effect simultaneous upper
and lower body exercise, and, the seat is positioned with said back
support inclined from vertical such that the user can reach the
lower frame assembly with said user's feet engaging said foot
support while said user's hands or arms engage said arm exercising
assembly, wherein said lower frame assembly, being activatable by
said user engaging said foot support with his or her feet to
alternately extend and retract said user's legs together in unison
in leg press-type exercises to move said foot support between the
first raised and second lowered positions.
2. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said back support is
positioned inclined at an angle selected at between about
10.degree. and 60.degree..
3. The apparatus as claimed in claim 2 wherein as said foot
assembly is moved to the lowered position, said lower frame
assembly maintains said user's shins in said orientation in
generally parallel .+-.25.degree. to the angle of inclination of
said back support.
4. The apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein each said
reciprocally movable member moves from the initial said rest
position to said displaced position in a direction selected at
between about 90.degree. and 270.degree. relative to the downward
direction of inclination of the seat back.
5. The apparatus as claimed in claim 4 further including
positioning said first resistance mechanism to provide a
pre-selected maximum leg resistance force selected at less than
about 250 lbs, and positioning said second resistance mechanism to
provide a pre-selected maximum arm resistance force of less than
about 200 lbs.
6. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said arm exercising
assembly is selected from the group consisting of an outward
shoulder press exercise apparatus and a chest press exercise
apparatus, and wherein said reciprocally member is movable by said
user, along said second path of movement, in a direction generally
perpendicular .+-.10.degree. relative to a direction of inclination
of the seat back.
7. The apparatus as claimed in claim 6 wherein the exercise
apparatus is a free standing unitary exercise apparatus, said first
resistance mechanism being adjustable by said user to pre-select a
desired resistance to foot support movement, and said second
resistance mechanism be adjustable by said user to pre-select a
desired resistance to said at least one reciprocally moveable
member.
8. The apparatus as claimed in claim 7 wherein in actuation of said
lower frame assembly, in said first rest position said foot support
being spaced towards said seat and engaged by the soles of both of
said user's feet with said user's legs in a partially bent
orientation, and in said second position said foot support being
moved vertically downwardly to a distal location and engaged by the
soles of said user's feet with said user's legs in a substantially
fully extended orientation and said user's shins oriented generally
parallel .+-.20.degree. to the angle of inclination of the seat
back.
9. An exercise apparatus to effect muscle strengthening and toning
in a user, the apparatus comprising, a seat having a seat back
support for supporting said user's spine in an exercising position
thereagainst, the back support being fixedly positioned inclined in
a downwardly sloping direction from vertical at an angle selected
at between about 10.degree. and 60.degree., a lower frame assembly
actuable by said user to effect leg muscle exercises, the lower
frame assembly including a foot support which is reciprocally
movable relative to the seat between a first position, wherein said
foot support is engagable by said user's feet with said user's legs
bent, and a second position moved away and downwardly relative to
the seat, wherein said foot support is engagable by said user's
feet with said legs in a generally outstretched position, a first
resistance mechanism coupled to the lower frame assembly and
operable to provide a user selected resistance to foot support
movement, an arm exercising assembly actuable to exercise arm
muscles of said user when in the exercising position, the arm
exercising assembly including a reciprocally movable member which
is selectively movable by said user's hands and/or arms from an
initial rest position and a displaced position moved therefrom in a
direction. oriented at between about 80.degree. to about
280.degree. relative to the downward sloping direction of the back
support, a second resistance mechanism coupled to said arm
exercising assembly and operable to provide a user selected
resistance to movement of said reciprocally movable member
independent from said first resistance mechanism, and with the seat
back support inclined from vertical in said exercising position,
the foot support being engagable by said user's feet, and said arm
exercising assembly being engageably by said user's arms or hands,
whereby said user may simultaneously activate said lower frame
assembly and said arm exercise assembly.
10. The exercise apparatus as claimed in claim 9 wherein said
reciprocal movable member is movable from the rest to said
displaced position substantially simultaneously with the extension
of said user's legs, said first resistance mechanism providing a
range of resistance forces selected less than a maximum of about
250 lbs, and said second resistance mechanism providing a range of
resistance forces selected less than a maximum of about 150
lbs.
11. The apparatus as claimed in claim 10 wherein said arm
exercising assembly is selected from the group consisting of an
outward shoulder press exercise apparatus and a chest press
exercise apparatus, and wherein said reciprocally movable member
comprises a rigid frame which is movable in a direction generally
perpendicular .+-.10.degree. the angle of inclination of the back
support.
12. The apparatus as claimed in claim 9 wherein as the foot support
is moveable by the user from the first position to the second
position, said reciprocal member being simultaneously movable by
said user against resistance of the second resistance mechanism
from the initial rest position to the displaced position.
13. The apparatus as claimed in claim 12 wherein the lower frame
assembly is actuatable by said user to effect the exercise of
quadricep muscles of said user's right and left legs in
substantially unified movement, in said first position said foot
support being spaced towards and positioned vertically beneath said
seat and engageably by the soles of said user's feet, and in said
second position said foot support being pivoted to a distal
location spaced downwardly therefrom and engageable by the soles of
said user's feet with said user's legs in a substantially fully
extended orientation and said user's shins oriented generally
parallel .+-.25.degree. to the angle of inclination of the seat
back.
14. The exercise apparatus as claimed in claim 9 wherein said
exercise apparatus comprises a free standing unitary apparatus,
said foot support being movable along a generally downwardly
curving arc as said lower frame assembly moves from said first
position towards said second position.
15. An exercise apparatus operable to effect simultaneous arm, leg
and core muscle group exercises in a user, the apparatus
comprising, a seat having a seat back support for supporting said
user's spine in an exercising position, the back support being
oriented in a downward inclined first direction relative to
vertical at an angle selected at between about 10.degree. and
60.degree., a lower frame assembly actuable by said user to effect
leg muscle exercises, the lower frame assembly including a foot
pedal which is engagable by the soles of said user's feet in
reciprocal movement relative to the seat between a first rest
position to a second position moved downwardly therefrom, a first
resistance mechanism coupled to the lower frame assembly to provide
a selected resistance to foot support movement towards the second
position, an arm exercising assembly actuable to exercise arm
muscles of said user when in the exercising position, the arm
exercising assembly including a reciprocally movable member which
is selectively movable by said user's hands and/or arms between an
initial rest position and a displaced position moved therefrom in a
second direction oriented at between 80.degree. and 280.degree.
relative to the first direction, and a second resistance mechanism
coupled to said arm exercising assembly to provide a selected
resistance to the movement of reciprocally movable member towards
the displaced position independent of said first resistance
mechanism, whereby positioning the apparatus to support the user in
the exercising position with said user's spine is in juxtaposed
contact with said seat back inclined relative to vertical whereby
said user's feet concurrently engage said foot pedal while said
user's hands and/or arms engaging said arm exercising assembly,
whereby engagement of said foot pedal with the soles of said user's
feet, moves said foot support between the first and second
positions, with the first resistance mechanism and foot support
providing a resistance leg force to said user's legs, said
reciprocally movable member being movable simultaneously with said
foot pedal from said initial rest position to said displaced
position by engagement with said user's hands and/or arms, and with
the second resistance mechanism and reciprocally movable member
providing a resistance arm force to said user's hands and/or arms
in a direction generally opposite to the second direction.
16. The apparatus as claimed in claim 15 wherein a first pulley
system mechanically couples the first resistance mechanism to the
lower frame assembly, and a second pulley system mechanically
couples the second resistance mechanism to the arm exercising
assembly, wherein prior to actuating each of said lower frame
assembly and said arm exercising assembly, said first and second
resistance mechanisms being selectively variable by said user to
pre-select desired leg and arm resistance forces, and further
wherein in the first rest position, the foot pedal being spaced a
vertical distance below the seat, and in the second position the
lower frame assembly orienting said user's shins in general
alignment +35.degree. with the downward inclination of the seat
back.
17. The apparatus as claimed in claim 15 further comprising fixedly
securing said seat back inclined at an angle of between about
30.degree. and 45.degree. from vertical, wherein in said first rest
position, said user's feet engage said foot support with said
user's legs bent and the user's shins in general alignment
.+-.25.degree. with the angle of inclination back support; and in
said second position said user's feet engage said foot support with
said legs in a generally outstretched position while maintaining
the user's shins in general alignment .+-.25.degree. with the angle
of inclination of the back support.
18. The apparatus as claimed in claim 15 wherein the foot support
is actuable in movement by the extension and retraction of said
user's legs to exercise quadricep muscles of said user's right and
left legs in substantially unified movement, and wherein, in said
first rest position said foot support being spaced towards said
seat at a proximal location selected to be engagable by said user's
feet with said user's legs in a partially bent orientation, and in
said second position said foot support being pivoted to a distal
location spaced downwardly therefrom and engaged by said user's
feet with said user's legs in a substantially fully extended
orientation.
19. The apparatus as claimed in claim 16 wherein said first
resistance mechanism and said lower frame assembly provide a
resistance force to said user's legs in an opposing direction
generally parallel .+-.25.degree., to the direction of inclination
angle of the seat back.
20. The apparatus as claimed in claim 15 wherein each said second
direction is oriented at between about 90.degree. and 250.degree.
relative to the first direction.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part application of
prior U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/067,634, entitled Total
Body Strengthening and Toning Workstation and Method of Using Same,
filed Jun. 16, 2011; and which is a continuation-in-part of prior
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/149,631, now U.S. patent No.
7,985,167 B2 entitled Total Body Strengthening and Toning
Workstation and Method of Using Same, filed May 6, 2008 as a
continuation-in-part of abandoned U.S. patent application Ser. No.
11/233,064, filed 23 Sep. 2005, and entitled "Total Body
Strengthening and Toning Workstation and Method of Using Same"; and
which 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. .sctn.119(e).
SCOPE OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to an exercise apparatus and
method of its use for providing resistance training exercise
movements, and more particularly an exercise apparatus which
provides support and biomechanical positioning during various
simultaneously or sequentially exercises using the upper body,
lower body and core muscles. The exercise device allows for a
multitude of upper body exercises concurrent with leg press or
double leg lunge movements during safe and aligned total body
movements, that allow for high intensity exercises to optimally
burn calories and develop lean muscle mass.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Currently the two major methods of resistance training to
achieve body strengthening and toning are isolation and functional
training. Isolation training involves exercises that target muscles
of a specific and individual region of the body such as upper body,
lower body, or core. The objective with this type of training is to
focus only on specific muscles to develop their strength and/or
hypertrophy (bulk). While specific muscle groups are worked in
isolation, the unused muscle groups are immobile and secured. In
contrast, functional training involves exercises that simulate real
life situations by incorporating user defined movements that
utilize muscles of several regions of the body simultaneously.
These exercises are generally performed in a free standing position
and without back support to encourage the use of core muscles to
provide stabilization while the extremities are being exercised in
a coordinated manner. In these types of free standing exercises,
the amount of workload that can be sustained during exercise is
less than with the isolation method of training due to the
increased chance for injuries. For example, when an isolation
exercise such as bench press is performed with the user lying on a
bench, the chest can take on a greater workload than compared to a
functional exercise that also targets the chest such as push-ups.
With functional training, as the workload during exercise is
reduced, the amount of calories burned and overall muscles
development is also reduced.
[0004] Although isolation and functional methods are ideally suited
for specific fitness objectives, they are inefficient where the
primary fitness objective is to use resistance training to burn the
maximum amount of calories in the least amount of time, while
developing lean muscle mass.
[0005] Historically, when resistance training machines were first
introduced in the 1950's, the majority of participants were
bodybuilders who primarily focused on isolation training to build
bulk and achieve muscle definition. Since then resistance training
machines have generally continued to focus on the isolation method
type of training. With conventional exercise equipment, 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, lower or core muscle group. In addition,
conventional isolation 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
or back muscles. In addition, performing repetitions using only one
region of the body for an extended period of time can be
monotonous, and typically does not allow for opportunities to "mix
up" exercises as with upper body and lower body in simultaneous or
sequential patterns of movement. Increased variety during exercise
advantageously enhances the enjoyment of use of the equipment,
encouraging the user to workout more intently to achieve the most
benefit from each visit to the workstation. 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, particularly during peak
periods at gyms.
[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 resistance mechanism. 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. Like existing commercial isolation machines,
these multi-function exercise machines continue to focus on the
exercise of single muscle groups at any one time as part of a
weight training regime.
[0007] Both functional and isolation training exercises are
accomplished in a multitude of ways such as by using body weight,
free weights, exercise machines and so on. When exercise machines
are involved, they are generally designed such that a single
primary set of muscles (mobilizers) are used to actuate the
resistance during each repetition. These `primary mover` muscles
generally involve either the upper body or lower body muscles. With
movements that involve more than one region of the body as with
functional exercises, the resistance provided to the `primary
movers` also acts as the workload for other regions of the body.
There is therefore, a sharing of the weight by the other regions of
the body during exercise. It is not possible, in the case of
functional training, to provide customized workload that targets
the upper and lower body independently during exercise. An
advantage of this feature would be, for example, in the case of
many women who wish to utilize a greater workload on the legs than
with arms so that they can target their problem areas and not build
a heavy upper body, yet use a sufficient overall workload that
would allow them to burn a maximum amount of calories during the
workout.
[0008] Today the majority of participants are not as interested in
building muscle bulk or weight gain but on burning calories,
improving their cardiovascular system and developing lean muscle
mass in the most efficient manner. The applicant has appreciated
that the simultaneous use of multiple regions of the body during
each repetition using safe biomechanical movements would allow the
body to lift greater overall weight in the same period of time,
consequently burning more calories and developing lean muscle mass
as compared with either functional or isolation training.
Furthermore, the benefits from Peripheral Heart Action (PHA), a
condition that requires the heart to work harder, as it pumps blood
to extremities at opposite ends of the body during upper and lower
body simultaneous exercises, may also be utilized. As the heart
works harder during PHA, the cardiovascular system is exercised and
a greater number of calories are burned. Furthermore, total body
exercises allow for a better fatigue management system and
encourage muscle endurance exercises that develop lean muscle
mass.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] An object of the present invention is to improve on the
isolation and functional methods of resistance training by
providing a new machine and method of exercise which is effective
to optimally burn calories and develop lean muscle mass in the
least amount of time.
[0010] Another object of the present invention is to provide a
resistance training machine that allows for proper support and
biomechanical positioning of the body during exercise, such that
high intensity simultaneous or sequential resistance training
exercises of the user's upper and lower body muscles can be
performed with minimal chance of injury.
[0011] Another objective of the present invention is to provide a
machine that allows for natural and rhythmic total body movements,
such that users can exercise both upper body and lower body muscle
groups with workloads higher than with functional or isolation
exercises, with minimal change in perceived exertion or perceived
effort.
[0012] Another object of the present invention is to provide an
exercise apparatus for effecting simultaneous arm and leg muscle
group exercises, and which is operable to permit independent
resistance to the upper and lower body during total body movements
to produce one or more benefits such as customized workouts, core
use, coordination of muscles, and Peripheral Heart Action.
[0013] A further object of the invention is to provide a unitary or
standalone commercial grade exercise machine that allows for
simultaneous upper and lower body exercises during use, thereby
encouraging the user to exercise more intently and effectively.
[0014] Another object of the invention is to provide an exercise
machine that more closely utilizes the total body during exercises
thereby allowing for a better fatigue management system and
encouraging muscle endurance exercises that develop lean muscle
mass.
[0015] A further object of the invention is to provide an exercise
apparatus which is adapted for the simultaneous or sequential
rhythmic 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 in a
unified movement to effect leg exercises, such as full or partial
leg presses or double leg lunges.
[0016] In a simplified construction, the present invention provides
an exercise apparatus which includes a bench or seat to support a
user in a position reclined thereon, an upper body exercising
assembly which is actuable to perform arm exercises, and a lower
body exercise assembly which is actuable by the user to perform leg
exercises. The seat includes a seat back support which is
configured to support the user's spine in contact thereagainst.
Preferably, the seat back is inclined vertical at an angle selected
at between about 10.degree. and 60.degree., preferably at between
about 40.degree. and 60.degree., and most preferably at an angle of
between 30.degree. to 50.degree., to support the user's torso and
spine in a similarly partially inclined position in an exercising
position thereon.
[0017] The upper and lower body exercising assemblies are
configured for activation simultaneously and/or sequentially to
permit the user to effect exercising movement of his or her upper
body muscle and lower body leg muscles, respectively without
necessitating that the user stop exercising or manually reposition
pins, pulleys, belts or the like when switching from upper body
exercises to lower body exercises. Surprising, simultaneous
exercise further advantageously allows the user to lift greater
overall weight by utilizing concurrently not only arm and leg
muscle groups, but also the user's abdominal or core muscles. For
the same number of repetitions, a user may thus lift more weight,
with little change in perceived exertion allowing more effective
calorie burning and the more rapid development of lean muscle
mass.
[0018] 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, plate, platform, bar or the like (hereinafter
generally referred to as a foot support). The foot support is
coupled to a suitable resistance mechanism, and which is engageable
by the user's feet so as to be reciprocally moved. Preferably, the
foot support is configured for engagement by both of the user's
feet simultaneously as the user's legs are moved together in
unified movement to effect either leg presses or double leg
lunges.
[0019] Most preferably, the foot support is mounted for reciprocal
movement relative to the seat back between a first rest position
spaced towards the seat, and a second position moved away from the
seat back relative to the first rest position. Preferably, the seat
and lower frame assembly are provided with a relative spacing and
height selection which is chosen, such that in the first rest
position, the foot support engaged by the user's feet, with the
user's legs bent at the knee and hips, the user's shins in general
alignment .+-.45.degree., preferably .+-.25.degree., and most
preferably .+-.15.degree. with the angle of inclination of the back
support and the user's torso. More preferably, as the foot support
is moved to the second position in leg exercises, the foot support
moves downwardly and optionally outwardly relative to the seat.
Most preferably, the foot support moves along an arc or path of
movement selected such that the user's shins are substantially
maintained generally aligned with the relative angle (.+-.) of
inclination of the back support, as the user's legs are extended
and retracted with the reciprocal movement of the foot support
during leg exercises. In this configuration, the resistive forces
provided by the lower body exercising assembly on the user's body
are maintained in general alignment with the angle of inclination
of the seat back and the user's spine. This advantageously acts to
direct force vectors along the user's torso and through the core
muscles, while minimizing pressure contact between the base of the
user's spine and the seat back.
[0020] 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. Most
preferably, the reciprocally movable frame member, swing arm, or
pulleys (hereinafter generally reciprocally movable members) are
actuable in movement so as to provide resistance forces against the
movement of the user's arms in directions tangential or opposite to
the downward sloping direction of inclination of the seat back. The
upper body exercise assembly may be constructed to effect a variety
of upper body or arm exercises including chest presses, rowing,
upright rowing, bicep curls, tricep extensions, shoulder presses,
pectoral flys and lateral raises. In particular, in a most
preferred construction, the reciprocally moveable members of the
upper body exercising apparatus are moveable against a resistance
load by the engagement with the user's arms and/or hands from an
initial rest position to a displaced position in a direction
selected at between about 70.degree. and 315.degree., and
preferably greater than 80.degree. to about 280.degree. and most
preferably about 90.degree. to about 270.degree. relative to the
downward inclination direction of the seat back. The applicant has
appreciated that in so limiting the direction of movement of the
arm members against the resistance load, the user's arms and legs
may be simultaneously moved against resistance forces to provide a
faster, more efficient total body workout. Further, as the opposing
resistance force vectors provided by the respective upper and lower
body resistance mechanisms are thus either substantially tangential
or opposed to each other, the non-alignment of the resistance force
vectors provided by the upper and lower body exercising assemblies
advantageously prevents the compounding lift forces on the user's
body during simultaneous upper and lower body exercises better
enabling the user to maintain an optimum body position against the
apparatus seat and/or seat back.
[0021] In one simplified construction, the reciprocally movable
members of the upper body exercising assembly are operable to move
from the initial rest to the displaced position in a direction
generally perpendicular .+-.15.degree. to the surface of the seat
back. In this configuration, resistive forces provided by the upper
body exercising assembly are maintained substantially non-aligned
and preferably substantially normal to the forces provided by the
lower body exercise assembly. This in turn allows the user to
select comparatively higher leg weights or resistance, and still
simultaneously effect upper and lower body exercises, without arm
resistance providing a contributing "lift" force in the upward
sloping direction of seat back inclination on the user.
[0022] The resistance mechanisms 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
and customized workout and greater apparatus versatility.
[0023] 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.
[0024] 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 lowers 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 there above, to its associated lift rod for
movement therewith.
[0025] 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 double leg lunges or leg presses, with the
user's legs moved together in unified movement.
[0026] The applicant has appreciated that the invention is operable
to provide toning exercises, as contrasted with isolation weight
training exercises which are used primarily to increase muscular
bulk. In this regard, in one aspect, 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 unitary
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.
[0027] 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 on the bench or seat and reclines against the seat back
in an exercise position with his or her spine supported by the seat
back at the seat back angle of inclination. In this position, the
upper body exercising assembly is engaged by the user's hands or
arms, with the movable foot support of the lower body exercising
assembly engaged by his or her feet and/or legs. The foot support
of movable lower body frame member is reciprocally moved between
the first rest position to the second spaced position against the
pre-selected resistance of the first weight stack. Leg exercises
are performed by the user performing double leg lunges or leg
presses with the user's legs extended and retracted together in
unison, and with the resistance forces of the resistance mechanism
returning the foot support from the second position back to the
rest position while directing force vectors generally parallel to
the user's torso.
[0028] Concurrently with the movement of the lower body exercising
frame, the upper body exercising apparatus is preferably actuated.
The reciprocally moveable members of the upper body exercise
apparatus are moved by the user's arms and/or hands against the
resistance forces of the second weight stack between the initial
rest position and the displaced position to exercise the user's arm
and/or torso muscles. As the respective lower frame and upper body
frames are used simultaneously to exercise the user's arms and
legs, the simultaneous exercising of upper and lower body muscle
groups enables the user to undertake a more full body toning
workout. Furthermore, because the leg muscles are not exercised in
isolation, but rather, resistance forces are transmitted in
parallel to the user's spine and through the torso. 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.
Furthermore, since the legs are not extended substantially
perpendicularly relative to the backrest, compressive forces to the
base of the spine which are enhanced due to the upper body work
load are minimized, reducing the likelihood of injury.
[0029] Accordingly, in one aspect the present invention resides in
the use of an exercise apparatus to effect simultaneous upper and
lower body strengthening in a user, the apparatus comprising, a
seat having a seat back support for supporting said user in an
exercising position with said user's spine juxtaposed thereon, the
back support being inclined from vertical at a downwardly sloping
angle selected at between about 10.degree. and 60.degree., a lower
frame assembly including a foot support actuable in movement by the
extension and retraction of said user's legs, the foot support
being movable along a first path of movement from a first raised
position to a second lowered position, a first resistance mechanism
coupled to the lower frame assembly and operable to selectively
vary resistance to foot support movement, an arm exercising
assembly actuable to exercise arm muscles of said user when in the
exercising position, the arm exercising assembly including at least
one reciprocally movable member which is selectively movable by
said user's hands or arms along a second path of movement from an
initial rest position to a displaced position moved therefrom, the
second path of movement extending generally in a direction oriented
at between about 80.degree. and 280.degree. relative to the
downward inclination of said seat back, a second resistance
mechanism coupled to said arm exercising assembly and operable to
vary resistance to movement of said arm exercising assembly
independently from said first resistance mechanism, wherein with
said user in said exercising position, simultaneously actuating
said lower frame assembly and said arm exercise assembly to effect
simultaneous upper and lower body exercise, whereby ,the exercising
position comprises positioning the seat with said back support
inclined from vertical such that the user can reach the lower frame
assembly with said user's feet engaging said foot support while
said user's hands engage said arm exercising assembly, in actuation
of said lower frame assembly, said user engages said foot support
with his or her feet to alternately extend and retract said user's
legs together in unison in leg press-type exercises to move said
foot support between the first raised and second lowered positions,
and whereby in movement of the foot support from the first raised
position to the second lowered position, the lower frame assembly
maintains an orientation of the user's shins in a position
generally parallel .+-.45.degree. to the angle of inclination of
the seat back, and as said user's legs are extended, the user
simultaneously urges said reciprocally movable member with said
user's arms from said initial rest position towards said displaced
position.
[0030] More preferably, in the aforementioned use, the arm
exercising assembly is selected from either a chest press assembly,
upright row assembly, a bicep curl assembly, a tricep extension
assembly, a shoulder press assembly, pectoral fly assembly or a
lateral raise assembly.
[0031] In simultaneous exercise of upper and lower body regions,
the downward movement of the user's legs relative to his or her
spine is most advantageous. In particular, such downward movement,
moving away from the torso, reduces strain on the lower back when
upper/lower body exercises are simultaneously performed.
[0032] In another aspect, the present invention resides in the use
of an exercise apparatus to effect muscle strengthening and toning
in a user, the apparatus comprising, a seat having a seat back
support for supporting said user's spine in an exercising position
thereagainst, the back support being fixedly positioned inclined in
a downwardly sloping direction from vertical at an angle selected
at between about 10.degree. and 60.degree., a lower frame assembly
actuable by said user to effect leg muscle exercises, the lower
frame assembly including a foot support which is reciprocally
movable relative to the seat between a first position, wherein said
foot support is engagable by said user's feet with said user's legs
bent and the user's shins in general alignment +45.degree. with the
angle of inclination back support, and a second position moved
downwardly away from the seat, wherein said foot support is
engagable by said user's feet with said legs in a generally
outstretched position while maintaining the user's shins in general
alignment .+-.35.degree. with the angle of inclination of the back
support, a first resistance mechanism coupled to the lower frame
assembly and operable to provide a user selected resistance to foot
support movement, an arm exercising assembly actuable to exercise
arm muscles of said user when in the exercising position, the arm
exercising assembly including a reciprocally movable member which
is selectively movable by said user's hands and/or arms from an
initial rest position and a displaced position moved therefrom in a
direction oriented at between about 80.degree. to about 280.degree.
relative to the downward sloping direction of the back support, a
second resistance mechanism coupled to said arm exercising assembly
and operable to provide a user selected resistance to movement of
said reciprocally movable member independent from said first
resistance mechanism, wherein in use of the apparatus, the
exercising position comprising providing the seat with the seat
back support inclined from vertical in a position whereby the foot
support is engagable by said user's feet while said user's hands or
arms engaging said arm exercising assembly, said user
simultaneously activates said lower frame assembly and said arm
exercise assembly whereby, in actuation of said lower frame
assembly, said user engages said foot support with both of his or
her feet to alternately extend and retract said user's legs
together in unison in leg exercises to move said foot support
between the first position and the second position, and with or
immediately following each extension and retraction of said user's
legs, said user moves said hands and/or arms to reciprocally move
said reciprocally movable member against the resistance of the
second resistance mechanism from said initial rest position to said
displaced position.
[0033] In a further aspect, the present invention resides in a use
of an exercise apparatus to effect simultaneous arm, leg and core
muscle group exercises in a user, the apparatus comprising, a seat
having a seat back support for supporting said user's spine in an
exercising position, the back support being oriented in a downward
inclined first direction relative to vertical at an angle selected
at between about 25.degree. and 50.degree., a lower frame assembly
actuable by said user to effect leg muscle exercises, the lower
frame assembly including a foot pedal which is engagable by the
soles of said user's feet in reciprocal movement relative to the
seat between a first rest position to a second position moved
downwardly therefrom, a first resistance mechanism coupled to the
lower frame assembly to provide a selected resistance to foot
support movement towards the second position, an arm exercising
assembly actuable to exercise arm muscles of said user when in the
exercising position, the arm exercising assembly including a
reciprocally movable member which is selectively movable by said
user's hands and/or arms between an initial rest position and a
displaced position moved therefrom in a second direction oriented
at between 80.degree. and 280.degree. relative to the first
direction, and a second resistance mechanism coupled to said arm
exercising assembly to provide a selected resistance to the
movement of reciprocally movable member towards the displaced
position independent of said first resistance mechanism, whereby
positioning the apparatus to support the user in the exercising
position with said user's spine is in juxtaposed contact with said
seat back inclined relative to vertical whereby said user's feet
concurrently engage said foot pedal while said user's hands and/or
arms engaging said arm exercising assembly, actuating said lower
frame assembly, whereby said user engages said foot pedal with the
soles of both of his or her feet, and symmetrically extends and
retracts said legs in unison in leg exercises to move said foot
support between the first and second positions, with the first
resistance mechanism and foot support providing a resistance leg
force to said user's legs in a direction +35.degree. the direction
of inclination of the seat back, and said user substantially
simultaneously moves said reciprocally movable member from said
initial rest position to said displaced position, with the second
resistance mechanism and reciprocally movable member providing a
resistance arm force to said user's hands and/or arms in a
direction generally opposite to the second direction.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0034] Reference may now be had to the following detailed
description taken together with the accompanying drawings in
which:
[0035] FIG. 1 shows schematically a stand-alone exercise machine in
accordance with a first embodiment of the invention;
[0036] FIGS. 2A and 2B shows schematically the positioning of a
user's legs on the apparatus of FIG. 1, with the user's legs moved
to a first initial rest position;
[0037] FIG. 3 shows schematically the positioning of the user's
legs and arms on the exercise machine of FIG. 1 in operation;
[0038] 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;
[0039] 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;
[0040] FIG. 6 illustrates a perspective view of an exercise
apparatus in accordance with a second embodiment of the
invention;
[0041] FIG. 7 shows schematically the positioning of a user on the
exercise apparatus of FIG. 6 in operation; and
[0042] 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
[0043] 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 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.
[0044] The seating/support frame assembly 14 is shown best in FIG.
1 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 footprint 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 seat
in a partially reclined exercising position thereon, in a position
which allows the user 12 to sequentially and most preferably
simultaneously actuate both the lower body exercising assembly 16
and the upper body exercising assembly 18. The seat 32 includes a
back support 80 for use in supporting the user 12 with his spine
resting thereagainst in juxtaposed contact. The back support 80 is
inclined from the vertical axis A.sub.v-A.sub.v (FIG. 2A), at a
downwardly sloping angle a of between about 10.degree. and
60.degree.; preferably 30.degree. to 50.degree., and most
preferably about 45.degree. to support the user's torso and spine
in a corresponding partially reclined position during use of the
machine 10. 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 pivot axis, so as to permit adjustment in the degree of
inclination of the seat back 80.
[0045] FIG. 1 shows best the lower body exercising assembly 16 as
including a reciprocally movable foot support 40 which is engagable
by the soles of the user's feet 13. The foot support 40 is mounted
for reciprocal pivoting movement towards and away from the seat 32.
More preferably, the foot support 40 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 foot support 40 is coupled to the connecting
support 43 by a suitable rotatable mount (not shown). The foot
support 40 is furthermore coupled to the weight stack assembly 20
via the cable/pulley assembly 22. The foot support 40 is configured
to be reciprocally moved against the resistance forces applied by
the weight stack assembly 20 by the extension and retraction of the
user's legs 102 (FIG. 1). In this manner, the foot support is
movable between a first rest position spaced upwardly and moved
towards the seat 32 shown in FIG. 1 in phantom lines, and a second
biased position shown in solid lines where the support 40 is moved
downwardly and away from the seat 32 as the user's legs 102 are
extended downwardly towards an orientation more aligned with the
user's spine in partial leg press or double leg lunge type
exercise. In a conventional manner, the resilient bias applied by
the weight stack assembly 20, returns the foot support 40 to the
rest position against the exercise forces applied by the user's
legs 102.
[0046] The applicant has appreciated that the leg press or double
leg lunge range of motion during simultaneously upper body and
lower body workout is preferably modified from that of traditional
leg press exercises since there is a need to consider the added
strain on the user's core area, and particularly the lower back,
during concurrent upper and lower body exercise. Traditional leg
presses use a range of motion that allows for both the extension of
the leg at the knee in a direction generally lateral to the seat;
as well as rotation at the hip joint so that all major muscles of
the legs are utilized (i.e. glutes, hamstrings, quads, and hip
flexors). This range of motion is possible since the upper body is
stabilized, as for example, by the user holding onto fixed handle
grips during leg exercise. During simultaneous exercises however,
the upper body is not stabilized, but is instead utilized during
exercise. As such, there is preferably less lateral extension of
the legs at the knee and greater rotation at the hip joint as
compared to traditional leg presses. This advantageously relieves
the strain on the lower back during exercise and also increasingly
utilizes the user's hip flexors, glutes and the core muscles as the
feet, most preferably, move from a raised position to a lowered
position during the leg extension. Also by this method there is
less reliance on the weaker muscles surrounding the knee. To at
least partially achieve the optimum leg positioning during each
extension most preferably, the foot support 40 is positioned so
that when engaged by the user's feet 13 in the first rest position
the user's legs are bent at the knee and hips, both with the user's
shins 104 oriented in general alignment +35.degree. and preferably
+20.degree. with both the orientation of the user's spine and the
back support 80.
[0047] As shown in FIG. 2A, with the user's shins 104 generally
aligned with the user's torso, initial resistance force provided by
the foot support 40 (FIG. 1) is directed generally aligned with the
shins 104. Most preferably, the foot support 40 is provided for
pivotal movement relative to the seat 32 and frame 30, so that as
the support 40 is moved against the resistance of the weight stack
assembly 20 along a path of movement between the first and second
positions, the user's shins 104 are generally maintained in
substantial alignment .+-.35.degree., preferably +25.degree. and
more preferably .+-.15.degree., with the angle of inclination a
(FIG. 2A) of the seat back 80. As shown best in FIG. 3, the
applicant has appreciated that with this construction, the
resistance force provided by the weight stack assembly 20 and the
lower body exercising assembly 16 on the user's legs 102 are
oriented along a force vector direction 100 (FIG. 3) which is
generally parallel to the user's spine/seat back 80. This
advantageously acts to minimize pressure contact between the base
of the user's spine or lumbar, and the seat back 80. As a result,
leg exercise forces are transmitted through the user's abdominal or
core muscles achieving more enhanced mid-body exercise and reducing
the chance of injury.
[0048] FIGS. 1 and 3 show best the use of the upper body exercising
assembly 18 to provide toning body exercise to the user's arms 106
and upper body muscle groups. The upper body exercising assembly 18
includes a vertically displaceable frame member 50 which is secured
to a member support 52. The support 52 extends from a position
rearward of the seat 32, to position the frame member 50 in front
of and above the user 12 when seated thereon. The displaceable
frame member 50 is actuable to allow the user 12 to effect chest
presses, and is provided with a pair of handle grips 56 which are
spaced forwardly of and may be grasped by the user 12 when seated
in the exercising position inclined on the seat 32. 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 rest
position shown in phantom lines in FIG. 1 to a biased displaced
position shown in solid lines. The frame member 50 is most
preferably operable to provide resistance forces which are against
the movement of the user's arms in directions generally transverse
or opposite to the downward sloping direction of inclination of the
seat back 80. In this configuration, the upper body exercising
assembly 18 may be used without resistance forces provided by frame
member 50 tending to raise or pull the user 12 upwardly off of the
seat 32 and along the seat back 80.
[0049] As shown schematically in FIG. 3 in a chest press exercise
the reciprocally movable frame member 50 is movable from an initial
rest position P.sub.R to a finish position P.sub.D displaced in a
direction oriented transverse to the direction of inclination of
the seat back 80. More preferably, the reciprocally movable member
50 is displaceable in a direction which is generally perpendicular
.+-.10.degree. to the seat back 80. The applicant has appreciated
that in this configuration, the use of the upper body exercising
assembly 18 provides resistance force vector 200 (FIG. 3) generally
transverse to both the orientation of the seat back 80 and the
force vector 100 provided by the lower body exercising assembly
16.
[0050] 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 displaced positions
against resistance forces supplied thereby. Preferably, the
resistance forces supplied by the weight stack assembly 20 acts to
resiliently bias the frame member 50 to return to the rest
position.
[0051] It is to be appreciated however that while an exercising
assembly 18 for effecting chest presses in shown, the upper body
exercising assembly 18 could also be modified to include a handle
or frame members which function as a different upper body exercise
assembly, including an upright row assembly, a bicep curl assembly,
a tricep extension assembly, a shoulder press assembly, a pectoral
fly assembly or a lateral raise assembly. Preferably, the frame
member is reciprocally movable between the initial rest and
displaced positions with the weight stack assembly 20 providing
resistance force vector V.sub.R ,thereagainst oriented at angle
.beta. (FIG. 2A) of between 80.degree. and 280.degree., and
preferably 90.degree. to 270.degree. relative to the inclination of
the seat back 80. In this regard, as shown best in FIG. 2B the
reciprocally movable member 50 is movable against the resistance
forces of the weight stack from the rest to displaced positions
P.sub.R, P.sub.D across a range of directions extending at between
about 80.degree. and 280.degree. relative to the direction of
downward slope of the seat back 80. Depending on the final
configuration of the upper body exercising assembly 18 which is
selected, the reciprocally movable member could be movable from the
initial rest to the displaced position in directions oriented at
upto 280.degree. and preferably about 270.degree. relative to the
direction of the seat back.
[0052] The weight stack assembly 20 is configured to permit either
the alternating sequential, or more preferably 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 66a,66b are respectively engagable 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 22,24.
[0053] 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 foot support 40 to resiliently bias and return the foot support
40 to the first rest position. In addition, the user 12 may simply
and easily select the desired degree of resistance forces to the
movement of the foot support 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 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
movement of the foot support 40, by using the pins 72 to couple the
desired number of weight plates 62 to each respective rod
66a,66b.
[0054] In this manner, the weight stack 60a is used to provide the
selected degree of resistance forces to the movement of the foot
support 40 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.
[0055] Because the exercise apparatus 10 is primarily intended for
the concurrent workout of upper body, lower body and core muscle
groups, as contrasted with isolation exercises adapted to increase
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
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.
[0056] In an alternate construction, wherein the back support 80
may be adapted for pivotal movement about a horizontal axis, so as
to be movable between more upright and more reclined positions.
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 bottom of seat 32 may be swiveled
downwardly to slope in a forward position when, in the simultaneous
operation of the lower body exercise assembly 16 and the upper body
exercising assembly 18, the foot support 40 is moved to the second
biased position.
[0057] A locking mechanism (not shown) may also be provided to
selectively secure the seat bottom in either the fully reclined
and/or fully upright position, as for example during respective
lower and upper body isolated exercise.
[0058] An advantage of the present invention resides in that the
machine 10 is operable to maximize the user's `repetitions and/or
total weight lifted 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.
[0059] FIGS. 1 and 3 show schematically a preferred mode of
operation of the exercise machine 10 by the user 12, in achieving
an exercise workout. To achieve optimal exercise of the user's
abdominal muscle groups 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 exercising position seated on the seat 32, and
reclined with the user's back resting against the back support 80.
In this position, the user's torso assumes an orientation inclined
at the angle a (FIG. 2) corresponding to the angle of inclination
of the seat back 80, in an initial forward facing position. The
user then places his feet against the foot support 40, bending at
the knees and hips, and aligning the shins 104 with the seat back
user's spine and seat back 80. In such a position, the soles of the
user's feet 13 are positioned in bearing contact against the foot
support 40, and the user 12 may reach forwardly extending his arms
106 generally perpendicular to his torso to grasp the handle grips
56 of the frame member 50 with his hands.
[0060] In use of the machine 10, the foot support 40 is operable so
as to be moved downwardly and outwardly to the second position by
the engagement of the user's feet 13 against the foot support 40 as
the legs 102 are extended or retracted in unison in partial leg
press or leg lunge exercises. The outward downward movement of the
foot support 40 as it travels to the second position,
advantageously provide a greater range of leg motion and allows the
user's shin to maintain its general alignment with the torso.
Further, as the legs 102 are extended a greater range of motion
occurs at this hip joint, resulting in better use of hip flexors,
glutes and core muscles. Furthermore with the added range of motion
of the lower body, less constriction of the upper body occurs. This
in turn allows the upper body to be exercised more freely with
greater effectiveness and comfort.
[0061] To effect an exercising workout, the user 12 extends both of
his legs 102 simultaneously moving the heels of the feet 13 with
the support 40 outwardly and downwardly from the initial rest
position together in unison. The movement of the foot support is
effected 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. It is to be appreciated that the seat 32 is provided
with a seating surface which is configured so as not to
substantially interfere with the extension of the user's legs 102
with the moving foot support 40. In this regard, the seating
surface of the seat 32 may be provided with either an inclined
and/or shortened configuration so as to permit the desired degree
of rotation of the user's legs about his hips.
[0062] Concurrently with the extension of the user's legs 102, the
user 12 uses his arms 106 to push on the frame assembly 50 away
from the seat back 80 and the torso, effecting its movement from
the initial rest position to the biased position shown in solid
lines in FIG. 1. The movement of the frame member 50 towards the
seat 32 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 foot support 40 and frame member 50 reach their
respective second and maximum displaced positions, the foot support
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. The applicant has appreciated that the concurrent
exercising movement of the user's arms 106 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. As a result, the user may obtain a faster, full
body toning workout.
[0063] An advantage of the present machine 10 exists in that it
enables the simultaneous exercise on the single machine of both
upper and lower body muscle groups while directing force vectors
from the upper body exercising assembly 16 through the user's
torso. As such, the exercising machine 10 advantageously functions
more closely to provide free standing-type exercising where the
user's core muscles are activated concurrently with arm and leg
exercising, 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 either greater number of repetitions of exercise
movement or an increase in the overall weight lifted. As such, by
exercising both upper and lower body muscle groups, the machine 10
may advantageously provide enhanced fat burning and/or more
effective muscle development.
[0064] 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
FIG. 1 illustrates an exercise machine 10 having a vertically
displaceable frame member 50 as being used to provide upper body
exercise, and a selectively rotatable foot support 40 for lower
body exercise, the invention is not so limited. In alternate
possible constructions the upper body exercising assembly 18 could
be modified to include a chest press assembly, a bicep curl
assembly, a tricep extension assembly, a shoulder press assembly, a
pectoral fly assembly or a lateral raise assembly. FIG. 6 shows one
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 FIG. 6 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.
[0065] FIG. 6 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. 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 10.degree. and 40.degree.
from vertical. The machine 110 incorporates a lower body exercising
assembly 16 which includes a movable foot frame 144 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 144 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.
[0066] 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 150. The hand
pulleys 150 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 150.
[0067] Although not essential, most preferably, each hand pulley
150 is associated with a vertically positionable guide pulley 170
which is selectively positionable in a vertical direction relative
to the seat back 80 to enable the user 12 to vary the angle of the
force vector provided by the upper body exercising assembly 18. As
for example as shown in FIG. 7, by lowering the pulleys 170 towards
the bottom of the seat back 80, the upper body exercising assembly
18 is operable with the user pulling the hand pulleys 150 more
angularly upward. In this configuration, the guides 170 act in
concert with the rods 160 to provide a resistance force vector 200
which is more generally opposite to the force vector 100 provided
by the actuation of the foot support 40. The machine 110 may thus
be used with higher resistive leg weight forces, with the upper
body exercising assembly providing a counter force to assist in
maintaining in the user in an exercising position on the seat 32.
In use of the exercise machine 110, the user 12 pre-selects the
desired amount of resistance to be applied to the foot frame 144
and hand pulleys 150. 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 exercising position partially reclined
against the seat back 80 as shown in FIG. 6.
[0068] With the user's feet resting against the foot frame 144, the
user 12 grips hand pulleys 150. Exercising movement is effective by
simultaneously performing leg presses against the foot frame 144
while pulling each of the hand pulleys 150 forward in the direction
of arrow 400. The foot frame 144 and pulleys 150 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 pulled forwardly of the user's abdomen.
Thereafter, the user 12 permits the foot frame 140 and hand pulleys
150 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.
[0069] By the use of the machine 110, the foot frame 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 150 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 frame 144 from the
initial rest position to the second displaced position against the
resistance provided by the rods 160.
[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 144 and hand
pulleys 150 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.
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