A weight sled that allows both linear and non-linear movements such that resistance training can be performed in the frontal, sagittal, and combined frontal/sagittal planes, and which allows easy movement for transportation, storage, and retrieval from storage. The weight sled uses one or more swiveling, pivoting, or omni-directional wheels that allow all or a portion of the sled to be moved laterally. The addition of wheel configurations allowing of lateral movement of all of, or a portion of, the weight sled greatly expands the utility of weight sleds because movement in any direction can be trained, whether in the sagittal body plane (forward/backward movements), the frontal body plane (lateral movements), or a combination of the two. Additionally, the plurality of wheel configurations allows for a variety of storage arrangements.

The present invention addresses the technical problem of providing an ankle muscle resistance-training apparatus which induces an angle change of the ankle while the ankle is actively moving, and can improve strength of the ankle muscle by applying resistance force to the ankle movement. To this end, the ankle muscle resistance-training apparatus according to the present invention comprises: a support member; a first movement guiding shaft; an intermediate member; a second movement guiding shaft; a foot support; a first resistance force application part; and a second resistance force application part. The first resistance force application part is linked with the first movement guiding shaft and applies resistance force of an adjustable intensity against the active ankle movement of a user made with respect to the first movement guiding shaft in a state in which the foot is placed on the foot support, and the second resistance force application part is linked with the second movement guiding shaft and applies resistance force of an adjustable intensity against the active ankle movement of a user made with respect to the second movement guiding shaft in the state in which the foot is placed on the foot support.

A rotary damper has a housing, a damper shaft rotatably held on the housing, a damper volume accommodated in the housing and which has a magnetorheological fluid as working fluid, and at least one magnetic field source in order to influence a degree of damping of the rotational movement of the damper shaft relative to the housing. A separating unit connected to the damper shaft divides the damper volume. At least one gap portion, which can be influenced by a magnetic field of the magnetic field source, is formed between the separating unit, which is connected to the damper shaft, and the housing. The housing, the separating unit and the magnetic field source are designed such that a flow cross section for the magnetorheological fluid from one side to the other side of the separating unit changes in dependence on a rotational angle.

A mechanical braking system for a high-incline treadmill utilizing a mechanical brake which may be used on its own or in combination with a traditional motor brake. The mechanical brake is generally mountable on a treadmill between or around the belt motor and the flywheel. Upon engagement of the brake, typically the brake engages the flywheel, the motor, or the axle in a way that effectively locks the axle, and thus the belt, in a fixed position.

An exercise machine with resistance selector system for selecting the number of bias members applying a resistance force against a movable platform. The exercise machine with resistance selector system generally includes one or more switches which are connected to the movable platform. Each of the one or more switches is adapted to engage or disengage a corresponding latch. When engaged, the latch will connect a corresponding bias member to the movable platform. When disengaged, the latch will disconnect a corresponding bias member from the movable platform. In this manner, an exerciser may easily adjust the number of bias members connected to the movable platform so as to adjust the resistance force applied against movement of the movable platform along a rail.

A fluid-damped direct-drive bicycle riding platform includes a rack for supporting, a main shaft, a transmission shaft and a fluid resistor, wherein the rack includes a front bottom foot tube, a rear bottom foot tube, a front support rod, a main beam and an angle adjuster; the front support rod is fixed on the front bottom foot tube, the main beam is fixed on the rear bottom foot tube, the angle adjuster is fixed on the main beam, the upper end of the front support rod is hinged to the angle adjuster through a spline, the main beam is provided with the main shaft and the transmission shaft, the main shaft is press-fitted on the main beam in an interference fit, the main shaft and transmission shaft are driven by a pulley and a belt to drive the liquid resistor fixed to the left end of the transmission shaft.

The presently disclosed invention is related to selectively adjustable resistance assemblies and methods of use for bicycles, and selectively adjustable speed and incline levels for treadmills. An example bicycle includes at least one flywheel rotated by a user operating pedals, a resistance assembly associated with the at least one flywheel, the resistance assembly configured to exert a resistance force that counteracts rotation of the at least one flywheel caused by the user using the pedals, a human machine interface that is configured to allow the user to select a first resistance level for the resistance force, a secondary resistance selector that allows the user to select a second resistance level for the resistance force, the second resistance level allowing for refinement of the resistance force, and a controller that selectively controls the resistance assembly to apply the resistance force based on the first resistance level and the second resistance level.

A unique full body exercise experience is provided by embodiments that produce user controlled resistance that can be assigned verbally, remotely by electronic means or manually. The embodiments can sense hand and foot location and then automatically change the resistance according to those locations, or by spoken word or programmed time. Exercise resistance can be offered in the three dimensions of space. Muscle groups can be exercised in complementary fashion with movements that fully stress the muscles. Two-movement exercises can be repeated endlessly or complicated ensembles in 3-space can be strung together, all with unlimited, user-defined changes of resistance. Every movement that is possible to perform with free weights or universal gyms is available to the user. Movements that are impossible with weights are easily performed with great safety. There has never been anything like this.

An exercise apparatus includes a linear arm portion having an elongate arm member with proximal and distal ends and an elongate support member having proximal and distal ends. The arm member can be slidably mounted to the support member by a sliding joint positioned at the distal end of the support member. The arm member can be movable along a first axis between retracted and extended positions. The sliding joint can include first and second bearing assemblies which are spaced apart a sufficient distance from each other for constraining portions of the arm member within the sliding joint. The proximal end of the arm member that overlaps with the support member outside of the sliding joint when in retracted positions can be capable of some unconstrained lateral movement relative to the first axis. A linear arm brake assembly can be coupled to the arm member for resisting linear motion of the arm member. A torso portion can be included to which the linear arm portion is rotatably mounted about a second axis by rotary shoulder joint. The linear arm portion can be configured, and the rotary shoulder joint can be positioned along the length of the support member at a location that substantially balances the linear arm portion about the rotary shoulder joint at least when the arm member is in the retracted position.

A fitness machine providing solid-state controls. The fitness machine includes a frame and a moving portion supported by the frame that moves relative to the frame. An adjustment device adjusts the movement of the moving portion. A console has a display for displaying information when the fitness machine is in use. An input device receives a user input movement for controlling the adjustment device. The input device includes a contact surface that detects a direction of the user input movement thereon, and the input device includes a movement simulating indicator that generates a display. A control system is coupled to the input device and the adjustment device. The control system controls the adjustment device based on the direction of the user input movement received by the input device. The control system causes the display of the movement simulating indicator to move in the direction of the user input movement.