A weightlifting apparatus having free weight simulation and a safety mechanism includes at least one upright support having a bar engaging pulley assembly and a weight engaging pulley assembly. The upright support includes a universal joint for allowing the upright support to pivot. A lifting bar having an end movably coupled to the bar engaging pulley assembly is also included. The lifting bar includes a grip portion having switch contact disposed therein that is engaged when the grip portion is depressed. A clutch assembly is provided for enabling the bar engaging pulley assembly and weight engaging pulley assembly to move together in unison when a voltage is supplied by engaging the grip portion. Disengagement of the grip portion opens the switch contact and causes voltage to be cut off from the clutch assembly, thereby disengaging the weight support element and the lifting bar.

An eccentric weightlifting machine that includes a first pole connected to a first weight and to a device acted on by a user, a second pole connected to a second weight and to a motor, wherein the motor lifts the second pole in response to movement of the first pole by the user, and a latch configured to latch the first pole to the second pole during an eccentric exercise portion of a weightlift.

An exercise apparatus providing a User multiple different exercises, including both resistance movements and isometrics. The User interacts with the apparatus by grasping a bar. A resistance mechanism is symmetrically mounted on a second bar and provides infinitely variable resistance to the User, as well as soundproof operation. A vertical column allows infinite positioning of the bars for different exercises, and a bench provides support. The User can change the exercise resistance by verbal commands, or the apparatus can sense the torque applied by the user to the apparatus and vary the exercise resistance in response to the force applied by the User or the speed at which the user is moving the bar. The apparatus can be battery powered and operated at locations where electric service is unavailable, or in zero gravity. To verify accuracy, the resistance can be calibrated against a known quantity of weight.

A weightlifting apparatus having free weight simulation and a safety mechanism includes at least one upright support having a bar engaging pulley assembly and a weight engaging pulley assembly. The upright support includes a universal joint for allowing the upright support to pivot. A lifting bar having an end movably coupled to the bar engaging pulley assembly is also included. The lifting bar includes a grip portion having switch contact disposed therein that is engaged when the grip portion is depressed. A clutch assembly is provided for enabling the bar engaging pulley assembly and weight engaging pulley assembly to move together in unison when a voltage is supplied by engaging the grip portion. Disengagement of the grip portion opens the switch contact and causes voltage to be cut off from the clutch assembly, thereby disengaging the weight support element and the lifting bar.

A safety control system for use with an exercise apparatus utilizing a one-way clutch includes a rope wrapped around a spindle driven by a motor. A controller is capable of applying a brake when power loss is detected by an internal circuit to ensure the safety of the apparatus and user.

Among other things, a rowing technology includes a first rowing machine having an electromagnetic brake providing a resistance to a rower of the machine in each rowing stroke of a series of rowing strokes of the rower An electronic controller causes the resistance of the electromagnetic brake to vary over each rowing stroke in a profile that emulates resistance to which another rower in a shell on water or on a second rowing machine is subjected in each rowing stroke of a corresponding series of rowing strokes.