An exercise machine support system for providing increased versatility including inclination or declination of an exercise surface, a reduction in the overall length and width of the exercise machine, and an enhanced user interface which reduces the risk of injury. The exercise machine support system generally includes a cantilevered exercise machine which is adapted to have a variable angle of incline or decline with respect to a horizontal ground surface. The exercise machine will generally include a base and a support which extends between the base and the exercise machine. The upper end of the support is connected to the exercise machine by a first pivot such that the exercise machine pivots about the support. An adjustment device may be utilized to pivot the exercise machine and thus adjust its angle of incline. Various types of adjustment devices are disclosed, including an actuator, ratchet-and-pawl, gears, and cam.

A bicycle trainer, including a base, permitting fore and aft movement and a frame, supported by the base. Also, a seat and a handlebar assembly and a pedaling assembly is supported by the frame. The handlebar assembly is rotatably engaged to the frame, and is supported by a tongue, that is hinged to the base so as to permit horizontal rotation, and the handlebar assembly is attached to the tongue at a position removed from the hinge. Turning the handlebars causes the frame to move laterally.

A scientifically controlled exercise based on a measurement of maximum voluntary contraction (MVC). A mechanical apparatus includes a sensor, an actuator, and a processor. The apparatus receives a mechanical exertion from a user while the processor receives signals from the sensor and sends signals to the actuator to control the mechanical apparatus. The processor measures a MVC exerted by a user and determines a protocol for the exercise based on the measured MVC. The protocol includes a specified exertion to be performed by a user, the specified force and velocity profile governing the exertion, and a specified sequence of repetitions of the exertion, spaced by rest periods. The protocol includes real-time feedback to the user related to compliance with the protocol. The methodology and equipment described herein provides users a safe and effective means of improving muscular strength or endurance and ameliorating various neurological or physiological conditions.

An exercise apparatus comprises a frame with a chamber having a piston slidable between first and second cavity ends of the chamber, and a cable assembly for pulling the piston by an applied force towards the second cavity end to cause a vacuum in the chamber to exert a resistance force on the cable assembly. A cable subassembly extends between first and second parts of the cable assembly, comprising a pulley wheel attached to the first part and a cable extending around the pulley wheel having first and second cable ends. Stoppers on the cable ends engage a bearing member to restrain movement of at least the first cable end when the second cable end is pulled relative to the pulley wheel. Releasable connector means connect the cable ends to the second part to allow a user to choose a magnitude of the resistance force opposing the applied force.

An exercise machine for working core muscles includes a base, a handle bar connected to the base, and a leg support assembly connected to the base and extending substantially horizontally in a direction away from the handle bar. When one of the handle bar and leg support assembly is swung in a clockwise direction, the other of the handle bar and leg support assembly is swung in a counterclockwise direction, and when the one of handle bar and leg support assembly is swung in a counterclockwise direction, the other of the handle bar and leg support assembly is swung in a clockwise direction. The opposite direction rotations of the handle bar and leg support assembly create a double twist motion in the core muscles of a user of the machine.

An abdominal exercising apparatus should allow the user to strengthen their abdominal and oblique muscles in a comfortable manner. The present invention seeks to strengthen the stomach muscles and do so in a comfortable manner that allows the user of the invention to exercise in an upright seated position, while also providing a massage of the user's back muscles along each side of their spine. The present invention can be used on a bench, chair, couch, or other seating apparatus where it can be used in comfort and while engaged in other passive activities, such as, watching TV. An added benefit of the present invention is that it provides massaging of the muscles on both sides of the user's spine as it is used.

A compact, portable, lightweight, easily transportable leg press exercise apparatus to simulate both exercise and the daily activity of sitting in a microgravity environment. The exercise portion of the apparatus creates stress on the lower extremities by supplying a variable resistance to a reciprocating foot pedal by way of a coil spring and damper system acting through a four-bar linkage. The chair is adjustable in angle to fit each user and to simulate a force that is two-thirds of body weight. By combining resistance exercise and lower body negative pressure with the LBNP leg press exercise apparatus, the users experience one or more times body weight (BW) in stress on their musculoskeletal, cardiovascular and nervous systems. By achieving one times BW or greater (artificial gravity) during exercise and two-thirds BW during sitting, the gap between the precondition and post condition syndrome will become smaller.

An exercise machine resistance adjustment system for providing an exerciser the ability to immediately adjust the resistance force by changing their body position on the movable carriage or end platforms. The exercise machine resistance adjustment system generally includes a frame, a carriage movably positioned on the frame, a spring connected to the carriage to apply a biasing force to the carriage, one or more left projections within the carriage adapted for a left hand of an exerciser to grasp, and one or more right projections within the carriage adapted for a right hand of an exerciser to grasp. The exerciser is able to efficiently adjust the amount of resistance force applied to the carriage by repositioning their hands (or feet) from a first set of projections at a first distance to a second set of projections at a second distance from the first end of the exercise machine.

A pedal activated lift advantage weight lifting bench apparatus that includes a pair of arm assists disposed connected to a pair of strut members disposed laterally adjacent to a weight lifting bench in position appropriate for each arm assist to supportively underlie and contact the dorsal side of each of a user's upper arms, whereby a pedal member, disposed in operational communication with each of a pair of uplift members, effects movement of each of said pair of uplift members between a retracted position and an extended position, to forcibly uplift each arm assist against the dorsal side of each of a user's upper arms and thereby assist a bench press without the need of overhead pulleys or another person standing as spotter.

A multi-purpose athletic training platform exercise device is provided. A user may stand atop a platform and exercise while connected to a downward pulling source of resistance. This machine allows the user to walk forwards, backwards and side-to-side freely while still having attachment to the resistance source via a connecting means. This will activated all the muscles in the lower body while tractioning the lower back and helping to reduce pelvic tilt. The resistance maybe varied during the user effort. The user is able to step off the machine to climb up or down a step, or walk up and down a ramp that may be provided.