In at least one aspect, there is provided a system for generating force about one or more joints including a soft exosuit having a plurality of anchor elements and at least one connection element disposed between the plurality of anchor elements. The system also includes at least one sensor to determine a force the at least one connection element or at least one of the plurality of anchor elements and to output signals relating to the force, at least one actuator configured to change a tension in the soft exosuit and at least one controller configured to receive the signals output from the at least one sensor and actuate the at least one actuator responsive to the received signals.

A method of treating elbow tendonitis in a user's arm comprises providing a container having a handle, filling the container with a prescribed volume of water, holding the container by the handle with the arm hanging at the user's side in a starting position defined by an inward facing of the user's palm, thereafter, rotating the container in a first direction until the arm is at a first rotated position defined by an outward facing of the user's palm, holding the arm at the first rotated position for a first hold time of at least six seconds, thereafter, rotating the container in a second direction opposite the first direction, past the starting position, until the arm is at a second rotated position defined by an outward facing of the user's palm, and holding the arm at the second rotated position for a second hold time of at least six seconds.

An end platform for an exercise machine for increased support of an exerciser's spine, neck and head which allows for an expanded scope of exercises that cannot otherwise be performed on the machine without the improved platform. The end platform for an exercise machine generally includes a novel, ergonomically improved stationary platform affixed to at least one opposed end of a substantially longitudinal exercise machine that includes at least a resistance biased reciprocating platform. The improved end platform provides for increased support of exercisers' spine, neck and head, thereby allowing for an expanded scope of exercises that cannot otherwise be performed on the machine without the improved platform, and further provides for the attachment of new and novel exercise equipment accessories to the exercise machine.

A portable exercise device includes a pedal spaced away from and pivotably connected to a base and having a neutral position relative to a pivot axis. The pedal is configured to rotate about the pivot axis in a first direction toward the base and in a second direction, opposite the first direction, toward the base. The device also includes a resistance mechanism configured to exert a force on the pedal about the pivot axis in a direction opposite to the respective direction of rotation of the pedal. The device is movable between an open, in-use configuration, where the pedal is disposed in the neutral position to receive a foot and spaced away from the base, and a closed configuration, where the pedal is adjacent the base.

Training apparatuses configured to receive, and conform to, the back of a user's knee and provide varying resistance and tactile feedback to a user performing quadriceps exercises and methods for using such apparatuses are disclosed herein. A preferred embodiment of the training apparatuses for quad sets comprises a solid, deformable, resilient body that includes a non-skid base and a top surface with a recess configured to receive the back of a user's knee. The body of this embodiment is preferably made of open-cell polyurethane foam with a uniform density ranging between 1 lb/ft.sup.3 and 8 lbs/ft.sup.3, and more preferably between 1.5 lbs/ft.sup.3 and 4.5 lbs/ft.sup.3. The embodiment provides gradually increasing resistance to compression, e.g. tactile feedback to the user's knee, when the user increasingly pushes his/her knee down against the embodiment, and thus allows dynamic quad setting and strengthening.

A low friction rehabilitation board having an integral band retaining feature is described. The rehabilitation board may have a coefficient of static friction of no more than about 0.5 and in some embodiments no more than about 0.06. The rehabilitation board has a plurality of band retaining feature configured along one or both ends and may be an integral band retaining features being formed in the board. Additionally, the rehabilitation may include one or more band retaining features on one or both sides of the board. The unique configuration of the band retaining features enables rehabilitation method heretofore not possible with a single board. Resistance bands may be retained in the band retaining features and coupled to a user's limb, such as a foot or ankle, to resist motion, such as sliding or extending the foot along the low friction surface of the rehabilitation board.

A body stretching system, including a limb stretching unit, including a main body, a gripping structure disposed on at least a portion of the main body to removably connect to a first limb of a user, and a ratchet assembly disposed within at least a portion of the main body and connected to the gripping structure to removably connect to a second limb of the user and/or a stationary object and stretch the first limb away from or towards the second limb and/or the stationary object by increasing a tension level between the first limb and the second limb in response to moving the gripping structure, and a rack assembly removably connected to the limb stretching unit to facilitate stretching.

An aqua resistance dumbbell comprises a tubular wall that provides a bore for receiving a user's hand from each end of the bell. A rod is located within the bore and extending laterally across the bore to be gripped by a user with one or both hands from one or both ends of the bore. The dumbbell has a plurality of longitudinal fins extend along the tubular wall on an outer side of the tubular wall, and at least one lateral fin that extends laterally at least part way around the tubular wall. An aqua resistance fin assembly comprises two fin components and at least one fastening member for fitting the fin components to a user's limb in a side-by-side configuration around the limb. Each fin component comprises a base adapted to fit against a user's limb and adapted to be secured to the user's limb by the fastening member, and at least two longitudinal fins and at least one lateral fin on an outer side of the base.

A fitness and rehabilitation aid is provided, using mostly centrifugal forces that are taking the body centre of mass from its natural position where the mutual configuration of the individual components, that create the aid, optimally stimulate the desired muscle parts. The aid consists of a loading head for achieving the desired centrifugal force and a handle for grasping by the user. The loading head and handle are interconnected by a flexible connecting component. A length of the flexible connecting component from the point where the flexible connecting component leaves the handle to the point where the connection of flexible connecting component and loading head occurs, i.e. the hole for entering of the connecting component to the loading head, equals at least 600 mm.

This invention is a portable exercise system capable of performing multiple exercises for strength and endurance training. The key component is the force generation unit (FGU) which is small and light enough to be suspended during the exercise yet capable of producing a force of 50 lbs. The FGU is programmable allowing it to generate various force vs distance, time or velocity profiles. Different handles, cables and attachments can be connected or used with the FGU perform different exercises. The FGU can charge its battery from the user's energy during use. The FGU can communicate bidirectionally with computers and smart phones for setup and to track the user's performance. Multiple FGUs may be used simultaneously each performing a separate function. The entire system is small enough to fit in a drawer or suitcase. The accompanying software can track the user's performance and function as an automated personal trainer.