A method of varying a resistive force applied by exercise equipment including providing a resistance band assembly for providing resistive force during the performance of an exercise. The resistance band assembly includes a housing having a first end, a second end, and a longitudinal axis extending therebetween. A bore is defined in the housing and a connector is provided in the bore. The connector includes first and second surfaces and a hole is defined in the connector and extends between the surfaces. A disc is also provided in the bore and also has a first and second surface. An aperture is defined in the disc and extends between the first and second surfaces thereof. A first and second resilient member is provided and these resilient members are selectively engageable with the resistance band assembly to provide a first resistive force during the performance of an exercise.

An exercise device consisting of two or more flexible elements originating from different locations and connected to a common handle capable of being moved in a variety of directions. Each element also connected to a resistance mechanism and a force measuring device whereby a user interface and microcomputer determine force and direction and displays same in a plethora of varieties.

A method of varying a resistive force applied by exercise equipment including providing a resistance band assembly for providing resistive force during the performance of an exercise. The resistance band assembly includes a housing having a first end, a second end, and a longitudinal axis extending therebetween. A bore is defined in the housing and a connector is provided in the bore. The connector includes first and second surfaces and a hole is defined in the connector and extends between the surfaces. A disc is also provided in the bore and also has a first and second surface. An aperture is defined in the disc and extends between the first and second surfaces thereof. A first and second resilient member is provided and these resilient members are selectively engageable with the resistance band assembly to provide a first resistive force during the performance of an exercise.

Disclosed are weighted shoe assemblies that allows easy selection of different weights and the ability to accommodate a variety of foot or shoe sizes. This greatly reduces the cost of providing all sizes and shapes of individually fitted shoes. More specifically disclosed are weighted shoe assemblies having an upper attachment component to attach to a user's foot or shoe and a removable weight components to allow selection of desired weights and means to removably attach the components together.

A portable exercise device that allows a person to do Pilates type exercises without using traditional, cumbersome equipment. The device uses a pair of wheel assemblies each attached to each end of a central shaft. The shaft height can be adjusted from the center of each wheel to a lower point closer to the ground. Adjustable cam lockable hand/foot plates are attached to the shaft allowing the user to attach his or her feet to the shaft. Each hand/foot plate assembly includes a rotational plate that allows the hand/foot plate to be positioned at various angles in relation to the shaft. Resistance bands are attached on one side to the shaft and on the opposite side to a resistance source. The resistance source can be the user's own hands or feet, or a retaining strap attached to the lower portion of a door or wall.

A dynamic hand splint including a hand support section, a sleeve configured to receive a digit therein, and a first tensioner having an elastic body and forming a loop, wherein the first tensioner is attached to the hand support section, as well as a first location of the sleeve, such that the first tensioner extends from the hand support section to the first location and a first joint of the digit. The elastic body of the first tensioner has sufficient flexural strength to resist, but not prevent, bending of the digit received within the sleeve such that, when the digit is flexed from an extended position toward a flexed position, the elastic body of the tensioner is elongated with the digit and the digit is urged by the tensioner toward the extended position.

A training apparatus includes an operating rod, a strength detector, a motion position detector, a strength speed calculator, a boundary line arrival speed calculator, and a motion speed calculator. The operating rod moves a held limb. The strength detector outputs a strength component signal based on a magnitude of a strength component. The motion position detector detects a motion position of the operating rod. The strength speed calculator calculates a strength speed. The boundary line arrival speed calculator calculates a boundary line arrival speed whose absolute value is smaller as a boundary line distance is shorter. The motion speed calculator calculates a lower one of the strength speed and the boundary line arrival speed as the motion speed at which the operating rod should move.

An exercise machine adjustable resistance system and method for efficiently varying the workout resistance for an exercise machine. The exercise machine generally includes a carriage movably positioned with respect to the at least one rail, a plurality of springs selectively connectable to the carriage to provide a resistance level to the carriage, a plurality of electrically actuated mechanical devices adapted to latch a corresponding one of the plurality of springs to the carriage when in the latch state and unlatch a corresponding one of the plurality of springs to the carriage when in the unlatch state and a control unit in communication with the plurality of electrically actuated mechanical devices to selectively control the state of each of the plurality of electrically actuated mechanical devices to be within the latch state or the unlatch state.

A physical training apparatus includes a housing, a flywheel mechanism accommodated in the housing, the flywheel mechanism including a spindle, at least one flywheel mounted on the spindle and bearings to support the spindle in the housing, a windable pull element, such as a pull cord or band, which is arranged to be wound up the spindle and unwound from the spindle, and a handgrip attached to the pull element. The spindle includes a spindle end portion. The flywheel is exchangeably mounted on the spindle end portion against a stop located on the spindle. A fastening knob is releasably coupled to the spindle end portion and adapted to engage the flywheel and force it against the stop located on the spindle.

An exercise machine carriage handle system for providing handles for an exerciser to grasp with their hands thereby expanding the type of exercises that may be performed. The exercise machine carriage handle system generally includes a frame having a track, a carriage movably connected to the track, a bias member connected between the frame and the carriage, a first handle connected to the carriage near the first side, and a second handle connected to the carriage near the second side. The first handle and second handle are adapted for grasping with a first hand and a second hand respectively of a user during the performance of an exercise on the exercise machine.