A reciprocating unidirectional electromagnetic resistance device includes a shaft having a flywheel installed to a first end of the shaft, an electromagnetic braking unit, and a first sensing device. A spring return device and a second sensing device are installed at a second end of the shaft, and a pull rope device is installed at the middle of the shaft. The electromagnetic braking unit and the spring return device are integrated into a single module and provided for an operator to perform a reciprocating motion to pull out a pull rope of the pull rope device and drive the shaft, the flywheel and the spring return device synchronously, and the electromagnetic braking unit acts an electromagnetic resistance onto the flywheel, so that the flywheel has the excellent precise resistance of the electromagnetic braking unit. When released, the pull rope can be retracted to achieve the reciprocating motion effect.

Rowing machines are described that permit a rower to adjust the rowing resistance using a gear shift mechanism. The rowing machine includes a handle connected to a chain, which passes, sequentially, over a derailleur and then to the gears of the gear cassette. The gear cassette is coupled to a resistance unit, which may be similar to resistance units used in off wheel bicycle trainers. This configuration of derailleur and gear cassette permit the rower to smoothly select a gear.

A rally fitness equipment includes a pedal body having a base and a cover covering the base, a resistance device including a control unit and a rotatable transmission unit arranged adjacent to each other, a winding unit, which is mounted in an accommodating space in the pedal body and includes a first belt wheel and a second belt wheel with mutually spaced settings, and a pull rope set including a pull rope that has one section thereof wound around the first belt wheel and the other section thereof exposed outside the cover of the pedal body and a bungee rope that has one section thereof wound around the second belt wheel and the other section thereof fixed to the base of the pedal body. The control unit provides a resistance against rotation to the transmission unit.

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 direct-drive bicycle training system and methods of using the same are provided. The system includes a bicycle trainer that rests on a support surface and supports a bicycle frame in an upright manner with respect to the support surface. The bicycle trainer includes a stator, a rotor that rotates with respect to the stator, a cassette affixed to the rotor, a support frame supporting the stator, rotor, and cassette, and a resistance applying mechanism that operatively couples to a portion of a drivetrain of the bicycle frame and applies varying levels of resistance to the portion of the drivetrain. The support frame moves with respect to the support surface in response to a force applied to the drivetrain of the bicycle frame during use of the bicycle training system, generating a more natural movement of the bicycle and simulating on-road use.

An indoor, stationary, bicycle training device that provides advantages over conventional designs of exercise bicycles is provided. The stationary bicycle may include a tilting/pivoting mechanism to orient the indoor bicycle to simulate descending or climbing. The indoor bicycle may include flexible and resilient frame elements to support the indoor training device to move side-to-side under some riding situations thereby simulating the side-to-side swaying motion of an outdoor bicycle under the same riding situations. The indoor bicycle may include several combinations of frame adjustments to provide configurable dimensions of the indoor bicycle to adjust the frame to properly fit the rider, which may be adjusted based on corresponding dimensions of a user's outdoor bicycle. Still other aspects of the stationary bicycle device may aid in creating an “outdoor” feeling while using the device.

Systems, devices, and methods are described for providing, among other things, an electrodynamic contactless braking system. In an embodiment, the electrodynamic contactless braking system may include plurality of electromagnet assemblies arranged and configured to have alternating magnetic field orientations. In an embodiment, each electromagnet assembly may include an air gap formed between a first electromagnet pole and a second electromagnet pole. In an embodiment, each electromagnet assembly is configured to generate a magnetic field of a character and for a duration sufficient to induce eddy currents on an electrically-conductive element moving within the air gap of each of the plurality of electromagnets. In an embodiment, the electrodynamic contactless braking system may include a controller operatively coupled to each of the plurality of electromagnets, the controller configured operate the plurality of electromagnets in parallel.

The present invention relates to selectively adjustable speed and incline levels for treadmills. An example treadmill includes a platform around which a belt rotates, a drive motor for controlling a speed of rotation of the belt, a linear motor for controlling an incline of the platform, a human machine interface configured to receive from a user a first selection regarding at least one of the speed of rotation of the belt and the incline of the platform, at least one manual lever configured to receive from the user a second selection to respectively refine the first selection, and at least one controller that selectively changes the speed of rotation of the belt or the incline of the platform based on the first selection received by the human machine interface, and selectively and respectively refines the first selection based on the second selection received by the at least one manual lever.

Exemplary arrangements provide leg training devices suitable for high intensity training of hip flexors while simultaneously training the extensors of hip and knee joints. The exemplary leg training devices include foot fixings which are permanent vertically movable components of the device, each of which are configured to releasably engage a foot of a user in operative engagement therewith while limiting the movement of the foot relative to the foot fixings. Each of the foot fixings is operatively connected to a suitable mechanism that provides a resistance force to vertical movement of the foot fixing by the user's leg. In exemplary arrangements the resistance force may be selectively variable with regard to the magnitude and/or point of application so as to provide the desired training regimen.

An improved exercise machine has a stationary longitudinal monorail structure that extends between front and back end stationary exercise platforms, and an exercise platform mounted on a levitated carriage that is reciprocally movable along the monorail between the stationary platforms. Magnetic elements arranged on various opposing surfaces of the carriage and monorail generate magnetic forces that levitate and stabilize the carriage as it moves relative to the monorail thus substantially eliminating contact friction. Springs selectively attachable to the movable platform provide a resistance force for exercising. Pseudo-levitation and eddy brake elements on the carriage and monorail structure further stabilize the carriage and platform.