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.

Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to pneumatic pogo sticks having features that allow for the jumping and/or landing characteristics of the pogo stick to be varied. These characteristics may even be modified by a user during use. For example, the housing of the pogo stick may have multiple air chambers and air may be selectively transferred between the multiple air chambers. The transfer of air may change the volume, air pressure, compression ratio, and spring-characteristics of the one or more air chambers in which air is compressed during the compression stroke of the pogo stick. These changes will affect the jumping and/or landing characteristics of the pogo stick and in some cases may allow the user to obtain a greater jump height. At the same time, these features may also allow the pogo stick to be collapsed so that it can be easily stored, packaged, and transported.

An apparatus (1) for exercising muscles comprises a power arm (2), which is pivotable about a pivot shaft (5), which is disposed on a holding element (6). The first articulation point (7) at which a compression spring element (9) is linked to the power arm (2) is adjustable along the power arm (2). To achieve this, one end region (8) of the compression spring element (9) is provided with a first joint surface (14), and a series of second joint surfaces (16), which are designed complementary to the first joint surface (14), is disposed across an adjustment zone (10) along the power arm (2). The first joint surface (14) is operatively connectible to one of the second joint surfaces (16), and the power arm (2) is pressed via a further spring element (18) toward the one end region (8) of the compression spring element (9) such that the two operatively connected joint surfaces are kept in contact with each other. Resulting thereby is a simple possibility of adjustment of the force to be applied to the power arm.

An expiratory, vibratory therapy device (100, 200 300, 400) includes a compliance meter (104, 204, 304, 404) having a cylinder (110, 210, 310, 410) with a piston (111, 211, 411) movable along its length. The piston is urged by a spring (116, 226) to one end of the cylinder. The opposite end of the cylinder has an air inlet (120, 123, 219) normally closed by a springloaded occluder (129). The occluder (129) is moved to open the air inlet when the patient exhales in the prescribed manner. This allows some air to enter the cylinder and enables the piston to be displaced. The piston is coupled to a flag (106, 206, 306, 406) visible to the patient. When the correct number of prescribed breaths have been made the piston displaces the flag to indicate completion of the therapy.

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.

An apparatus for an exercise task includes a pneumatic arrangement, which includes a pressure source, a pneumatic controller, pneumatic transfer channels, and at least one pneumatic resistor element, which includes a pneumatic cylinder with its piston. The apparatus additionally includes a mechanical lever arm structure or another mechanical connecting structure, which is for a user's limb contact and which is at a second end connected to the pneumatic resistor element. The apparatus additionally includes a sensor structure, a calculation arrangement and a display. The sensor structure is arranged to measure at least one measurement quantity of the exercise task and, based on the measurement, the calculation arrangement is arranged to form information on the display of the apparatus, regarding the power and/or force and/or range of motion of the exercise task. In the invention, regardless of the number of pneumatic resistor elements, the sensor structure includes one pressure sensor only, and to compensate for the small number of sensors, the calculation arrangement includes a correlation-taught calculation unit, which comprises a correlation algorithm taught with a larger number of sensors than the number of sensors in the apparatus, concerning the correlation between power and/or force and/or range of motion of the exercise task and the measured information.

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 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.

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.