A bi-directional exercise machine has a work arm, first and second cams coupled to the work arm, a resistance mechanism, and a pulley assembly that couples the resistance mechanism to the work arm via the first and second cams so that movement of the work arm is resisted by the resistance mechanism according to first and second resistance profiles provided by the first and second cams, respectfully. A primary pulley cable has a first end coupled to the first cam and a second end coupled to the second cam. When the work arm is in a rest position, the ends of the primary pulley cable extend from cable tracks of the cams, respectively, at a tangent so that the resistance mechanism applies a resistance force on the work arm via the pulley assembly immediately upon movement of the work arm out of the rest position.

A training apparatus includes a fixed frame, a training rod, a motor, rotation information detection sensor, tilt angle and position difference calculation units, determination, motor drive and position difference eliminating units. The training rod is supported by the fixed frame in a manner capable of being tilted by a motor about at least an X-axis or a Y-axis so as to hold the limb. The tilt angle calculation unit calculates a tilt angle of the training rod. The position difference calculation unit calculates a position difference. The determination unit obtains the position difference every time when a second time period elapses. If the position difference generated in the second time period is a first threshold or lower, the motor drive unit drives the motor so that the position difference is accumulated and maintained. The position difference eliminating unit resets the position difference at a predetermined timing.

An exercise system that may be rail-less, frameless, and/or portable is described. The exercise system includes a carriage having a plurality of wheels and a stationary platform. The stationary platform is independent of and separate from the carriage, and the stationary platform is freestanding. At least one tension member having a first end is attached to the carriage and a second end is detachably attached to the platform such that the carriage is movable on a horizontal plane parallel to a ground surface while the stationary platform remains in a fixed position.

An exercise apparatus with an adjustable rotating element around which a force transferring material wraps either clockwise or counterclockwise to provide bidirectional rotational resistance for exercising. The force transferring material is preferably guided to remain in close proximity to the rotating element while wrapping around the rotating element.

A reversible resistance exercise machine for reversing the direction of applied resistance against a movable platform of an exercising machine. The exercise machine has a frame, a carriage movably positioned upon the frame, and a plurality of biasing members. A plurality of first tension connectors are accessible near the first end of the carriage and are adapted for removably attaching selected biasing members near the first end of the carriage to resist motion of the carriage in the first direction. A plurality of second tension connectors are accessible near the second end of the carriage and are adapted for removably attaching selected biasing members near the second end of the carriage to resist motion of the carriage in the second direction. A user selectable amount of force may be applied to the carriage to resist movement in either of the first direction and the second direction.

A multi-layered composite for performing cardiovascular/pulmonary training comprising a first core layer, the upper surface of which is adapted for frictional contact with a body part of a user of the composite and a lower surface affixed to a second layer adapted for frictional contact with a floor of a venue occupied by the user, and a kit and method of performing cardiovascular/pulmonary conditioning.

Implementations of squat machines may include a seat coupled to a platform, a first foot brace directly coupled to the platform, a second foot brace directly coupled to the platform, a knee brace post coupled to and extending perpendicularly away from a first surface of the platform, a knee brace arm directly coupled to the knee brace post and extending perpendicularly away from a longest length of the knee brace post, and a knee brace directly coupled to the knee brace arm. The knee brace may be configured to contact the front of either a user's knees or shins while performing a squat exercise. The seat may be configured to temporarily contact a buttocks of a user while performing the squat exercise.

A climbing exercise apparatus having ipsilateral and contralateral modes of operation may include a frame supporting movable generally vertically oriented members. The vertically oriented members may include arm and foot support members rotatably connected to carriage members movably supported on the frame. The climbing exercise apparatus may include three-dimensional movement capabilities for a user's arms and feet to move through three dimensional paths of motion during an exercise activity.

An exercise machine with adjustable handles that provide for multiple handle positions. The exercise machine with adjustable handles generally includes a frame with one or more rails, a carriage movably positioned upon the rails, and a pair of adjustable handles positioned near an end of the frame. The adjustable handles each have a handle portion that is movably connected to a corresponding handle stanchion to pivot from a storage position to an extended position.

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.