The present invention is a Stretching Machine in the form of a remote power actuated mechanical pushing apparatus comprising a flat base extended in front of an open box frame having a power actuated mechanical pushing and pulling device with a plurality of cylindrical padded arms enabling a full one hundred and eighty degree arc range of effective powered stretching assistance for self stretching the lower back muscles and leg muscles for exercise, physical therapy, rehabilitation, and stretching. It is useful for actively and passively, safely and effectively, self stretching the erector spinae, hamstrings, quadriceps, sartorius, hip adductors, hip flexors, tensor fasciae latae, rectus femris, gluteus maximus, and gluteus medius muscles. The Stretching Machine is also convenient and easy to use to stretch the muscles of the upper back.

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.

A protective rowing device for compression of the abdomen is provided that comprises a brace and U-shaped support member that may connect to a rowing machine seat and rail.

An adjustable ab wheel has a main shaft and two wheels mounted on the main shaft. The main shaft has two external threaded sections. Each one of the two external threaded sections has a thread direction opposite to the thread direction of the other one of the two external threaded sections. Each one of the two wheels has a threaded hole axially defined through the wheel and mounted with a respective one of the two external threaded sections. When a user rolls the two wheels forward, the two wheels approach each other and abut against each other. Abutment between the two wheels allows the two wheels to brake themselves, so that the adjustable ab wheel can prevent users from over rolling the two wheels forward and suddenly falling down to the floor.

An exercise roller includes an elongated bar having grip handles arranged at opposing axial ends of the elongated bar, a cylindrical core supported by the elongated bar between the grip handles, and a cover that surrounds the cylindrical core and is formed of a material having a repeating pattern.

The invention provides an exercise device used by a person to perform abdominal exercises, where the device comprises a weighted ball designed such that the user U can “single-hand drive” the ball through both the concentric portion and eccentric portion of the exercise movement without experiencing unwanted twisting motion of the ball while it is being held during performance of the abdominal exercises. A tether assembly includes a first tether segment and a second tether segment, both being affixed to an outer surface of the ball by a top connector assembly and a bottom connector assembly to define a first and second gaps. The top and bottom connectors reside along a connector axis that extends through the center of the ball. A first coupler extends from the first tether segment for operable connection to a resistance assembly. A second coupler extends from the second tether segment for operable connection to the resistance assembly. The first and second couplers are in an opposed positional relationship and are oriented 90 degrees from each of the top connector assembly and the bottom connector assembly.

Systems and methods are presented for performing exercises to strengthen, e.g., the transversus abdominis and related muscles. The systems and methods may involve one or more independent belts, allowing a full range of continuous motion. The systems and methods may further use a resistance-control mechanism that allows a user to adjust the force required to move the one or more belts, thereby controlling the rate of motion in the forward and/or backward directions. The systems and methods may further use a unidirectional resistance mechanism that allows the user to increase the resistance of the one or more belts in one direction, while allowing the one or more belts to move freely in the other direction.

The present invention provides an exercise device (100) for exercising core muscles of a user’s torso. The exercise device comprises a frame (110), configured to be supported by the user and a radially outwardly facing channel (130; FIG. 6), the channel (130) configured to receive a resistance member. The frame defines an aperture (112) configured to receive a torso of the user and the device (100) is configured to provide a resistance force against which the user can exercise when the device (100) is in use. Also claimed is a kit of parts comprising the device (100) and a resistance member, and a method of exercising core muscles of one’s torso.

A fitness exercise apparatus includes a base member, a support unit disposed on the base member, and a slide bar disposed on the support unit. A seat frame includes a connector connected to and slidable along the slide bar, a guide rail connected to the connector, and a foot post connected to the guide rail opposite to the connector. A swing frame is connected to the guide rail at a position corresponding to the foot post. An elastic cord unit includes a plurality of first and second elastic cords connected to the support unit. A pulling unit includes two first cables connectable with the first elastic cords. An operating unit is connectable with the first cables.