In a method of strengthening pathological muscles, the patient is subjected to a therapeutic strengthening exercise for strengthening a target muscle. The method begins at the start of the strengthening exercise in response to exacerbation of symptoms exhibited by patient. The symptoms exhibited by the patient during the strengthening exercise are minimized by a series of steps including adjusting an intensity of the strengthening exercise, limiting a range of motion of the strengthening exercise, dividing evenly a prescribed number of sets and repetitions corresponding to the strengthening exercise, dividing unevenly the prescribed number of sets and repetitions corresponding to the strengthening exercise, varying a speed at which the patient is subjected to the strengthening exercise, modifying a position of the patient for the strengthening exercise, matching a mode of the strengthening exercise to the modified patient's position, and switching between primary, secondary and tertiary actions of the patient's target muscle.

Apparatuses and methods are disclosed for performing various physical exercises. A push-up apparatus is disclosed including a handle member having a first distal end portion and a second distal end portion, and first and second support members, each including a substantially flat support surface and a bearing structure rotatably coupled to one of the first and second distal end portions of the handle member, the bearing structure being positioned such that a respective distal end of the handle member is closer to a top surface of the respective support member opposite the support surface than to the support surface. The handle member is configured to rotate axially about a central axis of the handle member independently of the first and second support members.

A weight training apparatus includes a telescoping pivot arm comprised of a concentric arrangement of an outer tube and an inner tube and configured to pivot about an axis and receive a weight at a predetermined position. The weight training apparatus further includes an actuator attached to the telescoping pivot arm and configured to cause relative motion between the inner tube and the outer tube to change a length between the predetermined position and the axis. The weight training apparatus further includes a sensor configured to output a signal indicative of an angular position of the telescoping pivot arm about the axis and a controller programmed to operate the actuator to cause the length to change based on the signal to achieve a target resistance profile.

Presented is a portable full body work out system for indoor and outdoor uses. The system includes a pair of mounts configurable over an intended surface, a pair of bracket assembles releasably mountable over the mounts, a strap with extending around one or more pulleys of one of the bracket assemblies and operatively connecting to a securing device, a resistance band releasably mountable around a retainer member of one of the bracket assemblies and another coupled to the securing device. The securing device is selectively operated during initial set up to allow the user to adopt to an appropriate position to connect an external exercising accessory to the strap for performing an exercise. The user is able to select the desired resistance for the exercise, or reduce the selected resistance, or combine resistances for even greater resistance by selecting appropriate resistance bands, and/or changing the tension applied on the strap.

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 and massage device utilizes a substantially spherical body having a central cavity that extends to opposite sides of the spherical body so that the cavity forms openings on opposite sides of the spherical body. A transverse handle is positioned within the cavity that extends across the cavity. At least one grasping portion is located within the cavity and is spaced between the transverse handle and at least one of the openings of the central cavity to provide a fingerhold during use. A resilient outer layer surrounds the spherical body and provides an exterior surface of the spherical body. The resilient outer layer is provided with projections to facilitate massage when used in the massage mode when the device is used in a massage mode. The device is weighted to provide a total weight of from 2 lbs or more. In another embodiments of an exercise and massage device at least one ring member is encased within the spherical body to provide at least one of weight and structural support to the device.

An exercise and massage device utilizes a substantially spherical body having a central cavity that extends to opposite sides of the spherical body so that the cavity forms openings on opposite sides of the spherical body. The spherical body has an outer core of a first resilient hardness. A single rigid handle is positioned within the cavity. The openings of the cavity are sized and configured for allowing a user to access and manually grasp the handle through either opening. A resilient outer layer surrounds the outer core of the spherical body and provides an exterior surface of the spherical body. The resilient outer layer has a second resilient hardness that is less than that of the first resilient hardness of the outer core of the spherical body to provide a cushioning effect when the device is used in a massage mode. The device is weighted to provide a total weight of the device of from 2 lbs or more.

Disclosed is a technical training garment configured for use with modular, interchangeable biomechanics units and or resistance modules. The garment may provide resistance to movement throughout an angular range of motion and or tracks a variety of biomechanical parameters such as stride length, stride rate, angular velocity and power expended by the wearer. The garment may be low profile, and worn by a wearer as a primary garment or beneath or over conventional clothing or athletic uniform. The device may be worn as a supplemental training and or diagnostic tool during conventional training protocols, or as a biomechanics or biometric data capture device during competition.

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.

The disclosed exercise benches comprise a rigid structure having an interior cavity, with portions of the structure covered in a durable exercise friendly fabric and an underlayment of foam for padding. The benches have a generally horizontal base for resting on the floor or ground using anti-skid pads. The base is rectangular with the longer sides each connecting to opposed sides having inclined surfaces providing structural support for a generally horizontal top surface. In one embodiment the top surface may be pivotably connected to enable lifting of the top surface engageable with an adjustable support member located in the cavity to hold the top surface in place in an inclined position. In multiple embodiments fasteners, such as a D-rings are positioned on the sides of the bench for attaching to exercise resistance bands. In one embodiment vertical end walls have an opening with a fabric liner formed inwardly forming an interior fabric for storage. A D-Ring fastener may be attached to the end walls to connect to exercise resistance bands. The benches may have interior structures to support speakers incorporated into the benches.