A pivoting abdominal exercise machine is used to exercise and strengthen core muscles. The machine includes a hinged frame, a plurality of black supports, and a base stand. The plurality of back supports is connected along the hinged frame. Together, the hinged frame and the plurality of back supports are used to interact with and brace portions of the user's back as the user performs an exercise. The plurality of back supports may either be cushioned pads or rollers. The base stand is mounted to the hinged frame through an elastic pivot resistor. The elastic pivot resistor allows the user to rock, tilt, or twist about the base stand. A frame-grasping assembly is mounted to the hinged frame. The frame-grasping assembly allows the user to hold onto the device and maintain stability while performing exercises.

A portable exercise device designed to efficiently and safely exercise the gluteal, hamstring and calf muscles. The exercise device is an inclined platform with an elongated resistance band attached to both sides, providing resistance from the sides platform. An additional raised support is provided on the inclined platform, as well as resistance originating from within the platform, which optimizes the concentric and eccentric phase of every squat and lunge for maximal strength and hypertrophy of the muscles. The combination of the inclined platform with resistance from the sides and from the platform itself allows the user to conduct a variety of exercises for strengthening the muscles of the lower body.

An adjustably-tensioned, transverse-suspended elastic element exercise device is disclosed. The transverse element is suspended between frame elements sized so as to enable full range of motion exercises. The tension and height of the elastic member can be adjusted so as to accommodate varying exercise levels and positions. The assembly may include handgrips and attachments to augment workouts. Electronic adjustability, metrics, programmability and Internet connectivity enhance the user experience. A method of using the device is also disclosed.

An apparatus for stretching and strengthening the forefoot of a user may include a pair of parallel hollow tubular leg members each having a first and second end and having a cross bore adjacent each of the first and second ends, a barrel bridging and joining the pair of leg members and positioned intermediate the first and second end of each leg member, the barrel providing a support for the arch of a user's forefoot for flexing and strengthening the forefoot over the barrel, a pair of extenders each adapted to removably attach to and extend from one of the leg members, and a removable elastic band or sleeve positionable over the leg members intermediate the first end and the barrel to hold the toes of the user's forefoot over the barrel during flexing of the forefoot.

A hand therapy kit includes hand therapy modules and a housing having defined receptacles in which the hand therapy modules are removably disposed. A module presence sensor is disposed in each receptacle to detect the presence or absence of the corresponding hand therapy module. A microprocessor disposed in the hand therapy kit sends the module presence sensor data to a remote computer that analyzes the module presence sensor data to determine whether the patient is complying with a prescribed treatment regimen. The remote computer can generate warnings, alerts, and/or notifications when noncompliance is detected.

A limb assistance device for assisting in the movement of a lower limb of a user. The limb assistance devices can attach to or be integrated with a stability aid (e.g., a walker or parallel bars). The devices may comprise an adaptor bracket configured to attach to the stability aid, an elastic cord coupled to the adaptor bracket, and an adjustment component attached to the elastic cord. Moving the stability aid (e.g., the walker) may cause the attachment component to pull the shoe of the user along with the stability aid.

A fitness device contains a strap, a handle, and a plate. The strap is substantially inelastic and flexible. The plate is substantially rigid. The handle at least partially envelopes the strap. A method of exercising with such a fitness device is also described herein. Other fitness devices and other methods of use are also described herein.

A trampoline includes a jumping mat, a supporting frame, and a plurality of levers. The supporting frame is located proximal a jumping periphery of the jumping mat. The plurality of levers circumextend the jumping periphery. Each of the plurality of levers includes a rigid element connected to the supporting frame. The rigid element includes a jump mat end and a frame end. The rigid element pivots about a fulcrum connected to and supported by the supporting frame. The jump mat end is connected to the jumping mat at a jumping mat connection located proximal the jumping periphery. A tensioner is connected between the lever at a tensioner attachment and the supporting frame. Each lever and tensioner is configured to apply tension to the jumping mat in the form of a force applied against the jumping periphery of the jumping mat in a direction away from the jumping mat.

Handles for use in exercise apparatus and in lifting apparatus are provided. The handles have an elongated handle body with a top head, a bottom head, and a central bore extending along a longitudinal axis. A top pulley is coupled to the top head and is rotatable around a top axis that is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. A bottom pulley is coupled to the bottom head and is rotatable around a bottom axis that is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. At least one secondary pulley is associated with at least one of the top pulley and the bottom pulley. A cord is disposed on a circumferential surface of the top pulley, the cord passing through the central bore and being disposed on a circumferential surface of the bottom pulley, so that when the handle body is moved, the top and bottom pulleys rotate to allow the cord to travel smoothly through the central bore.

The dumbbell exercise device may include a bar, end-weights at opposite ends of the bar, housings enclosing the end-weights, and a resistance band. The resistance band may be engaged by the first and second housings and extend between the first and second end-weights at or near a perimeter of the end-weights. This and other embodiments provide enhanced lifting effects and engage muscle groups to improve grip strength.