Exercise apparatuses that may be particularly useful or treating and strengthening connective tissue. For example, apparatuses that may have or be reconfigured to have multiple (e.g., three or more) configurations that are suspended from above by a ceiling or stand. The equipment facilitates the stabilization of the body according to the principle of tensegrity, so that the tension in all movements is omni-directionally coherent, thus creating omni-tensional integrity, which may be helpful in treatment and strengthening of muscular connective tissue (fasciae) in musculoskeletal dynamics, to restore, rebuild, strengthen and regain elasticity within the human fascial network. These apparatuses can support the user at an oblique body angle while the user performs various movements.

The present invention relates to a device for enabling a natural arm exercise during everyday walking. More specifically, the present invention relates to a wearable during-walking arm exercise device comprising: webbing belts extending from the user's front chest part and through the shoulder parts, and crossing each other in an X-shape on the user's back, thereby holding the entire device; one elastic string or multiple elastic strings coupled to the front and rear of the webbing belts, the elastic strings having elasticity such that, according to relaxation and contraction movements following forward/backward movements of arms, backside muscles of upper arms undergo exercise; and a handle fastened to the elastic strings so as to tension the elastic strings. Additionally, the wearable during-walking arm exercise device comprises a waist string having elasticity, the waist string being connected to the lower portion of the handle for muscle movements of front portions of the upper arms (biceps contracts). The elastic strings and the waist string are connected on the upper and lower sides of the handle such that, not only when arms are moved backwards (extension) as a result of walking, but also when the arms are moved forwards (flexion), both front and rear muscles of the upper arms (biceps brachii and triceps brachii) are tensioned and are thus exercised, thereby maximizing the merits of exercise.

A balance board system may comprise a platform, a pivot member, a first bodily engagement member, and a second bodily engagement member. The platform may include a planar body with upper and lower sides and that extends between a first end and a second end. The platform may have a central portion between the first and second ends. The pivot member may be located on the lower side and the central portion of the platform. The first bodily engagement member may be located on the upper side and adjacent the first end of the platform. The second bodily engagement member may be located on the upper side and adjacent the second end of the platform. The first and second bodily engagement members may be configured with respective incline angles relative to the platform.

A hand-held exercise device comprises a frame, a handle attached to the frame, a spool element pivotally mounted to the frame, a pull-cord movable between a wound configuration in which the pull-cord is wound around the spool element and an unwound configuration in which the pull-cord is unwound from the spool element, a resistance element pivotally mounted to the frame, a transmission that couples the pull-cord to the resistance element such that pulling the pull-cord from the device causes the resistance element to rotate, and a damping means that acts to slow the rotation of the resistance element. The device provides a compact and lightweight form of exercise equipment that is easy to carry and easy to store. The device can be used with various fixtures, and also with a second handle fixed to the pull-cord, to allow the user to perform a wide range of exercises. Preferably the exercise device transmits exercise data to an external device that provides feedback and guidance to the user. A resistance mechanism for exercise apparatus allows a pull-cord to be coupled to a resistance element such that pulling the pull-cord from the mechanism causes the resistance element to rotate. A drive element is driven by a frictional force between the drive element and the pull-cord. The resistance element is coupled to the drive element by a transmission.

A method for use with a physical training device is provided. The device including an elastic resistance strap having first and second handles. The method includes pulling at least one of the first and second handles to generate force on a target muscle group through resistance training. The method also includes pulling the at least one of the first and second handles to generate anaerobic and aerobic muscle activity within the target muscle group through cardiovascular interval training.

Embodiments of a strength training apparatus and related methods are provided. In one embodiment, a strength training apparatus may include a tower, a first arm and a second arm each pivotally coupled with the tower and each being configured to be selectively positionable independent of each other at multiple angles relative to each other, a first pulley coupled to an end of the first arm, a first cable extending through the first arm and the first pulley, a second pulley coupled to an end of the second arm, a second cable extending through the second arm and the second pulley, a magnetic mechanism coupled to the first cable and the second cable and configured to provide multiple levels of resistance to a user pulling on the first cable and/or the second cable, and a control panel located on the tower.

A method of varying a resistive force applied by exercise equipment including providing a resistance band assembly for providing resistive force during the performance of an exercise. The resistance band assembly includes a housing having a first end, a second end, and a longitudinal axis extending therebetween. A bore is defined in the housing and a connector is provided in the bore. The connector includes first and second surfaces and a hole is defined in the connector and extends between the surfaces. A disc is also provided in the bore and also has a first and second surface. An aperture is defined in the disc and extends between the first and second surfaces thereof. A first and second resilient member is provided and these resilient members are selectively engageable with the resistance band assembly to provide a first resistive force during the performance of an exercise.

A method of varying a resistive force applied by exercise equipment including providing a resistance band assembly for providing resistive force during the performance of an exercise. The resistance band assembly includes a housing having a first end, a second end, and a longitudinal axis extending therebetween. A bore is defined in the housing and a connector is provided in the bore. The connector includes first and second surfaces and a hole is defined in the connector and extends between the surfaces. A disc is also provided in the bore and also has a first and second surface. An aperture is defined in the disc and extends between the first and second surfaces thereof. A first and second resilient member is provided and these resilient members are selectively engageable with the resistance band assembly to provide a first resistive force during the performance of an exercise.

A centering device includes a receiving bracket configured to be attached to a bench unit including at least one wheel, the receiving bracket defines a receiving hole, and a catch mechanism configured to be attached to an exercise machine, the catch mechanism comprising at least one outer peg and a center peg, the outer peg defining a groove. The receiving bracket and wheels being engagable with the catch mechanism to center the bench unit with respect to the exercise machine.

Disclosed are weighted shoe assemblies that allows easy selection of different weights and the ability to accommodate a variety of foot or shoe sizes. This greatly reduces the cost of providing all sizes and shapes of individually fitted shoes. More specifically disclosed are weighted shoe assemblies having an upper attachment component to attach to a user's foot or shoe and a removable weight components to allow selection of desired weights and means to removably attach the components together.