The present invention provides a competitive weightlifting system capable of interacting with and comparing weightlifting performances of multiple users, and creating competition between such users by displaying a ranked list of performances by those users. The system may include a frame for supporting and guiding a lift bar, sensors mounted to the frame for measuring and refereeing the performance of a user, a controller housed in the frame for tracking and ranking user performances with an interface for creating and logging into user profiles, and a communication device for sharing user performance data with other remote competitive weightlifting systems (e.g., competitive weightlifting systems in other gyms or homes) in order to create a wide-ranging competition between, and ranked leaderboard of, the many users.

A weight training auxiliary device for adjusting a weight training load of training equipment includes a plurality of weights that generate a load, a load transmission mechanism configured to transmit the load of the weights to the training equipment, and a weight attaching/detaching mechanism configured to attach and detach the weights. At least one of the weights has an electromagnet or a permanent electromagnet built in. The weight attaching/detaching mechanism includes a conduction relay configured to control supply of power to the electromagnet or the permanent electromagnet so that the weight training load is adjusted by attaching or detaching the at least one of the weights.

A measurement system for use in an exercise machine, which exercise machine comprises a lifting mechanism and an engaging member for selectively engaging a number of stacked weights to the lifting mechanism, the measurement system comprising a pair of cooperating members including a range meter and a reflector member, wherein one of the cooperating members is connected to the lifting mechanism and the other of the cooperating members is connected to the engaging member, wherein the range meter is directed to measure a distance to the reflector member to determine a distance which correlates to the weight of the selectively engaged weights.

A gym tower which includes a base and a plurality of internal weights vertically stacked on the base. A frame is connected to the base and extends upward from the base to engage with the plurality of internal weights. A top plate is connected to the frame, so that the base and the plate enclose the plurality of internal weights within the frame. The tower also includes a spine is adapted to selectively engage the plurality of internal weights. A main pulley is connected to the top plate and a main cable is fed through the main pulley. The main cable is connectable to the spine at a first end and includes a connector device at a second end. The tower also includes a rod adapted to engage with the spine and to select an internal weight and is adapted to secure to external weights.

Disclosed herein are various embodiments of an exercise apparatus. In certain embodiments, an exercise apparatus comprises a frame and a seat assembly, the seat assembly comprising a seat, the seat configured to move between a first position and a second position, wherein the first position accommodates use of the exercise apparatus by a user sitting on the seat and wherein the second position accommodates use of the exercise apparatus by a user sitting in a wheelchair. The seat assembly may be pivotably coupled to the frame. The seat assembly may comprise a stop configured to inhibit movement of the seat, and may further comprise a biasing element that is biased to disengage the stop.

A cradle for supporting an adjustable free weight assembly that includes first and second weight plate sets. End walls and side walls of the cradle define a cavity sized to receive the free weight assembly. The end walls engage plate portions and locking element portions of outermost weight plates of the free weight assembly when received in the cradle. Inboard surfaces of the side walls engage portions of weight plates in at least the first weight plate set to substantially inhibit the first weight plate set from moving vertically or laterally between the side walls. The configuration of the inboard surfaces of the side walls aligns the weight plates in the first weight plate set both vertically and horizontally so that central openings in the weight plates for receiving a selector shaft are substantially concentric.

A staged resistance training device is described. When performing an exercise motion, normal human joint mechanics often mean less effort is needed in the later stages of a resistance exercise motion than at the beginning of the motion. The staged resistance training device is configured to allow a user, such as a weightlifter using a training machine having a series of resistive elements, to perform an exercise repetition with staged resistance forces experienced during the repetition. A range of motion of the exercised body part is opposed during a first stage of the motion by an initial resistance, transitioning to a second, greater resistance in a later second stage of the exercise motion. The staged resistance training device provides a means wherein the user can apply increased resistance to overcome an increasing mechanical advantage later during an exercise motion, versus at the motion's beginning.

A housing (202) for a Time-of-Flight (ToF) range meter (201), comprising a wall structure (203) defining a first optical beam path (222) to an emitter (220) of the ToF range meter, and a second optical beam path (232) to a detector (230) of the ToF range meter; and a transmissive optical diffusor (224, 234) configured to cover the beam path to at least one of said emitter and said detector. The housing may be connected to a ToF range meter into a ToF ranging device (200). Such a ToF ranging device (200) may be incorporated in measurement system for use in an exercise machine, wherein the ToF ranging device is directed to measure a distance to the reflector member to determine a distance which correlates to the weight of the selectively engaged weights.

An exercise machine for performing a leg press exercise includes a resistance device and a plate configured to receive a user's feet during the leg press exercise. An adjustable resistance attachment device is mechanically coupled to the plate and is be selectively coupled to an adjustable resistance attachment device. One or more cables mechanically couple the adjustable resistance device to the resistance device to define a resistance ratio. Attachment of the adjustable resistance device to the adjustable resistance attachment device results in an increase of the resistance ratio for the machine.

An exercise system for exercising a body's oblique muscle group relies upon a wheel mechanism having an outer wheel portion arranged at a first radial distance and an inner wheel portion arranged at a second radial distance, where the outer and inner wheel parts include respective sets of handgrips. A weight system is arranged to be coupled to and decoupled from the wheel mechanism. A coupling mechanism couples the weight system to and decouples the weight system from the wheel mechanism, in a first circumferential direction, or in a second circumferential direction. The hand grips allow a user to grasp the wheel mechanism and turn it in the first or the second circumferential directions against a respective force that the wheel mechanism is turned against that is defined by the aggregate selected weight when coupled to the wheel mechanism, in one of the first and second circumferential directions.