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 weight training machine generally includes a supportive frame, a first mechanism, and a second mechanism. The first mechanism includes a first weight stack, a first cable system, and a second cable system. The second mechanism includes a second weight stack, a third cable system, and a fourth cable system. In each of the first and second mechanisms, one end of a cable can be easily attached to a moving pulley block to have the moving pulley block converted to a fixed pulley block. As a result, the force applied to a handle for lifting the associated weight stack becomes double as compared to the cable being not attached to the moving pulley block.

An exercise machine for performing triceps press exercises, including a moving user support that supports a user in a seated position. The exercise machine includes a linkage assembly that allows the moving user support to tilt as the user performs the triceps press exercise. As the user extends his or her arms from an exercise starting position to an exercise ending position, a user support frameand thus the user's torsoreclines progressively backwards. The user's natural reaction to this reclining sensation is to bring his or her head forward, which encourages the user to plant his or her lower back firmly into a stable position against a back pad and in turn reduces a risk of injury associated with excessively arching of the lower back.

A weight system having at least one weight stack moveable in a vertical direction on a lift rod, and a bearing block for housing a linear bearing. The invention further includes a method and apparatus for aligning the linear bearing.

Apparatus for performing a pull down exercise comprising: a frame, a seat, an input arm assembly interconnected to a resistance mechanism and a manually graspable mechanism disposed vertically above the user's trunk in a start sitting exercise position, the input arm assembly being pivotably mounted on the frame for back and forth travel along a generally forward to rearward direction and along a generally side to side direction orthogonal to the forward to rearward direction, the input arm assembly being rotatably pivotable around a first linear axis and a second linear axis in the respective directions on exertion by the user of a rearwardly downwardly directed force on the manually graspable mechanism.

An exercise apparatus for performing a back extension exercise comprising: a frame, a seat having a seating surface and a pelvic stabilization pad having a lower back engagement surface, an input arm assembly interconnected by a first interconnection to a first resistance mechanism, the input arm assembly including a manually graspable mechanism and being arranged on the apparatus such that the input arm assembly is pivotable beginning from a start motionless position along a path of travel toward the pelvic stabilization pad under resistance exerted by one or both of the resistance mechanisms, wherein the first resistance mechanism is adapted to increase resistance as the degree of pivoting of the input arm assembly increases along the path of travel away from the start motionless position rearwardly toward the pelvic stabilization pad.

A dumbbell with a selectable number of weight disks includes a handle with pins projectable in opposing directions, a base assembly for accommodating two sets of weight disks standing upright, and having through-going openings. Neighbouring weight disks have mutually cooperating connecting arrangements which axially interconnect the weight disks but which permit radial separation. The projection lengths of the pins are stepwise selectable in order thereby to permit selection of the number of weight disks carried on the handle. The handle has, in opposing ends, connecting arrangements for interconnecting with the connecting arrangements of the innermost weight disks in the base assembly. Further, the space between the connecting arrangements of the handle is free through 360 about the handle throughout its entire length, the openings of the weight disks being centrally located.

A weight training equipment with an ultrasonic sensor assembly including a transmitter unit, a receiver unit, a case and the support. The case is rotatably supported upon the support to expose the transmitter and the receiver upwardly. A freely rotatable pin unit is selectively inserted into the hole of the corresponding weight block of the weight training equipment to have its reflection surface downwardly face the sensor assembly. A distance between the pin unit and the sensor assembly during exercise can be measure by ultrasound transmitted from the transmitter unit toward the pin unit and further reflected by the reflection surface and received by the receiver unit.

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 apparatus includes a frame with a pair of vertical guides. A carriage is slidably carried on each of the guides. Each of the carriages has a locking mechanism to lock the carriage at a selected vertical position and a release to disengage the locking mechanism. A horizontal exercise bar is slidably carried on guide rods. First and second cables are coupled to a selectable exercise resistance, each of the cables having an end selectively coupled to either the respective carriage or to a respective bracket at the end of the exercise bar. Secondary brackets on the exercise bar are configured to engage respective ones of the carriage releases and grab the carriage so as to selectively engage and disengage the locking mechanisms upon axial rotation of the exercise bar and raise and lower the carriages with the exercise bar.