A vertical stepping machine includes a frame, a crank wheel connected to the frame, a crank wheel connected to the frame, a pedal beam having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is in mechanical communication with the crank wheel, a pedal connected to the second end of the pedal beam, a linkage assembly connected to the frame and to the pedal beam, an arm support rotatably connected to the frame, an arm linkage connecting the arm support to the linkage assembly, and a rotary resistance mechanism positioned above the crank wheel when the vertical stepping machine is in an upright orientation. The pedal beam moves in an elliptical path when the crank wheel rotates and the elliptical path has a vertical major axis and a horizontal minor axis when the vertical stepping machine is in an upright position.

A height-adjustable DAP exercise system is provided having a support platform, an inflatable enclosure secured to the support platform at a base opening through the enclosure and extending vertically therefrom when inflated, and a top frame attached to the enclosure at an enclosure top opening. The DAP system further includes adjustable lift restraints each having a restraint length between first and second ends and configured for adjustment between a first restraint length and at least one second restraint length, in which each first end of each lift restraint is attached to a middle portion of the enclosure and each second end is attached to the top frame or the base. The enclosure height is adjustable between a first and second enclosure height responsive to adjustments for lift restraint lengths. The system also includes a low height safety harness for the top frame and related methods.

Pairs of magnetic disks and reciprocation piston-cylinders filled with viscous fluid are used to provide friction for a portable exercise harness. The viscous fluid in cylinder-piston push-pull configuration provide resistance to a extension cable for the physical exercise. The exercise apparatus fits in a harness for travel and easy attachment to ordinary household furniture and fixtures.

An aquatic exercise device (100) includes a cuff strap (102) for fastening a plurality of fins (106) to a user's leg. The cuff strap (102) is configured to position the plurality of fins (102) to extend outwardly form an interior of the cuff strap (102) when the cuff strap (102) is fastened to an ankle area of the user's leg. The plurality of fins (106) provide resistance in a direction opposite to the direction of motion of the user's foot when the aquatic exercise device (100) is moved through water.

An electronic punching bag includes an elongate bag formed of resilient material, a microprocessor disposed in an interior of the electronic punching bag or at a periphery of the electronic punching bag, and a display screen that extends around more than half of the periphery of the electronic punching bag. The display screen is configured to receive signals from the microprocessor. The signals cause the display screen to display visual signals.

A control mechanism includes a friction brake assembly. The friction brake assembly includes a push rod and a friction pad connected to the push rod. The control mechanism also includes a magnetic resistance assembly. The magnetic resistance assembly includes a rotatable sleeve, a movable housing in contact with the rotatable sleeve, and at least one magnet disposed within the movable housing. The control mechanism also includes a knob in mechanical communication with both the push rod and the rotatable sleeve.

A differential pressure body suit with external support against body suit migration. In its preferred embodiment, such body suit may comprise a close-fitting, multi-layered suit sealed against a mammal's skin to contain the differential pressure, or a looser-fitting suit that bends at the mammal's joints with minimal force. External support structure includes either fixed or movable mechanical supports attached to the body suit, extraordinary air pressure levels for making the body suit rigid, or exoskeletons attached to the body suit, or a counter-force adjustment cable suspension system. A cyclic control system can turn the differential pressure condition within the body suit on and off on a selective basis to accommodate the movement of the legs of the mammal. This differential pressure body suit provides a portable and convenient system for, e.g., rehabilitating a skeletal joint injury or training the mammal for injury prevention or athletic performance or fat burning. The pressurization reduces the weight of the body to greater or lesser extents, and offloads the weight to the ground through the external support means.

An exercise apparatus comprises a frame, left and right foot link supporting left and right foot pads. The left and right foot pads synchronously move out of phase through an elliptical path having an adjustable step height. The apparatus may include left and right side arms pivotally connected to the left and right foot links and pivotally supported by the frame. Left and right cranks eccentrically support left and right crank guides. Left and right links each have a first end pivotably connected to left and right foot links and a second end operably coupled to the left and right crank guides, respectively. A movable adjustment member is connected to left and right flexible members operably coupled to the left and right foot links. Movement of the adjustable member adjusts an extent to which the left and right flexible members wrap about the respective left and right crank guides.

A collapsible exercise machine for strengthening the core muscles (transverse abdominal, internal obliques, external obliques, rectus abdominis, and erector spinae) includes a frame mounted on a base on which a user sits and manipulates an upstanding lever arm. A seat is convertible between two differently-angled positions for back extension or abdominal exercises. The lever arm rotates a curved tube having a plurality of force adjustment holes. The tube passes through a frame at the upper end of a gas spring, and engaging an adjustment pin on the frame with different adjustment holes changes the amount of resistance. The entire frame above the base can be vertically adjusted to accommodate different sizes of user without altering the relative position between the seat (and user's hips) and the axis of rotation of the lever arm thus not affecting/changing the designated resistance between users of different heights (resistance is affected when the lever arm is lengthened). The connection between the frame and the base enables the unit to be collapsed to a profile small enough to fit under a bed.

A wrist strengthening device includes a first handle, a second handle, and a tightening component in the form of a clamp configured to tighten around at least a portion of the first handle and at least a portion of the second handle. A sleeve is positioned radially between 1) the tightening component and 2) the at least a portion of the first handle and the at least a portion of the second handle. An interior member in the form of a rod extends from at or near an axial end of the first handle to at or near an axial end of the second handle. The device further includes a first end cap at the axial end of the first handle and a second cap at the axial end of the second handle. The wrist strengthening device is devoid of any spring component.