An end platform for an exercise machine for increased support of an exerciser's spine, neck and head which allows for an expanded scope of exercises that cannot otherwise be performed on the machine without the improved platform. The end platform for an exercise machine generally includes a novel, ergonomically improved stationary platform affixed to at least one opposed end of a substantially longitudinal exercise machine that includes at least a resistance biased reciprocating platform. The improved end platform provides for increased support of exercisers' spine, neck and head, thereby allowing for an expanded scope of exercises that cannot otherwise be performed on the machine without the improved platform, and further provides for the attachment of new and novel exercise equipment accessories to the exercise machine.

An exercise machine may include a frame, a resistance mechanism supported by the frame, first and second pull cables supported by the frame and linked to the resistance mechanism, a power rack attached to the frame, first and second handles selectively attachable to the first and second pull cable, and first and second pulleys. The power rack includes upright posts configured to have barbell holders adjustably attached thereto such that the barbell holders are configured to be adjusted in various positions between highest positions and lowest positions on the upright posts. The pulleys are configured to selectively receive the pull cables to enable the pull cables to be selectively attached to a barbell to assist or hinder a user in lifting the barbell in a combined cable and free weight workout, the pull cables decoupled from the pulleys for cable workouts.

Training apparatuses configured to receive, and conform to, the back of a user's knee and provide varying resistance and tactile feedback to a user performing quadriceps exercises and methods for using such apparatuses are disclosed herein. A preferred embodiment of the training apparatuses for quad sets comprises a solid, deformable, resilient body that includes a non-skid base and a top surface with a recess configured to receive the back of a user's knee. The body of this embodiment is preferably made of open-cell polyurethane foam with a uniform density ranging between 1 lb/ft.sup.3 and 8 lbs/ft.sup.3, and more preferably between 1.5 lbs/ft.sup.3 and 4.5 lbs/ft.sup.3. The embodiment provides gradually increasing resistance to compression, e.g. tactile feedback to the user's knee, when the user increasingly pushes his/her knee down against the embodiment, and thus allows dynamic quad setting and strengthening.

Training apparatuses configured to receive, and conform to, the back of a user's knee and provide varying resistance and tactile feedback to a user performing quadriceps exercises and methods for using such apparatuses are disclosed herein. A preferred embodiment of the training apparatuses for quad sets comprises a solid, deformable, resilient body that includes a non-skid base and a top surface with a recess configured to receive the back of a user's knee. The body of this embodiment is preferably made of open-cell polyurethane foam with a uniform density ranging between 1 lb/ft.sup.3 and 8 lbs/ft.sup.3, and more preferably between 1.5 lbs/ft.sup.3 and 4.5 lbs/ft.sup.3. The embodiment provides gradually increasing resistance to compression, e.g. tactile feedback to the user's knee, when the user increasingly pushes his/her knee down against the embodiment, and thus allows dynamic quad setting and strengthening.

An exercise machine includes a shaft configured to rotate about an axis; a spool configured to receive a strap and drive rotation of the shaft about the axis in response to movement of the strap; a flywheel configured to rotate about the axis; one or more conductive coils arranged to generate magnetic fields that induce eddy currents in the flywheel; a clutch configured to engage and disengage transmission of torque between the spool and the flywheel; and a spring arranged around the axis, the spring configured to exert a return torque on the spool about the axis in response to rotation of the shaft.

In one example in accordance with the present disclosure, a jump rope handle assembly is described. The jump rope handle assembly includes a handle having a longitudinal axis. A shaft assembly is disposed within the handle. The shaft assembly is to receive a jump rope section and is to rotate and slide within the handle. The shaft assembly includes a collet to retain the jump rope section. The jump rope handle assembly also includes a spring to compress between the shaft assembly and an interior impact surface of the handle.

A training, rehabilitation, and recovery system comprises an exercise apparatus including a user interface member coupled to a plurality of links and joints, brakes capable of resisting movement of at least a subset of the links or joints, and sensors capable of sensing movement at the joints or the user interface member. The system also includes a processor configured to receive from the sensors positional data of the links or joints over an initial movement of the apparatus by a user, from which positional coordinates of the user interface member are calculated and a reference trajectory is established. An end space is defined based on the reference trajectory. Over a subsequent movement of the apparatus by the user, the processor receives additional positional data and determines a completion of a repetition based on the positional coordinates of the subsequent movement and the defined end space.

A training, rehabilitation, and recovery system comprises an exercise apparatus including a user interface member coupled to a plurality of links and joints, brakes capable of resisting movement of at least a subset of the links or joints, and sensors capable of sensing movement at the joints or the user interface member. The system also includes a processor configured to receive from the sensors positional data of the links or joints over an initial movement of the apparatus by a user, from which positional coordinates of the user interface member are calculated and a reference trajectory is established. An end space is defined based on the reference trajectory. Over a subsequent movement of the apparatus by the user, the processor receives additional positional data and determines a completion of a repetition based on the positional coordinates of the subsequent movement and the defined end space.

An exercise apparatus configured to combat postural maladaptations is provided. The exercise apparatus includes a rigid central spherical body having a channel passing through the center thereof through which a resilient band may be passed. The resilient band is removable and may be made of any suitable resilient material, such as, for example, a rubber material. The central spherical body may be formed of any suitable rigid or semi-rigid material that resists deformation.

An exercise machine monitoring and instruction system for the movement of an element of an exercise machine by an exerciser and providing automated feedback to the exerciser to help improve the exercise in real-time. The exercise machine monitoring and instruction system generally includes an exercise machine having a movable element that moves between a first position and a second position in a reciprocating manner, a sensor that detects a real-time position of the movable element, a processor in communication with the sensor to receive the real-time position data from the sensor related to a position of the movable element and a feedback device in communication with the processor that provides real-time instructions to the exerciser on how to adjust their workout to achieve a desired result.