Exemplary arrangements provide leg training devices suitable for high intensity training of hip flexors while simultaneously training the extensors of hip and knee joints. The exemplary leg training devices include foot fixings which are permanent vertically movable components of the device, each of which are configured to releasably engage a foot of a user in operative engagement therewith while limiting the movement of the foot relative to the foot fixings. Each of the foot fixings is operatively connected to a suitable mechanism that provides a resistance force to vertical movement of the foot fixing by the user's leg. In exemplary arrangements the resistance force may be selectively variable with regard to the magnitude and/or point of application so as to provide the desired training regimen.

A lateral glide elliptical exercise apparatus includes a frame defining a center line, a pair of pedal units disposed at two opposite lateral sides relative to the center line each including a pivoting block and a pedal shaft pivotally connected to the pivoting block, a damping unit for providing a damping resistance to the pedal units, and a pair of gliding guide units respectively mounted at the frame, each gliding guide unit includes a gliding guide, an actuation block and a linkage arranged so that the actuation block can be driven by the associating linkage to slide smoothly between an inner end portion and an outer end portion of the associating gliding guide when the pedal units are being alternately pedaled by the user.

A locking device for an exercise system may include at least one moveable assembly that is in communication with a resistance mechanism. The locking device has an actuating device for selectively engaging the locking device, a locking member having a contact portion, wherein the contact portion of the locking member is not in contact with the resistance mechanism of the exercise system when the actuating device is in a first position, thereby allowing movement of the at least one moveable assembly, and wherein the contact portion of the locking member is in contact with the resistance mechanism of the exercise system when the actuating device is in a second position, thereby preventing movement of the at least one moveable assembly.

A training apparatus with swivel step plates and programmable music built in for a dance lesson and workout on the training apparatus. The step plate has a movement mechanism that reciprocates with a vertical component and a longitudinal component. The step plate is attached to the movement mechanism such that the step plate has a pivoting action about a vertical axis that is orthogonal to the orientation of a top surface of the step plate.

A Twisting Stepper Apparatus comprising a Frame Structure Member, a Foot Engagement Member, and an optional Resistance Member. The Frame Structure Member is comprised basically of a Base Frame Member and a Guide Platform Member. The Foot Engagement Member is pivotally mounted to the Base Frame Member and mainly comprises two Foot Support Members pivotally coupled together by a lever assembly such that they move in reciprocating upward and downward motions. The lever assembly is a dual lever assembly which keeps the Foot Support Member in a relatively horizontal positon while moving upward and downward. The Foot Support Members operatively engage the Guide Platform Member, with the upward and downward movements of the Foot Support Members create the twisting movement of the Foot Engagement Member, and vice versa. The optional Resistance Member provides resistance in the twisting motion of the Foot Engagement Member, and thus also in the upward and downward movements of the Foot Support Members.

A locking device for an exercise system may include a locking member having a contact portion and configured to move between a first position and a second position. When in the first position, the contact portion of the locking member is not in mechanical communication with the resistance mechanism of the exercise system, thereby allowing movement of the at least one moveable assembly. When in the second position, the contact portion of the locking member is in mechanical communication with the resistance mechanism of the exercise system, thereby preventing movement of the at least one moveable assembly.

A training apparatus with swivel step plates and programmable music built in for a dance lesson and workout on the training apparatus. The step plate has a movement mechanism that reciprocates with a vertical component and a longitudinal component. The step plate is attached to the movement mechanism such that the step plate has a pivoting action about a vertical axis that is orthogonal to the orientation of a top surface of the step plate.

A training apparatus/device has a frame and two elongated pedal elements, which are pivotally connected to the frame. The pedal elements are each provided with a footrest and a pedal axle and are, by a coupling element connected to each other, so that the pedal elements, in use of the training apparatus, are held parallel to each other. Further, the training apparatus has a transmission mechanism, which is connected via the coupling element with the pedal elements, as well as resistance mechanism, which is connected to the transmission mechanism and is driven by lateral displacement of the pedal elements. The coupling element is formed by an elongated element, whereby near each of the ends of the pedal elements is connected to the pedal element axles via a ball joint. As a result, this makes the training device less susceptible to interference and compact.

A Twisting Stepper Apparatus comprising o Frame Structure Member, a Foot Engagement Member, and an optional Resistance Member. The Frame Structure Member is comprised basically of a Base Frame Member and a Guide Platform Member. The Foot Engagement Member is pivotally mounted to the Base Frame Member and mainly comprises two Foot Support Members pivotally coupled together by a lever assembly such that they move in reciprocating upward and downward motions. The lever assembly is a dual lever assembly which keeps the Foot Support Member in a relatively horizontal positon while moving upward and downward. The Foot Support Members operatively engage the Guide Platform Member, with the upward and downward movements of the Foot Support Members create the twisting movement of the Foot Engagement Member, and vice versa. The optional Resistance Member provides resistance in the twisting motion of the Foot Engagement Member, and thus also in the upward and downward movements of the Foot Support Members.

A lateral glide elliptical exercise apparatus includes a frame defining a center line, a pair of pedal units disposed at two opposite lateral sides relative to the center line each including a pivoting block and a pedal shaft pivotally connected to the pivoting block, a damping unit for providing a damping resistance to the pedal units, and a pair of gliding guide units respectively mounted at the frame, each gliding guide unit includes a gliding guide, an actuation block and a linkage arranged so that the actuation block can be driven by the associating linkage to slide smoothly between an inner end portion and an outer end portion of the associating gliding guide when the pedal units are being alternately pedaled by the user.