A personal exercise system including an exercise bar having opposing end portions, a grip portion intermediate to the end portions wherein the grip portion is w-shaped, and an elongate resistance band removably secured to at least one of the end portions. Each end portion of the exercise bar includes a loop for accepting a fastener at the end of the elongate resistance band. The loop is operable to pivot about the longitudinal axis of the exercise bar. The system further includes at least one support member each having a groove for receiving an end portion of the exercise bar.

A rowing exercise device comprises a support structure; a movable user support movably associated with the support structure for movement relative to the support structure; a movable foot support movably associated with the support structure for movement relative to the support structure; a handle; and a rowing assembly operatively associated with the handle and at least the movable foot support to cause at least the movable foot support to move relative to the support structure with movement of the handle so that both a user s body and one or both feet move relative to the support structure with movement of the handle.

An exercise apparatus for targeting the hip muscles is disclosed. The apparatus consists of a plurality of supports, a footboard, and a belt wherein elastic bands may be attached to the belt and to the base supports to provide resistance. The apparatus is fully adjustable for targeting muscles of interest, and collapsible for ready transport. Adjustable handles are optionally provided to maintain user stability and thus maximize the effectiveness of the exercise. A method of using the exercise equipment is also provided.

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.

An improved exercise machine has a stationary longitudinal monorail structure that extends between front and back end stationary exercise platforms, and an exercise platform mounted on a levitated carriage that is reciprocally movable along the monorail between the stationary platforms. Magnetic elements arranged on various opposing surfaces of the carriage and monorail generate magnetic forces that levitate and stabilize the carriage as it moves relative to the monorail thus substantially eliminating contact friction. Springs selectively attachable to the movable platform provide a resistance force for exercising. Pseudo-levitation and eddy brake elements on the carriage and monorail structure further stabilize the carriage and platform.

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 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.

An adjustable weight lifting device (21) includes a tube (31), a pin (33) movably disposed inside the tube (31), the pin (33) comprising an external thread (35), and one or more driving knobs (51) extending radially inward relative to an inner wall of the tube (31) and engaging with the external thread. The external thread comprises at least one portion having a first helix angle and at least one portion having a second helix angle, the second helix angle being smaller than the first helix angle.

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.

The present invention pertains to a spring resistance exercise machine including an adjustable spring carriage and anchor housing and having cable and pulley linkage assemblies attached to a plurality of springs, or other resistance sources. Each cable and pulley linkage assembly, which is independent of the other(s), can be used unilaterally (by one arm or one leg at a time) or bilaterally (by both arms or both legs at a time) during exercise resistance training (that is, training in which both limbs of a pair are used to simultaneously pull a certain resistance).