A method for exercising muscles in an ankle, foot, and/or leg of a user includes positioning a foot of a user onto a first body of an exercise device. The first body is spaced away from a second body of the device and pivotably connected to the second body of the device at a pivot axis. The pivot axis is adjacent to a central portion of the first body. The method includes rotating the first body about the pivot axis, with the foot, against a first resistive force. Rotating the first body includes subjecting the foot to a first motion. The method includes positioning the foot onto the second body. The method includes rotating the second body about the pivot axis, with the foot, against a second resistive force. Rotating the second body includes subjecting the foot to a second motion, the second motion being different than the first motion.

In various embodiments, an apparatus for exercising can include a housing, a first inner tube, a second inner tube, and a compression spring operable to resist motion when compressed. The first inner tube is coupled with a first end of the compression spring and the second inner tube is coupled with a second end of the compression spring. In addition, the apparatus can also include an extension spring inside the housing. Furthermore, a portion of the compression spring and a portion of each of the first and second inner tubes are inside the housing. Note that a first end of the extension spring is coupled with a first handle or loop and the second end of the extension spring is coupled with a second handle or loop. The extension spring is operable to provide resistance during pulling motion away from center of the apparatus.

An interactive exercise system with apparatus and methods to optimize muscle strength for rehabilitation, to improve or maintain fitness, and to enhance the performance of athletes. The system uses an electronically controlled linear actuator to generate resistance against the muscular force exerted by the user. The system includes sensors configured to detect acceleration, speed, velocity, position, direction of movement, duration, and the force applied by the user. A control system preferably continuously monitors the sensors, and instantaneously adjusts the adaptive actuator. This provides a proportional counterforce to the user force throughout the entire range-of-motion. A display panel allows the user to interact with the system in real-time. The objective of the user is to synchronize the exercise performance with a selected target goal, by correlating the user's movement relative to a position on a display panel.

Apparatus (60) for supporting a subject (2) in an inverted state comprises a ground engaging plinth (8) and a support platform (12) pivotally coupled to the plinth (8) about a first pivot axis (15) so that the support platform (12) is pivotal between a first state with a subject (2) in a supine state on the support platform (12) and a second state with the subject (2) inverted on the support platform (12). The subject is supported in the inverted state on the support platform (12) by shoulder engaging elements (24), and is secured to the support platform (12) by a torso strap (35). A foot engageable element (77) connected to a weight carrying bar (84) through connecting members (79,82) extending through an elongated slot (80) in the support platform (12) allows leg and abdominal muscles to be exercised by urging the foot engageable element (77) in the direction of the arrow A against weights (85) carried on the weight carrying bar (84). A carrier element (81) slideable on a guide bar (83) guides the foot engageable element (77). Handgrips (86) are connected by steel cables (87) around pulleys (88,89,90,91) to the weight carrying bar (84) for facilitating exercising of arm, shoulder, chest and back muscles.

A respiratory rehabilitation apparatus includes a housing, an adjustment rod provided in the housing to change a pressure load generated during respiration, a pair of stoppers for selectively adjusting respiration pressure, a pair of pressurization-movement parts configured to be pressurized and moved inwards in a longitudinal direction of the housing by respiration pressure during respiration, a pair of elastic members disposed between the pressurization-movement parts and the stoppers, and a pair of diaphragms disposed so as to be in close contact with outer sides in a longitudinal direction of the pressurization-movement parts.

One embodiment of a resistance band exercise machine (100) for various exercises having a cable-pulley variable resistance system housing (102) with a cable-pulley variable resistance system (104). The cable-pulley variable resistance system has a pair of uprights (110) to insert a pair of safety bars (112) or a joined safety bar (118) into a safety bar hole (114) from the uprights to set starting position of an exercise by placing a top plate (106) from the cable-pulley variable resistance system on the safety bars and increase exercise intensity by performing isometrics against the safety bars and a training partner assistantship cable-pulley system (128) or a training partner assistantship feature from the cable-pulley variable resistance system having an input lifting arm (122) with a handle grip (124) and/or a shoulder padding (126) for a training partner (136) to assist the user. The configuration of the cable-pulley variable resistance system may be in any manner based on the exercise. A user (162) performs an exercise on the resistance band exercise machine to overcome a primary (resistance band 116) and secondary (springs 168) sources of variably increasing resistance from the cable-pulley variable resistance system.

A portable exercise device includes a first body and a second body. The exercise device also includes a support structure pivotably connecting the first and second bodies. The support structure is configured to move between an engaged position and a disengaged position. The device also includes a resistance mechanism configured to resist movement of the first and second bodies toward one another when the support structure is in the engaged position. When the support structure is in the engaged position, the first body is positioned substantially parallel to the second body such that in a first open, in-use configuration of the device, the first body has a first neutral position relative to a pivot axis and in a second open, in-use configuration of the device, the second body has a second neutral position relative to the pivot axis.

A resistance band exercise machine for performing various exercises. An embodiment includes a housing for a cable-pulley variable resistance system. The cable-pulley variable resistance system is configured to receive one or more safety bars to set a starting position of an exercise. Some embodiments include a training partner assistantship feature for a training partner to assist the user by imparting a secondary force on the machine. The configuration of the cable-pulley variable resistance system may be in any manner based on the exercise. A user performs an exercise on the resistance band exercise machine to overcome a primary (resistance band) and secondary (springs) sources of variably increasing resistance from the cable-pulley variable resistance system.

A method for exercising muscles in an ankle, foot, and/or leg of a user includes positioning a foot of a user onto a first body of an exercise device. The first body is spaced away from a second body of the device and pivotably connected to the second body of the device at a pivot axis. The pivot axis is adjacent to a central portion of the first body. The method includes rotating the first body about the pivot axis, with the foot, against a first resistive force. Rotating the first body includes subjecting the foot to a first motion. The method includes positioning the foot onto the second body. The method includes rotating the second body about the pivot axis, with the foot, against a second resistive force. Rotating the second body includes subjecting the foot to a second motion, the second motion being different than the first motion.

A resistance band exercise machine for performing various exercises. An embodiment includes a housing for a cable-pulley variable resistance system. Some embodiments are configured to receive one or more safety bars to set a starting position of an exercise. Some embodiments include a training partner assistantship feature for a training partner to assist the user by imparting a secondary force on the machine. The configuration of the cable-pulley variable resistance system may be in any manner based on the exercise. In some embodiments, a user performs an exercise on the resistance band exercise machine to overcome a primary (e.g., resistance bands) and secondary (e.g., springs) sources of variably increasing resistance from the cable-pulley variable resistance system.