An exercise machine is provided which is configured to place a user in an exercise position, wherein movement during exercise against a load will target the gluteus maximus muscles. The exercise machine positions the body of a user in a lowered or exercise position which supports the user while raising their body to an elevated position, in a manner to stabilize the user and direct movement of the user along the sagittal plane during use, while concurrently isolating the gluteus maximus muscles as the muscles overcoming the load.

In one embodiment, a kinetic shape is designed by determining an applied force to be applied to an object that is to incorporate the kinetic shape, determining a reactive force that is desired to be produced in response to the applied force, inputting the applied force and the reactive force into a kinetic shape equation, and solving the equation to obtain the kinetic shape.

A bi-directional exercise machine has a work arm, first and second cams coupled to the work arm, a resistance mechanism, and a pulley assembly that couples the resistance mechanism to the work arm via the first and second cams so that movement of the work arm is resisted by the resistance mechanism according to first and second resistance profiles provided by the first and second cams, respectfully. A primary pulley cable has a first end coupled to the first cam and a second end coupled to the second cam. When the work arm is in a rest position, the ends of the primary pulley cable extend from cable tracks of the cams, respectively, at a tangent so that the resistance mechanism applies a resistance force on the work arm via the pulley assembly immediately upon movement of the work arm out of the rest position.

An exercise machine comprises an arm support, including: a carriage configured to slide within a track attached to the exercise machine; and a support assembly that floats the carriage relative to the track, wherein the support assembly is disengaged by the application of force via the arm. An exercise machine comprises a rotatable column, wherein the column supports an arm, and a gear detent mechanism to support a discrete number of positions for the rotatable column. An exercise machine comprises a tiltable arm, and a mechanism to support a discrete number of positions for the tiltable arm.

A bi-directional exercise machine has a work arm, first and second cams coupled to the work arm, a resistance mechanism, and a pulley assembly that couples the resistance mechanism to the work arm via the first and second cams so that movement of the work arm is resisted by the resistance mechanism according to first and second resistance profiles provided by the first and second cams, respectfully. A primary pulley cable has a first end coupled to the first cam and a second end coupled to the second cam. When the work arm is in a rest position, the ends of the primary pulley cable extend from cable tracks of the cams, respectively, at a tangent so that the resistance mechanism applies a resistance force on the work arm via the pulley assembly immediately upon movement of the work arm out of the rest position.

An exercise apparatus with an adjustable rotating element around which a force transferring material wraps either clockwise or counterclockwise to provide bidirectional rotational resistance for exercising. The force transferring material is preferably guided to remain in close proximity to the rotating element while wrapping around the rotating element.

A lightweight, mobile treadmill attachment designed for effective weight reduction, anti-gravity suspension is disclosed. The treadmill attachment provides a system in which an elastic cord is suspended within a frame that attaches to the arms of a treadmill. The elastic cord imparts an equalized lifting force throughout the suspension system by a rope camming system to a user to provide an effective weight loss and anti-gravity functionality.

A cam mechanism may include a cam assembly rotatably mounted to an axis shaft and having a profile arc adapted for receiving a belt or cable, a belt adjustment lever pivotally mounted to the cam assembly and having a control bearing, and a cam range slot plate rigidly mounted to the axis shaft and defining a slot in sliding communication with the control bearing of the belt adjustment lever, wherein the belt adjustment lever is connected to one end of a belt or cable, and the opposite end of the belt or cable is connected to a moveable weight stack, and wherein the cam assembly is rotatable relative to the cam range slot plate.

Muscle resistance apparatus comprising a framework, at least one resistive force and a movable section. The movable section is linked to a resistive force, wherein a first part of the movable section is attached to the framework by a connection whereby it can be temporarily displaced, and a second part of the movable section is connected to the first part of the movable section by a second connection whereby it can be temporarily displaced. The first and second parts of the movable section are independently movable with respect to one another in an angular and/or linear fashion.

An exercise apparatus for performing a back extension exercise comprising: a frame, a seat having a seating surface and a pelvic stabilization pad having a lower back engagement surface, an input arm assembly interconnected by a first interconnection to a first resistance mechanism, the input arm assembly including a manually graspable mechanism and being arranged on the apparatus such that the input arm assembly is pivotable beginning from a start motionless position along a path of travel toward the pelvic stabilization pad under resistance exerted by one or both of the resistance mechanisms, wherein the first resistance mechanism is adapted to increase resistance as the degree of pivoting of the input arm assembly increases along the path of travel away from the start motionless position rearwardly toward the pelvic stabilization pad.