A protective rowing device for compression of the abdomen is provided that comprises a brace and U-shaped support member that may connect to a rowing machine seat and rail.

A chin-up/pull-up exercise apparatus is disclosed. The exercise apparatus includes a frame, an overhead assist module, and a chin bar. The chin bar is connected to the frame. The overhead assist module includes a set of pulleys, a harness, and a counter-weight. The set of pulleys, which is connected to the frame, is positioned vertically above the chin bar. The counter-weight is connected to the harness via a cable traveling on the set of pulleys. The exercise machine enables real, full arm extension pull ups regardless of one's upper body strength with applications for physical therapy; physical exercise training; muscle, tendon, and joint rehabilitation; and upper and lower body strength building.

An improved apparatus for physiotherapy includes a lever arm. A biasing device pivotally biases the lever arm about a pivot axis. There is a support configured for supporting the lever arm above an exercise equipment. A harness is configurable on a torso of a user to couple the user to the lever arm. The pivot axis corresponds to an anatomical longitudinal axis of the user and the torso of the user is biased by the lever arm about the anatomical longitudinal axis.

This invention is embodied by a controlled, variable tension line, payout reel machine. A system of sensors detect line tension and line distance paid out, location, and transmit through wired and unwired communication to a microprocessor. The microprocessor is co-located with the reel structure, which in turn applies, via a brake feature, resistance to the reel which is paying out the line being pulled by the user. This invention pertains to all applications where it is desirable to control the tension in a line paid out from a reel or reel. As stated, the payout motive force is supplied by the person, animal or apparatus attached to the end of the line, opposite the reel. The invention applies to the field of precise and measured control of line tension for sport, sport training, performance testing.

A flexible anchor member comprising a member for placement about a body part; at least one substantially inextensible textile element circumscribing the member and secured to itself or the member; and a force transfer coupler coupling a portion of the at least one substantially inextensible textile element to an actuator such that the substantially inextensible textile element constricts about the member for a duration of an applied force. Another flexible anchor member comprising an outer member including a substantially inextensible textile material configured for directing a force applied by an actuator to act upon all or a portion of the body part; an inner member for positioning between the body part and the outer member, a first surface of the inner member configured for frictionally engaging the body part or intervening clothing; and at least one coupler for coupling the outer member and the inner member.

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.

An exercise and therapeutic device includes a treadmill comprising a running belt coupled to a treadmill frame and an offloading system coupled to the treadmill. The offloading system includes an air chamber surrounding the running belt adapted to be selectively inflated between a deflated condition and an inflated, operating condition, a user seal coupled to the air chamber, adapted to receive a user so that, in an operating condition, at least a portion of a user is received in the user seal and positioned within the air chamber and to seal the air chamber around the user, a pump operable to inflate the air chamber, at least one strap coupled to the treadmill frame and adapted to restrict the expansion of the air chamber and adjust a spacing of the user seal relative to a running surface of the running belt when the air chamber is inflated.

A glute press exercise machine including: a four-bar linkage connected to a stationary frame; a rotatable back support connected to the four-bar linkage; a seat connected to the four-bar linkage; and a foot support connected to the stationary frame. A lower portion of the back support extends below the user's hips to support the users hips during a glute press exercise. This lower portion supports at least 10% of the user's weight. In operation, the seat rotates downwardly away from the user's hips during a glute press exercise and then rotates upwardly again to contact the user's bottom between every repetition of the glute press exercise. The four-bar linkage is pivotally connected to the stationary frame at a location near ground level. The foot support is positioned below 25 cm from the ground and extends forwardly beyond the front of the stationary frame.

A stretching device for stretching and aligning a user's back may include a belt, optionally a gambrel and universal hook, and optionally a support system, such as a slotted door mount. The belt may be designed to wrap around the user's back and under the user's armpits, wherein the belt is a segmented belt having a plurality of raised segments spaced along a length of the belt. Rings may be attached to each end of the belt, wherein the rings may be designed to engage with a mounting device, such as the gambrel and universal hook.

A walking training system according to this embodiment includes a harness, at least three pulling units, and a control unit configured to control the at least three pulling units in such a way that a position of the harness in a horizontal plane becomes a target position. One of the at least three pulling units is a first pulling unit configured to apply a pulling force to the harness from front of the trainee, another one of the at least three pulling units is a second pulling unit configured to apply a pulling force to the harness from rear of the trainee, and another one of the at least three pulling units is a third pulling unit configured to apply a pulling force to the harness from a direction different from the first and second pulling units.