A flexible weight sled includes a main body member made from a flexible material, such as a nylon webbing, canvas, or the like. The main body member includes a weight strap and a rear weight strap that is used to attach one or more weights to the main body member in a removable manner. Two pairs of upper body pulling straps are attached to the front portion of the main body member, and in a preferred embodiment, the upper body pulling straps include a pair of handles on a distal end thereof. The weight sled may be folded or rolled up for purposes of storage and/ or transport.

An exercise machine support system for providing increased versatility including inclination or declination of an exercise surface, a reduction in the overall length and width of the exercise machine, and an enhanced user interface which reduces the risk of injury. The exercise machine support system generally includes a cantilevered exercise machine which is adapted to have a variable angle of incline or decline with respect to a horizontal ground surface. The exercise machine will generally include a base and a support which extends between the base and the exercise machine. The upper end of the support is connected to the exercise machine by a first pivot such that the exercise machine pivots about the support. An adjustment device may be utilized to pivot the exercise machine and thus adjust its angle of incline. Various types of adjustment devices are disclosed, including an actuator, ratchet-and-pawl, gears, and cam.

Systems and methods for evaluating the performance of an athlete using a strain gauge is described. In some embodiments, the measurement system comprises a strain gauge and a central processing device. The strain gauge can include a power source, an inertial measurement unit (“IMU”) comprising a load cell, a microcontroller, and a wireless communication module. The strain gauge can be configured to output strain data at a rate of at least 1kHz and the central processing device can be configured to receive the strain data transmitted from the wireless communication module.

An exercise apparatus and method for applying one or more lateral resistive loads to drive, swing and other phases to participants while performing complex motions at low or high speeds to condition one's body to better and more quickly perform physical movements at high speeds. Elastic members may be used to generate resistance emanating from a ground-based or vertically-positioned apparatus. The elastic members may connect to one or more body parts simultaneously. The apparatus may be mechanically designed to fully retract the elastic members into the apparatus to maintain resistance while participants are in close proximity to the apparatus. The apparatus provides a plurality of self-contained elastic members and provides participants the ability to alter the vertical and horizontal positions of each elastic member's emanation point from the apparatus. This provides ability to control applied resistance vectors between the attachment point on the participant and the apparatus.

Embodiments allow the application of a settable and/or a programmable resistance to a trainee's leg Drive Phase and/or Recovery Phase while walking or running over extended or infinite distances. Multiple mechanical or electrical feedback loops or combinations of both to monitor the applied resistance to the Trainee by the tether or tethers and then control the amount of breaking (drag) or propulsion created by the Mobile training module during the acceleration and constant speed training phases to accurately generate, control and transfer resistance through the elastic tethers to the Trainee. Embodiments apply multiple, non-varying loads or programmable loads to multiple body parts of a trainee where applied resistance can be manipulated to both increase or decrease over distance as desired by trainee while the trainee is walking, running or sprinting over any distance.

An exercise apparatus may include a rectangular platform, first and second attachment points, first and second rails and friction reducing runners on the rails. The platform may have an upper face, a lower face, two long edges and two short edges. The first attachment point may be disposed along one of the long edges. The second attachment point may be disposed along the other of the long edges. The first rail may be attached to the lower face of the platform proximal to one of the short edges of the platform. The second rail may be attached to the lower face of the platform proximal to the other of the short edges of the platform. The first and second rails may be spaced apart to define a passageway beneath the apparatus, wherein the passageway is configured to allow the apparatus to pass over a standard sprinter's starting block without contacting any part of the starting block.

A training sled apparatus, comprising: a platform with a rear edge and a wedge shaped front edge, opposite the rear edge of the platform; and, at least one sleeve provided to the platform and configured for placing a training component therein

Disclosed are various approaches for determining the maximum oxygen consumption of a person, also known as maximum aerobic capacity or VO.sub.2 Max. A person is positioned on a treadmill. Attached to the person is a harness configured to apply a horizontal force to the person. A work rate for the person can be calculated based at least in part on the magnitude of the horizontal force applied by the harness and the velocity of the belt. The maximum oxygen consumption for the person can then be calculated based at least in part on the previously calculated work rate.

An exercise apparatus comprises a platform having a front roller, a rear roller and an endless belt mounted around the front roller and the rear roller for allowing a user to perform a first exercise type of a relatively lower resistance or a second exercise type of a relatively higher resistance. A front frame is mounted at a front side of the platform and has at least one holding portion adapted to be grasped by the user. One or more control interfaces controls the first exercise type and the second exercise type.

A multi-purpose athletic training platform exercise device is provided. A user may stand atop a platform and exercise while connected to a downward pulling source of resistance. This machine allows the user to walk forwards, backwards and side-to-side freely while still having attachment to the resistance source via a connecting means. This will activated all the muscles in the lower body while tractioning the lower back and helping to reduce pelvic tilt. The resistance maybe varied during the user effort. The user is able to step off the machine to climb up or down a step, or walk up and down a ramp that may be provided.