EXERCISE APPARATUS AND METHOD WITH SELECTIVELY VARIABLE STABILIZATION

• US 20090170675A1
• Filed: 12/19/2008
• Published: 07/02/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 12/21/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cybex International
• Original Assignee: Cybex International
• Inventors: Lee, Scott, Giannelli, Raymond, Gillen, Arnold
• Granted Patent: US 8,070,658 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 482/139
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2023/003 by torsion of the body part around its longitudinal axis
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/00076 on the fly, i.e. varying the resistance during exercise
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/062 including guide for vertical or non-vertical weights or array of weights to move against gravity forces
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/0628 for vertical array of weights
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/15 Arrangements for force transmissions
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/154 using special pulley-assemblies
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/156 the position of the pulleys being variable, e.g. for different exercises
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/4013 to the ankle
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/4035 for operation by hand
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/4043 Free movement, i.e. the only restriction coming from the resistance A63B21/00043, A63B21/072 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2208/0204 Standing on the feet
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2208/0233 in 90/90 position, like on a chair
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2208/0252 supine
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2208/0261 using trunk supports resisting forward motion of user
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/093 Height
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/107 Resisting devices being of the same kind
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/03525 Supports for both feet or both hands performing simultaneously the same movement, e.g. single pedal or single handle A63B21/0724 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/03533 With separate means driven by each limb, i.e. performing different movements
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/03541 Moving independently from each other A63B22/00 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/03566 the multiple stations having a common resistance device
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/0488 : by spreading the legs
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/1209 : Involving a bending of elbow and shoulder joints simultaneously
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/1218 : Chinning, pull-up, i.e. concentric movement
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/1236 : Push-ups in horizontal position, i.e. eccentric movement
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/1245 : Primarily by articulating the shoulder joint A63B23/129 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/0057 : Means for physically limiting movements of body parts A63B23/0211 takes precedence

Abstract

Exercise apparatus and method with selectively variable stabilization enabling a user to progressively increase his/her core body muscular strength. In various embodiments, the exercise apparatus includes a resistance cabling system providing a user defined line of motion, and a partial stabilizer pad being adjustably positionable offset from the line of motion, wherein the user'"'"'s core body is positionable against the pad and required to resist the torque created by the offset. The user can progressively increase the distance between the line of motion and partial stabilizer pad, in order to progressively increase the force which the user'"'"'s core body must resist to maintain an upright stature. In this way, the user can progressively, over time, increase his or her core body strength. A vertically and rotatably adjustable handle/arm assembly, resistance cabling and pulley assembly, and an overall exercise apparatus having a relatively small footprint but allowing multiple variable exercise routines, are also provided.

Claims

1. An exercise apparatus comprising:

a resistance cabling system providing a user defined line of motion;

a partial stabilizer pad being adjustably positionable offset from the line of motion, wherein the user'"'"'s core body is positionable against the pad and required to resist the torque created by the offset.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus includes:

a stationary frame;

at least one handle attached to a resistance cable, the handle being grasped by the user to define the line of motion;

the partial stabilizer pad being adjustably mounted to the frame for varying the position of the pad with respect to the handle.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein:

a handle is connected to one end of a resistance cable that, when pushed or pulled, defines the line of motion.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein:

the handle is positionable at multiple selected vertical positions on the apparatus, enabling the user to define a line of pulling or pushing motion in each selected position.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein:

the partial stabilizer pad is positionable at multiple selected vertical positions offset from the line of motion.

6. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein:

the frame has a vertically adjustable mounting mechanism for the partial stabilizer pad.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein:

the mounting mechanism extends forwardly from a front face of the frame, and is centrally disposed between two independent handle and resistance cable assemblies.

8. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein:

the mounting mechanism for the partial stabilizer pad includes an adjustable forward extender and an adjustable height extender, pivotally connected to each other to provide a range of vertical positioning of the pad.

9. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein:

the at least one handle is rotatably mounted on the apparatus, providing select positioning of the handle around a circumference.

10. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein:

the at least one handle is vertically adjustably positionable on the apparatus.

11. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein:

the at least one handle is rotatably and vertically adjustably positionable on an upright member of the frame.

12. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein:

the mounting mechanism can be collapsed.

13. A method comprising:

providing an exercise apparatus comprising a resistance cabling system providing a user defined line of motion, and a partial stabilizer pad being adjustably positionable offset from the line of motion;

a user positioning a select portion of his/her core body against the partial stabilizer pad while extending the cabling system to define the user defined line of motion and strengthening the user'"'"'s core body musculature by resisting the torque created by the offset between the pad and the line of motion.

14. The method of claim 13, including:

providing a handle at the end of a resistance cable, wherein the handle is grasped by the user to define the line of motion.

15. The method of claim 14, including:

providing the handle at multiple selected vertical positions, enabling the user to adjust the amount of offset between the line of motion and the partial stabilizer pad.

16. The method of claim 13, including:

providing a rotatable handle, enabling the user to adjust the offset between the line of motion and the stabilizer pad.

17. The method of claim 13, including:

providing a handle positionable in multiple selected vertical positions and multiple selected rotatable positions, wherein the user selects a vertical position and a rotatable position to adjust the amount of offset between the line of motion and the stabilizer pad.

18. The method of claim 13, including:

progressively increasing the amount of offset.