Exercise machine

• US 7,691,041 B2
• Filed: 11/08/2005
• Issued: 04/06/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 11/09/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: John S. Abdo
• Original Assignee: John S. Abdo
• Inventors: Abdo, John S.
• Primary Examiner(s): BAKER, LORI LYNN
• Application Number:
  US11/269,448
• Publication Number:
  US 20060100070A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,610 Days
• Field of Search: 482 92- 95, 482/142, 482 70- 71, 482121-130, 482 51- 52, 482/139, 482/148, 482/79
• US Class Current: 482/142
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2023/0452 the foot support being substantially below said axes
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/025 on rollers or wheels
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/00069 Setting or adjusting the resistance level; Compensating for a preload prior to use, e.g. changing length of resistance or adjusting a valve
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/0421 the ends moving relatively by a pivoting arrangement
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/0552 Elastic ropes or bands
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/4035 for operation by hand
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/4047 Pivoting movement weight pivoting A63B21/0615
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2208/0204 Standing on the feet
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2208/0209 on a single foot
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2208/0257 prone
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2208/0261 using trunk supports resisting forward motion of user
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/09 Adjustable dimensions
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/03508 For a single arm or leg, A63B21/0726 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/03541 Moving independently from each other A63B22/00 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/0482 primarily by articulating the hip joints A63B23/0211, A63B23/0405, A63B23/0476 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/0488 by spreading the legs
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/0494 primarily by articulating the knee joints A63B23/0405, A63B23/0476 take precedence

Abstract

An exercise device includes an upper body rest pivotally attached to a base. A first leg swing is pivotally attached to the base for engaging a first leg of an exerciser to perform a first leg raise. A second leg swing is pivotally attached to the base for engaging a second leg of an exerciser to perform a second leg raise. The upper body rest supports the spinal column and torso of an exerciser when performing the first and second leg raises.

Claims

1. An exercise device comprising:

a base comprising an upper portion and a lower portion wherein one of the upper portion and the lower portion is positionable within a cavity of the other to adjust a height of the base;

an upper body rest pivotally attached to the base and wherein the upper body rest supports a torso of an exerciser when the exerciser is in a standing position;

a first leg swing pivotally attached to the base and extending downward from the base, the first leg swing for engaging a first leg of the exerciser to perform a first leg raise; and

a second leg swing pivotally attached to the base and extending downward from the base, the second leg swing for engaging a second leg of the exerciser to perform a second leg raise wherein the upper body rest, the first leg swing and the second leg swing are connected to the base with a common pivot.

2. The exercise device of claim 1 and wherein the upper body rest is securable in selected positions from a substantially vertical position to a substantially horizontal position and a plurality of positions between the substantially vertical position and the substantially horizontal position.

3. The exercise device of claim 1 and further comprising a first resistance device attached to the first leg swing for increasing muscle activity while performing the first leg raise.

4. The exercise device of claim 3 and wherein the first resistance device comprises a first resistance band that attaches to the base and the first leg swing.

5. The exercise device of claim 4 and wherein the first leg swing comprises a plurality of attaching device attached to the first leg swing along a length of the leg swing and wherein moving the attachment of the first resistance band between the plurality of attaching devices varies the resistance when performing the first leg raise.

6. The exercise device of claim 1 and further comprising a second resistance device attached to the second leg swing for increasing muscle activity while performing the second leg raise.

7. The exercise device of claim 6 and wherein the second resistance device comprises a second resistance band that attaches to the base and the second leg swing.

8. The exercise device of claim 7 and wherein the second leg swing comprises a plurality of attaching device attached to the second leg swing along a length thereof and wherein moving the attachment of the second resistance band between the plurality of attaching devices varies the resistance when performing the second leg raise.

9. The exercise device of claim 1 and wherein the height of the base is adjusted to adjust a height of a bottom end of the upper body rest.

10. An exercise device comprising:

a base;

an upper body rest attached to the base and wherein the upper body rest supports a torso of an exerciser;

a first leg swing comprising a proximal end pivotally attached to the base and wherein the first leg swing extends downward from the upper body rest, wherein a distal end of the first leg swing comprises a first extension that is rotatably attached to the first leg swing wherein the first extension engages a first leg of the exerciser to perform a first leg raise wherein the first extension rotates and rolls upward on the first leg the exerciser as the first leg raise is performed; and

a second leg swing comprising a proximal end pivotally attached to the base and wherein the second leg swing extends downward from the upper body rest, wherein a distal end of the second leg swing comprises a second extension that is rotatably attached to the second leg swing wherein the second extension engages a second leg of the exerciser to perform a second leg raise wherein the second extension rotates and rolls upward on the second leg of the exerciser as the second leg raise is performed and wherein the first and second leg swings move independent of each other.

11. The exercise device of claim 10 and further comprising:

a first resistance device for engaging the first leg swing to increase a resistance when performing the first leg raise; and

a second resistance device for engaging the second leg swing to increase a resistance when performing the second leg raise.

12. The exercise device of claim 11 and wherein the first and second resistance devices each comprise a resistance band that attaches to the base and to the first or second leg swing.

13. The exercise device of claim 12 and wherein the resistance bands are securable in a plurality of positions along lengths of both the first and second leg swings.

14. The exercise device of claim 13 and wherein the upper body rest pivotally attaches to the base and is securable in selected positions from a substantially vertical position to a substantially horizontal position and a plurality of positions between the substantially vertical position and the substantially horizontal position.

15. A method of isolating and exercising the gluteus maximus muscle comprising:

providing a machine with a base, an upper body rest pivotally attached to the base and at least one leg swing pivotally attached to the base and having an extension rotatably attached to the at least one leg swing;

positioning the upper body rest in a first selected position;

positioning a chest of the exerciser proximate the upper body rest while in a standing position and engaging the extension of the at least one leg swing with a back of a bottom portion of the leg; and

raising the leg in a substantially vertical direction that engages and lifts the at least one leg swing to isolate and exercise the gluteus maximus muscle and wherein as the leg is raised the extension rotates and rolls up the back of the bottom portion of the leg.

16. The method of claim 15 and further comprising further positioning the upper body rest in a second selected position closer to horizontal than the first selected position to increase the range of motion of the leg during the leg raise to increase the activity of the gluteus maximus muscle.

17. The method of claim 15 and further comprising attaching a resistance device to the at least one leg swing to increase a resistance to the leg when raising the at least one leg swing.

18. The method of claim 15 and further comprising attaching a resistance band to the base and the at least one leg swing to increase a resistance to the leg when raising the at least one leg swing.

19. The method of claim 18 and further comprising adjusting a position of the attachment of the resistance band to the at least one leg swing to adjust the resistance to the when raising the at least one leg swing.