Exercise machine with adjustable range of motion

Abstract

An exercise machine, components of an exercise machine, methods of operating an exercise machine, and methods related to building an exercise machine that allow for the performance of multiple different upper torso strength exercises, where the range of motion of a user utilizing the machine during the performance of an exercise is confined in the performance of a particular upper torso press exercise, but is altered to a different range of motion, and confined to that new range of motion, when the machine is configured to perform a new exercise.

Description

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention[0002] This disclosure relates to the field of exercise machines. In particular, to exercise machines designed to perform multiple upper torso press-type strength exercises.[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art[0004] Over recent years, as physical fitness has become an ever more popular pursuit, there have evolved a plurality of exercise machines upon which exercises can be performed by a user. One type of exercise machine is the strength machine which is designed to improve muscle strength and tone by having the user utilize certain muscle groups to pull, push or otherwise perform work on some type of resistance mechanism built into the machine.[0005] As the nature of exercise has become more fully understood, different types of exercise machines have been developed to provide for more effective training. Originally, strength training was performed by the lifting of free-weights. While simple to understand and operate, free-weights had inherent da...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

"The patent text describes an exercise machine that can perform multiple upper torso strength exercises while limiting the range of motion of the user to a specific range of motion for each exercise. This allows for more effective training and better isolation of muscle groups. The machine is designed to be flexible and limited in its range of motion to force the user to perform the exercise correctly. The technical effect of this invention is to provide a strength machine that allows for the adjustment of the range of motion available to the user for each exercise, resulting in better performance and safety."

Problems solved by technology

While simple to understand and operate, free-weights had inherent dangers in their use, and, although conceptually simple, were often hard to use correctly without trained instruction.

With free-weights it was often not possible to perform exercises that isolated the intended muscle groups, and even if it was possible, it was often difficult to know how to perform the exercises correctly without specific instruction.

The difficulty with the design of strength machines, however, is that they generally need to be both flexible to perform many exercises, and limited to force a user to perform an exercise correctly.

Strength machines on the other hand can often be designed to force a particular motion from the user, but this both limits the number of exercises which can be performed on the machine, and can force compromises in the preferred motion of an exercise to allow the exercise to be performed on the machine.

This is particularly true when space for exercise machines is limited, such as for most individuals in their homes, and even for the majority of gyms or workout facilities.

In particular, upper torso press-type machines have generally been forced to have a limited and static range of motion for multiple exercises.

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