초록 ▼

An exercise apparatus comprising a lower body exercise machine, at least one upper body exercise module positioned for engagement by a user of the machine, each module adapted to provide resistance to the user's full natural arm swing. Each module comprises an elongated connector, a user engagement

An exercise apparatus comprising a lower body exercise machine, at least one upper body exercise module positioned for engagement by a user of the machine, each module adapted to provide resistance to the user's full natural arm swing. Each module comprises an elongated connector, a user engagement connected to one end of the elongated connector for engaging or being engaged by a body appendage of a user, and a resistance mechanism for resisting a tensile force applied to the end of the elongated connector. The apparatus comprises a mechanism for adjusting the incline of the user platform of the lower body exercise machine and/or a mechanism for adjusting an attached railing between a close position suitable for gripping by the user and a far position sufficiently distant from the close position to prevent interference with the full natural arm swing of the user.

대표청구항 ▼

What is claimed: 1. An exercise apparatus for exercising the upper body simultaneously with lower body exercise, the apparatus comprising: a lower body exercise machine, the lower body exercise machine having a lower body exercise resistance mechanism for providing resistance to lower body exercise

What is claimed: 1. An exercise apparatus for exercising the upper body simultaneously with lower body exercise, the apparatus comprising: a lower body exercise machine, the lower body exercise machine having a lower body exercise resistance mechanism for providing resistance to lower body exercise; at least one upper body exercise module mounted on the lower body exercise machine, or to one or more mounting assemblies affixed to the lower body exercise machine, in a position that does not interfere with an otherwise existing egress path directly behind a user as defined by a predetermined, normal, forward-facing user position on the lower body exercise machine, the at least one upper body exercise module adapted to provide resistance to a full natural arm swing of at least one arm of the user, the at least one upper body exercise module comprising: an elongated connector having first and second ends; a user engagement connected to the elongated connector first end for engaging or being engaged by a body appendage of a user; and an upper body exercise resistance mechanism for resisting a tensile force applied to the first end of the elongated connector, wherein the upper body exercise resistance mechanism is independent of the lower body exercise resistance mechanism and does not exclusively consist of elasticity of the elongated connector. 2. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising at least one railing attached to the lower body exercise machine positioned to prevent interference with the full natural arm swing of the user during use of the upper body exercise module simultaneously with the lower body exercise machine. 3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the at least one railing comprises an adjustable railing having at least a close position suitable for gripping by the user while using the lower body exercise machine without simultaneously using the upper body exercise module, and a far position sufficiently distant from the close position to prevent interference with the full natural arm swing of the user during use of the upper body exercise device simultaneously with the lower body exercise machine. 4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the lower body exercise machine comprises a treadmill. 5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the treadmill comprises a non-motorized treadmill. 6. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the treadmill comprises a motorized treadmill. 7. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the lower body exercise machine comprises a treadmill and the railing has a first position substantially parallel to a bed of the treadmill and a second position angled relative to the treadmill bed. 8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the user engagement is adapted to be engaged by the user with a loose, open grip. 9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one upper body resistance module has an adjustable resistance. 10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the lower body exercise machine comprises a user platform positioned relative to a surface on which the lower exercise machine is positioned, further comprising a mechanism for adjusting an incline of the platform relative to the surface. 11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the mechanism for adjusting the incline is automated. 12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the lower body exercise machine comprises a non-motorized treadmill. 13. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the mechanism for adjusting the incline is non-automated. 14. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the at least one upper body resistance module has an adjustable resistance and at least one of the mechanism for adjusting the incline or the mechanism for adjusting the resistance is automated. 15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the automated adjustment mechanism comprises a control for the mechanism located on a console of the lower body exercise device. 16. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the automated adjustment mechanism comprises a control for the mechanism located on the user engagement for the upper body exercise module. 17. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one upper body exercise module is positioned to provide resistance to a forward arm swing of the user. 18. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the upper body resistance module is positioned to provide resistance to a backward arm swing of the user. 19. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the lower body exercise machine comprises means for positioning the upper body resistance module to provide resistance to a forward arm swing of the user or to a backward arm swing of the user. 20. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the user engagement comprises a flared-top hand grip that is reversible for use with resistance to a forward arm swing or a backward arm swing. 21. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the upper body resistance module is adapted to be positioned for use by a user located other than on the lower body exercise machine, for performing exercises for one of the upper body, the lower body, or both, using the resistance module. 22. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a docking interface for resting the user engagement forward of the user when the upper body resistance module is not in use. 23. The exercise device of claim 3, wherein the adjustable railing is manually adjustable. 24. The exercise device of claim 3, wherein the adjustable railing is automatically adjustable. 25. The exercise device of claim 10, wherein the mechanism for adjusting the incline is operable by the user from a normal use position on the lower body exercise machine. 26. The exercise device of claim 1, wherein the lower body exercise device is selected from a group consisting of: treadmills, air walkers/gliders, upright and recumbent bicycle machines, torso-twisting disks, cross-trainers, steppers, elliptical exercise machines, cross-country and downhill ski machines, trampolines, squat machines, rowing machines, stretching machines, and riders. 27. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising an adjustable railing attached to the lower body exercise machine having at least a first position suitable for gripping by the user while using the lower body exercise machine, and a second position sufficiently distant from the first position to prevent interference with the full natural arm swing of the user during use of the upper body exercise device simultaneously with the lower body exercise machine. 28. The exercise device of claim 27, wherein the lower body exercise device comprises an upright or recumbent bicycle machine and the adjustable railing comprises a handlebar. 29. The exercise device of claim 27, wherein the adjustable railing is manually adjustable. 30. The exercise device of claim 27, wherein the adjustable railing is automatically adjustable. 31. The exercise device of claim 27 wherein the adjustment mechanism provides an inward/outward pivot, a forward/backward adjustment, an up/down adjustment, or a combination thereof. 32. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the upper body resistance mechanism comprises a friction brake mechanism. 33. The apparatus of claim 27, wherein the upper body mechanism comprises a friction brake mechanism. 34. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein a portion of the upper body resistance is provided by elasticity of the elongated connector. 35. An exercise apparatus for exercising the upper body simultaneously with lower body exercise, the apparatus comprising: a lower body exercise machine; at least one upper body exercise module affixed to the lower body exercise machine or to one or more mounting assemblies affixed to the lower body exercise machine, the at least one upper body exercise module positioned (a) to provide resistance to a full natural forward arm swing of at least one arm of a user and (b) not to interfere with an otherwise existing egress path directly behind the user as defined by a predetermined, normal forward-facing user position on the lower body exercise machine, the at least one upper body exercise module comprising: an elongated connector having first and second ends; a user engagement connected to the elongated connector first end for engaging or being engaged by a body appendage of a user; and an upper body resistance mechanism for resisting a tensile force applied to the first end of the elongated connector, wherein the upper body resistance mechanism does not exclusively consist of elasticity of the elongated connector. 36. An exercise apparatus for exercising the upper body simultaneously with lower body exercise, the apparatus comprising: a manual treadmill comprising a user platform positioned relative to a surface on which the treadmill is positioned, the treadmill comprising a leg exercise resistance mechanism for providing resistance to user leg movement and an incline-adjusting mechanism for automatically adjusting an incline of the platform relative to the surface, and; at least one upper body exercise module positioned for engagement by a user of the treadmill, each upper body exercise module adapted to provide resistance to a full natural arm swing of at least one arm of the user, each upper body exercise module comprising: an elongated connector having first and second ends; a user engagement connected to the elongated connector first end for engaging or being engaged by a body appendage of a user; and an upper body exercise resistance mechanism for resisting a tensile force applied to the first end of the elongated connector, wherein the upper body exercise resistance mechanism is independent from the leg exercise resistance mechanism. 37. The apparatus of claim 36, comprising a first upper body exercise module for one arm and a second upper body exercise module for the other arm. 38. The apparatus of claim 36, wherein the treadmill comprises means for positioning the upper body resistance modules to provide resistance to a forward arm swing of the user or a backward arm swing of the user. 39. The apparatus of claim 36, wherein the upper body resistance module has at least two mounting positions relative to the lower body exercise machine: a first position for use by a user on the lower body exercise machine, and a second position for use by a user not on the lower body exercise machine. 40. The apparatus of claim 36, further comprising docking interfaces for resting the user engagements in close proximity to the user when the upper body resistance modules are not in use. 41. The apparatus of claim 36, further comprising at least one railing along at least one side of the treadmill positioned to prevent interference with the full natural arm swing of the user during use of the upper body exercise device simultaneously with use of the treadmill. 42. The apparatus of claim 36, wherein the at least one railing comprises an adjustable railing having at least a close position suitable for gripping by the user while using the treadmill without simultaneously using the upper body exercise device, and a far position sufficiently distant from the close position to prevent interference with the full natural arm swing of the user during use of the upper body exercise device simultaneously with the treadmill. 43. The apparatus of claim 36, wherein the upper body resistance mechanism comprises elastic bands. 44. The apparatus of claim 43, wherein the resistance is adjustable and the adjustability is provided by one or more of: (a) providing multiple locations for connection of one end of each elastic band to the machine, (b) providing multiple attachable and detachable bands of equal or different strength; and (c) providing a mechanism for changing the operable length of the stretchable portion of the elastic band. 45. An exercise apparatus for exercising the upper body simultaneously with lower body exercise, the apparatus comprising: a lower body exercise machine other than a cross-country ski machine or a treadmill, the lower body exercise machine having a lower body resistance mechanism for providing resistance to lower body exercise; a single upper body exercise module mounted on the lower body exercise machine in a forward position to provide resistance to a backward arm swing of each arm of the user, the upper body exercise module comprising a pair of user engagements attached to an elongated connector wound at least partially around a reel, the reel comprising means for resisting revolution of the reel in response to a pulling force transmitted by the user onto the elongated connector, wherein the reel is independent from the lower body resistance mechanism. 46. The exercise apparatus of claim 45, further comprising mounting apparatus for attaching the upper body exercise module to the lower body exercise machine, wherein the mounting apparatus is adapted to allow a user to adjust a length of the module from the lower body exercise machine, an angle of the mounting apparatus relative to the machine, an angle of the module relative to the mounting apparatus, or a combination thereof. 47. The exercise apparatus of claim 45, further comprising a user engagement adapted to provide a loose, open grip. 48. The apparatus of claim 45, wherein the upper body resistance module has at least two mounting positions relative to the lower body exercise machine: a first position for use by a user on the lower body exercise machine, and a second position for use by a user not on the lower body exercise machine. 49. An exercise apparatus for exercising the upper body simultaneously with lower body exercise, the apparatus comprising: a lower body exercise machine other than a cross-country ski machine; a single upper body exercise module attached in a forward position on the lower body exercise machine to provide resistance to a backward arm swing of each arm of the user, the upper body exercise module comprising a pair of user engagements attached to an elongated connector wound at least partially around a reel, the reel comprising means for resisting revolution of the reel in response to a pulling force transmitted by the user onto the elongated connector; and at least one adjustable railing attached to the lower body exercise machine, the at least one railing having at least a close position suitable for gripping by the user while using the lower body exercise machine without simultaneously using the upper body exercise device, and a far position sufficiently distant from the close position to prevent interference with the full natural arm swing of the user during use of the upper body exercise device simultaneously with the lower body exercise machine. 50. The apparatus of claim 45, wherein the lower body exercise machine comprises a user platform positioned relative to a surface on which the lower exercise machine is positioned, the lower body exercise machine comprising a mechanism for adjusting an incline of the platform relative to the surface.