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An unstable user support device designed for mounting on a rotary torso exercise machine has a base or mounting bracket and an unstable user support platform configured for engagement by the user and pivotally mounted on the base for pivotal movement through a limited angular range about a non-verti

An unstable user support device designed for mounting on a rotary torso exercise machine has a base or mounting bracket and an unstable user support platform configured for engagement by the user and pivotally mounted on the base for pivotal movement through a limited angular range about a non-vertical pivot axis. The pivoting movement may be a side to side tilting movement. Stops between the base and the unstable user support platform control the amount of pivoting movement. This arrangement provides a degree of instability to the platform, to provide a greater challenge to the user's core muscles in balancing the platform while performing an exercise motion.

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1. An unstable user support for supporting a user in a kneeling position while performing an exercise on an exercise machine, comprising: a base having a U-shaped base mounting bracket;an unstable user support platform configured to support a user in a kneeling position while performing an exercise;

1. An unstable user support for supporting a user in a kneeling position while performing an exercise on an exercise machine, comprising: a base having a U-shaped base mounting bracket;an unstable user support platform configured to support a user in a kneeling position while performing an exercise;the unstable user support platform pivotally mounted on the base for free rotational tilting movement about at least one non-vertical pivot axis in at least two opposite directions between first and second tilted end positions, the unstable user support platform having a centered support position between said first and second tilted end positions;a stop assembly between the base and the unstable user support platform which defines the respective first and second tilted end positions and limits tilting movement from said centered support position in each direction to a predetermined angular range; anda rotational pivot assembly comprising a lower portion and an upper portion, the upper portion comprising a turntable and a mounting post,wherein the U-shaped base mounting bracket is secured to an upper surface of the turntable using the mounting post, and the upper portion of the pivot assembly is rotatably mounted to the lower portion of the pivot assembly. 2. The unstable user support of claim 1, wherein the at least one non-vertical pivot axis is parallel to the unstable user support platform. 3. The unstable user support of claim 2, wherein the stop assembly comprises first and second end stops defining the respective first and second tilted end positions. 4. The unstable user support of claim 3, wherein the first and second end stops comprise resilient bumpers mounted on one of the base and the unstable user support platform on opposite sides of the at least one non-vertical pivot axis. 5. The unstable user support of claim 4, wherein the resilient bumpers are mounted on the base. 6. The unstable user support of claim 1, wherein the predetermined angular range is from zero to approximately 5 degrees. 7. The unstable user support of claim 1, wherein the unstable user support platform includes at least one user support pad having a central axis, and wherein the user support pad is configured for engagement by a user's knees and lower legs on opposite sides of the central axis with the user in a kneeling position. 8. The unstable user support of claim 7, wherein the at least one non-vertical pivot axis is parallel to the central axis of the user support pad and configured for side-to-side tilting movement of the unstable user support platform to the right and left of the centered support position. 9. The unstable user support of claim 1, wherein the U-shaped base mounting bracket includes at least a pair of endplates. 10. The unstable user support of claim 1, wherein the upper portion and the lower portion may be selectively coupled together in at least first and second orientations to provide corresponding first and second exercise starting positions for the unstable user support platform relative to the lower portion. 11. The unstable user support of claim 10, further comprising an adjustment lever configured to selectively couple the upper portion and the lower portion. 12. The unstable user support of claim 1, further comprising an adjustment lever. 13. The unstable user support of claim 12, wherein the unstable user support platform includes an angled guide with a notch for receiving the adjustment lever. 14. A rotary torso exercise machine, comprising: a main frame;a lower torso support rotatably mounted on the main frame for rotation about a first, vertical axis between a forward facing position and opposite left and right swiveled positions, the lower torso support configured to support a lower torso of a user;an upper torso support mounted on the main frame for supporting the upper torso of the user in a fixed position while the lower torso is rotated;the lower torso support comprising: a base mounted on the main frame for rotation about the first, vertical axis between the opposite left and right swiveled positions and the forward facing position,an unstable user support platform pivotally mounted on the base for rotation in at least two opposite directions between a centered orientation and first and second tilted orientations about at least one second, non-vertical pivot axis;a U-shaped base mounting bracket; anda rotational pivot assembly comprising a lower portion and an upper portion, the upper portion comprising a turntable and a mounting post;the upper torso support comprising: at least a pair of height-adjustable upper torso stabilizing pads for engaging a user's chest; anda stop assembly between the base and the unstable user support platform configured to limit tilting of the unstable user support platform to a predetermined angular range between the centered orientation and each of the first and second tilted orientations,wherein the U-shaped base mounting bracket is secured to an upper surface of the turntable using the mounting post, and the upper portion of the pivot assembly is rotatably mounted to the lower portion of the pivot assembly. 15. The rotary torso exercise machine of claim 14, wherein the opposite left and right swiveled positions are adjustable to provide adjustable left and right starting positions for a user's lower torso when performing a rotary torso exercise. 16. The rotary torso exercise machine of claim 15, further comprising a load which resists rotation of the lower torso support from the adjustable left or right starting positions to the forward facing position. 17. The rotary torso exercise machine of claim 14, wherein the at least one second, non-vertical pivot axis is horizontal and the centered orientation of the unstable user support platform lies in a horizontal plane. 18. The rotary torso exercise machine of claim 14, wherein the stop assembly comprises first and second end stops defining the respective first and second tilted orientations. 19. The rotary torso exercise machine of claim 18, wherein the first and second end stops comprise resilient bumpers mounted on one of the base and the unstable user support platform on opposite sides of the at least one second, non-vertical pivot axis. 20. The rotary torso exercise machine of claim 19, wherein the resilient bumpers are mounted on the base. 21. The rotary torso exercise machine of claim 14, wherein the predetermined angular range is from zero to approximately 5 degrees. 22. The rotary torso exercise machine of claim 14, wherein the unstable user support platform has at least one user support pad having knee support portions configured to support a user's knees and at least part of the user's lower legs with the user in a kneeling position, and defining a central axis of the user support pad extending between the knee support portions. 23. The rotary torso exercise machine of claim 22, wherein the at least one second, non-vertical pivot axis is beneath and parallel to the central axis of the user support pad and configured for side-to-side tilting movement of the unstable user support platform to the right and left of the centered orientation. 24. The rotary torso exercise machine of claim 14, wherein the upper torso support is mounted on the main frame via a four-bar pivot assembly. 25. The rotary torso exercise machine of claim 24, wherein the four-bar pivot assembly includes a range-of-motion device configured to allow a user to adjust the height of the height-adjustable upper torso stabilizing pads. 26. The rotary torso exercise machine of claim 25, wherein the range-of-motion device includes a range-of-motion plate having one or more openings and an adjustment knob that selectively engages the one or more openings. 27. The rotary torso exercise machine of claim 24, wherein the four-bar pivot assembly includes one or more gas springs. 28. The rotary torso exercise machine of claim 14, further comprising a rotational pivot assembly configured to provide rotatable mounting of the lower torso support on the main frame. 29. The rotary torso exercise machine of claim 28, wherein the rotational pivot assembly includes a lower plate associated with the main frame and an upper rotating portion coupled to the base, the upper rotating portion configured for rotation about the first, vertical axis with respect to the lower plate. 30. The rotary torso exercise machine of claim 29, wherein the upper rotating portion includes a turntable and a mounting post. 31. The rotary torso exercise machine of claim 29, wherein the upper rotating portion and the lower plate may be selectively coupled together when the lower torso support is in the opposite left and right swiveled positions to provide adjustable left and right starting positions for a user's lower torso when performing a rotary torso exercise. 32. The unstable user support of claim 31, further comprising an adjustment lever configured to selectively couple the upper rotating portion and the lower plate. 33. A rotary torso exercise machine, comprising: a main frame;a lower torso support rotatably mounted on the main frame for rotation about a first, vertical axis between adjustable left and right exercise starting positions and a forward-facing exercise finishing position, the lower torso support configured to support a lower torso of a user;an upper torso support mounted on the main frame for supporting the upper torso of the user in a fixed position while the lower torso is rotated;the lower torso support comprising: a base mounted on the main frame for rotation about the first, vertical axis between the adjustable left and right exercise starting positions and the forward-facing exercise finishing position,an unstable user support platform pivotally mounted on the base for rotation in at least two opposite directions between a centered orientation and first and second tilted orientations about at least one second, non-vertical pivot axis;a U-shaped base mounting bracket;a rotational pivot assembly comprising a lower portion and an upper portion, the upper portion comprising a turntable and a mounting post; anda stop assembly between the base and the unstable user support platform configured to limit tilting of the unstable user support platform to a predetermined angular range between the centered orientation and each of the first and second tilted orientations,wherein the U-shaped base mounting bracket is secured to an upper surface of the turntable using the mounting post, and the upper portion of the pivot assembly is rotatably mounted to the lower portion of the pivot assembly, andthe rotary torso exercise machine further comprises a selectorized weight stack assembly which resists rotation of the lower torso support away from the adjustable left or right exercise starting positions, and which biases the lower torso support toward the adjustable left or right exercise starting positions. 34. The rotary torso exercise machine of claim 33, further comprising a cable and pulley assembly associated with the selectorized weight stack assembly.