The subject invention relates to a resistance type exercise apparatus, and in particular to such an apparatus which permits the user to simulate the performance of free-weight squats without the upper body trauma and danger normally associated with this exercise.
The squat is a free-weight exercise in which a barbell is placed on a user's shoulders directly behind the neck and is supported by the arms while the user first lowers his or her body by bending the legs to approximately 90 degrees at the knees and hips and then raises his or her body by restraightening the legs. This exercise is probably the most effective exercise for overall building of lower body muscles and often is used by experienced weight lifters. However, this exercise is one of the most painful and traumatic exercises since the legs are capable of lifting a large amount of weight and yet the weight must be supported by the lifter's arms and shoulders. In addition, it is one of the most dangerous exercises since it typically is terminated by placing the barbell on a rack when the lifter's legs are fully extended. Yet as the lifter approaches his or her limit it becomes difficult to obtain this position. Furthermore, the weight tends to throw lifters forward and cause them to lose their balance. Thus, it is usually necessary to have two spotters when performing the squat. As a result, this exercise is frequently not used by anyone but very experienced weight lifters. Even then the weight used is often less than what the legs are capable of lifting and thus less than maximum affect is achieved.
While exercise apparatus have been developed to perform the squat, the prior art devices of this type are complex and expensive. They also utilize cables and cams or a similar mechanism to lift the weights used for resistance. Thus, the weights are raised and lowered on every repetition which must be done at a rather slow speed and they provide little aerobic affect. A typical prior art squat apparatus is disclosed in Jones, U.S. Pat. No. 4,511,137.
The subject invention overcomes the shortcomings of the prior art by providing an exercise apparatus in which a platform, having a seat that will support the back and head of a user of the apparatus, is rotatably mounted to a frame which sets on the floor. This is accomplished through a pivot arm that is fixedly attached to the platform and rotatably attached to the frame. The platform and pivot arm are arranged so that the platform moves between a first position where the legs of a user who is laying on the seat are bent approximately 90 degrees at both the knees and hips when the user's feet are placed on a leg support that extends upwardly from the base, and a second position where the user's legs are substantially fully extended. A resistance device resists movement of the platform between its first and second positions.
In a preferred embodiment of the invention the resistance device is elastomeric weight straps that extend between the base and the pivot arm and weights that are removably mounted on the platform. These two types of resistance devices can either be used separately or in combination with one another. Because weights provide a constant resistance over the entire range of travel of the platform and weight straps provide a variable resistance, different results are achieved depending on which type of resistance is utilized. In addition, if both types of resistance are utilized, different results are achieved depending on the relative amount of each. The preferred embodiment also provides stops which limit the travel of the platform past the desired first and second positions.
Regardless of what type of resistance device is used, the apparatus eliminates the necessity of carrying a barbell with the shoulders and arms and thus eliminates the pain and upper body trauma normally associated with performing squats. For the same reason, the risk of injury is also eliminated. Finally, the rotating platform provides a momentum which permits repetitions to be formed at a faster pace than with free weights which results in an aerobic affect far in excess of that obtainable with free weights.
The foregoing and other objectives, features, and advantages of the invention will be more readily understood upon consideration of the following detailed description of the invention, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.