Rotational exercise system, device and method

Abstract

An exercise device is described. In an implementation, the exercise device includes a frame, a cranking assembly mounted to the frame and an extended user fixture. A user utilizes the extended user fixture to perform exercises.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . An exercise device, comprising: 
 a frame;    a cranking assembly mounted to the frame having a first    cranking arm;    a flywheel mounted to the frame;    a continuous drive loop rotatably linking the cranking assembly and the flywheel; and    an extended user fixture having a first end rotatably attachable to a distal end of the first cranking arm.    
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the extended user fixture has a second end that includes a handle.  
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of supplemental weights attachable to the flywheel.  
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , the supplemental weights being attachable to respective radially-arrayed posts extending from the flywheel.  
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the cranking assembly further comprises a second cranking arm.  
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 5  further comprising a weight attached to a distal end of the second cranking arm.  
     
     
         7 . An exercise device, comprising: 
 a frame;    a cranking assembly mounted to the frame having a first cranking arm with a first post position at a distal end of the first cranking arm; and    an extended user fixture rotatably attachable to the first post position of the first cranking arm.    
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , further comprising a resistance-offering element mounted to the frame that resists rotation of the cranking assembly.  
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein a continuous drive loop engages the resistance-offering element and the cranking assembly.  
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , further comprising a flat guard plate mounted adjacent to the first post position of the first cranking arm.  
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the frame is adapted to selectably elevate the cranking assembly.  
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the extended user fixture is rigid.  
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the rotatable attachment between the rigid extended user fixture and the first cranking arm is a rotatable attachment between the extension and the first post position.  
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein the rigid extended user fixture includes a pivot joint adjacent the rotatable attachment.  
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the rotatable attachment between the extended user fixture and the first post position includes a first post fixed to the first cranking arm at the first post position, a first pedal rotatably attached to the first post, and a connection between the extended user fixture and the first pedal.  
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein the extended user fixture is laterally flexible, and the exercise device further comprises a roller attachment mounted to the frame distal the first pedal, supporting and guiding a portion of the laterally-flexible extended user fixture adjacent a distal handle end thereof.  
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein the extended user fixture is rigid, and the connection between the rigid extended user fixture and the pedal includes a pivot joint.  
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , further comprising a flat guard plate mounted adjacent to the first post position.  
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , the attachment between the extended user fixture and the pedal including a pedal adapter having a first side attached to the extended user fixture and a second side attached to the pedal.  
     
     
         20 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , further comprising horizontally-extending and substantially parallel extended support members mounted to the frame below the cranking assembly.  
     
     
         21 . The apparatus of  claim 20  further comprising a user seat, facing the cranking assembly and slidably mounted on the support members such that a symmetric plane of a user seated on the seat is aligned with a force transmission plane of the cranking assembly.  
     
     
         22 . A recumbent exercise device, comprising: 
 a support structure;    a cranking assembly mounted to the support structure having    a cranking arm and a first mounting position on a distal end of the cranking arm adapted to accept an extended user fixture; and    a user seat mounted to the support having an adjustable backrest, the location and orientation of the seat being such that a symmetric plane of a user seated on the seat is substantially aligned with a force transmission plane of the cranking assembly.    
     
     
         23 . The apparatus of  claim 22 , further comprising a rigid extended user fixture rotatably attachable to the cranking arm at the first mounting position thereon, having a handle end distal the cranking arm.  
     
     
         24 . A method of exercising, comprising: 
 engaging a handle end of an extended user fixture; and    rotating a cranking assembly by applying force through the extended user fixture to a cranking arm of the cranking assembly.    
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein engaging the handle end includes at least one of grasping the handle end of the extended user fixture with both hands, grasping the handle end of the extended user fixture with the hand of a first arm, fastening the lower portions of both legs of an exercising user to the handle end of the extended user fixture, and fastening the lower portion of a first leg of an exercising user to the handle end of the extended user fixture.  
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 24 , further comprising aligning a symmetric plane of the exercising user with a force transmission plane of the cranking assembly prior to rotating the cranking assembly.  
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 26 , further comprising reorienting the symmetric plane of the exercising user, after the cranking assembly has begun rotating but before it stops rotating, so that the symmetric plane of the exercising user is aligned with a vertical plane containing the axis of rotation of the cranking assembly, then continuing to rotate the cranking assembly in the same direction by again applying force through the extended user fixture.  
     
     
         28 . A method of exercising, comprising: 
 binding the foot of only one leg of an exercising user to a first pedal of a first cranking arm of a cranking assembly; and    rotating the cranking assembly with the bound foot.    
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 28 , further comprising aligning the leg of the bound foot with a force transmission plane of the cranking assembly prior to rotating the cranking assembly.  
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 28 , further comprising aligning the upper leg of the bound foot with a vertical plane containing the axis of rotation of the cranking assembly.