Portable exercise station with variable resistance band

Abstract

Disclosed herein is an apparatus for performing exercises including a base unit which doubles as a self-contained case for transporting the exercise device, as well as a base for use in performing the exercises. The base unit includes a handle and can be easily moved from one location to another. The exercise apparatus includes a resistance band with distal hand grips that can be unstowed from within the case and inserted through a roller in the base to allow the performance of a variety of resistance exercises. It is possible to exercise all of the major muscle groups, and to accurately and consistently set the desired level of resistance in order to replicate the exercises performed on larger and more expensive universal exercise apparatus.

We claim:  
     
         1 . An exercise machine, comprising: 
 a base unit comprising a recessed platform, a cover for said platform, and a roller mounted in the platform;    an elastic band for insertion around the roller in the base unit;    adjustable handles attached to end portions of said elastic band for pulling and releasing tension in the band through the base unit and thereby rotating the roller, each of said handles including a lockable spindle on which the end portions of the band are wound and for retraction of the band onto each said spindle to thereby vary the length and resistance of the band.    
     
     
         2 . The exercise machine according to  claim 1 , wherein said band is formed from a flat rubber strip reinforced by embedded cord.  
     
     
         3 . The exercise machine according to  claim 2 , wherein said cords further comprises two independent cord strands embedded into said band in a cris-cross pattern.  
     
     
         4 . The exercise machine according to  claim 2 , wherein said cords further comprises a layer of cord mesh embedded into said band.  
     
     
         5 . The exercise machine according to  claim 1 , wherein said roller further comprises a cylindrical roller bar supported between two bushing assemblies attached to said base unit.  
     
     
         6 . The exercise machine according to  claim 1 , wherein said adjustable handles each further include a coiled spring engaged with said spindle for automatic retraction of the band onto each said spindle.  
     
     
         7 . The exercise machine according to  claim 1 , wherein said band is formed from latex rubber.  
     
     
         8 . The exercise machine according to  claim 1 , wherein said cover for said platform is padded on one side and bare on another side, and can be seated on said platform with either side facing upward to selectively serve asa padded seat or an aerobic step.  
     
     
         9 . The exercise machine according to  claim 1 , wherein one of said adjustable handles can be docked inside said base unit for exercising with the other of said handles.  
     
     
         10 . The exercise machine according to  claim 1 , wherein said base unit comprising inner storage space enclosed by said cover for storing accessories.  
     
     
         11 . An exercise machine, comprising: 
 an elastic band; and    a pair of handles attached distally to said elastic band, said handles each including a lockable spindle on which an end portions of the band are wound, a housing for rotatably seating the spindle and for providing a hand grip spaced therefrom, means for retraction of the band onto said spindle, and a thumb lock mounted in said housing and selectively engageable with said spindle for locking and unlocking thereof, thereby allowing extraction and retraction of the band onto said spindle.    
     
     
         12 . The exercise machine according to  claim 11 , wherein said elastic band includes printed indicia thereon for indicating a resistance level.  
     
     
         13 . The exercise machine according to  claim 12 , wherein said printed indicia comprises two scales running from respective ends of said elastic band toward its center.  
     
     
         14 . The exercise machine according to  claim 12 , wherein said printed indicia comprises a bi-directional scale zeroed at the center of said band and running outward toward the ends.  
     
     
         15 . The exercise machine according to  claim 12 , wherein said exercise band is also printed with exemplary exercises to guide the user.  
     
     
         16 . The exercise machine according to  claim 11 , wherein said lockable spindle further comprises a pair of half-sections secured together and sandwiching said elastic band there between.  
     
     
         17 . The exercise machine according to  claim 11 , wherein said lockable spindle further comprises a unitary molded component with said elastic band attached there to.  
     
     
         18 . The exercise machine according to  claim 11 , wherein said handle housings each include a pair of half-sections secured together.  
     
     
         19 . The exercise machine according to  claim 11 , wherein said thumb lock is movably mounted in said housing and protrudes exteriorly therefrom for thumb actuation, and is selectively engageable by thumb actuation with said spindle for locking and unlocking thereof.  
     
     
         20 . The exercise machine according to  claim 11 , wherein said means for retraction of the band onto said spindle further comprises a coiled spring engaged with said spindle for automatic retraction of the band onto each said spindle.  
     
     
         21 . The exercise machine according to  claim 20 , wherein said coiled spring further comprises a recoil spring unit, and said lockable spindle comprises a distal key journaled into said recoil spring unit.  
     
     
         22 . The exercise machine according to  claim 11 , further comprising a base unit comprising a recessed platform, a cover for said platform, and a roller mounted in the platform.  
     
     
         23 . The exercise machine according to  claim 22 , wherein said base unit includes an integral handle at one end and a pair of blunt protrusions at the other end to facilitate easy sliding.  
     
     
         24 . The exercise machine according to  claim 22 , wherein said base unit is formed with an integral reservoir and an orifice thereto for filling with water.  
     
     
         25 . The exercise machine according to  claim 22 , wherein said base unit further comprises opposing spaced flanges, and said roller further comprises a cylindrical roller bar supported between said flanges.  
     
     
         26 . The exercise machine according to  claim 22 , wherein said roller further comprises a cylindrical roller bar supported between two bushing assemblies attached to said base unit.  
     
     
         27 . The exercise machine according to  claim 11 , further comprising a barbell attachment including a bar and attachment strap for attachment to said handle.  
     
     
         28 . The exercise machine according to  claim 11 , further comprising an ankle attachment collar for attachment of a user's ankle to said handle.