Auxiliary exerciser for an exercise apparatus

Abstract

An auxiliary exercise apparatus for exercising portions of the upper body is provided for use with a stationary exercise apparatus which exercises the lower body. The auxiliary exercise apparatus has resistance mechanisms which are coupled to actuating means, in turn coupled to handles. The resistance mechanisms are independently actuable and provide exercise for the upper body by resisting motion in the direction of the handles when the handles are pulled. The degree of resistance to motion may be adjusted by changing the tension member providing the resistance, or by adjusting the strength of the tension member by means of external controls.

I claim:  
     
         1 .  1 . An auxiliary exercise apparatus for exercising portions of the upper body and adapted to be mounted on a stationary exercise apparatus, the auxiliary exercise apparatus comprising: 
 at least two independent resistance mechanisms;    an actuating means coupled to each of the at least two resistance mechanisms, the actuating means being coupled to a handle;    wherein when the auxiliary exercise apparatus is mounted on a stationary exercise apparatus, the handles are disposed in relation to a user of the stationary exercise apparatus such that the user is able to use the stationary exercise apparatus and actuate the independent resistance mechanisms by means of the handle.    
     
     
         2 . The auxiliary exercise apparatus of  claim 1  wherein each of the resistance mechanisms comprises a pulley wheel coupled to the actuating means and rotationally mounted on an axle, the pulley wheel and the axle being coupled by a tension member of a given strength such that the tension member resists the rotation of the pulley wheel when the handle is pulled.  
     
     
         3 . The auxiliary exercise apparatus of  claim 3  wherein the strength of the tension member is variable by an adjustment means.  
     
     
         4 . The auxiliary exercise apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the apparatus is adapted to be mounted on a stationary exercise apparatus for exercising at least one portion of the lower body.  
     
     
         5 . An auxiliary exercise apparatus adapted to be mounted on a stationary lower body exercise apparatus, the auxiliary exercise apparatus comprising at least two independent resistance mechanisms for exercising portions of the upper body.  
     
     
         6 . The auxiliary exercise apparatus of  claim 5  further comprising an actuating means coupled to each of the at least two resistance mechanisms, the actuating means being coupled to a handle, wherein when the auxiliary exercise apparatus is mounted on a stationary exercise apparatus, the handles are disposed in relation to a user of the stationary exercise apparatus such that the user is able to use the stationary exercise apparatus and actuate the independent resistance mechanisms by means of the handle.  
     
     
         7 . The auxiliary exercise apparatus of  claim 6  wherein each independent resistance mechanism comprises a pulley wheel coupled to the actuating means and rotationally mounted on an axle, the pulley wheel and the axle being coupled by a tension member of a given strength such that the tension member resists the rotation of the pulley wheel when the handle is pulled.  
     
     
         8 . The auxiliary exercise apparatus of  claim 7  wherein the strength of the tension member is variable by an adjustment means.  
     
     
         9 . The auxiliary exercise apparatus of  claim 5  wherein the apparatus is adapted to be mounted on a stationary exercise apparatus for exercising at least one portion of the lower body.