Exercise bench

Abstract

A portable exerciser for abdominal and gluteal exercise has a pivoting backrest with handgrips and a leg support extension which is alternately fixed or allowed to pivot for different exercises. The exerciser is easily disassembled and stored in very little space for later reassembly and use.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A portable exerciser for supporting a person performing abdominal and gluteal muscle exercises above a floor, the exerciser comprising: 
 a horizontal frame having two ends;    a seat supported adjacent a first end of the frame;    a backrest pivotally mounted to the frame between the seat and the other end of the frame;    a pair of handgrips attached to the backrest at a free end of the backrest;    a support hinge connected to the frame first end;    a leg support bar extending from the frame and pivotally connected to the support hinge for movement between 0° and 90°, the leg support bar and support bar including means for alternately locking the leg support bar at a predetermined angle relative to the frame and permitting pivoting movement of the leg support bar;    leg pads adjustably mounted to the leg support bar for changing the distance between the leg pads and the seat; and    resistance means connected between the frame and the leg support bar for opposing pivoting movement of the leg support bar when the locking means is arranged to permit pivoting movement.    
     
     
         2 . The exerciser of  claim 1 , wherein the resistance means comprises hooks attached to each of the leg support bar and the frame and an elastic band connected between the hooks.  
     
     
         3 . The exerciser of  claim 2 , wherein the elastic band is a bungee cord.  
     
     
         4 . The exerciser of  claim 1 , wherein the locking means comprises a locking pin opening through the support hinge, a corresponding second opening through the leg support bar for aligning with the locking pin opening and a locking pin for inserting through the aligned openings to hold the leg support bar at an angle determined by the position of the locking pin opening.  
     
     
         5 . The exerciser of  claim 4 , further comprising at least two secondary locking pin openings, each for aligning with the corresponding second opening to hold the leg support bar at different angles determined by the position of the second locking pin openings in the hinge.  
     
     
         6 . The exerciser of  claim 5 , wherein the locking pin opening and secondary locking pin openings are positioned to hold the leg support bar at angles of 30°, 50° and 70° relative to horizontal.  
     
     
         7 . The exerciser of  claim 1 , further comprising non-skid feet attached to a bottom of the frame.  
     
     
         8 . The exerciser of  claim 1 , wherein the leg pads are fixedly mounted on an adjustment bar slidingly connected within the leg support bar for changing the distance between the leg pads and the seat.  
     
     
         9 . The exerciser of  claim 9 , further comprising second locking means for holding the adjustment bar and leg support bar in position relative to each other.  
     
     
         10 . The exerciser of  claim 1 , wherein the support hinge is removable from the frame.