Method and apparatus for targeting abdominal muscles while receiving a cardiovascular workout

Abstract

An exercise device includes: a frame member; a pair of foot rests connected to the frame member; a seat that can be moved along the frame member; and, a back rest that can be pivoted with respect to the seat. By moving the seat along the frame member a user can move between an upright seated position and an extended planar position. By pivoting the back rest with respect to the seat a user can move between an upright seated position and a laid out position.

1 . An exercise device comprising: 
 a frame member;    a first foot rest operatively connected to the frame member;    a seat selectively moveable along the frame member;    a back rest selectively pivotable with respect to the seat;    wherein by moving the seat along the frame member a user can move between an upright seated position and an extended planar position; and,    wherein by pivoting the back rest with respect to the seat a user can move between an upright seated position and a laid out position.    
   
   
       2 . The exercise device of  claim 1  further comprising: 
 a biasing mechanism that provides resistance to the pivoting motion of the back rest.    
   
   
       3 . The exercise device of  claim 1  further comprising: 
 a biasing mechanism that provides resistance to the motion of the seat along the frame member.    
   
   
       4 . The exercise device of  claim 1  wherein the back rest comprises: 
 a height adjustable neck rest.    
   
   
       5 . The exercise device of  claim 1  further comprising: 
 a second foot rest; and,    wherein both the first and second foot rests are fixedly connected to the frame member.    
   
   
       6 . The exercise device of  claim 5  wherein each foot rest comprises: 
 a stir-up.    
   
   
       7 . The exercise device of  claim 1  further comprising: 
 a pair of arm rests extending from opposite sides of the back rest.    
   
   
       8 . The exercise device of  claim 7  wherein each arm rest comprises: 
 a hand grip.    
   
   
       9 . The exercise device of  claim 1  wherein the frame member defines a rail, the seat further comprising: 
 at least one roller that operatively engages the rail for movement of the seat along the frame member.    
   
   
       10 . The exercise device of  claim 1  further comprising: 
 a first floor engaging member operatively attached to a first end of the frame member; and,    a second floor engaging member operatively attached to a second end of the frame member.    
   
   
       11 . The exercise device of  claim 10  wherein the first floor engaging member can be height adjusted to adjust workout intensity.  
   
   
       12 . The exercise device of  claim 1  further comprising: 
 a pair of resistance bands attached to one end of the frame member for use in simulating a rowing machine workout.    
   
   
       13 . An exercise device comprising: 
 a frame member defining a rail;    first and second foot rests fixedly connected to the frame member;    a seat including at least a first roller that operatively engages the rail, the seat being selectively moveable along the rail;    a back rest selectively pivotable with respect to the seat;    a pair of arm rests extending from opposite sides of the back rest, each arm rest including a hand grip;    wherein by moving the seat along the frame member a user can move between an upright seated position and an extended planar position; and,    wherein by pivoting the back rest with respect to the seat a user can move between an upright seated position and a laid out position.    
   
   
       14 . The exercise device of  claim 13  further comprising: 
 a biasing mechanism that provides resistance to the pivoting motion of the back rest; and,    a biasing mechanism that provides resistance to the motion of the seat along the frame member.    
   
   
       15 . The exercise device of  claim 13  further comprising: 
 a first floor engaging member operatively attached to a first end of the frame member;    a second floor engaging member operatively attached to a second end of the frame member; and,    wherein the first floor engaging member can be height adjusted to adjust workout intensity.    
   
   
       16 . The exercise device of  claim 13  further comprising: 
 a pair of resistance bands attached to one end of the frame member for use in simulating a rowing machine workout.    
   
   
       17 . A method comprising the steps of: 
 (1) providing an exercise device comprising: a frame member; a pair of foot rests operatively connected to the frame member; a seat that is selectively moveable along the frame member; and, a back rest that is selectively pivotable with respect to the seat;    (2) sitting on the seat in an upright seated position with feet placed on the foot rests;    (3) exerting a simultaneous force on the foot rests, the seat, and the back rest thereby moving the seat along the frame and pivoting the back rest with respect to the seat and adjusting into an extended planar position;    (4) sitting on the seat in an upright seated position with feet placed on the foot rests; and,    (5) exerting a simultaneous force on the foot rests and the back rest thereby pivoting the back rest with respect to the seat and adjusting into a laid out position.    
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 17  wherein steps (2) and (3) are repeated at a speed sufficient to achieve a cardiovascular workout.  
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 17  wherein steps (4) and (5) are repeated at a speed sufficient to achieve a cardiovascular workout.  
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 17  further comprising the steps of: 
 providing a first floor engaging member operatively attached to a first end of the frame member and a second floor engaging member operatively attached to a second end of the frame member; and,    height adjusting the first floor engaging member to adjust workout intensity.