Exercise machine

Abstract

The present invention provides a portable exercise device including a base having first and second opposite ends. The device also includes at least one resistance member pivotally mounted to the base between the first and second ends. The resistance member is pivotable between a first orientation, in which the resistance member is positioned generally upright, and a second orientation, in which the resistance member is pivoted away from the first end toward the second end. At least one urging member is coupled to the base and the resistance member for urging the resistance member toward the first orientation so as to provide resistance when the resistance member is pivoted from the first orientation toward the second orientation. The base is reversible between a first position, in which the first end of the base faces a user, and a second position, in which the second end of the base faces the user, such that two different exercises can be performed by reversing the position of the base between the first and second positions.

1 . A portable exercise device comprising a base having first and second opposite ends; at least one resistance member pivotally mounted to said base between said first and second ends, said at least one resistance member being pivotable between a first orientation, in which said at least one resistance member is positioned generally upright, and a second orientation, in which said at least one resistance member is pivoted away from said first end toward said second end; and at least one urging member coupled to said base and said at least one resistance member for urging said at least one resistance member toward said first orientation so as to provide resistance when said at least one resistance member is pivoted from said first orientation toward said second orientation, said base being reversible between a first position, in which said first end of said base faces a user, and a second position, in which said second end of said base faces the user, such that at least two different exercises can be performed by reversing the position of said base between said first and second positions. 
   
   
       2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said at least one resistance member includes first and second resistance members which are pivotally attached to said base such that said first and second resistance members are pivotable independently from each other, each of said first and second resistance members being movable between said first orientation, in which each of said first and second resistance members is positioned generally upright, and said second orientation, in which each of said resistance members is pivoted away from said first end toward said second end. 
   
   
       3 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein said base includes first and second base members which are substantially parallel to one another and which extend between said first and second ends of said base, said first resistance member being pivotally attached to said first base member, said second resistance member being pivotally attached to said second base member, said at least one urging member includes a first urging member, which is connected to said first resistance member, and a second urging member, which is connected to said second resistance member. 
   
   
       4 . The device of  claim 3 , wherein said base includes a first crossbar attached to said first and second base members and located adjacent said first end of said base, each of said first and second urging members being connected to said first crossbar so as to independently pull a corresponding one of said first and second resistance members towards said first orientation. 
   
   
       5 . The device of  claim 4 , wherein said base includes a second crossbar attached to said first and second base members intermediate said first and second ends of said base, said second crossbar being engageable with each of said first and second resistance members so as to preventing each of said first and second resistance members from moving beyond said first orientation toward said first end of said base. 
   
   
       6 . The device of  claim 5 , wherein said first and second resistance members include first and second shafts, respectively, each of which is pivotally attached to said base, first and second rods, respectively, which extend from said first and second shafts, respectively, and first and second rollers, respectively, which are rotatably mounted on said first and second rods, respectively. 
   
   
       7 . The device of  claim 6 , wherein said first and second shafts include first and second lower sections, respectively, and first and second upper sections, respectively, said first and second lower sections being pivotally attached to said first and second base members, respectively, said first and second upper sections being telescopically connected to said first and second lower sections, respectively, such that the lengths of said first and second resistance members can be adjusted. 
   
   
       8 . The device of  claim 7 , wherein said first and second shafts include first and second hooks, respectively, removably connected to said first and second urging members, respectively, said first crossbar including third and fourth hooks connected to said first and second urging members, respectively. 
   
   
       9 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one massaging member attached to said base for massaging a user's foot. 
   
   
       10 . The device of  claim 9 , wherein said at least one massaging member includes first and second massaging members having first and second massage drums, each of said first and second massaging members being pivotally attached to said base. 
   
   
       11 . The device of  claim 10 , wherein said first and second massaging members includes first and second bars, respectively, which are pivotally attached to said base, and first and second shafts, respectively, which extend from said first and second bars, respectively, said first and second massage drums being rotatably mounted on said first and second shafts, respectively. 
   
   
       12 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said first end of said base member faces the user when said base is positioned in its said first position such that a first leg exercise can be performed by the user by pushing said at least one resistance member away from the user with at least one of the user's legs against the resistance of said at least one urging member; and wherein said second end of said base member faces the user when said base is positioned in its said second position such that a second leg exercise can be performed by pulling said at least one resistance member toward the user with at least one of the user's legs against the resistance of said at least one urging member. 
   
   
       13 . A method for performing exercises using a portable exercise device, the device including a base having first and second opposite ends, at least one resistance member pivotally mounted to the base between the first and second ends, the at least one resistance member being pivotable between a first orientation, in which the at least one resistance member is positioned generally upright, and a second orientation, in which the at least one resistance member is pivoted away from the first end toward the second end, and at least one urging member coupled to the base and the at least one resistance member for urging the at least one resistance member toward the first orientation so as to provide resistance when the at least one resistance member is pivoted from the first orientation toward the second orientation, the device being reversible between a first position, in which the first end of the base faces a user, and a second position, in which the second end of the base faces the user, said method comprising the steps of:
 (a) positioning the device such that the first end of the base faces the user;   (b) performing a first leg exercise by pushing the at least one resistance member away from the user with at least one of the user's legs against the resistance of the at least one urging member;   (c) positioning the device such that the second end of the base faces the user; and   (d) performing a second leg exercise by pulling the at least one resistance member toward the user with at least one of the user's legs against the resistance of the at least one urging member.