Exercising

Abstract

Among other things, an exercise machine includes a resistance device connected to a flexible driving line used to drive the resistance device. A flexible exercise line receives forces applied by the user's hands and feet during cycles of exercising. A force transfer mechanism couples forces, received on the exercise line from the user during exercising, to the resistance device during the exercise cycles, and moves back and forth relative to a frame of the machine. The force transfer mechanism rides along, and is supported vertically, by a support during use of the machine.

1 . An exercise machine comprising
 a resistance device connected to a flexible driving line used to drive the resistance device,   a flexible exercise line to receive forces applied by the user's hands and feet during cycles of exercising,   a force transfer mechanism that couples forces, received on the exercise line from the user during exercising, to the resistance device during the exercise cycles, and moves back and forth relative to a frame of the machine, and a support along which the force transfer mechanism rides during use of the machine and that supports the force transfer mechanism vertically.   
     
     
         2 . The machine of  claim 1  in which the force transfer mechanism slides on the support. 
     
     
         3 . The machine of  claim 1  in which the force mechanism rides along a direction corresponding to the directions of the forces applied by the user's hands and feet. 
     
     
         4 . The machine of  claim 1  in which the support comprises a rail. 
     
     
         5 . The machine of  claim 1  in which the support includes a mechanism to reduce friction as the force transfer mechanism rides along the support. 
     
     
         6 . The machine of  claim 5  in which the friction reducing mechanism includes a material. 
     
     
         7 . The machine of  claim 6  in which the material comprises a layer. 
     
     
         8 . The machine of  claim 7  in which the layer lies between the force transfer mechanism and the support. 
     
     
         9 . The machine of  claim 1  in which the support includes a mechanism to reduce noise from the movement of the force transfer mechanism on the support. 
     
     
         10 . The machine of  claim 9  in which the noise reducing mechanism includes a material. 
     
     
         11 . The machine of  claim 10  in which the material comprises a layer. 
     
     
         12 . The machine of  claim 11  in which the layer lies between the support and a layer of a friction reducing material. 
     
     
         13 . The machine of  claim 1  in which the support is positioned below a rail connected to a seat for the user and a foot rest assembly that receives the force applied by the user's feet. 
     
     
         14 . The machine of  claim 13  in which one end of the support and the rail are attached to a structural element and the other end of the support and the rail are attached to the resistance device to constitute a frame for the machine. 
     
     
         15 . The machine of  claim 1  in which the force transfer mechanism has at least one side piece having a bearing surface that rides on the support. 
     
     
         16 . The machine of  claim 1  in which the force transfer mechanism is connected to a resilient flexible line. 
     
     
         17 . The machine of  claim 16  in which the resilient flexible line applies a force on the force transfer mechanism to take up slack in the flexible exercise line during parts of the exercise cycle when the user is applying less force than other parts of the exercise cycle. 
     
     
         18 . The machine of  claim 17  in which the force applied by the resilient flexible line is as low as 3 pounds. 
     
     
         19 . An exercise machine comprising
 a resistance device connected to a flexible driving line used to drive the device,   a flexible exercise line to receive forces applied by the user's hands and feet during cycles of exercising,   a force transfer mechanism in which pulleys couple forces, received on the exercise line from the user during exercising, to the resistance device during the exercise cycles, the force transfer mechanism having a bearing surface that slides back and forth along, and is supported vertically by, a support on a frame of the machine   a resilient flexible line that applies a force on the force transfer mechanism to take up slack in the flexible exercise line during parts of the exercise cycle when the user is applying less force than during other parts of the exercise cycle, and   a rail connected to a seat and a foot rest assembly, the rail positioned above the support.   
     
     
         20 . A method comprising
 in an exercise machine,
 driving a resistance device using a flexible driving line, 
 receiving forces applied by the user's hands and feet during cycles of exercise, on a flexible exercise line, 
 using a force transfer mechanism, coupling forces received on the exercise line from the user during exercising to the resistance device during exercising, 
 in addition to forces applied from the flexible driving line and the flexible exercise line, applying an upward vertical force on the force transfer mechanism during use of the machine.