Independent upper and lower body exercise equipment components and methods of using the same

Abstract

A physical exercise apparatus is disclosed, and comprises a frame, a seat, a pair of upper arms movably coupled to a first portion of the frame, and a lower arm movably attached to a second portion of the frame. The seat is supported by the frame and configured to support a user in an at least partially supine position. The pair of upper arms is coupled with a common, linearly movable resistance load and is stationary with respect to the seat. The lower arm is coupled with a linearly movable resistance load so that the user can move pair of upper movable arms while separately engaging the lower arm with a portion of his or her lower body.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A physical exercise apparatus, comprising:
 a frame;   a seat supported by the frame and configured to support a user in an at least partially supine position;   a pair of upper arms movably coupled to a first portion of the frame and coupled with a common, linearly movable resistance load, the first portion of the frame stationary with respect to the seat; and   a lower arm movably attached to a second portion of the frame and coupled with a linearly movable resistance load so that the user can move pair of upper movable arms while separately engaging the lower arm with a portion of his or her lower body.   
     
     
         2 . The physical exercise apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the pair of upper movable arms is movably attached to the first portion of the frame so that the pair of upper movable arms can be pressed upwardly with respect to the seat. 
     
     
         3 . The physical exercise apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the pair of upper movable arms is movably attached to the first portion of the frame so that the arm can be pulled rearwardly toward the seat. 
     
     
         4 . The physical exercise apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the pair of upper movable arms is movably attached to the first portion of the frame so that the pair of movable arms can be pulled downwardly toward the seat. 
     
     
         5 . The physical exercise apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the pair of upper movable arms is movably attached to the first portion of the frame so that the pair of upper movable arms can be pulled generally upwardly with respect to the seat. 
     
     
         6 . The physical exercise apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the pair of upper movable arms is movably attached to the first portion of the frame so that the pair of upper movable arms can be pressed forwardly away from the seat. 
     
     
         7 . The physical exercise apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the lower movable arm is movably attached to the second portion of the frame so that the lower movable arm can be pulled generally rearwardly toward the seat. 
     
     
         8 . The physical exercise apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the lower movable arm is movably attached to the second portion of the frame so that the lower movable arm can be pulled generally downwardly with respect to the seat. 
     
     
         9 . The physical exercise apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the lower movable arm is movably attached to the second portion of the frame so that the lower movable arm can be pressed generally upwardly with respect to the seat. 
     
     
         10 . The physical exercise apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the lower movable arm is movably attached to the second portion of the frame so that the lower movable arm can be pressed generally forwardly away from the seat. 
     
     
         11 . A method of physical exercise training comprising:
 (a) providing a physical exercise apparatus, comprising: a frame, a seat supported by the frame, a pair of upper arms movably coupled to a first portion of the frame and coupled with a common, linearly movable resistance load, the first portion of the frame stationary with respect to the seat, and a lower arm movably coupled to a second portion of the frame and independently movable from the pair of upper arms;   (b) positioning at least a portion of a body of a user in an at least partially supine position on the seat;   (c) accessing by the user the pair of upper arms with the user in the at least partially supine position; and   (d) simultaneously engaging by the user the pair of upper arms to exercise a portion of an anatomy of the user and independently moving by the user the lower arm with a portion of the user's body while the user is in the at least partially supine position.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein engaging by the user the pair of movable arms includes pushing the pair of movable arms forwardly away from the seat. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein engaging by the user the pair of movable arms includes pulling the pair of movable arms downwardly toward the seat. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein engaging by the user the pair of movable arms includes pulling the pair of movable arms generally upwardly with respect to the seat. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein engaging by the user the pair of movable arms includes pulling the pair of movable arms rearwardly toward the seat. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein engaging by the user the pair of movable arms includes pressing the pair of movable arms upwardly with respect to the seat. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein moving by the user the lower arm includes pressing the lower arm forwardly away from the seat. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein moving by the user the lower arm includes pressing the lower arm generally upwardly with respect to the seat. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein moving by the user the lower arm includes pulling the lower arm generally rearwardly with respect to the seat. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein moving by the user the lower arm includes pulling the lower arm generally downwardly with respect to the seat.