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, an upper arm 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 upper arm is symmetrically arranged in front of the seat and coupled with a 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 the upper arm 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;   an upper arm movably coupled to a first portion of the frame and symmetrically arranged in front of the seat, the upper arm coupled with a 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 the upper arm 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 upper movable arm is movably attached to the first portion of the frame so that the upper movable arm can be pulled downwardly toward the seat. 
     
     
         3 . The physical exercise apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the upper arm is movably attached to the first portion of the frame so that the upper arm can be pulled rearwardly toward the seat. 
     
     
         4 . 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. 
     
     
         5 . 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. 
     
     
         6 . A method of physical exercise training comprising:
 (a) providing a physical exercise apparatus, comprising: a frame, a seat supported by the frame, an upper arm movably coupled to a first portion of the frame and coupled with a linearly movable resistance load, the first portion of the frame stationary with respect to the seat and the upper arm arranged symmetrically in front of the seat, and a lower arm movably coupled to a second portion of the frame and independently movable from the upper arm;   (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 upper arm with the user in the at least partially supine position on the seat; and   (d) simultaneously engaging by the user the upper arm 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.   
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein moving by the user the lower arm includes pulling the lower arm generally rearwardly with respect to the seat. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein moving by the user the lower arm includes pulling the lower arm generally downwardly with respect to the seat. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein engaging by the user the upper arm includes pulling the upper arm downwardly toward the seat. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein engaging by the user the upper arm includes pulling the upper arm rearwardly with respect to the seat. 
     
     
         11 . 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 movable 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 sled movably attached to a second portion of the frame and coupled with a linearly movable resistance load, the sled independently movable from the pair of movable arms so that the user can move the sled while separately engaging the pair of movable arms.   
     
     
         12 . The physical exercise apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the pair of movable arms are movably attached to the first portion of the frame so that the pair of movable arms can be pressed upwardly away from the seat. 
     
     
         13 . The physical exercise equipment apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the sled is movably attached to the first portion of the frame so that the sled can be moved generally forwardly away from the seat. 
     
     
         13 . The physical exercise equipment apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the sled is movably attached to the first portion of the frame so that the sled can be moved generally upwardly away from the seat. 
     
     
         14 . 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 attached to a first portion of the frame and coupled with a linearly movable resistance load; and a sled movably attached to a first portion of the frame and coupled with a linearly movable resistance load;   (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 sled from the at least partially supine position; and   (d) simultaneously moving by the user the pair of upper arms and independently moving by the user the movable sled while the user is in the at least partially supine position.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein moving by the user the sled includes moving the sled generally upwardly away from the seat. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein moving by the user the sled includes moving the sled generally forwardly away from the seat. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein moving by the user the pair of upper arms includes pressing the pair of upper arms upwardly away from the seat.