Resistance device, system, and method for use with an exercise apparatus

Abstract

A resistance device for use with an exercise apparatus including a resistance member having a first portion and a second portion separated by a length. The resistance device includes a first coupling member defining a first channel sized to receive the resistance member along the length and a second coupling member disposed a distance from the first coupling member. The second coupling member defines a second channel sized to receive at least one of the first portion and the second portion of the resistance member. The first coupling member and the second coupling member are configured to couple to a portion of an exercise apparatus.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A resistance device for use with an exercise apparatus comprising:
 a resistance member having a first portion and a second portion separated by a length;   a first coupling member defining a first channel sized to receive the resistance member along the length of the resistance member; and   a second coupling member disposed a distance from the first coupling member, the second coupling member defining a second channel sized to receive at least one of the first portion and the second portion of the resistance member, the first coupling member and the second coupling member configured to couple to a portion of an exercise apparatus.   
     
     
         2 . The resistance device according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 the second coupling member includes a u-shaped body having a top portion and a bottom portion opposite the top portion; and   the second channel is disposed along the top portion of the u-shaped body.   
     
     
         3 . The resistance device according to  claim 2 , wherein:
 the second coupling member defines a third channel disposed along the bottom portion of the u-shaped body.   
     
     
         4 . The resistance device according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 the first portion of the resistance member includes a first terminal end; and   the second portion of the resistance member includes a second terminal end.   
     
     
         5 . The resistance device according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 the first channel is substantially enclosed; and   the second channel includes an upper surface area exposed to an outside ambient environment.   
     
     
         6 . The resistance device according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 the at least one of the first portion and the second portion is slideably coupled within the second channel.   
     
     
         7 . The resistance device according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 the resistance member is of a predetermined resistance value substantially equal to a positive integer.   
     
     
         8 . A resistance system for use with an exercise apparatus, comprising:
 a plurality of resistance devices, each resistance device including:
 a resistance member having a distal portion and a proximal portion separated by a length; 
 a first coupling member sized to couple to the resistance member along the length of the resistance member; and 
 a second coupling member disposed a distance from the first coupling member, the second coupling member defining a resistance member opening sized to receive at least one of the distal portion and the proximal portion of the resistance member. 
   
     
     
         9 . The resistance system according to  claim 8 , further comprising:
 a roller sized and shaped to mate with at least one of the first coupling member and the second coupling member.   
     
     
         10 . The resistance system according to  claim 8 , wherein:
 the plurality of resistance devices each include a predetermined resistance value having a color corresponding to the predetermined resistance value.   
     
     
         11 . The resistance system according to  claim 8 , wherein:
 the distal portion and the proximal portion of the resistance member each include a terminal end.   
     
     
         12 . The resistance system according to  claim 8 , wherein:
 the first coupling member includes a u-shaped body defining a resistance member channel sized to receive a portion of the length within the resistance member channel.   
     
     
         13 . The resistance system according to  claim 12 , wherein:
 the resistance member channel is substantially enclosed.   
     
     
         14 . The resistance system according to  claim 8 , wherein:
 the second coupling member includes a u-shaped body having a top portion and a bottom portion; and   the resistance member opening is disposed along at least one of the top portion and the bottom portion of the u-shaped body.   
     
     
         15 . The resistance system according to  claim 8 , wherein:
 the at least one of the distal portion and the proximal portion of the resistance members is slideably coupled with the resistance member opening.   
     
     
         16 . A method of coupling a resistance system to an exercise apparatus, the method comprising: providing:
 a plurality of resistance devices, the plurality of resistance devices each including:
 a resistance member having a first portion and a second portion separated by a length; 
 a first coupling member sized to couple to the resistance member along the length; and 
 a second coupling member disposed a distance from the first coupling member, the second coupling member defining a resistance member opening sized to receive at least one of the first portion and the second portion of the resistance member; and 
   an exercise apparatus including a first axle and a second axle;   coupling the first coupling member to the resistance member along the length;   coupling the first coupling member to the first axle;   coupling the second coupling member to the second axle; and   coupling the at least one of the first portion and the second portion of the resistance member within the resistance member opening of the second coupling member.   
     
     
         17 . The method according to  claim 16 , further comprising:
 providing a first roller and a second roller;   coupling the first roller to the first axle; and   coupling the second roller to the second axle.   
     
     
         18 . The method according to  claim 16 , further comprising:
 coupling a second one of the plurality of resistance devices to the first axle and the second axle.   
     
     
         19 . The method according to  claim 16 , further comprising:
 adjusting a position of the at least one of the first portion and the second portion of the resistance member within the resistance member opening of the second coupling member.   
     
     
         20 . The method according to  claim 16 , further comprising:
 exchanging the resistance member for a second one of the resistance members, the resistance member having a predetermined resistance value different than a predetermined resistance value of the second one of the resistance members.