Push-up exercise apparatus

Abstract

An exercise apparatus includes a frame with at least 3 vertical legs and transverse cross braces connecting the legs. The frame also has a horizontal cross-section of at least 3 sides. Horizontal platforms are coupled to a first side of the frame and transverse to a first pair of the vertical legs. The horizontal platforms have a stepped configuration such that an upper platform is recessed compared to a lower platform. Horizontal bars are coupled to a second side of the frame and transverse to a second pair of the vertical legs. The horizontal bars have a stepped configuration such that an upper bar is recessed compared to a lower bar. The surface area of each of the horizontal platforms is at least 3 times greater than the surface area of each of the horizontal bars.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An exercise apparatus comprising:
 a frame comprising at least 3 vertical legs and transverse cross braces connecting the legs;   the frame having a horizontal cross-section of at least 3 sides;   a plurality of horizontal platforms coupled to a first side of the frame and transverse to a first pair of legs of the at least 3 vertical legs;   the plurality of horizontal platforms having a stepped configuration such that an upper platform is recessed compared to a lower platform;   a plurality of horizontal bars coupled to a second side of the frame and transverse to a second pair of legs of the at least 3 vertical legs;   the plurality of horizontal bars having a stepped configuration such that an upper bar is recessed compared to a lower bar; and   the surface area of each of the plurality of horizontal platforms is at least 3 times greater than the surface area of each of the plurality of horizontal bars.   
     
     
         2 . The exercise apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the largest dimension of each horizontal platform of the plurality of horizontal platforms is substantially the same as the largest dimension of each horizontal bar of the plurality of horizontal bars. 
     
     
         3 . The exercise apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein at least one horizontal platform of the plurality of horizontal platforms is coupled to the frame at substantially the same vertical height as at least one horizontal bar of the plurality of horizontal bars. 
     
     
         4 . The exercise apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of each of the vertical legs in the first pair of legs and the second pair of legs is angled towards a vertical plane of symmetry of the frame. 
     
     
         5 . The exercise apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein each leg of the first pair of legs and the second pair of legs includes a foot shaped for abutting support on a base surface, and each foot includes an opening for receiving a fastener for anchoring the foot to the base surface. 
     
     
         6 . The exercise apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the plurality of horizontal platforms is horizontally displaced from a plane defined between the first pair of legs 
     
     
         7 . The exercise apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the plurality of horizontal bars is horizontally displaced from a plane defined between the second pair of legs. 
     
     
         8 . The exercise apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising two parallel vertical posts coupled to the frame, each post providing an upper hand grip for chin-up exercises. 
     
     
         9 . The exercise apparatus of  claim 8 , further comprising an arm rest mounted to a central location of each post. 
     
     
         10 . The exercise apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a vertical strip coupled to the frame, the vertical strip having a plurality of incremental slots for reversibly coupling an end of a bottom side of a board, the top side of the board comprising anchor points for feet to allow for sit-up exercises. 
     
     
         11 . An exercise apparatus comprising:
 a frame comprising at least two legs and transverse cross braces connecting the legs;   a plurality of horizontal platforms coupled to the frame and transverse to the at least two legs;   the plurality of horizontal platforms having a stepped configuration such that an upper platform is recessed compared to a lower platform;   a plurality of horizontal bars coupled to the frame and transverse to the at least two legs; and   the plurality of horizontal bars having a stepped configuration such that an upper bar is recessed compared to a lower bar; and   the surface area of each of the plurality of horizontal platforms is at least 3 times greater than the surface area of each of the plurality of horizontal bars.   
     
     
         12 . The exercise apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the largest dimension of each horizontal platform of the plurality of horizontal platforms is substantially the same as the largest dimension of each horizontal bar of the plurality of horizontal bars. 
     
     
         13 . The exercise apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein at least one horizontal platform of the plurality of horizontal platforms is coupled to the frame at substantially the same vertical height as at least one horizontal bar of the plurality of horizontal bars. 
     
     
         14 . The exercise apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein at least a portion of each of the vertical legs in the first pair of legs and the second pair of legs is angled towards a vertical plane of symmetry of the frame. 
     
     
         15 . The exercise apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein each leg of the first pair of legs and the second pair of legs includes a foot shaped for abutting support on a base surface, and each foot includes an opening for receiving a fastener for anchoring the foot to the base surface. 
     
     
         16 . The exercise apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein at least one of the plurality of horizontal platforms is horizontally displaced from a plane defined between the first pair of legs 
     
     
         17 . The exercise apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein at least one of the plurality of horizontal bars is horizontally displaced from a plane defined between the second pair of legs. 
     
     
         18 . The exercise apparatus of  claim 11 , further comprising two parallel vertical posts coupled to the frame, each post providing an upper hand grip for chin-up exercises. 
     
     
         19 . The exercise apparatus of  claim 18 , further comprising an arm rest mounted to a central location of each post. 
     
     
         20 . The exercise apparatus of  claim 11 , further comprising a vertical strip coupled to the frame, the vertical strip having a plurality of incremental slots for reversibly coupling an end of a bottom side of a board, the top side of the board comprising anchor points for feet to allow for sit-up exercises.