Exercise apparatus

Abstract

An exercise apparatus and method for lower back, abdominal, and leg conditioning. The apparatus is configurable between a pivoting condition and a fixed position. In the pivoting condition, a backboard, pivotally mounted to a frame, is configured for a user to lay on the backboard and alternately raise and lower their hips, while supporting their feet on a foot plate. In a fixed condition, the backboard is positioned proximal to the foot plate, and a user may perform one or more abdominal exercises.

1 . An exercise apparatus, comprising:
 an elongate frame member;   an upstanding frame pivot arm attached to a first end portion of the elongate frame member;   a backboard frame pivotally attached to the elongate frame member via the upstanding frame pivot arm; and   a foot plate, attached to a second end portion of the elongate frame member via a foot plate support,   
       wherein the backboard frame is adapted to be selectively positioned between a lowered position and an elevated position. 
     
     
         2 . The exercise apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a pivot link pivotally connected between the upstanding pivot arm and an intermediate portion of the backboard frame.   
     
     
         3 . The exercise apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the backboard frame is selectively positioned about the pivot link between a retracted position, proximal to the foot plate, and an extended position, distal from the foot plate. 
     
     
         4 . The exercise apparatus of  claim 3 , further comprising:
 a retractable lock pin attached to a lower end of the backboard frame operable to extend from an end thereof; and   a lock hole defined in an end portion of the foot plate proximal to the backboard frame;   wherein the lock pin is selectively engaged with the lock hole to retain the backboard in a fixed position relative to the foot plate.   
     
     
         5 . The exercise apparatus of  claim 3 , further comprising:
 a par of grip handles extending laterally outwardly from a lower portion of the backboard frame.   
     
     
         6 . The exercise apparatus of  claim 3 , further comprising:
 a padded backboard attached to the backboard frame, having a lumbar support wedge disposed at the lower portion of the padded backboard.   
     
     
         7 . The exercise apparatus of  claim 3 , further comprising:
 a foot bar laterally disposed across the foot plate and elevated with respect to an upper surface of the foot plate.   
     
     
         8 . The exercise apparatus of  claim 3 , further comprising:
 a backboard bungee attachment disposed on a lower side of the backboard frame;   a frame bungee attachment disposed on the upstanding frame pivot arm; and   an elastic cord operatively connected between the backboard bungee attachment and the frame bungee attachment.   
     
     
         9 . A method of conditioning exercise, comprising:
 providing an exercise apparatus, comprising:   
       an elongate frame member;
 an upstanding frame pivot arm attached to a first end portion of the elongate frame member; 
 a backboard frame pivotally attached to the upstanding frame pivot arm member via a pivot link; and 
 a foot plate, attached to a second end portion of the elongate frame member via a foot plate support, 
 operating the apparatus to pivot the backboard between a lowered position and an elevated position. 
 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising:
 positioning the backboard about the pivot link to a retracted position, proximal to the foot plate.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising:
 positioning the backboard about the pivot link to an extended position distal from the foot plate.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising:
 locking the backboard in a fixed position.   
     
     
         13 . An exercise apparatus, comprising:
 an elongate frame member;   an upstanding frame pivot arm attached to a first end portion of the elongate frame member;   
       a pivot link pivotally connected between the upstanding pivot arm and an intermediate portion of a backboard frame;
 a foot plate, attached to a second end portion of the elongate frame member via a foot plate support, 
 
       wherein the backboard frame is selectively articulated about the pivot link between a retracted fixed exercise position, and an extended pivoting exercise position. 
     
     
         14 . The exercise apparatus of  claim 13 , further comprising:
 a retractable lock pin attached to a lower end of the backboard frame operable to extend from an end thereof; and   a lock hole defined in an end portion of the foot plate proximal to the backboard frame;   wherein the lock pin is selectively engaged with the lock hole to retain the backboard in a fixed position relative to the foot plate.   
     
     
         15 . The exercise apparatus of  claim 13 , further comprising:
 a par of grip handles extending laterally outwardly from a lower portion of the backboard frame.   
     
     
         16 . The exercise apparatus of  claim 13 , further comprising:
 a padded backboard attached to the backboard frame, having a lumbar support wedge disposed at the lower portion of the padded backboard.   
     
     
         17 . The exercise apparatus of  claim 13 , further comprising:
 a foot bar laterally disposed across the foot plate and elevated with respect to an upper surface of the foot plate.   
     
     
         18 . The exercise apparatus of  claim 13 , further comprising:
 a backboard bungee attachment disposed on a lower side of the backboard frame;   a frame bungee attachment disposed on the upstanding frame pivot arm; and   an elastic cord operatively connected between the backboard bungee attachment and the frame bungee attachment.