Pilates fitness system and method

Abstract

A system and method for exercising that includes a first platform and a second platform connected together, the second platform movable with respect to the first platform. The second platform is connected to the first platform using a connector under tension to retract the second platform towards the first platform. The second platform can be extended away from the first platform within a plane of operation and is rotatable with respect to the first platform and is rotatable with respect to itself within the plane of operation.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A Pilates fitness system, comprising:
 a connector;   a first user support platform connected to the connector, the first user support platform having a first user support surface; and   a second user support platform connected to the connector, the second user support platform having a second user support surface,   wherein the system is configured to:
 extend the second user support platform away from the first user support platform; 
 retract the second user support platform towards the first user support platform; 
 rotate the second user support platform around a first axis orthogonal to and intersecting the first user support surface; and 
 rotate the second user support platform around a second axis orthogonal to and intersecting the second user support surface. 
   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the connector is connected to a retractor, the retractor configured to keep the connector under a tension force as the second user support platform moves with respect to the first user support platform. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the connector is under a first tension force in a retracted state and the connector is under a second tension force in an extended state, the first tension force substantially similar to the second tension force. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a tensioner connected to the connector, the tensioner having a first tension setting and a second tension setting, the second tension setting having a higher tension force than the first tension setting.   
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein the first tension setting is 3 pounds of tension force and the second tension setting is 15 pounds of tension force. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein the connector includes a first connector and a second connector separate from the first connector, and the tensioner includes a first tensioner and a second tensioner separate from the first tensioner, the first tensioner connected to the first connector and the second tensioner connected to the second connector, the first tensioner is set to the first tension setting and the second tensioner is set to the second tension setting. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a detachable coupling connected to the connector and one of the first user support platform and the second user support platform.   
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a second connector connected to the first user support platform;   a first handle connected to the second connector;   a third connector connected to the first user support platform; and   a second handle connected to the third connector.   
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the second connector is configured to connect to the first user support platform at a first point on the first user support platform in a first state and at a second point on the first user support platform in a second state. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the first user support platform further comprises:
 a hinge connected to the first user support platform; and   a footboard connected to the hinge, the footboard having a third user support surface, the third user support surface having an angle between 30 degrees and 150 degrees from the first user support surface on the first user support platform.   
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 10 , further comprising:
 a seat having a fourth user support surface and a fifth user support surface, the fourth user support surface in a different plane than the fifth user support surface, wherein the seat is connected to the second user support platform.   
     
     
         12 . A method of exercising, comprising:
 supporting a user on a first user support surface of a first user support platform;   supporting the user on a second user support surface of a second user support platform, the second user support platform connected to the first user support platform with a connector;   extending the second user support platform away from the first user support platform;   retracting the second user support platform towards the first user support platform;   rotating the second user support platform around a first axis orthogonal to and intersecting the first user support surface; and   rotating the second user support platform around a second axis orthogonal to and intersecting the second user support surface.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the rotating the second user support platform around the first axis occurs concurrently with rotating the second user support platform around the second axis. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the second axis is in a fixed position with respect to the first user support platform when rotating the second user support platform around the second axis. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising:
 adjusting a tension force on the connector to a first tension setting of 3 pounds; and   adjusting the tension force on the connector to a second tension setting of 15 pounds.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the connector causes a torque force at the second user support surface on the second user support platform around the second axis. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising:
 separating a detachable coupling from one of the first user support platform and the second user support platform; and   connecting the detachable coupling to the one of the first user support platform and the second user support platform.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising:
 supporting the user on a third user support surface of the first user support platform, the third user support surface at an angle between 30 degrees and 150 degrees from the first user support surface on the first user support platform.