Exercise Systems and Methods

Abstract

An exercise system comprising an extension section and a base section. The base section comprises a support assembly, a sleeve assembly, and a resilient member. The resilient member is arranged to resiliently oppose movement of the sleeve assembly in a compression direction relative to the support assembly. The extension section is detachably attachable to the sleeve assembly. The exercise system is operated in at least first and second configurations. In the first configuration, the extension section is detached from the sleeve assembly. In the second configuration, the extension section is detachably attached to the sleeve assembly such that the resilient member resiliently opposes movement of the sleeve assembly relative to the support assembly in the compression direction.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of exercising comprising the steps of:
 providing an extension section;   providing a support assembly;   providing a sleeve assembly that is detachably attachable to the extension section;   providing a resilient member;   forming a base section by arranging the resilient member to resiliently oppose movement of the sleeve assembly in a compression direction relative to the support assembly;   detachably attaching the extension section to the sleeve assembly;   applying a force to the extension section such that the extension section is displaced relative to the support assembly in the compression direction;   detaching the extension section from the sleeve assembly; and   applying a force to the sleeve assembly such that the sleeve assembly is displaced relative to the support assembly in the compression direction.   
     
     
         2 . A method as recited in  claim 1 , in which the step of providing the support assembly comprises the steps of:
 providing a support member;   providing a support brace assembly; and   supporting the support brace assembly with the support member.   
     
     
         3 . A method as recited in  claim 1 , in which the step of providing the sleeve assembly comprises the steps of:
 providing a sleeve member;   providing a sleeve brace assembly; and   supporting the sleeve brace assembly with the sleeve member.   
     
     
         4 . A method as recited in  claim 1 , in which the step of providing the extension section comprises the steps of:
 providing an extension brace assembly; and   configuring the extension brace assembly such that the resilient member resiliently opposes movement of the extension brace assembly relative to the support assembly in the compression direction.   
     
     
         5 . A method as recited in  claim 1 , in which the step of providing the extension section comprises the steps of:
 providing a first extension member;   providing a second extension member;   providing an extension brace assembly;   rigidly supporting the second extension member at one of a plurality of positions relative to the first extension member; and   supporting the extension brace assembly with the second extension member such that the resilient member resiliently opposes movement of the extension brace assembly relative to the support assembly in the compression direction.   
     
     
         6 . A method as recited in  claim 1 , in which:
 the step of providing the support assembly comprises the steps of
 providing a support member, and 
 supporting a support brace assembly with the support member; and 
   the step of providing the sleeve assembly comprises the steps of
 providing a sleeve member, and 
 supporting a sleeve brace assembly with the sleeve member. 
   
     
     
         7 . A method as recited in  claim 1 , in which:
 the step of providing the support assembly comprises the steps of
 providing a support member, 
 providing a support brace assembly, and 
 supporting the support brace assembly with the support member; 
   the step of providing the sleeve assembly comprises the steps of
 providing a sleeve member, 
 providing a sleeve brace assembly, and 
 supporting the sleeve brace assembly with the sleeve member; and 
   the step of providing the extension section comprises the step of providing an extension brace assembly.   
     
     
         8 . A method as recited in  claim 1 , in which:
 the step of providing the support assembly comprises the steps of
 providing a support member, 
 providing a support brace assembly, and 
 supporting the support brace assembly with the support member; 
   the step of providing the sleeve assembly comprises the steps of
 providing a sleeve member, 
 providing a sleeve brace assembly, and 
 supporting sleeve brace assembly with the sleeve member; and 
   the step of providing the extension section comprises the steps of
 providing a first extension member, 
 providing a second extension member, 
 supporting the second extension member relative to the first extension member, 
 providing an extension brace assembly, and 
 supporting the extension brace assembly with the second extension member