Functional training equipment with multiple movement planes for back exercises

Abstract

A back exercise machine includes: a resistance element; a user support; a first movement element, the first movement element having: a column; and a first connecting element having a pivot point such that the user support is able to pivot about a first axis associated with the first connecting element, wherein the first connecting element is movably coupled to the column such that the first connecting element is able to move along a path defined by the column; and a second movement element, the second movement element having: a rail; and a second connecting element having a pivot point such that the user support is able to pivot about a second axis associated with the second connecting element, wherein the second connecting element is movably coupled to the rail such that the second connecting element is able to move along a path defined by the rail.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A back exercise machine comprising:
 a resistance element;   a user support coupled to the resistance element;   a first movement element coupled to the user support, the first movement element comprising:
 a column; and 
 a first connecting element comprising a first pivot point such that the user support is able to pivot about a first axis associated with the first connecting element, wherein the first connecting element is movably coupled to the column such that the first connecting element is able to move along a first path defined by the column; and 
   a second movement element coupled to the user support, the second movement element comprising:
 a rail; and 
 a second connecting element comprising a second pivot point such that the user support is able to pivot about a second axis associated with the second connecting element, wherein the second connecting element is movably coupled to the rail such that the second connecting element is able to move along a second path defined by the rail. 
   
     
     
         2 . The back exercise machine of  claim 1 , wherein the resistance element comprises at least one handle, at least one cable, at least one pulley, and a selectable load. 
     
     
         3 . The back exercise machine of  claim 1 , wherein the first path and the second path determine a movement path of the user support from a start position to an end position. 
     
     
         4 . The back exercise machine of  claim 3 , wherein the movement path causes the user support to arc backward when moving along the movement path from the start position to the end position. 
     
     
         5 . The back exercise machine of  claim 4 , wherein the user support moves along the movement path from the start position to the end position when external force is applied to the resistance element. 
     
     
         6 . The back exercise machine of  claim 5 , wherein the user support moves along the movement path from the end position to the start position when external force is released from the resistance element. 
     
     
         7 . The back exercise machine of  claim 1 , wherein the first movement element is coupled to a seat of the user support and the second movement element is coupled to a footrest of the user support. 
     
     
         8 . The back exercise machine of  claim 1 , wherein the rail forms an obtuse angle relative to the column. 
     
     
         9 . The back exercise machine of  claim 1 , wherein the resistance element allows an overhead pull movement and a seated row movement. 
     
     
         10 . The back exercise machine of  claim 1 , wherein the rail slopes upward from the start position to the end position. 
     
     
         11 . An overhead pull machine comprising:
 a resistance element;   a user support coupled to the resistance element;   a first movement element coupled to the user support, the first movement element comprising:
 a column; and 
 a first carriage movably coupled to the column such that the first movement element is able to move along a first path defined by the column; and 
   a second movement element coupled to the user support, the second movement element comprising:
 a rail; and 
 a second carriage movably coupled to the rail such that the second movement element is able to move along a second path defined by the rail. 
   
     
     
         12 . The overhead pull machine of  claim 11 , wherein the first carriage comprises a first pivot axis associated with a connection point between the first carriage and a seat of the user support. 
     
     
         13 . The overhead pull machine of  claim 12 , wherein the second carriage comprises a second pivot axis associated with a connection point between the second carriage and a frame member of the user support. 
     
     
         14 . The overhead pull machine of  claim 11 , wherein the first column comprises two parallel linear members and the first carriage comprises two parallel sleeves associated with the parallel linear members. 
     
     
         15 . The overhead pull machine of  claim 11 , wherein the user support comprises at least one of a footrest and a hold-down roller. 
     
     
         16 . A seated row machine comprising:
 a cable resistance element adapted to allow for a resistance path that is at least partly defined by a user;   a user support coupled to the cable resistance element;   a first movement element coupled to the user support, the first movement element comprising:
 a rail; and 
 a first carriage movably coupled to the rail such that the first movement element is able to move along a first path defined by the rail; and 
   a second movement element coupled to the user support, the second movement element comprising:
 a pair of columns; and 
 a second carriage movably coupled to the pair of columns such that the second movement element is able to move along a second path defined by the pair of columns. 
   
     
     
         17 . The seated row machine of  claim 16 , wherein the first carriage comprises a first pivot axis and the second carriage comprises a second pivot axis that is parallel to the first pivot axis. 
     
     
         18 . The seated row machine of  claim 16 , wherein the rail slopes upward as the first carriage moves from a start position to an end position. 
     
     
         19 . The seated row machine of  claim 16 , wherein the pair of columns form an obtuse angle relative to the rail. 
     
     
         20 . The seated row machine of  claim 16 , wherein the user support arcs backward as the user support moves from a start position to an end position.