Resistance exercise apparatus

Abstract

A resistance exercise apparatus includes a support formation or platform for supporting the bodyweight of a user. The apparatus includes a pulley system with pulleys around which a cable is threaded, as well as a resistance mechanism with a pneumatic actuator connected to the pulley system. The cable has a handle on which the user can exert a muscular load so that the muscular load is transferred by the cable as a tensile load, to the resistance mechanism and the resistance mechanism being configured such that the pneumatic actuator exerts a resistive force against said tensile load.

1 . A resistance exercise apparatus comprising:
 a portable support structure including at least one support formation for supporting the bodyweight of a person using the resistance exercise apparatus, the support structure being configured to be supported on a substrate;   at least one pulley attached to the support structure;   a resistance mechanism which includes at least one pneumatic actuator, said resistance mechanism being attached to the support structure;   an engagement formation on which the person using the resistance exercise apparatus can exert a muscular load; and   at least one inextensible tether that is threaded around at least one said pulley, said tether being connected to the engagement formation and to the resistance mechanism to transfer a tensile load between the engagement formation and the resistance mechanism;   said resistance mechanism being configured such that the pneumatic actuator exerts a resistive force against said tensile load.   
     
     
         2 . The resistance exercise apparatus according to  claim 1 , which includes at least two pulleys, said tether being threaded in multiple runs between the pulleys. 
     
     
         3 . The resistance exercise apparatus according to  claim 1  or  claim 2 , wherein the resistance mechanism includes a control mechanism that is configured to control pneumatic pressure in the pneumatic actuator to control the resistive force exerted by the pneumatic actuator. 
     
     
         4 . The resistance exercise apparatus according to  claim 3 , wherein the control mechanism includes at least one control valve that is configured for controlling a flow of compressed gas between the pneumatic actuator and a compressed gas source. 
     
     
         5 . The resistance exercise apparatus according to  claim 4 , wherein the compressed gas source includes at least one reservoir that is supported on the support structure. 
     
     
         6 . The resistance exercise apparatus according to  claim 5 , wherein the compressed gas source includes a compressor that is supported on the support structure, said compressor being configured to supply gas under pressure to the reservoir. 
     
     
         7 . The resistance exercise apparatus according to  claim 3 , wherein the control mechanism includes a sensor that is configured to monitor extension of the pneumatic actuator. 
     
     
         8 . The resistance exercise apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the support formation is a platform.