Standing Abdominal Exercise Equipment

Abstract

An exercise device is disclosed for training abdominal muscles from a standing position. The device comprises a frame supported on the ground and a platform which provides a support for a person to stand on during use. The person grips handles which are coupled to a bar that is pivotally coupled to the frame. The person then flexes their muscles (including the abdominal muscles) to rotate the handles with respect to the platform, and by relaxing their muscles, returns the handles to the original position. The exercise may be made more challenging by engaging weights from a weight stack. The device further comprises a bolster for a user to optionally use for support during exercise.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An exercise apparatus comprising:
 a frame;   a rotationally stationary platform coupled to the frame;   at least one handle coupled to a bar which is rotatably coupled to the frame, wherein the point of rotation is beneath the platform;   wherein the at least one handle is selectively coupled to a source of resistance.   
     
     
         2 . The exercise apparatus of  claim 1 , comprising a selector pin configured so that, when the selector pin is disengaged, the bar can be repositioned substantially freely with respect to the frame. 
     
     
         3 . The exercise apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein when the selector pin is engaged, the bar requires substantial effort to rotate with respect to the frame. 
     
     
         4 . The exercise apparatus of  claim 1 , comprising:
 a bolster bar extending upward from the platform; and   at least one bolster pad coupled to the bolster bar.   
     
     
         5 . The exercise apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein a height of the at least one bolster pad is adjustable. 
     
     
         6 . The exercise apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one handle is vertically positioned so that a user standing on the platform grips the at least one handle. 
     
     
         7 . The exercise apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the source of resistance comprises a stack of one or more selectable weights. 
     
     
         8 . The exercise apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the source of resistance comprises a mount for one or more free weights. 
     
     
         9 . The exercise apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the source of resistance comprises one or more resistance bands. 
     
     
         10 . An exercise apparatus comprising:
 a frame;   a rotationally stationary platform coupled to the frame;   at least one handle coupled to a bar which is rotatably coupled to the frame, wherein the point of rotation is beneath the platform;   a selector pin coupled to the bar and releasably coupled to the frame   wherein the bar, the selector pin, and the frame are configured so that when the selector pin is disengaged, the bar can be repositioned substantially freely with respect to the frame;   wherein the bar, the selector pin, and the frame are configured so that when the selector pin is engaged, the bar requires substantial effort to rotate with respect to the frame; and   wherein the at least one handle is selectively coupled to a source of resistance.   
     
     
         11 . The exercise apparatus of  claim 10 , comprising:
 a bolster bar extending upward from the platform; and   at least one bolster pad coupled to the bolster bar.   
     
     
         12 . The exercise apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein a height of the at least one bolster pad is adjustable. 
     
     
         13 . The exercise apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the at least one handle is vertically positioned so that a user standing on the platform grips the at least one handle. 
     
     
         14 . The exercise apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the source of resistance comprises a stack of one or more selectable weights. 
     
     
         15 . The exercise apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the source of resistance comprises a mount for one or more free weights. 
     
     
         16 . The exercise apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the source of resistance comprises one or more resistance bands.