Rowing device for exercise

Abstract

According to some embodiments, a rowing device for exercise comprises a lower or base portion configured to be positioned along a ground surface, the lower or base portion configured to remain stationary during use, an upper portion configured to slidably move relative to the lower or base portion during use, wherein the upper portion comprises a resistance element, a handle assembly and a footrest assembly, and a seat assembly coupled to the lower or base portion, wherein the seat assembly is configured to not slidably move relative to the upper portion when the upper portion is moved relative to the lower or base portion.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A rowing device for exercise, the device comprising:
 a lower or base portion configured to be positioned along a ground surface, the lower or base portion configured to remain stationary during use;   an upper portion configured to slidably move relative to the lower or base portion during use;   wherein the upper portion comprises a resistance element, a handle assembly and a footrest assembly; and   a seat assembly coupled to the lower or base portion, wherein the seat assembly is configured to not slidably move relative to the upper portion when the upper portion is moved relative to the lower or base portion.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the upper portion is configured to slidably move relative to the lower or base portion using a rail system. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the upper portion is configured to slidably move relative to the lower or base portion using at least one wheel or other movable member. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 3 , wherein the at least one wheel or other movable member comprises at least one grooved or recessed wheel. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 3 , wherein the at least one wheel or other movable member is configured to be positioned along the upper portion. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 5 , wherein the at least one wheel or other movable member is configured to at least partially mate with a corresponding element or feature of the lower or base portion. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 6 , wherein the corresponding element or feature comprises an elongated member with a rounded or curved surface. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the seat assembly is directly coupled to the lower or base portion. 
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the seat assembly is coupled to the lower or base portion using at least one hinge, joint or other movable connection. 
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the resistance element comprises a flywheel or other mechanical resistance element. 
     
     
         11 . A device according to any one of  claims 1 to 9 , wherein the resistance element comprises a water, air or other fluid-based resistance clement, a hydraulic resistance clement or a magnetic resistance element. 
     
     
         12 . A device according to  any one of the preceding claims , wherein the seat assembly is located away from the forward and rear longitudinal ends of the device. 
     
     
         13 . The device of  claim 12 , wherein each of the forward and rear ends of the device comprises 0% to 15% of a length of the device along a longitudinal axis at the forward and rear ends of the device. 
     
     
         14 . A device according to  any one of the preceding claims , wherein the seat assembly is located along the middle third of the device along a longitudinal axis of the device. 
     
     
         15 . A device according to  any one of the preceding claims , wherein the seat assembly is configured to move in an up-and-down motion or in an angular manner when the upper portion slidably moves relative to the lower or base portion. 
     
     
         16 . A device according to  any one of the preceding claims , wherein the handle assembly comprises a handlebar that configured to be grasped and manipulated by the user during use. 
     
     
         17 . A device according to any one of  claims 1 to 15 , wherein the handle assembly comprises at least oar configured to be grasped and manipulated by the user during use. 
     
     
         18 . A device according to  any one of the preceding claims , further comprising a protective member, the protective member being configured to reduce the likelihood of injury to individuals located adjacent the protective member. 
     
     
         19 . The device of  claim 18 , wherein the protective member is located along a rear of the device. 
     
     
         20 . A device according to  any one of the preceding claims , wherein the resistance element remains in front of the user during use. 
     
     
         21 . A device according to  any one of the preceding claims , wherein at least a part of the upper portion is configured to move behind the user during use. 
     
     
         22 . A device according to  any one of the preceding claims , wherein the resistance element remains in front of the user during use, and wherein at least a part of the upper portion is configured to move behind the user during use. 
     
     
         23  A rowing device for exercise, the device comprising:
 a lower or base portion configured to be positioned along a ground surface, the lower or base portion configured to remain stationary during use; 
 an upper portion configured to slidably move relative to the lower or base portion during use; and 
 a seat assembly; 
 wherein the upper portion comprises a resistance element, a handle assembly and a footrest assembly; 
 wherein the seat assembly is located away from the forward and rear longitudinal ends of the device. 
 
     
     
         24 . The device of  claim 23 , wherein the upper portion is configured to slidably move relative to the lower or base portion using a rail system. 
     
     
         25 . The device of  claim 23 , wherein the upper portion is configured to slidably move relative to the lower or base portion using at least one wheel or other movable member. 
     
     
         26 . The device of  claim 25 , wherein the at least one wheel or other movable member comprises at least one grooved or recessed wheel. 
     
     
         27 . The device of  claim 25 , wherein the at least one wheel or other movable member is configured to be positioned along the upper portion. 
     
     
         28 . The device of  claim 27 , wherein the at least one wheel or other movable member is configured to at least partially mate with a corresponding element or feature of the lower or base portion. 
     
     
         29 . The device of  claim 28 , wherein the corresponding element or feature comprises an elongated member with a rounded or curved surface. 
     
     
         30 . A device according to any one of  claims 23 to 29 , wherein the seat assembly is coupled to the lower or base portion. 
     
     
         31 . The device according to any one of  claims 23 to 30 , wherein the seat assembly is coupled to the lower or base portion using at least one hinge, joint or other movable connection. 
     
     
         32 . A device of  claim 31 , wherein the resistance element comprises a flywheel or other mechanical resistance element. 
     
     
         33 . A device according to any one of  claims 23 to 31 , wherein the resistance clement comprises a water, air or other fluid-based resistance clement, a hydraulic resistance element or a magnetic resistance element. 
     
     
         34 . A device according to any one of  claims 23 to 33 , wherein each of the forward and rear ends of the device comprises 0% to 15% of a length of the device along a longitudinal axis at the forward and rear ends of the device. 
     
     
         35 . A device according to any one of  claims 23 to 34 , wherein the seat assembly is located along the middle third of the device along a longitudinal axis of the device. 
     
     
         36 . A device according to any one of  claims 23 to 35 , wherein the seat assembly is configured to move in an up-and-down motion or in an angular manner when the upper portion slidably moves relative to the lower or base portion. 
     
     
         37 . A device according to any one of  claims 23 to 36 , wherein the handle assembly comprises a handlebar that configured to be grasped and manipulated by the user during use. 
     
     
         38 . A device according to any one of  claims 23 to 36 , wherein the handle assembly comprises at least one oar configured to be grasped and manipulated by the user during use. 
     
     
         39 . A device according to any one of  claims 23 to 38 , further comprising a protective member, the protective member being configured to reduce the likelihood of injury to individuals located adjacent the protective member. 
     
     
         40 . The device of  claim 39 , wherein the protective member is located along a rear of the device. 
     
     
         41 . A device according to any one of  claims 23 to 40 , wherein the resistance element remains in front of the user during use. 
     
     
         42 . A device according to any one of  claims 23 to 41 , wherein at least a part of the upper portion is configured to move behind the user during use. 
     
     
         43 . A device according to any one of  claims 23 to 42 , wherein the resistance element remains in front of the user during use, and wherein at least a part of the upper portion is configured to move behind the user during use.