Lateral exercise slide

Abstract

A laterally sliding exercise device includes a base with rails that receive a foot platform. The rails are supported by a center support member that can be adjusted up and down resulting in a change in elevation of first ends of the rails. The change in elevation of the rails changes the resistance of the exercise device. Rollers slidingly connect the foot platform to the rails during operation.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . An exercise apparatus, comprising: 
 a base member having a forward facing direction for an associated operator;    at least a first pair of parallel rails having first and second ends, the first pair parallel rails being selectively adjustable up and down at the first end, the first pair of parallel rails being laterally oriented with respect to the forward facing direction; and,    a first foot rest movably mounted to the at least a first pair of parallel rails.    
     
     
         2 . The exercise apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 a second pair of parallel rails having first and second ends, the second pair of parallel rails being selectively adjustable up and down at the first end, the second pair of parallel rails being laterally oriented with respect to the forward facing direction and oppositely disposed from the first pair of parallel rails.    
     
     
         3 . The exercise apparatus of  claim 2 , further comprising: 
 a second foot rest movably mounted to the second pair of parallel rails.    
     
     
         4 . The exercise apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein the second foot rest is operatively connected to the first foot rest such that movement of the second foot rest is dependent on the movement of said first foot rest.  
     
     
         5 . The exercise apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said first pair of parallel rails is curvilinear.  
     
     
         6 . The exercise apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 at least one handle operatively connected to the base member, said handle being selectively removably connected to the base member.    
     
     
         7 . The exercise apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the base member further comprises first and second U-shaped members fastened together at a center region of the base member.  
     
     
         8 . The exercise apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 a center rail support member operatively connected to the base member, the center rail support member having a foundation portion and a telescoping portion, the foundation portion and telescoping portion having holes for receiving a pin to lock the position of the telescoping portion in place with respect to the foundation portion.    
     
     
         9 . The exercise apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the first pair of parallel rails has an angle of inclination, the angle of inclination adapted to change as the center rail support member is selectively adjusted up or down.  
     
     
         10 . The exercise apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 rollers rotatably connected to the first pair of parallel rails such that the first foot rest is slidably moveable relative to the first pair of parallel rails.    
     
     
         11 . A lateral slide exercise apparatus comprising: 
 a base member having a forward facing direction for an associated operator;    a first rail having first and second ends, the first rail being laterally oriented with respect to the forward facing direction, the first rail being curvilinear; and,    a slide member movably mounted to the first rail.    
     
     
         12 . The lateral slide exercise apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the first rail is selectively adjustable up and down.  
     
     
         13 . The lateral slide exercise apparatus of  claim 12 , further comprising a center rail support member, the center rail support member having adjusting means to selectively move the first rail up and down.  
     
     
         14 . The lateral slide exercise apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein the adjusting means comprises a pin selectively removable in holes defined in a foundation portion and telescoping portion of the central support member.  
     
     
         15 . The lateral slide exercise apparatus of  claim 11 , further comprising a center rail support member, wherein the first rail is pivotally attached to the center rail support member.  
     
     
         16 . The lateral slide exercise apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the slide member further comprises generally parallel telescoping legs.  
     
     
         17 . The lateral slide exercise apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein the generally parallel telescoping legs are selectively movable, the parallel telescoping legs adapted to increase the degree of difficulty experienced by the operator during use.  
     
     
         18 . The lateral exercise apparatus of  claim 16 , further comprising locking clamps for securely holding the telescoping legs in place.  
     
     
         19 . A method for using a lateral exercise slide, comprising the steps of: 
 providing a base member having a forward facing direction for an associated operator, a first pair and a second pair of parallel curvilinear rails, each pair of rails having first and second ends, the first pair of parallel rails being laterally oriented with respect to the forward facing direction, and a slide member movably mounted to the first and second pairs of parallel rails;    tilting the slide member to one side;    placing one foot on the slide member;    placing another foot on the slide member;    gripping handle members; and    moving the slide member laterally.    
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the lateral exercise slide further comprises a center support member that is selectively movable in a vertical direction.  
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 20 , further comprising the step of: 
 adjusting the height of the center support member so as to increase or decrease the level of difficulty of the lateral exercise slide.