Sit-up exercise bench

Abstract

An exercise bench for performing assisted sit-ups comprising two declining benches, a pulley on a shaft intermediate the two declining benches, and a tether which engages the pulley.

1 . An exercise apparatus for use on a support surface, comprising: 
 (a) a first bench and a second bench, wherein each bench comprises: 
 (i) a rigid back support having a first end, a second end, and a support surface; and  
 (ii) a first support member for supporting the bench on the support surface, the first support member having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of the first support member is attached to the first end of the rigid back support, the rigid back support and first support member cooperating so that the second end of the rigid back support declines with respect to the first end of the rigid back support; and  
   (b) a base assembly positioned between the first bench and the second bench, the base assembly comprising: 
 (i) a shaft extending away from the support surface, the shaft having a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the distal end of the shaft extends further from the support surface than the first and second benches;  
 (ii) a base for supporting the shaft on the support surface, the base having a first lateral end and a second lateral end, wherein the proximal end of the shaft is secured to the base between the first lateral end and the second lateral end of the base; and  
 (iii) a pulley secured to the distal end of the shaft.  
   
     
     
         2 . The exercise apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the second end of the rigid back support declines with respect to the first end of the rigid back support at an angle of between about 20° and about 60°.  
     
     
         3 . The exercise apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the second end of the rigid back support declines with respect to the first end of the rigid back support at an angle of at least about 30°.  
     
     
         4 . The exercise apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a height adjustment mechanism for changing the distance between the distal end of the shaft and the support surface.  
     
     
         5 . The exercise apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the shaft is fixedly secured to the base.  
     
     
         6 . The exercise apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a tether having a handle at each end, wherein the tether is adapted to cooperate with the pulley.  
     
     
         7 . The exercise apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising attachment points on the base between the first lateral end and the shaft, and between the shaft and the second lateral end, wherein the second end of the support member of each of the benches cooperates with one or more of the attachment points to secure the support member to the base.  
     
     
         8 . The exercise apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the rigid back support and the first support member are hingedly connected.  
     
     
         9 . The exercise apparatus of  claim 8 , further comprising a safety latch for securing the first bench to the second bench when the first and second benches are oriented vertically with respect to the support surface.  
     
     
         10 . The exercise apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a second support member having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of the second support member is connected to the second end of the rigid back support.  
     
     
         11 . The exercise apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising support pads on the first support member.  
     
     
         12 . The exercise apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the first lateral end of the base comprises a retaining member for engaging a foot at the second end of the first support member.  
     
     
         13 . The exercise apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a shaft holder secured to the base, the shaft holder comprising a receptacle for receiving the proximal end of the shaft, wherein the shaft is secured to the base by the shaft holder.  
     
     
         14 . The exercise apparatus of  claim 13 , further comprising a converter unit to allow exercises to be performed with the apparatus by a single individual, the converter unit comprising: 
 a hollow retaining member having a proximal end and a distal end, the hollow retaining member being adapted to fit around the shaft holder;    a laterally extending shaft having a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the proximal end of the laterally extending shaft is attached to the proximal end of the hollow retaining member; and    a pulley attached to the distal end of the laterally extending shaft.    
     
     
         15 . The exercise apparatus of  claim 14 , further comprising a bracing support member attached to the laterally extending shaft and to the hollow retaining member  
     
     
         16 . The exercise apparatus of  claim 14 , further comprising tether attachment points on the base between the shaft and the first lateral end for connecting one end of a tether to the base.  
     
     
         17 . The exercise apparatus of  claim 14 , further comprising a spring tether having a handle at one end.  
     
     
         18 . A method of performing a sit-up exercise by two individuals, comprising: 
 (a) providing the exercise apparatus of  claim 6;     (b) positioning the first individual on the first bench so that the individual is in a fully reclined position, the first individual gripping the first end of the tether;    (c) positioning the second individual on the second bench in an upright seated position, the second individual gripping the second end of the tether so as to provide tension to the tether; and    (d) elevating the upper body of the first individual and simultaneously reclining upper body of the second individual while maintaining tension in the tether until the second individual reaches a fully reclined position on the second bench.    
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , further comprising the step after step (d) of elevating the upper body of the second individual and simultaneously reclining upper body of the first individual while maintaining tension in the tether until the first individual reaches a fully reclined position on the second bench.