Exercise system using exercise resistance cables

Abstract

An exercise resistance cable apparatus for engagement with a pulley assembly of a support structure and with a cable locking pin of an anchor assembly of the support structure. The exercise resistance cable apparatus includes an elastic exercise resistance cable. A cable anchor ring is securely connected to a first end of the elastic exercise resistance cable. A handgrip is connected to a second end of the elastic exercise resistance cable. During use the elastic exercise resistance cable is directed through an activity bay of the pulley assembly and ultimately attached, via the cable anchor ring, to the cable locking pin of the anchor assembly of the support structure. The exercise resistance cable apparatus is particularly adapted to be used with an exercise chair having a frame with pulley assemblies defining a plurality of activity bays positioned at desired locations thereon.

1 . An exercise resistance cable apparatus for engagement with a pulley assembly of a support structure and with a cable locking pin of an anchor assembly of the support structure, said exercise resistance cable apparatus, comprising:
 a) an elastic exercise resistance cable;   b) a cable anchor ring securely connected to a first end of said elastic exercise resistance cable; and,   c) a handgrip connected to a second end of said elastic exercise resistance cable,   wherein during use said elastic exercise resistance cable is directed through an activity bay of said pulley assembly and ultimately attached, via said cable anchor ring, to said cable locking pin of the anchor assembly of the support structure.   
   
   
       2 . The exercise resistance cable apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said cable anchor ring, comprises:
 a) a circular section; and,   b) an integral extension extending from said circular section, said integral extension being securely attached to said first end of said elastic exercise resistance cable.   
   
   
       3 . The exercise resistance cable apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said cable anchor ring, comprises:
 a) a circular section;   b) an integral extension extending from said circular section, said integral extension being securely attached to said first end of said elastic exercise resistance cable; and,   c) a plastic cover positioned around said integral extension and the portion of said first end of said elastic exercise resistance cable in the vicinity of said integral extension, said plastic cover being color coded to define a selected level of resistance.   
   
   
       4 . The exercise resistance cable apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said support structure comprises a chair. 
   
   
       5 . An exercise system, comprising:
 a) a support structure;   b) a first pulley assembly securely attached to said support structure at a first selected pulley location, said first pulley assembly having a first activity bay;   c) a first anchor assembly securely attached to said support structure at a first selected anchor assembly location, said first anchor assembly having a first cable locking pin; and,   d) a first exercise resistance cable apparatus, comprising:
 i. an elastic exercise resistance cable; 
 ii. a cable anchor ring securely connected to a first end of said elastic exercise resistance cable; and, 
 iii. a handgrip connected to a second end of said elastic exercise resistance cable, 
   
     wherein during use said elastic exercise resistance cable is directed through said first activity bay of said first pulley assembly and ultimately attached, via said cable anchor ring, to said cable locking pin of said first anchor assembly of the support structure. 
   
   
       6 . The exercise system of  claim 5  wherein said first pulley assembly, comprises:
 a) a u-bracket secured to said support structure, said u-bracket having a pair of arms having respective u-bracket openings therein;   b) a pulley having a pulley opening extending through a first portion thereof, said pulley having a second portion having an activity bay opening formed therein defining said activity bay; and,   c) a pulley pin extending through said pulley opening and through said u-bracket openings to secure said pulley to said support structure.   
   
   
       7 . The exercise system of  claim 5  wherein said first anchor assembly, comprises:
 a) a base securely attached to said support structure at said selected anchor assembly location;   b) a pair of spaced parallel support rails extending from respective sides of said base and directed toward said first pulley assembly to provide access to, and serve as a guideway for said first elastic exercise resistance cable; and,   c) a cable locking pin extending from said base for securing said cable anchor ring.   
   
   
       8 . The exercise system of  claim 5  wherein:
 a) said support structure comprises a chair having a chair frame;   b) said first anchor assembly is positioned at approximately seat level on a first side of said chair frame; and,   c) said first pulley assembly is positioned at approximately shoulder height level on said first side of said chair frame,   said exercise system, further comprising:   a) a second pulley assembly positioned at approximately ankle height level on said first side of said chair frame;   b) a second anchor assembly positioned at approximately seat level on a second side of said chair frame;   c) a third pulley assembly positioned at approximately shoulder height level on said second side of said chair frame; and,   d) a fourth pulley assembly positioned at approximately ankle height level on said second side of said chair frame, wherein   1) said first and second pulley assemblies are operationally associated with said first anchor assembly; and, 2) said third and fourth pulley assemblies are operationally associated with said second anchor assembly.   
   
   
       9 . The exercise system of  claim 5  wherein said support structure comprises a chair. 
   
   
       10 . The exercise system of  claim 5  wherein said support structure comprises a folding chair. 
   
   
       11 . The exercise system of  claim 5  wherein said support structure comprises a chair having a pair of front feet and a pair of rear feet, said exercise system further comprising:
 a stepper including a plurality of spaced openings so arranged and constructed to engage said front feet and rear feet of said chair.   
   
   
       12 . The exercise system of  claim 5  wherein said support structure comprises a chair having a seat back having an upper portion defining a balance bar section, said exercise system further comprising:
 a back support assembly including a back support and clips attached to said back support assembly for engagement with said balance bar section, said back support assembly for positioning the user forwardly to provide him with a beneficial posture and positioning for an enhanced exercise range of motion.   
   
   
       13 . A universal gym exercise system, comprising:
 a) a main frame;   b) a plurality of exercise components associated with said main frame, at least one of said exercise components, comprising:
 i. a support structure; 
 ii. a first pulley assembly securely attached to said support structure at a first selected pulley location, said first pulley assembly having a first activity bay; 
 iii. a first anchor assembly securely attached to said support structure at a first selected anchor assembly location, said first anchor assembly having a first cable locking pin; and 
 iv. a first exercise resistance cable apparatus, comprising:
 1. an elastic exercise resistance cable; 
 2. a cable anchor ring securely connected to a first end of said elastic exercise resistance cable; and 
 3. a handgrip connected to a second end of said elastic exercise resistance cable; 
 
   
     wherein during use said elastic exercise resistance cable is directed through said first activity bay of said first pulley assembly and ultimately attached, via said cable anchor ring, to said cable locking pin of the first anchor assembly of the support structure. 
   
   
       14 . The universal gym exercise system of  claim 13  wherein said support structure comprises an exercise chair. 
   
   
       15 . The universal gym exercise system of  claim 13  wherein said support structure comprises an exercise chair, said exercise chair comprising a seat back frame section for supporting said first pulley assembly and a second pulley assembly, said first and second pulley assemblies being positioned at approximately shoulder height on opposing sides of said exercise chair. 
   
   
       16 . The universal gym exercise system of  claim 13  wherein said support structure comprises an exercise chair, said exercise chair comprising:
 a) a seat back frame section for supporting said first pulley assembly and a second pulley assembly, said first and second pulley assemblies being positioned at approximately shoulder height on opposing sides of said exercise chair;   b) a pedestal section for supporting a third and a fourth pulley assembly, said third and fourth pulley assemblies being positioned at approximately ankle height on opposing sides of said exercise chair;   said first anchor assembly and a second anchor assembly being positioned at approximately ankle level at opposing sides of a seat frame section of said exercise chair.   
   
   
       17 . An exercise chair for an exercise system, said exercise system of a type that utilizes an exercise resistance cable apparatus of a type that includes an elastic exercise resistance cable; a cable anchor ring securely connected to a first end of said elastic exercise resistance cable; and; a handgrip connected to a second end of said elastic exercise resistance cable, said exercise chair comprising:
 a) a chair frame;   b) a first pulley assembly securely attached to said chair frame at a first selected pulley location, said first pulley assembly having a first activity bay; and,   c) a first anchor assembly securely attached to said chair frame at a first selected anchor assembly location, said first anchor assembly having a first cable locking pin,   wherein during use said elastic exercise resistance cable is directed through said first activity bay of said first pulley assembly and ultimately attached, via said cable anchor ring, to said cable locking pin of the first anchor assembly of the chair frame.   
   
   
       18 . The exercise chair of  claim 17  wherein:
 a) said first anchor assembly is positioned at approximately seat level on a first side of said chair frame; and,   b) said first pulley assembly is positioned at approximately shoulder height level of said first side of said chair frame,   said exercise system, further comprising:   e) a second pulley assembly positioned at approximately ankle height level of said first side of said chair frame;   f) a second anchor assembly positioned at approximately seat level on a second side of said chair frame;   g) a third pulley assembly positioned at approximately shoulder height level of said second side of said chair frame; and,   h) a fourth pulley assembly positioned at approximately ankle height level of said second side of said chair frame, wherein   1) said first and second pulley assemblies are operationally associated with said first anchor assembly; and, 2) said third and fourth pulley assemblies are operationally associated with said second anchor assembly.   
   
   
       19 . The exercise chair of  claim 18  wherein said chair frame includes a pair of front legs, each front leg being forwardly curved at an intermediate region thereof to enhance weight distribution for optimizing stability. 
   
   
       20 . A method of exercising, comprising the steps of:
 a) directing a first exercise resistance cable apparatus through an activity bay of first pulley assembly attached to a support structure at a first selected pulley location,
 said first exercise resistance cable apparatus of a type that includes an elastic exercise resistance cable; a cable anchor ring securely connected to a first end of said elastic exercise resistance cable; and; a handgrip connected to a second end of said elastic exercise resistance cable; 
   b) directing said first exercise resistance cable apparatus toward a first anchor assembly securely attached to said support structure at a first selected anchor assembly location, said first anchor assembly having a first cable locking pin;   c) attaching the cable anchor ring of said first exercise resistance cable apparatus to said first cable locking pin; and,   d) utilizing said handgrip to move and stretch said first exercise resistance cable apparatus for exercise.