Training Apparatus

Abstract

A training apparatus for training a gluteus maximus muscle. The training apparatus includes a load application device for producing a certain load. A seat section is provided for supporting a body of a trainee. A pivotally operative arm section is provided to receive the load produced by the load application device. A step is provided attached to the arm section, for resting a sole of the trainee thereon. The trainee is able to train the gluteus maximus muscle by repeating extending and bending actions of a leg while lying down on the seat section and resting the sole on the step. In this training apparatus, the step is rotated in linkage with a pivotal operation of the arm section.

1 . A training apparatus for training a gluteus maximus muscle, comprising:
 a load application device for producing a certain load;   a seat section for supporting a body of a trainee;   a pivotally operative arm section to which the load produced by the load application device is transmitted; and   a step attached to the arm section, for resting a sole of the trainee thereon,   wherein the trainee is able to train the gluteus maximus muscle by repeating extending and bending actions of a leg while lying down on the seat section and resting the sole on the step,   wherein the step is rotated about a rotation axis perpendicular to a pivot of a pivotal operation of the arm section in linkage with the pivotal operation of the arm section, and   wherein the step includes a step plate on which the sole of the trainee is to be rested, the step plate facing perpendicular to the rotation axis.   
     
     
         2 . A training apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the arm section comprises:
 an arm main body pivotally supported by a frame that the load application device includes; and   an L-shaped arm pivotally supported by the arm main body at a tip region of the arm main body,   wherein the step is provided in a pair to be a pair of steps, both of which are attached to the L-shaped arm at a tip end part of the L-shaped arm so as to be rotated in directions opposite to each other.   
     
     
         3 . A training apparatus as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the steps comprise:
 driven members rotationally supported at the tip end part of the L-shaped arm;   step plates mounted on the driven members, for resting the sole of the trainee thereon; and   a wire wound around the driven members to have a figure eight appearance.   
     
     
         4 . A training apparatus as claimed in  claim 3 , further comprising:
 an L-shaped bar having a base end portion and a tip portion and fixed at the base end portion to a side surface of the tip region of the arm main body; and   a connecting member through which the tip portion of the L-shaped bar is rotationally connected to a side region of one of the driven members,   
       wherein the tip portion of the L-shaped bar is adapted to pull the connecting member upward so as to rotate the one of the driven members when the arm main body is pivotally moved upward. 
     
     
         5 . A training apparatus as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein the step plates are provided with stoppers for holding a position of the sole of the trainee. 
     
     
         6 . The training apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the step comprises a pair of steps coupled to each other so that said rotation in linkage with a pivotal operation of the arm section comprises an opposite rotation of the steps relative to each other. 
     
     
         7 . A training apparatus for training a gluteus maximus muscle, comprising:
 a load application device for producing a certain load;   a seat section for supporting a body of a trainee with the abdomen of the trainee supported by the seat section;   a pivotally operative arm section to which the load produced by the load application device is transmitted;   a step attached to the arm section, for resting a sole of the trainee thereon,   wherein the trainee is able to train the gluteus maximus muscle by repeating extending and bending actions of a leg while lying down on the seat section and resting the sole on the step, and   wherein the step is rotated relative to the arm section in linkage with a pivotal operation of the arm section.   
     
     
         8 . The training apparatus as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein the step comprises a pair of steps coupled to each other so that said rotation in linkage with a pivotal operation of the arm section comprises an opposite rotation of the steps relative to each other. 
     
     
         9 . A training apparatus as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein the pivotally operative arm section comprises:
 an arm main body having a first pivot relative to a support of a frame and a second pivot relative to the step; and   a pivotal support arm having a first pivot and a second pivot coupling the pivotal support arm to the step to provide said rotation of the step in linkage with the pivotal operation of the arm section.   
     
     
         10 . The training apparatus as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein the steps comprises a pair of steps and the relative rotation is about a respective axis of each step. 
     
     
         11 . The training apparatus as claimed in  claim 10 , wherein the pivotally operative arm section comprises:
 an arm main body having a first pivot relative to a support of a frame and a second pivot relative to an L-shaped arm to which the steps are mounted.   
     
     
         12 . The training apparatus as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein the pivotally operative arm section further comprises a link coupling the steps to the arm main body to drive the relative rotation. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 7  further comprising:
 a footrest positioned so that the trainee can rest one said sole on the footrest while the other said sole is rested on the step.   
     
     
         14 . The training apparatus as claimed in  claim 13 , wherein the steps comprises a pair of steps and the relative rotation is about a respective axis of each step. 
     
     
         15 . The training apparatus as claimed in  claim 13 , wherein the step comprises a pair of steps coupled to each other so that said rotation in linkage with a pivotal operation of the arm section comprises an opposite rotation of the steps relative to each other. 
     
     
         16 . A training apparatus as claimed in  claim 13 , wherein the pivotally operative arm section comprises:
 an arm main body having a first pivot relative to a support of a frame and a second pivot relative to the step; and   a pivotal support arm having a first pivot and a second pivot coupling the pivotal support arm to the step to provide said rotation of the step in linkage with the pivotal operation of the arm section.