Exercise Apparatus

Abstract

The present invention relates to an exercise apparatus that enables a number of exercises to be carried out utilising the apparatus. The present invention provides an aid to a user to perform an exercise using their own body weight. The apparatus comprises a biasing means arranged and configured to provide support for a user when in use, the biasing means including a sleeve and a piston arranged to move relative to the sleeve. The biasing means further includes a chamber provided between the sleeve and the piston wherein movement of the piston from a rest configuration to an extended configuration causes compression of the material in the chamber.

1 . An exercise apparatus for providing support for a user when the user is performing an exercise, the apparatus comprising a biasing means arranged and configured to provide support for a user when in use, the biasing means including a sleeve and a piston arranged to move relative to the sleeve, the biasing means further including a chamber provided between the sleeve and the piston wherein movement of the piston from a rest configuration to an extended configuration causes compression of the material in the chamber, and the biasing means further comprising a valve system arranged to enable release of material from the chamber such that the force opposing movement of the piston relative to the sleeve is enabled to remain substantially constant for a substantially constant applied load. 
     
     
         2 . An exercise apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising means to adjust the restoring force of the biasing means between an extended configuration and a rest configuration. 
     
     
         3 . An exercise apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising a user contact member arranged to be supported by the biasing means. 
     
     
         4 . An exercise apparatus according to  claim 3 , wherein the user contact member is supported by the piston. 
     
     
         5 . An exercise apparatus according to  claim 3 , wherein the user contact member is tiltable relative to the biasing means. 
     
     
         6 . An exercise apparatus according to  claim 5 , wherein the user contact member includes an elastically deformable material. 
     
     
         7 . An exercise apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the a valve system of the biasing means controls the movement of piston relative to the sleeve. 
     
     
         8 . An exercise apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising a base onto which the biasing mean is mounted. 
     
     
         9 . An exercise apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising a protrusion arranged to extend generally perpendicular to the biasing means. 
     
     
         10 . An exercise apparatus according to  claim 9 , wherein the protrusion extends generally perpendicular to the sleeve, extending either side of the sleeve. 
     
     
         11 . (canceled) 
     
     
         12 . An exercise apparatus for providing support for at least a part of the torso of a user when the user is performing an exercise, the apparatus comprising a biasing means arranged and configured to provide support for a user when in use, the biasing means being variable to provide an adjustable restoring force between an extended configuration and a rest configuration.