Exercise apparatus

Abstract

The present invention provides for exercise apparatus comprising a backrest pivotally coupled in a region of a first end to a support frame and resiliently biased to extend in an at least partially upward direction therefrom, a legrest pivotally coupled in a region of a first end to the said support frame and resiliently biased to extend in an at least partially upward direction the said support being arranged for stable location of the apparatus on a floor, and the apparatus further being arranged to present a seat portion for a user in the region of the said first ends of the backrest and the legrest and so that, when sat on the apparatus, a user can exercise their legs and/or abdomen as required.

1 . Exercise apparatus comprising a backrest pivotally coupled in a region of a first end to a support and resiliently biased to extend in an at least partially upward direction therefrom, a legrest pivotally coupled in a region of a first end to the said support and resiliently biased to extend in an at least partially upward direction the said support being arranged for stable location of the apparatus on a floor, and the apparatus further being arranged to present a seat portion for a user in the region of the said first ends of the backrest and the legrest. 
     
     
         2 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the backrest is arranged to extend at an angle to the said legrest. 
     
     
         3 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 1  or  2 , wherein the backrest and legrest pivot about a common fulcrum. 
     
     
         4 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein the backrest and legrest are resiliently and pivotally coupled together with the pivot coupling being mounted to the said support. 
     
     
         5 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 1  or  2 , wherein each of the backrest and the legrest is resiliently pivotally coupled to the support and extend partially upwardly, in at least slightly different directions therefrom and/or from different locations thereon. 
     
     
         6 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 5 , wherein the seat portion is located between the respective first ends of the backrest and legrest. 
     
     
         7 . Apparatus as claimed in any one or more of  claims 1  to  6 , wherein the support includes handles to be gripped by a user during an exercise routine. 
     
     
         8 . Apparatus as claimed in any one or more of  claims 1  to  7 , wherein the pivotal connection of each of the back and legrests is such that each can be pivoted against the resilient bias at least to a substantially horizontal position. 
     
     
         9 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein the said backrest and the legrest can be pivoted against the resilient bias to a position beyond horizontal such that each slopes downwardly away from the seat portion. 
     
     
         10 . Apparatus as claimed in any one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the legrest is arranged to provide support under the back of a user's thigh. 
     
     
         11 . Apparatus as claimed in any one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the backrest comprises an arm member pivotally engaged in a resilient manner to the said support and presenting at least one cushion pad for contact with a user's hack. 
     
     
         12 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein the said at least one cushion pad for contact with any user's back is movable, preferably in a rolling manner. 
     
     
         13 . Apparatus as claimed in any one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the legrest comprises at least one central longitudinal arm and with leg support means extending laterally either side thereof. 
     
     
         14 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 13 , wherein the leg support means comprise cushion members. 
     
     
         15 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 13  or  14  and configured with relative movement of the cushion support members in a rotatable manner so as to rotate as user's legs are moved relative thereto. 
     
     
         16 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 13 ,  14  or  15 , wherein respective first and second pairs of the said support members are provided in a manner spaced in the longitudinal direction of the said central arm(s). 
     
     
         17 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 13 ,  14 ,  15  or  16 , wherein the leg support means are movably mounted to the longitudinal arm(s) such that their location on the said arm(s) and can be adjusted as required. 
     
     
         18 . Apparatus as claimed in any one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the said leg rest comprises pivotally mounted left and right members. 
     
     
         19 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 18 , wherein the left and right members are arranged for independent pivotal movement. 
     
     
         20 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 18  or  19 , wherein the left and right members are arranged with selectively releasable coupling means for achieving selectively unitary, or independent, pivotal movement. 
     
     
         21 . Apparatus as claimed in any one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the leg rest is arranged to be coupled to an intermediate resiliently biased member for the said pivotal movement. 
     
     
         22 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 21 , wherein the position of coupling of the leg rest to the said intermediate member is selectively variable. 
     
     
         23 . An exercise apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, and as illustrated in,  FIGS. 1 and 2 ;  FIGS. 3 ,  4 ,  5  and  6 ; and  FIG. 7  of the accompanying drawings.