Exercise device

Abstract

The present invention provides an exercise machine for developing the chest muscles while maintaining correct biomechanical posture and joint movement for the user, thereby maximizing efficiency and safety. The present invention includes a track in which two handles independently slide. The handles are interconnected to either an end bridge or a middle bridge by one or more tensioning elements that are configured to provide gradual and progressively increased resistance as a distance between the interconnected components increases.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An exercise machine, comprising:
 a track having a first end, a second end, and a middle interposed therebetween;   a first end bridge coupled to the first end of the track;   a second end bridge coupled to the second end of the track;   a middle bridge coupled to the middle of the track;   a first platform slidably coupled to the track between the middle bridge and the first end bridge; and   a second platform slidably coupled to the track between the middle bridge and the second end bridge, the second platform being configured to move independent of the first platform.   
     
     
         2 . The exercise machine of  claim 1 , wherein the track further comprises a plurality of holes configured to selectively receive a pin of the first end bride and the second end bridge to provide a fixed position for the first and second end bridges on the track. 
     
     
         3 . The exercise machine of  claim 2 , wherein the fixed position of the first and second end bridges may be adjusted to increase and decrease a distance between each end bridge and the middle bridge. 
     
     
         4 . The exercise machine of  claim 1 , wherein the middle bridge is secured to the track at a position approximately centered between the first and second end bridges. 
     
     
         5 . The exercise machine of  claim 1 , further comprising a first handle coupled to the first platform, and a second handle coupled to the second platform, the first and second handles being configured to support a user's hands. 
     
     
         6 . The exercise machine of  claim 5 , wherein the first and second handles are rotatably coupled to the first and second platforms, respectively. 
     
     
         7 . The exercise machine of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second platforms are rotatably coupled to the track. 
     
     
         8 . The exercise machine of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a first set of notches provided on the first and second end bridges;   a second set of notches provided on the first and second platforms; and   a tensioning element coupled to the first and second sets of notches to interconnect the first and second end bridges with the first and second platforms.   
     
     
         9 . The exercise machine of  claim 8 , wherein the tensioning element comprises a plurality of tensioning elements 
     
     
         10 . The exercise machine of  claim 9 , wherein the tensioning element is an elastomeric band. 
     
     
         11 . The exercise machine of  claim 8 , wherein the first and second sets of notches are each configured to receive one or more tensioning elements. 
     
     
         12 . The exercise machine of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a first set of notches provided on the first and second platforms;   a notch provided on the middle bridge; and   a tensioning element coupled to the first set of notches and the notch to interconnect the first and second platforms with the middle bridge.   
     
     
         13 . The exercise machine of  claim 12 , wherein the tensioning element comprises a plurality of tensioning elements. 
     
     
         14 . The exercise machine of  claim 12 , wherein the first set of notches and the notch are each configured to receive one or more tensioning elements. 
     
     
         15 . The exercise machine of  claim 1 , wherein the track comprises a channel configured to receive and retain the first and second end bridges, the first and second platforms, and the middle bridge. 
     
     
         16 . A method of instruction for use of an exercise machine according to  claim 1 , the method comprising:
 setting a correct maximum distance between a pair of handles for the exercise machine;   grasping the handles while in a starting position;   performing a vertical movement by lowering a user's body, thereby abducting and rotating laterally the user's humeri to achieve a full stretch of the user's chest;   returning to the starting position;   adducting and rotating medially the user's humeri while in the starting position;   performing a horizontal movement by sliding the pair of handles inwardly towards a middle bridge of the exercise machine; and   returning the handles to the correct maximum distance while simultaneously adducting and rotating laterally the user's humeri.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising a step for coupling a tensioning element between the pair of handles and a first and second end bridge of the exercise machine. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising a step for concaving the user's chest while the humeri are adducted and rotated medially. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising a step for maintaining a parallel orientation of the user's forearms during the vertical movement. 
     
     
         20 . An exercise machine, comprising:
 a track forming a channel and having a first end, a second end, and a middle interposed therebetween;   a middle bridge fixedly coupled to the track at a central position;   a first end cap coupled to the first end of the track;   a second end cap coupled to the second end of the track;   a first end bridge adjustably coupled to the track between the first end cap and the middle bridge;   a second end bridge adjustably coupled to the track between the second end cap and the middle bridge;   a first platform slidably coupled to the track between the first end bridge and the middle bridge, the first platform having a first handle;   a second platform slidably coupled to the track between the second end bridge and the middle bridge, the second platform being configured to slide within the channel independently of the first platform, the second platform having a second handle;   a first set of notches comprising a portion of the middle bridge and configured to receive a first end of one or more tensioning elements;   a second set of notches comprising a portion of the first platform and configured to receive a second end of the one or more tensioning elements; and   a third set of notches comprising a portion of the second platform and configured to receive the second end of the one or more tensioning elements.