Exercise Apparatus

Abstract

An exercise apparatus that is adapted for use with a leg exercising machine on a surface, the exercise apparatus includes a support beam having a longitudinal axis, the support beam including a proximal end portion and an opposing distal end portion with the longitudinal axis spanning therebetween, wherein there is also a means for removably engaging the support beam proximal end portion to the leg exercising machine. Further included in the exercise apparatus is a grasping arm having a first end portion and an opposing second end portion with a lengthwise axis spanning therebetween, the first end portion is affixed to the distal end portion, wherein operationally an individual user of the leg exercising machine grasps with their hand the arm for stability and support to effect a soft skeletal joint support wherein the user can engage in upper body exercise as well using the arm.

1 . An exercise apparatus that is adapted for use with a leg exercising machine on a surface, said exercise apparatus, comprising:
 (a) a support beam having a longitudinal axis, said support beam including a proximal end portion and an opposing distal end portion with said longitudinal axis spanning therebetween;   (b) means for removably engaging said proximal end portion to the leg exercising machine; and   (c) a grasping arm having a first end portion and an opposing second end portion with a lengthwise axis spanning therebetween, said first end portion is affixed to said distal end portion, wherein operationally an individual user of the leg exercising machine grasps with their hand said arm for stability and support to effect a soft skeletal joint support wherein the user can engage in upper body exercise as well using said arm.   
     
     
         2 . An exercise apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein said means for removably engaging is constructed of a bar clamp. 
     
     
         3 . An exercise apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein said support beam has a means for lockably adjusting a selected distance as between said proximal and distal end portions to operationally accommodate different user heights. 
     
     
         4 . An exercise apparatus according to  claim 3  wherein said means for lockably adjusting is constructed of a telescoping section having an inner and an outer telescoping element such that said inner telescoping element is partially disposed within said outer telescoping element wherein a pin is removably received into a plurality of matched holes that that are disposed in both of said inner and outer telescoping elements to operationally removably lock said selected distance. 
     
     
         5 . An exercise apparatus according to  claim 4  wherein said grasping arm is sized and configured as a crankshaft type shape with a pair of grasping points that are at substantially opposing radial positions relative to said lengthwise axis, further said first end portion is rotatably received into said distal end portion such that operationally reciprocating exercise motion of the user's upper body translates into rotational motion of said grasping arm. 
     
     
         6 . An exercise apparatus according to  claim 5  wherein said crankshaft type shape includes a first end portion rotational couple that is rotationally engaged to said distal end portion such that said grasping arm freely rotates about said lengthwise axis while precluding movement axially along said lengthwise axis, said rotational couple is affixed to a first offset arm that is affixed to a first crank throw for a left hand grasping point, a first crank throw axis is positioned parallel to said lengthwise axis separated by said first offset arm, further said first crank throw is affixed to a second offset arm that is equal and opposite in position to said first offset arm that is affixed to an intermediate section that has an intermediate axis that is co-incident to said lengthwise axis, said intermediate section is affixed to a third off set arm that is affixed to a second crank throw for a right hand grasping point, a second crank throw axis is positioned parallel to said lengthwise axis separated by said third offset arm, wherein said first crank throw and said second crank throw are substantially equally radially opposed to one another in position about said lengthwise axis.