Strength and balance exercise apparatus
A strength and balance exercise apparatus is provided having a pair of exercise arms pivotally supported from the floor. Each arm has handgrips for grasping and manipulation of the arm by the user. A passive force generating means, in this case, double-acting hydraulic cylinders are connected between the floor and the exercise arms to resist movement of the arms. According to the method, the user grasps the handgrips and manipulates the arms to get slow resistance of the passive force generating means while maintaining balance in a standing position.
1. An exercise apparatus adapted to be operated by a user, comprising,
a base forming a surface upon which the user can stand;
a pair of coupling mechanisms, each comprising a vertical element connected to and extending upward from the base;
a pair of universal joints, wherein each of the pair of universal joints is entirely elevated above the base by being connected to the vertical element of a respective one of the pair of coupling mechanisms;
a pair of independently movable arms, each arm being elongated in a vertical direction relative to the base and comprising a graspable elongated element that is positioned above the base, each arm being connected to a respective one of the pair of universal joints, wherein each of the pair of universal joints is configured to pivot horizontally in all directions with respect to the base; and
respective pluralities of resistance devices coupled between each arm and the base, wherein each of the respective pluralities of resistance devices is configured to provide a force resisting pivotal movement of its respective arm in any horizontal direction relative to the base; and
wherein each arm is coupled to a respective one of the pair of universal joints at a first respective elevation above the base that allows that arm to pivot at the first respective elevation, wherein the first respective elevation is higher than another elevation at which the respective plurality of resistance devices for that arm are coupled to the base.
2. The exercise apparatus of claim 1 , wherein each of the arms comprises handgrips for grasping by the user.
3. The exercise apparatus of claim 1 , wherein each of the respective pluralities of resistances devices coupled between each arm and the base comprises telescoping cylinders.
4. The exercise apparatus of claim 3 , additionally comprising a ball joint connecting each of the telescoping cylinders to the arms.
5. The exercise apparatus of claim 3 , additionally comprising a ball joint connecting each of the telescoping cylinders to the base.
6. The exercise apparatus of claim 3 , wherein each of the telescoping cylinders comprises a body forming a cavity therein, a piston member movably enclosed in the cavity, fluid in the cavity and a rod connected to the piston extending from the body, the rod mounted to telescope in and out of the body with the movement of the piston.
7. The exercise apparatus of claim 1 , wherein each of the respective pluralities of resistances devices coupled between each arm and the base each comprises three telescoping cylinders.
8. The exercise apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the respective pluralities of resistances devices coupled between each arm and the base are each mounted in a circumferentially spaced relationship about the universal joint for that arm.
9. The exercise apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the universal joint connected to each arm comprises a ball joint.
10. The exercise apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the base comprises a floor surface.
11. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the pair of coupling mechanisms each comprise a spacer that extends upward from the base.
12. The exercise apparatus of claim 1 wherein for each arm, each of the respective pluralities of resistance devices is coupled to the base via an upstanding member and corresponding joint assembly that are lower than the first respective elevation at which that arm is coupled to its universal joint.
13. An apparatus, comprising:
a base;
a pair of coupling mechanisms, each comprising a vertical element connected to and extending upward from the base;
a pair of joints, each respectively coupled to an upper portion of one of the pair of coupling mechanisms, wherein each of the pair of joints is entirely elevated above the base by being connected to the vertical element of a respective one of the pair of coupling mechanisms;
a pair of movable arms, each being elongated in a vertical direction relative to the base and comprising a graspable elongated element that is positioned above the base, each arm being respectively coupled to one of the pair of joints at a first respective elevation above the base; and
two pluralities of resistance means for providing resistance in response to a horizontal motion of a respective arm by a user, each plurality of the resistance means coupled between a respective arm and the base, wherein each of the two pluralities of resistance means is coupled to the base at an elevation lower than the first respective elevation corresponding to the joint for that arm.
14. The apparatus of claim 13 , wherein the pair of joints each comprise two bifurcated portions and two pivot shafts allowing 360 degrees of horizontal movement of a corresponding arm.
15. The apparatus of claim 13 , wherein one or more of each of the two pluralities of resistance means is coupled to the base via an upstanding member that extends upward from the base.
16. The apparatus of claim 13 , wherein each of the pair of coupling mechanisms comprises one or more spacers.
17. The apparatus of claim 16 , wherein the one or more spacers of each of the pair of coupling mechanisms is adjustable to change the first elevation for a corresponding arm.
18. The apparatus of claim 13 , wherein each of the arms is adjustable in length.
19. The apparatus of claim 13 , wherein each of the two pluralities of resistance means comprises a rod portion.