Pilates reformer exercise device

1. An exercise machine comprising:

a purchase configured to be moved by application of an exerciser force;

a resistance source providing a resistance force;

a resistance adjuster configured to be selectively moved relative to the purchase to change a magnitude of the resistance force transmitted to the purchase;

a linkage providing a connection between the resistance source and the resistance adjuster and selectively transmitting the resistance force;

a strain relief coupled to the linkage and operably positioned between the resistance source and the resistance adjuster, when engaged the strain relief selectively reduces the resistance force transmitted through the linkage to the resistance adjuster to permit movement of the resistance adjuster relative to the purchase, when disengaged the strain relief permits transmission of the resistance force through the linkage to the resistance adjuster; and

a frame, wherein the purchase is a pedal, the pedal is positioned at a distal end of a pedal arm, the pedal arm hinged to the frame at a proximal end thereof to the frame, wherein the resistance adjuster comprises a slot with a plurality of enlarged portions and a pull pin coupled with the linkage, wherein the pull pin is selectively permitted to slide within the slot manually and selectively lock in position along the slot within one of the plurality of enlarged portions when released, and wherein the slot is formed within a plate positioned on the pedal arm, the plate further comprising an arced slot, a linkage bar comprising first and second ends, the linkage bar carrying the pull pin at the first end and carrying a pin at the second end, the pin configured to slide within the arced slot as the pull pin is slid within the slot, the linkage being connected to the pin.

2. The exercise machine of claim 1 wherein the linkage is a cable and the strain relief comprises a stop fixed to the cable, the stop being configured to bear against a portion of the frame when engaged such that the portion of the frame bears the resistance force sufficiently to permit movement of the resistance adjuster relative to the purchase.

3. The exercise machine of claim 1 wherein the strain relief comprises a stop fixed to the linkage, the stop being configured to bear against a portion of the frame of the exercise machine when engaged such that the portion of the frame bears the resistance force sufficiently to permit movement of the resistance adjuster relative to the purchase.

4. The exercise machine of claim 3 wherein the stop moves with a travel of the linkage as the purchase is moved in a direction away from the portion of the frame.

5. The exercise machine of claim 4 wherein the linkage is a cable and the portion of the frame is a plate with an opening through which the cable travels, the opening being sized to prohibit passage of the stop therethrough, and wherein the stop is configured to relieve a cable tension when engaged in a portion of the cable between the stop and the resistance adjuster.

6. An exercise machine comprising:

a purchase configured to be moved by application of an exerciser force;

a resistance source providing a resistance force;

a resistance adjuster configured to be selectively moved relative to the purchase to change a magnitude of the resistance force transmitted to the purchase, the resistance adjuster comprising a slot with a plurality of enlarged portions and a pull pin coupled with a linkage, the pull pin is selectively permitted to slide within the slot manually and selectively lock in position along the slot within one of the plurality of enlarged portions;

the linkage providing a connection between the resistance source and the resistance adjuster and selectively transmitting the resistance force; and

a strain relief coupled to the linkage and operably positioned between the resistance source and the resistance adjuster, when engaged the strain relief selectively reduces the resistance force transmitted through the linkage to the resistance adjuster to permit movement of the resistance adjuster relative to the purchase, when disengaged the strain relief permits transmission of the resistance force through the linkage to the resistance adjuster, wherein the slot is formed within a plate positioned on the pedal arm, the plate further comprising an arced slot, a linkage bar comprising first and second ends, the linkage bar carrying the pull pin at the first end and carrying a pin at the second end, the pin configured to slide within the arced slot as the pull pin is slid within the slot, the linkage being connected to the pin.

7. The exercise machine of claim 6 wherein the purchase is a pedal, the pedal arm hinged at a proximal end thereof to a frame.

8. The exercise machine of claim 6 wherein the linkage is a cable and the strain relief comprises a stop fixed to the cable, the stop being configured to bear against a portion of a frame when engaged such that the portion of the frame bears the resistance force sufficiently to permit movement of the resistance adjuster relative to the purchase.

9. The exercise machine of claim 6 wherein the strain relief comprises a stop fixed to the linkage, the stop being configured to bear against a portion of a frame of the exercise machine when engaged such that the portion of the frame bears the resistance force sufficiently to permit movement of the resistance adjuster relative to the purchase.

10. The exercise machine of claim 9 wherein the stop moves with a travel of the linkage as the purchase is moved in a direction away from the portion of the frame.

11. The exercise machine of claim 10 wherein the linkage is a cable and the portion of the frame is a plate with an opening through which the cable travels, the opening being sized to prohibit passage of the stop therethrough, and wherein the stop is configured to relieve a cable tension when engaged in a portion of the cable between the stop and the resistance adjuster.