Method and apparatus for speed controlled eccentric exercise training

1. An apparatus for performing speed controlled eccentric exercise comprising:

a frame;

at least one support attached to said frame for supporting a user's body;

at least one engagement member comprising a bar press attached to said frame for engaging at least one part of the user's body, said engagement member being moveable in opposite directions;

means for supplying power to said engagement member such that said engagement member is capable of exerting a force in a first direction at a predetermined speed;

a drive mechanism attached to said engagement member to move said engagement member in said first direction wherein the drive mechanism is powerd by said power supply means and comprises a reciprocating wheel which moves said bar press in alternating forward and backward directions,

means for detecting a change in said predetermined speed after the user supplies a force to said engagement member in a direction opposite said first direction; and

means for adjusting output of the power supply means to maintain said predetermined speed.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said at least one support comprises a seat.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said seat comprises a recumbent seat.

4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said recumbent seat is adjustable.

5. The apparatus of claim 4 further comprising a support structure for the recumbent seat wherein the recumbent seat is attached to the support structure and the support structure is attached to the frame.

6. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said recumbent seat is positioned at an angle of about 15 degrees relative to a furthermost position from the user of said at least one engagement means.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said at least one engagement means further comprises at least one of a pedal and a hand grip.

8. The apparatus of claim 7 further comprising at least one strap for securing a user's foot to said pedal and a user's hand to said hand grip.

9. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said power supply means comprises a motor.

10. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a safety element which prevents full extension of at least one of a user's joints during operation of the apparatus.

11. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said frame comprises a plurality of tubular shaped members.

12. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said means for detecting a change in said predetermined speed comprises a sensor.

13. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said means for adjusting output of said power supply means to maintain said predetermined speed comprises a central processing unit which sends signals to a motor controller.

14. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising display means for displaying at least one of a deceleration power, a time elapsed, a user's heart rate, and at least one of a number of revolutions per minute or reciprocations per minute.

15. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a control panel for starting the apparatus, stopping the apparatus, and setting at least one of a timer, a speed, a performance goal, and a heart rate goal.

16. The apparatus of claim 1 for performing upper body eccentric exercise wherein said at least one engagement member comprises a pair of reciprocating bar presses having a pair of hand grips attached thereto for engaging a user's hands.

17. The apparatus of claim 1 for performing lower body eccentric exercise wherein said at least one engagement member comprises a pair of reciprocating bar presses having a pair of pedals attached thereto for engaging a user's feet.