Abdominal exercise station
A multi-station exercise apparatus includes a station for performing abdominal exercises. The abdominal exercise station is combined with another exercise station, such as a press exercise station, a high pulley station or a leg extension/leg curl station. The apparatus for performing an abdominal exercise includes a pad for the head and/or neck of the exerciser that is pivotally connected to the frame of the exercise machine. A pair of hand grips are connected to the head/neck pad and disposed so that the exerciser may grasp the hand grips in order to pull forward in a “crunch” exercise. Exercise resistance is provided by means such as a weight stack that is shared by the various stations of the exercise machine. The head/neck pad may be “docked” when not performing an abdominal exercise to prevent looseness and serve as a fixed headrest for other exercises.
1. An exercise apparatus, comprising:
a frame;
a press exercise station;
a seat disposed for operating the press exercise station;
a head/neck pad disposed above the seat;
a pivotal linkage coupling the head/neck pad to the exercise apparatus, the pivotal linkage comprising at least one linkage arm pivotally connected to the frame, the pivotal linkage configured such that the head/neck pad is usable for performing an abdominal crunch exercise;
adjustable resistance for the press exercise station and the head/neck pad.
2. The exercise apparatus of claim 1 further comprising hand grips connected to the head/neck pad.
3. The exercise apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a high pulley station.
4. The exercise apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a leg extension/leg curl station.
5. The exercise apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the pivotal linkage comprises a two-element linkage assembly.
6. The exercise apparatus of claim 5 , wherein the pivotal linkage comprises three independent pivots.
7. The exercise apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the adjustable resistance is communicated to the head/neck pad by a flexible connecting member.
8. The exercise apparatus of claim 7 , wherein the flexible connecting member is guided by a pulley on the pivotal linkage.
9. The exercise apparatus of claim 7 , wherein the flexible connecting member is deflected during the course of performing an abdominal crunch exercise so as to vary an effective exercise resistance.
10. The exercise apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a bracket for docking the head/neck pad for use as a fixed pad when using the press exercise station.
11. An exercise apparatus, comprising:
a frame;
a high pulley station;
a seat disposed for operating the high pulley station;
a head/neck pad disposed above the seat;
a pivotal linkage coupling the head/neck pad to the exercise apparatus, the pivotal linkage comprising at least one linkage arm pivotally connected to the frame, the pivotal linkage configured such that the head/neck pad is usable for performing an abdominal crunch exercise;
adjustable resistance for the high pulley station and the head/neck pad.
12. The exercise apparatus of claim 11 further comprising hand grips connected to the head/neck pad.
13. The exercise apparatus of claim 11 further comprising a press exercise station.
14. The exercise apparatus of claim 11 further comprising a leg extension/leg curl station.
15. The exercise apparatus of claim 11 , wherein the pivotal linkage comprises a two-element linkage assembly.
16. The exercise apparatus of claim 15 , wherein the pivotal linkage comprises three independent pivots.
17. The exercise apparatus of claim 11 , wherein the adjustable resistance is communicated to the head/neck pad by a flexible connecting member.
18. The exercise apparatus of claim 17 , wherein the flexible connecting member is guided by a pulley on the pivotal linkage.
19. The exercise apparatus of claim 17 , wherein the flexible connecting member is deflected during the course of performing an abdominal crunch exercise so as to vary an effective exercise resistance.
20. The exercise apparatus of claim 11 further comprising a bracket for docking the head/neck pad for use as a fixed pad when using the high pulley station.
21. An exercise apparatus, comprising:
a frame;
a leg extension/leg curl station;
a seat disposed for operating the leg extension/leg curl station;
a head/neck pad disposed above the seat;
a pivotal linkage coupling the head/neck pad to the exercise apparatus, the pivotal linkage comprising at least one linkage arm pivotally connected to the frame, the pivotal linkage configured such that the head/neck pad is usable for performing an abdominal crunch exercise;
adjustable resistance for the leg extension/leg curl station and the head/neck pad; and
further comprising a press exercise station.
22. An exercise apparatus, comprising:
a frame;
a leg extension/leg curl station;
a seat disposed for operating the leg extension/leg curl station;
a head/neck pad disposed above the seat;
a pivotal linkage coupling the head/neck pad to the exercise apparatus, the pivotal linkage comprising at least one linkage arm pivotally connected to the frame, the pivotal linkage configured such that the head/neck pad is usable for performing an abdominal crunch exercise;
adjustable resistance for the leg extension/leg curl station and the head/neck pad; and
further comprising a high pulley station.
23. An exercise apparatus, comprising:
a frame;
a leg extension/leg curl station;
a seat disposed for operating the leg extension/leg curl station;
a head/neck pad disposed above the seat;
a pivotal linkage coupling the head/neck pad to the exercise apparatus, the pivotal linkage comprising at least one linkage arm pivotally connected to the frame, the pivotal linkage configured such that the head/neck pad is usable for performing an abdominal crunch exercise;
adjustable resistance for the leg extension/leg curl station and the head/neck pad, wherein the adjustable resistance is communicated to the head/neck pad by a flexible connecting member; and
wherein the flexible connecting member is guided by a pulley on the pivotal linkage.
24. An exercise apparatus, comprising:
a frame;
a leg extension/leg curl station;
a seat disposed for operating the leg extension/leg curl station;
a head/neck pad disposed above the seat;
a pivotal linkage coupling the head/neck pad to the exercise apparatus, the pivotal linkage comprising at least one linkage arm pivotally connected to the frame, the pivotal linkage configured such that the head/neck pad is usable for performing an abdominal crunch exercise;
adjustable resistance for the leg extension/leg curl station and the head/neck pad; and
further comprising a bracket for docking the head/neck pad for use as a fixed pad when using the leg extension/leg curl station.