Abdonminal exerciser

The invention relates generally to an exercise assistance machine. More specifically, the invention relates to an abdominal exercising machine.

Exercising is often and frequently accomplished with the help of an exercise machine that provides support and guides the motion of the exerciser\'s arms and legs so that the desired motion is obtained.

Some machines such as cycling machines provide resistance by using wind drag, while other machines use weight, either external or the weight of the exercising person, to provide resistance. One of the most difficult body areas to exercise is the abdomen and back muscles. This invention solves that problem by providing intensive exercise for the abdomen and back muscles using a simple machine to guide motion of the legs from a front to rear position.

The present invention relates to a machine used to assist the user in exercising the user\'s abdominal muscles, along with other muscle groups including the back, legs and upperbody.

In general, the invention features an exercise machine in which the feet of the user are positioned on a moveable apparatus, referred to herein as a carriage, which rides on one or more rails or tracks, and handholds which allow the exerciser to support their upper body. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the user starts with their legs extended to the front, then lifting the body with the handholds, the user pulls their feet back into a contracted position under their body. The user then extends their feet behind them until their legs are straight, being substantially in a push-up position. The exercise repeats the motion in the opposite direction, pulling their legs forward until they are contracted underneath the user\'s body, then extending them forward in front of their body. The user then repeats the motions, alternating forward and backward.

When using the exercise machine of certain embodiments of the present invention, the user exercises the upper body by supporting their own weight and exercises the legs, abdomen and back muscles, by the forward and backward motion.

Among the advantages of the invention may be one or more of the following: the resistance provided by the moving carriage may be adjusted to provide different exercise experiences. The location and height of the handholds may be adjusted to provide different exercise experiences. The unit is light weight, and can be collapsed for ease of storage, thereby encouraging its use in a home setting. Another aspect of the invention is the carriage guiding the exerciser\'s feet can be adjusted to provide more or less resistance to meet the needs of the user.

It is an object of this invention to provide an exercise assistance machine for assisting a user in exercising the abdominal muscles, as well as other muscles.

These and other objects of the present invention will become more readily apparent from a reading of the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein like reference numerals indicate similar parts, and with further reference to the appended claims.