RESISTANCE SELECTION DEVICE FOR AN EXERCISE MACHINE

Abstract

The present invention relates to an exercise apparatus (1) comprising a chassis (2); a carriage (3) movably connected to the chassis (2) to move along a part of the chassis (2) between a rest position and a maximum working position, the carriage (3) having a platform (31) delimited in particular by a front face (32) and a lower face (33); at least one spring (4) comprising a first end (42) anchored to the chassis (2); and for each spring (4): an engagement element (5) connected to a second end (43) of the spring (4); at least one capture member (61) adapted to engage with the engagement element (5); and at least one retention member (71).

Description

Title of the invention: RESISTANCE SELECTION DEVICE FOR AN EXERCISE APPLIANCE Technical field of the invention

[0001] The present invention relates to a resistance selection device for an exercise machine, in other words, a machine intended for performing physical exercises. This device allows a user to select a level of resistance that the exercise machine will apply to their movements and thus adapt the intensity of the exercise according to their needs and objectives.

[0002] By selectively adjusting the resistance of the exercise device, the user can gradually increase the difficulty of the exercise, which is beneficial for muscle development and endurance. Technological background

[0003] An exercise device is a device that allows a user to perform physical exercises by executing movements.

[0004] A particular type of exercise apparatus, such as an exercise apparatus dedicated to the Elohi® method, or to the "Pilates" method, or to "squat" type exercises, comprises a frame and a carriage movably connected to the frame. The carriage is adapted to move along a portion of the frame between a resting position and a working position away from the resting position. The exercise apparatus is specifically configured to provide resistance to the movement of the carriage when it is moved away from the resting position, thus simulating a load that the user must overcome to move the carriage.

[0005] To adjust the resistance force against the movement of the carriage, this type of device is generally equipped with several springs anchored by one end to the chassis, as well as a resistance selection device allowing the choice of the spring or springs to be used during the exercise by anchoring their other end to the carriage.

[0006] There are many variations of these resistance selection devices, these devices commonly comprising for each spring a selection member, such as a lever, a handle or a sliding device, movably mounted on the carriage to be easily accessible and manipulated by the user of the exercise apparatus when the user is seated on the carriage.

[0007] For example, US patent 2023 / 0017705 A1 describes an exercise apparatus comprising a plurality of springs anchored at one end to the frame, and a resistance selection device comprising, for each spring, a A movable selector member mounted on the underside of the carriage moves between an engaged and disengaged position to respectively engage and release an engagement element connected to the second end of the spring. This device also includes a retainer member fixed to the chassis, designed to retain the engagement element when it is released by the selector member. This retainer member is specifically configured to cooperate with the selector member when the latter is tilted into the disengaged position and the carriage is in its rest position, so as to receive and retain the engagement element released by the selector member.

[0008] Although this type of device is easily accessible and manipulable by positioning the selector member at the level of the carriage and therefore as close as possible to the user, it has the drawback that a selector member that has caught an engagement element can be intentionally or unintentionally tilted into the disengaged position while the carriage is moved away from its resting position, and therefore while the spring connected to the engagement member exerts a resistance force against the movement of the carriage. In this case, the engagement element can become detached from the selector member, the spring then exerting a sudden and forceful pull on the engagement element towards the frame to which the other end of the spring is anchored, the engagement element thus risking striking sensitive parts of the exercise machine and disrupting the exercise machine's alignment. Summary of the invention

[0009] The present invention relates to an exercise device comprising: - a chassis; - a trolley movably connected to the chassis to move along a portion of the chassis between a resting position and a maximum working position, the trolley comprising a platform delimited in particular by a front face (32) and a lower face; and - at least one spring including a first end anchored to the chassis; and for each spring: - an engagement element connected to a second end of the spring; - at least one capture member suitable for engaging with the engagement element; and - at least one restraining member; This device is characterized in that at least one gripping member is movably mounted on the chassis between an engaged position and a disengaged position, and positioned such that the engaging element is recessed from a vertical plane containing the front face of the tray when the carriage is in the rest position, the at least one capture member being adapted to release the engagement element in the engaged position, and retain the engagement element in the disengaged position, and in that at least one retaining member being fixed to the underside of the platform, at least one retaining member being adapted to engage with the engagement element released by the capture member when the carriage is in the rest position, and retain the engagement element when the carriage is moved away from the rest position so that the spring transmits a resistance force against the movement of the carriage in the direction of the carriage being moved away.

[0010] This arrangement allows, in particular, when the engagement element is hooked by the anchoring member, the engagement member to be concealed under the carriage and set back from the front face of the carriage, thus securing access to it for the user and in particular when the carriage is moved away from the rest position.

[0011] According to an advantageous feature of the invention, the retaining member extends downwards from the lower face of the tray, and is set back from the vertical plane containing the front face of the tray.

[0012] According to an advantageous feature of the invention, the carriage further comprises a housing extending from the underside of the platform, on the one hand, in front of the engagement element when the engagement element is engaged in the retaining member, and, on the other hand, to an altitude at least lower than that of the lowest point of the engagement element when the engagement element is engaged in the retaining member.

[0013] According to an advantageous feature of the invention, the chassis further comprises a stop arranged so as to be in contact with at least a part of the carriage housing when the carriage is moved to the rest position.

[0014] According to an advantageous feature of the invention, at least one capture member is integral with a gripping member adapted to tilt the capture member between the engagement position and the disengaged position, a distal part of the gripping member being oriented towards the front of the chassis and positioned vertically below the front face of the platform when the carriage is in the rest position.

[0015] According to an advantageous feature of the invention, the housing and the stop together form a perforated surface so as to allow the gripping member of the selection member to extend at least partially through the surface thus formed.

[0016] According to an advantageous feature of the invention, the capturing member is integral with a support member to which a permanent magnet is attached, the support member being arranged such that, when the capturing member is tilted into the engagement position, the permanent magnet at least partially touches a metallic part of the chassis to hold the capture member in the engagement position. Brief description of the figures

[0017] [Fig.1] is a perspective view of the exercise apparatus in which the carriage is in the rest position.

[0018] [Fig.2] is a perspective view of the exercise apparatus in which the carriage is moved away from the resting position.

[0019] [Fig.3] is a perspective view of the underside of the cart.

[0020] [Fig.4] is a perspective view of the exercise apparatus without a trolley.

[0021] [Fig.5] is a cross-sectional and perspective view of the selection device in which the lever is in the disengaged position and the carriage is in the rest position.

[0022] [Fig.6] is a cross-sectional and perspective view of the selection device in which The lever is in the engaged position and the carriage is in the rest position.

[0023] [Fig. 7] is a cross-sectional and perspective view of the selection device in which the lever is in the engaged position and the carriage is moved away from the rest position. Description of embodiments

[0024] An exercise device 1 conforming to a preferred embodiment of the invention is described with reference to figures 1 to 7.

[0025] The term "exercise apparatus" herein refers to an apparatus enabling a user to perform physical exercises by executing movements mechanically guided by the exercise apparatus. By way of non-limiting example, exercise apparatus 1 may be an exercise apparatus dedicated to the Elohi® method, or an exercise apparatus dedicated to the "Pilates" method, in which case it is called a "Reformer", or even an exercise apparatus dedicated to "Squat" type exercises.

[0026] The exercise apparatus 1 comprises a frame 2 and a carriage 3 adapted to move along at least a portion of the frame 2 in a first direction towards a first end 11 of the frame 2, referred to as the "front" end, to a first extreme position referred to as the "maximum working position," and in a second direction opposite to the first direction towards a second end 12 of the frame 2, referred to as the "rear" end, to a second extreme position referred to as the "rest position." In other words, the carriage 3 is adapted to move along at least a portion of the frame 2 between a rest position and a maximum working position located away from the rest position. The total length traveled by the carriage 3 between these two extreme positions is commonly referred to as the "stroke" of the carriage 3. The stroke value of the carriage 3 is advantageously greater than sixty centimeters, for example, equal to one meter.

[0027] The chassis 2 is designed to be positioned horizontally on the ground, and for this purpose has four feet to stabilize the chassis 2 on the ground as illustrated in figures 1 and 2.

[0028] The trolley 3 comprises a platform 31, which may, but is not limited to, be rectangular or square in shape, the platform 31 being delimited in particular by a front face 32 and a lower face 33. Herein, the term "front face" refers to the face of the platform 31 which is located at the front of the platform 31 opposite the front 11 of the chassis 2 when the chassis 2 is equipped with the trolley 3, and the term "lower face" refers to the face of the platform 31 which is located below the platform 31 opposite the ground when the chassis 2 is equipped with the trolley 3. The front face 32 may advantageously be joined to the lower face 33 by an edge providing a clear transition between the two faces.

[0029] According to a preferred embodiment illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, the chassis 2 is composed of two parallel rails 21 connected by perpendicular cross members, thus forming a rigid and stable frame which can be made of metal or wood, and the carriage 3 is equipped with roller guide carriages 34 mounted on the underside 33 of the platform 31 as illustrated in [Fig. 3], the roller guide carriages 34 being arranged laterally to the carriage 3 to cooperate with the two rails 21 so as to together achieve a linear guidance system of the carriage 3 along the rails 21.

[0030] It goes without saying that many other known linear guidance systems can be used as alternatives, these being able, by way of non-limiting example, to consist of pads or rollers cooperating with one or more rails, or of balls cooperating with one or more ball screws.

[0031] The trolley 3 preferably comprises an exercise platform 35 mounted on the opposite side from the lower face 33 of the platform 31. The exercise platform 35 advantageously consists of a padded cushion for comfort, this padding being, for example, made of foam or gel, and covered with a vinyl or synthetic leather covering to facilitate cleaning. The trolley 3 may have one or more handles 36, each handle 36 being adapted and arranged to be grasped by the user in order to perform the movements of a physical exercise. Finally, one or more hooks and pulleys may additionally equip the frame 2 and the trolley 3. These hooks and pulleys are arranged to cooperate with rigid ropes or elastic bands external to the exercise apparatus 1 in order to perform specific exercises.

[0032] The exercise device 1 comprises at least one spring 4, preferably between four and ten springs 4, even more preferably seven springs 4, each spring 4 consisting of a main body 41 whose ends 42, 43 each terminate in such a way as to form an anchoring point, such as a closed loop or a semi-open hook.

[0033] Here, "spring" refers to a mechanical device designed to store a quantity of energy when deformed in a specific direction and sense and to transmit a resistance force in the opposite direction to release the same quantity when it is released.

[0034] For this purpose, the main body 41 of the spring 4 can be made of, but not limited to, one or more materials from among stainless or carbon steels for helical springs, and elastomers for flexible springs or elastic bands.

[0035] According to a preferred embodiment illustrated in [Fig.4], the exercise apparatus 1 comprises seven springs 4 and an anchoring bar 23 embedded between the two rails 21 of the frame 2 on which the first ends 42 of each spring are anchored, being regularly spaced from each other along the bar 23. The intrinsic characteristics of each spring may be identical or different depending on the exercise method employed, these being advantageously selected here for exercises dedicated to the Elohi® method.

[0036] The exercise device 1 includes a resistance selection device, the resistance selection device comprising for each spring 4, an engagement element 5 connected to the second end 43 of the spring 4, a resistance selection lever 6 movably mounted on the frame 2 between an engagement position and a disengaged position, and a retaining element 7 fixed to the underside of the platform 31.

[0037] A support 24 is embedded between the two rails 21 downstream of the bar 23, the support 24 being adapted to mount each lever 6 movably between an engagement position and a disengaged position.

[0038] Here, "downstream" means that the position of the support 24 is located after that of the bar 23 along the chassis 2, taking into account the direction of movement of the carriage 3 moving away from the rest position towards the maximum working position.

[0039] According to a preferred embodiment illustrated in [Fig.4], seven levers 6 are regularly spaced along the support 24, advantageously positioned opposite the respective first ends of the seven springs anchored on the bar 23. The seven levers 6 are each pivotally mounted between two lateral walls of an opening in the support 24 on two friction rings mounted on shafts 25.

[0040] Each lever 6 preferably comprises a gripping member 62, such as, for example, a tab, a cylindrical handle, or a hook, the gripping member 62 being adapted to pivot the lever 6 between the engaged and disengaged positions. The gripping member 62 has a distal end designed to receive force from the user to pivot the lever 6 between the engaged and disengaged positions, the lever 6 being arranged so that the distal end is oriented towards, in other words, points towards, the front 11 of the frame 2 when the lever is in the engaged and disengaged positions.

[0041] It goes without saying that the movement of the lever 6, although illustrated as being a purely circular rotational movement around the axes 25, can in alternative be of another nature, such as, for example, a linear translational movement, or combining a partial rotational movement with a linear translational movement by modifying the shape of the lever's hinge.

[0042] Two stops 26, 27 are preferably arranged on the chassis 2 to limit the movement of the lever 6 by defining a first extreme position called the engaged position, and a second extreme position called the disengaged position, thus preventing any movement beyond these positions.

[0043] According to an embodiment illustrated in Figures 5 to 7, the support 24 has a first stop 26 arranged to bear against a posterior portion at the distal end of the gripping member 62 when the lever 6 is in the disengaged position, thus preventing the lever 6 from rotating in the disengaged position. The support 24 also has a second stop 27 arranged to bear against a portion of a support member 63 of the lever 6 when the lever 6 is in the engaged position, thus preventing the lever 6 from rotating in the engaged position.

[0044] The part of the support member 63 of the lever 6 can advantageously be equipped with a permanent magnet 64 arranged to bear against a metallic part of the chassis 2 (here of the support 24) in the engagement position of the lever 6, and adapted to exert a sufficient attractive force to maintain the lever 6 in the engagement position.

[0045] The lever 6 includes at least one capture member 61 adapted to engage with the engagement element 5 connected to the second end of the spring 4, the at least one capture member 61 being movably mounted on the chassis 2 and arranged to retain the engagement element 5 in the disengaged position, and release the engagement element 5 in the engagement position.

[0046] According to an embodiment illustrated in figures 5 to 7, the engagement element 5 advantageously has a cylindrical main body 51, and the lever 6 has a pair of hook-shaped capture members 61 adapted to engage on the cylindrical main body 51 of the engagement element 5.

[0047] Herein, "hook" means a rigid member in the form of a curve or arc in the shape of a C or U designed to engage and retain an object, and having for this purpose an open end allowing it to engage with said object, and ending with a beak allowing it to retain said object in the curved or arched part.

[0048] It should be understood here that the shape of at least one member 61 is associated with the shape of the main body 51 of the engagement element 5. Here, the hook shape is advantageously suited to the simple cylindrical shape of the main body 51 of the engagement element 5; however, it is possible to use more complex shapes. complex main body 51 associated with more complex forms of capture limbs 61, such as claws, fingers, or specially formed supports.

[0049] It is also understood here that the number of capture members 61 can vary, in particular depending on the material and technique used to manufacture at least one capture member 61.

[0050] The lever 6 can advantageously be formed from a thin steel plate that is stamped and bent to present two distal and parallel hook-shaped capture members 61, as illustrated in [Fig. 7]. Alternatively, a single capture member 61 or three (or more) capture members 61 may be used for the same purpose, made, for example, from a polymer material by injection molding or 3D printing, or from a forged and / or machined metal alloy.

[0051] A retaining element 7 is fixed to the lower face 33 of the carriage 3, the retaining element 7 having for each spring 4 at least one retaining member 71 fixed to the lower face 33 of the carriage 3, the at least one retaining member 71 being adapted to engage with the engagement element 5 released by the capture member 61 of the lever 6 and to retain the engagement element 5 when the carriage 3 is moved away from the rest position so that the spring 4 connected to the engagement element 5 thus engaged transmits a resistance force against the movement of the carriage 3.

[0052] According to an advantageous embodiment illustrated in Figures 5 to 7, at least one member 71 is arranged such that, when the engagement element 5 is engaged in at least one retaining member 71, the first end 42 of the spring 4 is at the same altitude as the second end 43 of the spring 4, the spring 4 thus exerting a resistance force directed only against the direction of movement of the carriage 3 for better efficiency of the system.

[0053] According to an advantageous embodiment illustrated in figures 5 to 7, the retaining element 7 comprises a pair of hook-shaped retaining members 71 adapted to engage with the cylindrical main body 51 of the engagement element 5.

[0054] As with the capture member 61 of the lever 6, it should be understood here that the shape and number of the retaining member(s) 71 are associated respectively with the shape of the engagement element 5, and with the material and manufacturing technique of at least one retaining member 71.

[0055] The retaining element 7 is advantageously arranged so that the furthest point towards the front 11 of the chassis 2, of the engagement element 5 engaged in the retaining element 7 is set back from a vertical plane containing the front face 32 of the carriage 3.

[0056] Here, "recessed" means that the point furthest from the engagement element 5 towards the front 11 of the chassis 2 is located slightly behind (therefore towards the rear 12 of the chassis 2) the vertical plane containing the front face 32 of the carriage 3.

[0057] Thus, when the engagement element 5 is engaged in the retaining element 7, the engagement element 5 is entirely contained under the carriage 3, regardless of the position of the carriage 3 along the chassis 2.

[0058] The lever 6 is arranged so that the furthest point towards the front 11 of the chassis 2, of the engagement element 5 engaged in the lever 6 in the engagement position, is set back from a vertical plane containing the front face 32 of the plate 31 when the carriage 3 is in the rest position.

[0059] Here, "recessed" means that the point furthest from the engagement element 5 towards the front 11 of the chassis 2 is located slightly behind (therefore towards the rear 12 of the chassis 2) the vertical plane containing the front face 32 of the carriage 3.

[0060] Thus, when the engagement element 5 is engaged in the lever 6 in the engagement position, the engagement element 5 is entirely contained under the carriage 3 with respect to a user seated on the carriage 3.

[0061] The lever 6 is advantageously arranged on the frame 2 such that at least a part of the gripping member 62 is positioned vertically above the front face 32 of the platform 31 when the carriage 3 is in the rest position, a distal part of the gripping member 62 extending towards the front 11 of the frame beyond the vertical plane containing the front face 32 of the carriage 3.

[0062] Here, "in line with" refers to the position of an object located directly above or below another, with a tolerance allowing a slight offset from the strict vertical. This expression indicates a near-superposition in vertical alignment, without requiring absolute precision; a tolerance of plus or minus ten centimeters towards the front 11 or the rear 12 of the chassis 2 is permitted here with respect to the strict vertical while maintaining the same objective.

[0063] A housing 37 can advantageously be fixed to the lower face 33 of the carriage 3, the housing 37 extending downwards from the lower face 33 of the carriage 3, on the one hand, in front of the engagement element 5 when the engagement element 5 is engaged in the retaining element 7, and, on the other hand, to an altitude less than or equal to that of the lowest point of the engagement element 5 when the engagement element 5 is engaged in the retaining element 7.

[0064] The support 24, and in particular the stop 26, can advantageously be arranged so as to bear against at least part of the housing 37 of the carriage 3 when the carriage 3 is moved to the rest position, thus creating a stop limiting the movement of the carriage 3 beyond the rest position.

[0065] In the rest position of the carriage 3, in other words when the housing 37 is resting on the stop 26, the housing 37 and the stop 26 can advantageously together form a perforated surface through which the distal part of the member extends grasping 62, in particular over a length of a few centimeters, for example three centimeters.

[0066] The main cylindrical body 51 of each engagement element 5 may further advantageously have two distal collars arranged to constrain the axial displacement of the engagement element 5 when it is engaged in at least one capture member 61 or in at least one retention member 71.

[0067] Figure 5 illustrates the exercise apparatus 1 in its initial configuration when the spring 4 is not connected to the carriage 3 to exert a resistance force against the forward movement of the carriage 3 along the frame 2. The lever 6 is in the disengaged position and the engagement element 5 is engaged in the pair of capture members 61. In this configuration, the spring 4 connected to the engagement element 5 is advantageously pre-stressed so as to keep the engagement element 5 engaged in the pair of capture members 61. In this configuration, the carriage 3 can be moved effortlessly along the frame 2, the retaining element 7, and in particular the pair of retaining members 71 of the retaining element 7, passing vertically above the engagement element 5 held by the pair of capture members 61 of the lever 6.

[0068] To engage the spring 4, the user positions the carriage 3 in the rest position, and pulls on the tab 62 of the lever 6 so as to tilt the lever 6 into the engagement position as illustrated in [Fig.7].

[0069] In this engagement position, the engagement element 5 engaged in the pair of capture members 61 of the lever 6 is brought into contact or near the pair of retaining members 71 of the retaining element 7 so as to engage the engagement element 5 in the pair of retaining members 71 of the anchoring element 71.

[0070] It is clear that when the carriage 3 is in the rest position and the lever 6 is in the engagement position, the engagement element 5 can be indifferently in direct contact: - of the pair of capture members 61 of the lever 6, the pair of retaining members 71 of the anchoring element 7 being slightly recessed from the rearward engagement element 5 12 of the chassis 2; or - of the pair of retaining members 71 of the anchoring element 7, the pair of capture members 61 of the lever 6 being slightly recessed from the engagement element 5 towards the rear 12 of the chassis 2; or - of the capture member pair 61 and the restraint member pair 71 at the same time.

[0071] When the user moves the carriage 3 away from the forward rest position 11 of the chassis 2 for the purpose of exercise, the pair of capture members 61 of the lever 6 releases the engagement member 5, and the pair of retaining members 71 of the element anchorage 7 engaged with engagement element 5 moves forward of chassis 2 from the first anchorage point 42 of spring 4, thus causing the elongation of spring 4 and the return transmission of a resistance force against the forward movement of the carriage 3 11 of chassis 2.

[0072] It should be noted that in the engagement position of lever 6, the permanent magnet 64 equipping lever 6 touches a metallic part of the support 24 so as to hold lever 6 in the engagement position. Thus, each time the carriage 3 returns to its rest position, the engagement element 5 engaged in the pair of retaining members 71 of the anchoring element 7 returns to contact or near the pair of capture members 61 of lever 6, allowing the user, having returned the carriage 3 to its rest position, to simply disengage the spring 4 by pushing down the tab 62 of lever 6, tilting lever 6 to the disengaged position.

[0073] When the user moves the carriage 3 away from the forward rest position 11 of the frame 2 for the purpose of the exercise, the carriage 3 and in particular the housing 37 of the carriage 3 gradually covers the tab 62 until it is completely covered as illustrated in [Fig.7], thus making the lever 6 inaccessible while the spring 4 exerts a resistance force on the carriage 3.

[0074] It is clear here that the length of the distal part of the tongue 62 extending beyond the perforated surface of the housing 37 against the support 24 is negligible compared to the stroke length of the carriage 3, and therefore that the covering of the tongue 62 by the carriage 3 is almost instantaneous, securing access to the tongue 62 over almost the entire stroke of the carriage.

[0075] Fig. 7 illustrates the exercise apparatus 1 when the carriage 3 is widely moved away from the rest position with the engagement element 5 engaged with the pair of retaining members 71 of the retaining element 7. The lever 6 is here held in the engagement position by the permanent magnet 64.

[0076] The engagement element 5 is thus easily moved from the lever 6 to the retaining element 7 while securing the exercise device 1 against a voluntary or involuntary tilting of the lever 6 when the carriage 3 is moved away from the rest position.

[0077] Furthermore, when the trolley 3 is equipped with the housing 37, access to the engagement member 5 is made inaccessible to the user regardless of the position of the trolley 3, further securing the exercise device 1.

[0078] In addition, when the chassis 2 is equipped with the stop 26, the housing 37 and the stop 26 together form a protective screen extending the surface of the housing 37 alone, further securing the exercise device 1 while using the longitudinal position of the stop 26 relative to the chassis 2 to constitute the resting position of the carriage 3.

[0079] Finally, when the lever 6 is equipped with the permanent magnet 64, the latter makes it possible both to constitute the engagement position of the lever 6 and to maintain it in the engagement position to facilitate the future disengagement of the engagement element 5.

[0080] To disengage the spring 4 from the retaining element 7, the user returns the carriage 3 to the rest position, the engagement element 5 thus returning to contact with the pair of gripping members 61 of the lever 6 as illustrated in [Fig. 7]. The user then pushes the tab 62 of the lever 6 towards the ground so as to tilt the lever 6 into the disengaged position, thus returning to its initial configuration as illustrated in [Fig. 5].

[0081] The engagement element 5 being held by the pair of capture members 61 of the lever 6 is thus away from the anchoring element 7 allowing the user to move effortlessly the trolley 3 along the chassis 2.

[0082] The present invention should not be considered as limited to the embodiment described and illustrated, but on the contrary covers all variants thereof.

Claims

Demands

1. Exercise apparatus (1) comprising: - a frame (2); - a carriage (3) movably connected to the frame (2) to move along a portion of the frame (2) between a rest position and a maximum working position, the carriage (3) having a platform (31) delimited in particular by a front face (32) and a bottom face (33); - at least one spring (4) comprising a first end (42) anchored to the frame (2); and for each spring (4): - an engagement element (5) connected to a second end (43) of the spring (4); - at least one capture member (61) adapted to engage with the engagement element (5); and - at least one retention member (71); characterized in that the at least one capture member (61) is movably mounted on the frame (2) between an engagement position and a disengaged position,and positioned so that the engagement element (5) is recessed from a vertical plane containing the front face (32) of the platform (31) when the carriage (3) is in the rest position, at least one capture member (61) being adapted to release the engagement element (5) in the engaged position, and retain the engagement element (5) in the disengaged position, and in that at least one retaining member (71) is fixed to the underside (33) of the platform (31), at least one retaining member (71) being adapted to engage with the engagement element (5) released by the capture member (61) when the carriage (3) is in the rest position, and retain the engagement element (5) when the carriage (3) is moved away from the rest position so that the spring (4) transmits a resistance force against the movement of the carriage (3) in the direction of movement of the carriage (3).

2. Exercise apparatus (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the restraint member (71) extends downwards from the lower face (33) of the platform (31), and is set back from the vertical plane containing the front face (32) of the platform (31).

3. Exercise apparatus (1) according to claim 1 or according to claim 2, characterized in that the carriage (3) further comprises a housing (37) extending from the lower face (33) of the platform (31), on the one hand, in front of the engagement element (5) when the engagement element (5) is engaged in the retaining member (71), and, on the other hand, to an altitude at least lower than that of the lowest point of the engagement element (5) when the engagement element (5) is engaged in the retaining member (71).

4. Exercise apparatus (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that the chassis (2) further comprises a stop (26) arranged so as to be in contact with at least a part of the housing (37) of the carriage (3) when the carriage (3) is moved to the rest position.

5. Exercise apparatus (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that at least one capture member (61) is integral with a grasping member (62) adapted to tilt the capture member (61) between the engagement position and the disengaged position, a distal part of the grasping member (62) being oriented towards the front (11) of the frame (2) and positioned vertically above the front face (32) of the platform (31) when the carriage (3) is in the rest position.

6. Exercise apparatus (1) according to claim 5, characterized in that the housing (37) and the stop (28) together form a perforated surface so as to allow the gripping member (62) of the selection member (6) to extend at least partially through the surface thus formed.

7. Exercise apparatus (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the capture member (61) is integral with a support member (63) to which a permanent magnet (64) is attached, the support member (63) being arranged such that, when the capture member (61) is tilted into the engagement position, the permanent magnet (64) touches at least partially a metallic part of the chassis (2) in order to hold the capture member (61) in the engagement position.

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