Exercise apparatus

Abstract

Apparatus for use in performing a push-pull type exercise comprises a base frame 110; an arm 120 attached to the base frame, wherein the arm comprises a housing 120a and a movable member 120b configur

Description

Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an apparatus for performing exercise. In particular, an apparatus that combines resistive push and pull functions for strength and / or stamina training. Background Resistive exercise apparatuses are typically large and not readily transportable without first disassembling them or using heavy-lifting machinery. This is particularly true of apparatuses that are capable of supporting large quantities of weighted plates, for example totalling 50kg or more, which even when the plates are removed are not practical for unaided transport. Resisted push and pull exercises are currently possible with barbells and dumbbells, as well as with certain pulley-based apparatuses. However, none of these state of the art exercise apparatuses allow a user to perform both resisted push and pull apparatuses with a single part. Moreover, the state of the art exercise apparatuses demand that a user learn a range of body positions which must be learned and executed correctly in order to avoid injury. It is therefore desirable to provide an exercise apparatus that addresses at least some of these issues. In particular, it is desirable to provide an exercise apparatus that facilitates both resisted push and pull exercises, and without the need for a user to learn a range of different body positions for safety. Summary According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an apparatus for use in performing exercise, comprising: base frame; an arm attached to the base frame, wherein the arm comprises a housing and a movable member configured to move in the housing in response to a push force or a pull force exerted by a user; and a vertical frame arranged substantially perpendicular to the base frame, wherein the vertical frame is configured to at least partially hold a resistive assembly for providing resistance to movement of the movable member resulting from both a push force and a pull force. Optionally, the resistive assembly comprises a pulley mechanism. Optionally, the pulley mechanism comprises: a first pulley wheel located at an end of the vertical frame substantially proximate to the base frame, a second pulley wheel located at an end of the vertical frame substantially distal to the base frame, a third pulley wheel located below the second pulley wheel and attached to the load, and at least one pulley cable attached to the movable member of the arm and that runs over and between the pulley wheels and at least partially supports a load of the mechanism. Optionally, the apparatus further comprises a pulley wheel on the arm to facilitate a resisted push function of the movable member. Optionally, the axis of rotation of the third pulley wheel is substantially perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the second pulley wheel. Optionally, the pulley mechanism comprises a first pulley wheel located on or near an end of the arm substantially proximate to the base frame, a second pulley wheel located at an end of the vertical frame substantially proximate to the base frame and on an opposite end of the base frame to the arm, at least a third pulley wheel located at an end of the vertical frame substantially distal to the base frame, and at least one pulley cable that runs over and between the pulley wheels and at least partially supports a load that provides resistance to movement of the movable member in the housing. Optionally, the apparatus further comprises a fourth pulley wheel located at an end of the vertical frame substantially distal to the base frame and substantially level with the third pulley wheel. Optionally, the first pulley wheel is located on the vertical frame, or on the arm. Optionally, the resistive assembly comprises a hydraulic cylinder mechanism. Optionally, the hydraulic cylinder mechanism comprises a first hydraulic cylinder forming the arm of the apparatus, a second hydraulic cylinder arranged vertically in or on the vertical frame, wherein the first hydraulic cylinder and the second hydraulic cylinder are in fluid communication to facilitate movement of the second hydraulic cylinder in response to a change in pressure in the first hydraulic cylinder, and a load arranged with respect to the second hydraulic cylinder to be displaced in response to movement of the movable member of the arm. Optionally, the apparatus further comprises a flow divider located between the first hydraulic cylinder and the second hydraulic cylinder. Optionally, the arm is configured to be movable in at least a first plane perpendicular to the base. Optionally, the vertical frame is configured to be movable with respect to the base frame. Optionally, the vertical frame is connected to the base frame via a lockable hinged mechanism, such that upon unlocking the mechanism the vertical frame can be moved with respect to the base frame. Optionally, the apparatus further comprises a removable secondary base frame having a first frame member with a pulley wheel at one end and a second frame member substantially symmetric with the first frame member and with a pulley wheel at one end. The apparatus is suitable for use in the performance of one or more exercises. In particular, the apparatus may be used for resistive push and / or pull exercises, both by the operation of the resistive assembly of the apparatus and by movement of the entire apparatus by the user. Brief Description of the Drawings The embodiments of the present disclosure will now be described with reference to the following Figures, which are intended to provide illustrative examples only. It will be understood that modifications to the apparatus depicted in the Figures are envisaged by the inventor. Like features in the Figures are labelled with the same reference signs. Figures 1A-D provide views of an exercise apparatus using a pulley mechanism according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. Figures 2A-F provide views of an exercise apparatus using a pulley mechanism according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 3 provides a view of an exercise apparatus using a pulley mechanism according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. Figures 4A-D provide views of an exercise apparatus using a hydraulic mechanism according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. Figures 5A-B provide conceptual diagrams related to the operation of a hydraulic mechanism according to exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. Figure 6 provides isolated views of different handle mechanisms for the apparatus according to exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. Figures 7A-B illustrate modular embodiments of an exercise apparatus according to exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. Figures 8A-B illustrate the steps associated with a folding functionality of an exercise apparatus according to exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. Detailed Description of the Drawings Referring to Figures 1A-D, there is provided an apparatus 100 for use in the performance of one or more resisted exercises. The apparatus 100 comprises a base frame 110 that is generally laterally disposed, an arm 120 attached to the base frame 110, and a vertical frame 130 arranged substantially perpendicular to the base frame 110. The arm 120 comprises a housing 120a and a movable member 120b configured to move in the housing 120a in response to a push force or a pull force exerted by a user (not presented). The vertical frame 130 is configured to at least partially hold a resistive assembly for providing resistance to movement of the movable member 120b resulting from both a push force and a pull force along the axis of the arm 120. In various embodiments the resistive assembly comprises a pulley mechanism 140 as presented in Figures 1 A-D, 2A-F, 6, and 7A. Alternatively, the resistive assembly comprises a hydraulic mechanism 240 best present presented in Figures 4A-D, 5A-B, 6, and 7B. It will be understood that alternative resistive arrangements may be implemented in the place of the pulley or hydraulic mechanisms, such as but not limited to a series of magnets, or a pneumatic mechanism. In some embodiments the pulley mechanism 140 comprises a first pulley wheel 140a located at an end of the vertical frame 130 substantially proximate to the base frame 110, at least one second pulley wheel 140b located at an end of the vertical frame 130 substantially distal to the base frame 110, at least a third pulley wheel 140c located below the second pulley wheel 140b and attached to the load 150, and at least a first pulley cable 170a attached to the movable member 120b of the arm and that runs over and between the pulley wheels and at least partially supports a load of the mechanism. The load 150 is configured to be slidably arranged on the vertical frame 130 such that rotation of the third pulley wheel 140c causes movement of the load 150 and the third pulley wheel 140c along the vertical length of the vertical frame 130. Preferably, the first pulley cable 170a is removably attached to the movable member 120b to facilitate alteration of the points of attachment in the pulley mechanism as will be described in relation to FIG. ID. Two pulley wheels 140b may be provided in the position of second pulley wheel 140b, or alternatively second pulley wheel 140b may be provided with additional width in order to accommodate the pulley cable 170a running both directions over it. It will be understood that the load 150 can be adjusted from being a simple bar, to adding weight plates on the bar. In some embodiments, the weight plates comprise plates that have an inner aperture diameter of 1 or 2 inches, but are not limited to said values. In order to accommodate weight plates with different inner aperture diameters, removable sleeves (not pictured) for the load 150 bar may be provided to increase the total diameter of the load 150 bar and thereby provide a snug fit for weight plates with a larger inner aperture diameter. In some embodiments, the weight plates comprise a magnetic material to enhance their attachment to the load 150 bar. In some embodiments, the pulley cable 170a is removably attached at the base of the movable member 120b. In embodiments with just a resisted pull function of the apparatus 100, the pulleys 140a-c are sufficient. However, it is desirable to facilitate a resisted push function of the apparatus 100 to broaden the number of exercises that can be performed without having to change station and without the need for learning complicated body positions. Therefore, advantageously, the pulley mechanism visible in Figure ID may comprise the first pulley cable 170a with hook 160d at one end, a movable hook 160b located on the arm 120 and attached to the movable member 120b such that it moves with the movable member 120b, a pulley 140f located on the arm 120, and a secondary pulley cable 170b with hooks 160a and 160c at either end, facilitating a resisted push function in addition to a resisted pull function, thus increasing the range of possible exercises that can be performed with the apparatus 100. In particular, in order to achieve the resisted push function of the apparatus 100, the hook 160a attaches to movable hook 160b, and hook 160c of the secondary pulley cable 170b is attached to hook 160d of the pulley cable 170a that is attached to the load 150 either directly or indirectly dependent on the specific embodiment. In order to achieve a resisted pull function of the apparatus 100, the hook 160d is attached directly to movable hook 160b. Therefore, with a simple adjustment of hook connections, the exemplary apparatus 100 facilitates both resisted push and pull functionalities. When the first pulley cable 170a is attached to the load 150 directly, any known means for attachment of the pulley cable 170a to the load 150 may be used such as a hook, a knot, or the like. When the first pulley cable 170a is attached to the load 150 indirectly, this may be achieved using pulley wheel 140c which is itself attached to the load 150 and is configured such that movement of the first pulley cable 170a around pulley 140c causes movement of load 150 for example using a gear system or an alternative mechanism. This arrangement in Figure ID removes the need for separate apparatuses that separately facilitate resisted push and pull functions. Minimal adjustment of the hooks is necessary to switch between the push and pull functions of the apparatus 100 and the only substantive difference in movement is the direction the user applies a force, removing the need for specific body position training. In other embodiments, best presented in Figure 3, an alternative hook 160e may be connected to secondary pulley cable 170b over a fourth pulley wheel 140d and running to pulleys 220 of the extendable base portion 220, instead of under first pulley wheel 140a. In preferred embodiments, the arm 120 is moveably attached to the base frame 110 such that the arm 120 can be moved by an angle between an upright vertical and flat horizontal position. This will allow the user to adjust the position of the arm 120 based on their height and / or the muscle that they intend to exercise. For example, the arm 120 may be attached to the base frame 110 by a hinge mechanism 180. The arm 120 and / or the base may have a locking mechanism (not presented), such as a locking pin, that allows the arm 120 to be temporarily locked in a given position at a preferred angle dependent on the height or position of the user. The range of possible angles through which the arm 120 can be moved with the hinge mechanism may be predetermined during manufacture. For example, in some embodiments, the hinge mechanism 180 may be configured to permit the arm 120 to be moved in the range of 0 >© (°) >90 where 0° refers to the arm 120 being parallel with the base frame 110 and 90° being perpendicular to the base portion 110. In other embodiments, the hinge mechanism 180 may be configured to permit the arm 120 to be moved in the range of 0 >©(°) >135 where 0° refers to the arm 120 being parallel with the base frame 110 and 135° being substantially vertically disposed and inclined toward the vertical frame 130. An advantage of the hinge mechanism 180 may be configured to permit the arm 120 to be moved to a position parallel, or close to parallel, with the base frame 110 is that a user may be able to perform exercises sitting or laying on the ground. More generally, the configuration permitting movement of the arm 120 through an angle allows a user to adjust the apparatus to more comfortably match their height. In some embodiments the arm 120 has an adjustable length. By way of example only, the arm 120 may comprise a plurality of telescopic members which can be moved in relation to one another in order to increase or decrease the total length of the arm 120. The various components of the apparatus 100 may be formed from one or a variety of different known materials, including but not limited to steel, iron, aluminium, carbon fibre, or various polymers. The pulley cable should be selected to have sufficient resilience for the maximum amount of weight it is intended will be loaded on the device. Similarly, considering the resultant forces on the pulley wheels exerted by the cable as it moves the load 150, the pulley wheels should be selected to be formed of a sufficiently resilient material. The base frame 110 may comprise an outer frame and inner support members with openings distributed across the surface of the base frame 110 as in Figures 1A-D, in order to reduce the total weight of the apparatus 100. Referring to Figures 2A-F, there is illustrated an apparatus 200 similar to the apparatus 100 but with several modifications. The pulley mechanism of the apparatus 200 comprises a first pulley wheel 210a located on or near an end of the arm 120 substantially proximate to the base frame 110, a second pulley wheel 210b located at an end of the vertical frame 130 substantially proximate to the base frame 110 and on an opposite end of the base frame 110 to the arm 120, at least a third pulley wheel 210c located at an end of the vertical frame 130 substantially distal to the base frame 110, and at least a first pulley cable 170a that runs over and between the pulley wheels 210a, 210b, 210c and at least partially supports a load 150 that provides resistance to movement of the movable member 120b in the housing 120a. Although in the embodiment of Figures 2A-F a fourth pulley wheel 210d is located at an end of the vertical frame 130 substantially distal to the base frame 110 and substantially level with the third pulley wheel 210c, the fourth wheel 210d is optional and the pulley cable 170a could, for example, run diagonally from the second wheel 210b to the third wheel 210c and down to the load 150 attachment point. In the embodiment of Figures 2A-F, the pulley cable 170a attaches directly to the load 150 attachment point. For example, the pulley cable 170a may attach to the load 150 attachment point via a hook or a similar attachment mechanism. However, it is envisaged by the inventor that the pulley cable 170a in Figures 2A-F could alternatively attach indirectly to the load 150, for example by providing an additional pulley wheel attached to the load 150 such as in the embodiment of Figures 1A-D. Visible in Figure 2C is an extendable base portion 220 that includes pulleys 230 and a foot plate 240 on which a user can place their feet during exercise to enhance the anchoring of the apparatus 200 to the floor. The base 110 is at least partially hollow and dimensioned in order to allow the extendable base portion 220 to be slid in and out of the base 110 by a user. Preferably, a locking mechanism is included on the base that prevents undesired movement of the extendable base portion 220 out of the base 110. In some embodiments the locking mechanism comprises one or more locking pins that insert through orifices on the base 110 and extendable base portion 110 when they are aligned. A pulley cable (not pictured) can run between pulleys 210a-d and under pulleys 230 to provide a vertical resisted pull function of the apparatus best presented in relation to the embodiment of Figure 3. Whilst FIG. 2A shows the general direction the pulley cable mechanism will run between arm 120 and load 150, FIG. 2D provides an exposed side view of the apparatus 200 with first pulley cable 170a visible through pulley wheels 210a, 210b, 210c, 21 Od in addition to secondary pulley cable 170b visible inside the housing 120a of the arm 120. The secondary pulley cable 170b runs between pulley wheel 210a located at the end of the arm 120 proximate to the base portion 110, and a further pulley wheel 210e located at an end of the housing 120a distal to the base portion 110. The secondary pulley cable 170b comprises an attachment point 260 suitably configured for receiving a hook at one end of the pulley cable 170a such as hook 160d visible in FIG. ID. When the attachment point 260 is moved to an end of the housing 120a proximate to the base portion 110, attachment of hook 160d would allow for a resisted push exercise functionality of the apparatus 200. Conversely, when the attachment point 260 is moved to an end of the housing 120a distal to the base portion 110, attachment of hook 160d would allow for a resisted pull exercise functionality of the apparatus 200. Therefore, in a similar fashion to the arrangement provided in relation to Figures 1A-D, the simple switching of hook attachment points allows a user of the apparatus 200 to switch between a resisted push and pull functionality of the apparatus 200. In certain embodiments depicted in Figures 2E and F, the apparatus 200 may further include vertically disposed elongated members 250 at an end apposite to the end of the base frame 110 with the arm 120. The elongated members 250 can serve as handle bars to push or pull the apparatus 200, for example in the course of an exercise depicted in Figure 2F. The elongated members 250 may be appropriate dimensioned to receive weight plates 280 to increase the difficulty of moving the apparatus 200. Referring to Figure 3, there is illustrated an apparatus 300 similar to the apparatuses 100, 200 illustrated in Figures 1A-D and 2A-F, but with slight modifications. Pulleys 220 are located on either side of an extendable base portion 230 that may optionally include a foot plate 240. By running the pulley cable 170b under the pulleys 220 as presented in Figure 3, and attaching hooks 250a, 250b directly or indirectly to a handle member such as but not limited to the examples 310 in Fig. 3, an additional resistive pull function may be utilised. In embodiments where the hooks 250a, 250b are indirectly attached to the handle member 310, an intermediary cable (not pictured) may include hooks that attach to both the hooks 250a, 250b at one end and the handle member 310 at the other end. In preferred embodiments, the base frame 110 may be hollow and dimensioned to receive at least the majority of the extendable base portion 230 therein. The base frame and / or the extendable base portion 230 comprise a locking mechanism to prevent the extendable base portion 230 from accidentally sliding out during transportation or use. In some embodiments, the base frame 110 and the extendable base portion 230 may comprise apertures that align to receive a locking pin or similar mechanism therein to prevent movement of the extendable base portion 230 with respect to the base frame 110. It will be understood that the embodiment of Figures 1 A-D could be adapted to include the extendable base portion 230 arrangement and pulleys 220 if desired. Referring to Figures 4A-D there is illustrated an alternative embodiment of the resistive assembly, in which an apparatus 400 comprises a hydraulic cylinder mechanism. The hydraulic cylinder mechanism comprises a first hydraulic cylinder 410 forming the arm of the apparatus 400, and a second hydraulic cylinder 420 arranged vertically in or on the vertical frame 130, and a load arranged with respect to the second hydraulic cylinder 420 to be displaced in response to movement of the movable member of the arm. The first hydraulic cylinder 410 comprises a housing 410a and a movable member 410b that is configured to move inside the housing 410a, and the second hydraulic cylinder 420 likewise comprises a housing 420a and a movable member 420b that is configured to move inside the housing 420a. The first hydraulic cylinder 410 and the second hydraulic cylinder 420 are in fluid communication to facilitate movement of the movable portion 420b of the second hydraulic cylinder 420 inside its housing 420a in response to a change in pressure in the first hydraulic cylinder 410 as the movable portion 410b of the first hydraulic cylinder 410 is moved inside its own housing 410a, either resulting from a push or a pull movement of the arm by the user. In order to facilitate fluid communication between the first hydraulic cylinder 410 and the second hydraulic cylinder 420, the apparatus 400 may be provided with one or more hydraulic cables (not presented) connecting the first hydraulic cylinder 410 and the second hydraulic cylinder 420. For example, in some embodiments the hydraulic cable(s) may be provided in or above horizontally disposed member 430 located on the base portion 110. It will be understood that the load 150 can be adjusted from being a simple bar, to adding weight plates on the bar as discussed in relation to previous Figures. In some embodiments, a flow divider is located between the first hydraulic cylinder and the second hydraulic cylinder in order to selectively measure and adjust the pressure difference between the two cylinders. A user may be able to adjust the pressure to achieve a desired resistance by way of an adjustable screw mechanism (not pictured) on the apparatus. Example flow dividers are presented in Figures 4A and B. Referring to Figure 5 there is provided close-up views (A) and (B) of an embodiment in which multiple of the apparatus 100 are adjoined at least by a handle 510, 520 for use by one or more persons performing exercise. In one example (A), a single handle 510 is associated with two apparatus 100 of the pulley-operated kind in Figures 1A-D, 2A-F, and 3 and the handle 510 is integrally attached to the arms 120 of each the apparatuses 100 respectively. In another example (B), the handle 510 is associated with two apparatus 300 of the hydraulic-operated kind in Figures 4A-4D and the handle 520 is integrally attached to the arms 120 of each of the apparatuses 400 respectively. Figure 7A provides a view of an embodiment in which two of the apparatus 100 in Figure 1A-D are adjoined. Preferably, the two apparatuses 100 are removably adjoined at the sides of their base frame 110 that are in abutment when placed next to each other. The base frames 110 may be connected using any known means, such as but not limited to one or more screws or bolts, a latch mechanism or other complementary attachment portions, and so on. Alternatively, the apparatus 100 may be integrally adjoined for example by sharing one and the same base frame 110 or by welding. It will be understood that the embodiment of Figure 7A could equally apply to the apparatus 200 in Figure 2A-F. Similarly, Figure 7B provides a view of an embodiment in which two of the apparatus 300 in Figure 4A-D are adjoined either removably or integrally. Referring to Figures 8A and 8B, there is provided isometric (8A) and close up (8B) views of a folding functionality of any of the apparatuses 100, 200, 400 depicted in Figures 1A-D, 2A-F, 3, or 4A-D to facilitate easier transportation and storage of the apparatus. The arm 120 or the handle of the arm 120 is configured to be rotatable about an axis along the length of the arm 120, (A), following which the handle can be moved through an angle towards an aperture 710 on the vertical frame 130, (B), and the apparatus can then be folded to a flat arrangement visible in view (C). As can be seen in Figure 8B, preferably a locking pin 720 on the base frame 110 is movable to permit or prevent rotation of the arm 120 and the vertical frame 130 in to the flat position in (C). In order to allow the handle of the arm 120 to move in to the aperture on the vertical frame 130, the arm 120 may be movable about a hinge mechanism 730. It will be understand that the step in view (B) is optional and that any of the apparatuses in Figure 8A-B could be configured without aperture 710. An additional advantage of the exemplary apparatuses 100, 200, 400 provided with the present disclosure is that they may be more readily accessible to users in need of a wheelchair, as the user can position their wheelchair in front of the apparatus and begin exercises without the need to move out of their wheelchair and in to a dedicated seat unlike traditional pulley weight towers. In some embodiments the foot plate 240 or the sides of the extendable base portion 220 may be configured with any of the known attachment means for harnessing a wheelchair in place, to enhance their positional security during exercises. Optionally, the height of the apparatuses 100, 200, 400 depicted in the Figures may be in the range of about 1 metre and about 1.5 metre, in order to make the apparatus more easily reachable to a wheelchair-bound user and also generally more readily movable by a user. In embodiments where the arm 120 is attached to the base frame 110 by a hinge mechanism 180, this may allow a wheelchair-bound user to position the arm 120 at a more accessible level. 5 In certain embodiments, the apparatuses 100, 200, 400 may be provided with a foot plate (not pictured) configured to attach to the movable member 120b such that a person in a sitting position may operate the push functionality of the apparatuses via the footplate with their feet by extending and contracting their knees in a leg training exercise. In one embodiment, the 10 foot plate includes, on a side in abutment with the movable member 120b, one or more attachment members dimensioned cooperatively with a profile shape of the handle of the movable member 120b to facilitate a snug fit attachment of the footplate to the handle.

Claims

1. An apparatus for use in performing exercise, comprising:a base frame;an arm attached to the base frame, wherein the arm comprises a housing and a movable member configured to move in the housing in response to a push force or a pull force exerted by a user; anda vertical frame arranged substantially perpendicular to the base frame, wherein the vertical frame is configured to at least partially hold a resistive assembly for providing resistance to movement of the movable member resulting from both a push force and a pull force.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the resistive assembly comprises a pulley mechanism.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the pulley mechanism comprises:a first pulley wheel located at an end of the vertical frame substantially proximate to the base frame;a second pulley wheel located at an end of the vertical frame substantially distal to the base frame;a third pulley wheel located below the second pulley wheel and attached to the load; at least a first pulley cable attached to the movable member of the arm and that runs over and between the pulley wheels and at least partially supports a load of the mechanism.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, further comprising a fourth pulley wheel on the arm and a movable hook attached to the movable member of the arm in order to facilitate a resisted push function of the movable member.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, further comprising a secondary pulley cable including a first hook disposed at one end and a second hook disposed at the opposite end, wherein in order to provide a resisted push function of the movable member the first hook of the second pulley cable is attached to the movable hook and the second hook is attached to a hook of the first pulley cable.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein in order to provide a resisted pull function of the movable member the hook of the first pulley cable is attached to the movable hook of the arm.

7. The apparatus of claim 3, further comprising on the arm fourth and fifth pulley wheels, and further comprising a secondary pulley cable running between the fourth and fifth pulley wheels; wherein the secondary pulley cable comprises at least one attachment point configured to receive a hook of the first pulley cable.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, being configured such that when the attachment point is distal to the base portion, attachment of the hook of the first pulley cable to the secondary pulley cable provides a resisted pull function; and being configured such that when the attachment point is proximate to the base portion, attachment of the hook of the first pulley cable to the secondary pulley cable provides a resisted push function.

9. The apparatus of claim 3 or claim 4, wherein the axis of rotation of the third pulley wheel is substantially perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the second pulley wheel.

10. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the pulley mechanism comprises:a first pulley wheel located on or near an end of the arm substantially proximate to the base frame;a second pulley wheel located at an end of the vertical frame substantially proximate to the base frame and on an opposite end of the base frame to the arm;at least a third pulley wheel located at an end of the vertical frame substantially distal to the base frame; andat least one pulley cable that runs over and between the pulley wheels and at least partially supports a load that provides resistance to movement of the movable member in the housing.

11. The apparatus of claim 3, further comprising a fourth pulley wheel located at an end of the vertical frame substantially distal to the base frame and substantially level with the third pulley wheel.

12. The apparatus of claim 10 or claim 11, wherein the first pulley wheel is located on the vertical frame, or on the arm.

13. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the resistive assembly comprises a hydraulic cylinder mechanism.

14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the hydraulic cylinder mechanism comprises:a first hydraulic cylinder forming the arm of the apparatus;a second hydraulic cylinder arranged vertically in or on the vertical frame;wherein the first hydraulic cylinder and the second hydraulic cylinder are in fluid communication to facilitate movement of the second hydraulic cylinder in response to a change in pressure in the first hydraulic cylinder; anda load arranged with respect to the second hydraulic cylinder to be displaced in response to movement of the movable member of the arm.

15. The apparatus of claim 14, comprising a flow divider located between the first hydraulic cylinder and the second hydraulic cylinder.

16. The apparatus of any previous claim, wherein the arm is configured to be movable in at least a first plane perpendicular to the base.

17. The apparatus of any previous claim, wherein the vertical frame is configured to be movable with respect to the base frame.

18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the vertical frame is connected to the base frame via a lockable hinged mechanism, such that upon unlocking the mechanism the vertical frame can be moved with respect to the base frame.

19. The apparatus of any previous claim, further comprising a removable secondary base frame having a first frame member with a pulley wheel at one end and a second frame member substantially symmetric with the first frame member and with a pulley wheel at one end.

20. Use of the apparatus of any previous claim in the performance of one or more exercises.

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