A seated rowing exercise machine

Abstract

An exercise machine is designed to effectively target various upper body muscle groups. The exercise machine includes a base platform, a seat mounted on the base platform to support a user in a seated position, and a pair of handles, each adapted to be gripped by the user and configured to move in a longitudinal direction of the exercise machine when the user performs a rowing action in the seated position. The exercise machine also includes a chest pad positioned above the seat, and configured to be actively pushed by the user in the longitudinal direction along at least one guide rail to engage muscles that extend spine of the user during the rowing action. The exercise machine features a handle-grab lever configured to hold the handles in their anchored positions and pivot relative to the base platform.

Description

A SEATED ROWING EXERCISE MACHINETECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure relates to the field of exercise equipment. In particular, the present disclosure pertains to a rowing exercise machine configured to facilitate effective workout of multiple muscle groups of the upper body of a user.BACKGROUND

[0002] The background description includes information that may be useful in understanding the present invention. It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art or relevant to the presently claimed invention, or that any publication specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art.

[0003] It is often necessary or beneficial to focus on exercising specific muscles or muscle groups. For instance, when a muscle is injured or has undergone surgery, targeted exercises are crucial to prevent atrophy and to rebuild strength for normal function. Similarly, individuals work out healthy muscles to enhance strength, maintain an active lifestyle, and improve appearance. Various exercise routines have been created to target different muscle groups by making them contract and extend under resistance, such as lifting free weights against gravity or pulling a handle on an exercise machine.

[0004] One example of such an exercise is rowing, which primarily targets the latissimus dorsi muscles of a user. A typical rowing exercise machine features a seat for the user to sit on and a pair of handles for the user to grasp while seated. These handles are typically connected to a weight stack, providing resistance as the user moves the handles in a back-and-forth motion that mimics rowing. Conventional rowing exercise machines also include a chest pad positioned near the seat to support the user’s chest during the rowing exercise. Although the chest pad is usually adjustable forward and backward, it remains stationary during the exercise once its position is adjusted. This fixed positioning of the chest pad can lead to improper spinal alignment and restrict the machine’s ability to effectively engage both the upper body muscle groups of the user.

[0005] Therefore, known rowing exercise machines suffer from a major drawback, in that they endanger improper spinal alignment for users, and fail to provide the option to effectively engage the upper body muscle groups of the users, especially the muscles around the mid back to extend / move forward. Also, these exercise machines are prone to cause more imbalances in the user’s body due to improper spinal alignment.SUMMARY

[0006] There is, therefore, a need to overcome the above stated drawback of conventional rowing exercise machines by providing improved machines for weight training that include a feature for improving workout effectiveness by engaging multiple muscle groups of rear and mid back of a user, during a rowing exercise.

[0007] It is a general objective of the present disclosure to provide a rowing exercise machine configured to enhance effectiveness of a rowing exercise.

[0008] It is another objective of the present disclosure to provide a seated rowing exercise machine that is capable of engaging multiple muscle groups of rear body and mid back of a user, during a rowing exercise.

[0009] It is yet another objective of the present disclosure to provide a seated rowing exercise machine configured to provide easy adjustments to target different upper body muscle groups of the user.

[0010] The present disclosure relates to a rowing exercise machine (hereinafter referred to as the “exercise machine”) designed to facilitate an effective workout for multiple upper body muscle groups of users. The exercise machine includes a base platform designed to rest securely on a ground surface, providing structural stability during use. Mounted on the base platform is a seat that supports a user in a seated position. The seat may be adjusted vertically and horizontally relative to the base platform to suit different body sizes and biomechanics, ensuring proper alignment and ergonomic support. The exercise machine is equipped with a pair of handles, each adapted to be gripped by the user and configured to move in a longitudinal direction of the exercise machine when the user performs a rowing action in the seated position. The exercise machine features a chest pad that is configured to be actively pushed in the longitudinal direction along at least one guide rail to engage muscles that extend the users spine, when the user performs the rowing action while being seated. By combining the engagement of muscle groups of both the upper body, the exercise machine enhances the activation of the rear upper body muscles, as the resistance-based movement of the chest pad, driven by the force exerted by the user, helps align the spine into a more correct position.

[0011] In some embodiments, the chest pad may be positioned above the seat, and may be configured to induce spinal flexion, requiring the user to perform thoracic extension, during the rowing exercise, to counteract the spinal flexion. Unlike a fixed chest pad of a conventional rowing exercise machine, the chest pad of the rowing exercise machine may be mounted on a track having one or more guide rails along which the chest pad is adapted to move. Thus, duringthe rowing exercise, in which the thoracic spine of the user moves forward, the chest pad engages the muscle groups in the mid back region of the user’s body.

[0012] In some embodiments, the exercise machine may include a first weight stack operatively connected to the chest pad to adjust resistance for movement of the chest pad along the at least one guide rail.

[0013] In some embodiments, the first weight stack may be operatively connected to the chest pad through a cable and pulley mechanism to maintain the chest pad in a predefined starting position, and enable movement of the chest pad along the at least one guide rail when the user exerts a pushing load greater than a predetermined threshold value. The first weight stack may include a plurality of weights adapted to be selected and adjusted by the user to modulate resistance for movement of the chest pad along the at least one guide rail.

[0014] In some embodiments, the exercise machine may include a second weight stack operatively connected to the pair of handles to adjust resistance for movement of the pair of handles during the rowing action.

[0015] In some embodiments, the second weight stack may be operatively connected to the pair of handles through a cable and pulley mechanism to maintain each handle of the pair of handles in a fixed, anchored position, and enable movement of each handle from the anchored position when the user exerts a pulling load greater than a predetermined threshold value. The second weight stack may include a plurality of weights adapted to be selected and adjusted by the user to modulate resistance for movement of each handle from the anchored position.

[0016] In some embodiments, when the user wants to perform a rowing exercise, they can select their desired weight from the second weight stack and pull the handles towards them while they are still anchored. In some embodiments, the user can then sit down on the seat, and reach forward to grasp and release the handles from the anchored positions. Thereafter, the user may perform the resistance-based rowing exercise by moving the weight-supported handles back and forth in the longitudinal direction. During the exercise, as the user pulls the weight- supported handles in the longitudinal direction, their thoracic spine moves in the forward direction. This forward movement of the user’s chest to engage the chest pad, which in turn fully activates the upper body muscle groups, such as the muscles on the user’s mid back that cause the thoracic spine to shift anteriorly, as well as the latissimus dorsi muscles of the upper body, to align the user’s spine in the optimal position.

[0017] In some embodiments, each handle, in the anchored position, may be anchored at a vertical column mounted on the base platform.

[0018] In some embodiments, each handle may be anchored at the vertical column to enable the user in the seated position to reach forward to grasp and release the handle from the anchored position.

[0019] In some embodiments, the exercise machine may include at least one footrest mounted on the base platform to support feet of the user in the seated position.

[0020] In some embodiments, the exercise machine may include an adjustment member configured to adjust lateral and longitudinal positioning of the chest pad. The adjustment member may include a horizontal adjustment member, and a vertical adjustment member coupled to the horizontal adjustment member. The horizontal adjustment member may include a plurality of first holes configured to facilitate lateral adjustments of the chest pad by inserting a first locking pin at a selected first hole among the plurality of first holes. The vertical adjustment member may include a plurality of second holes configured to facilitate longitudinal adjustment of the chest pad by inserting a second locking pin at a selected second hole among the plurality of second holes.

[0021] In some embodiments, the exercise machine may include a handle-grab lever configured to hold each handle in the anchored position, and move relative to the base platform through a hinge mounted on the base platform to enable movement of the handle in the longitudinal direction based on the pulling load exerted by the user.

[0022] In some embodiments, the handle-grab lever may include a shaft having a groove at the top to secure the handle in the anchored position

[0023] In some embodiments, the handle-grab lever may be configured to pivot between a retracted position and an extended position. In the retracted position, the handle-grab lever is present away from the user in the seated posture. In the extended position, the handle-grab lever is positioned closer to the user. The handle may move away from the anchored position when the handle-grab lever moves from the retracted position towards the extended position.

[0024] In some embodiments, the handle-grab lever may be configured to automatically return to the retracted position, upon release of the handle by the user.

[0025] In some embodiments, the exercise machine may include a bottom lever operatively coupled to the handle-grab lever such that when the user in the seated position presses the bottom lever with a foot, the handle-grab lever moves from the retracted position to the extended position, allowing the user to safely reach and grasp the handle.

[0026] In some embodiments, the handle-grab lever may be configured to return to the retracted position upon grasping of the handle by the user and release of the bottom lever, toenable the user to perform the rowing action by repeatedly pulling and releasing each of the pair of handles.

[0027] In some embodiments, the exercise machine may include a first range controller configured to restrict range of motion of the pair of handles to prevent excessive movement of each handle of the pair of handles during the rowing action. The first range controller may include a pivotally moving member configured for pivotal movement along an axis coaxial to an angularly moving part of the handle, and a selector plate having a plurality of holes. The pivotally moving member may include a lock having a retractable pin configured to lock the pivotally moving member in each of a plurality of angular positions by engaging with a selected hole among the plurality of holes of the selector plate.

[0028] In some embodiments, the angularly moving part may include a stopper located in a same plane as the pivotally moving member such that, during rotation of the angularly moving part, the stopper engages with the pivotally moving member to block further rotation of the angularly moving part beyond a selected position, thereby restricting the range of motion of the handle.

[0029] In some embodiments, the exercise machine may include a second range controller configured to restrict range of motion of the chest pad along the at least one guide rail to prevent excessive movement of the chest pad during the rowing action.

[0030] In some embodiments, the second range controller may include a set of blocking tracks, and a blocking member positioned over the set of blocking tracks. The blocking member may include a linear track mounted on a support frame to guide the chest pad along the at least one guide rail, and a plurality of slots that define the range of motion for the chest pad with each slot of the plurality of slots defining specific position that limits movement of the chest pad. The second range controller may also include a locking bar slidably attached to the linear track and configured to move along the linear track to engage with one of the plurality of slots to limit the range of motion of the chest pad.

[0031] In some embodiments, the exercise machine is configured to engage the muscles of the mid back region of the user to drive the thoracic spine forward, and activate the muscles in the mid back region, while the user performs a rowing exercise.

[0032] Various objects, features, aspects and advantages of the inventive subject matter will become more apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments, along with the accompanying drawing figures in which like numerals represent like components.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0033] The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the present disclosure, and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the present disclosure.

[0034] FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary perspective view of a seated exercise machine in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; and

[0035] FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary side view of the seated exercise machine, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0036] The following is a detailed description of embodiments of the disclosure depicted in the accompanying drawings. The embodiments are in such detail as to clearly communicate the disclosure. However, the amount of detail offered is not intended to limit the anticipated variations of embodiments; on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims.

[0037] Each of the appended claims defines a separate invention, which for infringement purposes is recognized as including equivalents to the various elements or limitations specified in the claims. Depending on the context, all references below to the “invention” may in some cases refer to certain specific embodiments only. In other cases, it will be recognized that references to the “invention” will refer to subject matter recited in one or more, but not necessarily all, of the claims. As used in the description herein and throughout the claims that follow, the meaning of “a,” “an,” and “the” includes plural reference unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Also, as used in the description herein, the meaning of “in” includes “in” and “on” unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

[0038] All methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g. “such as”) provided with respect to certain embodiments herein is intended merely to better illuminate the invention and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the invention otherwise claimed. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element essential to the practice of the invention.

[0039] Various terms are used herein. To the extent a term used in a claim is not defined, it should be given the broadest definition persons in the pertinent art have given that term as reflected in printed publications and issued patents at the time of filing.

[0040] Conventional row exercise machines suffer from the drawback in that they engender unhealthy alignment of the spine of a user, and are limited to strengthening the latissimus dorsi muscles while having the shoulders as a mobile point, either retracting or protracting them throughout the exercise. However, the user is unable to move their thoracic spine forward and back throughout the duration of this exercise since it’s stuck in a fixed position as the chest pad does not move. Such exercise machines typically employ a chest pad that is fixed in position, which necessitates the user to maintain their spine in an unhealthy position to perform a rowing exercise. It is an objective of the present disclosure to provide a seated exercise machine for facilitating an effective workout for multiple upper body muscle groups of users. The exercise machine of the present disclosure enhances effectiveness of a rowing exercise, by activating multiple muscle groups of rear and mid back of the user, during the rowing exercise. The exercise machine is configured to provide easy adjustments to target different upper body muscle groups of the user.

[0041] FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary perspective view of an exercise machine (also referred to as “machine” herein) 100 configured to enable users to perform seated rowing exercises with improved effectiveness. The machine 100 includes a base platform 102 designed to rest securely on a flat ground surface, thereby ensuring structural stability during exercise. The base platform 102 forms a foundational support structure for the machine 100, and may be constructed from high-strength, durable materials such as steel, aluminum alloys, or fiber- reinforced polymer composites, which are known for their load-bearing capacity and resistance to mechanical stress. This robust construction ensures that the machine 100 remains stable during dynamic movements and can accommodate users of varying body weights and training intensities. The base platform 102 also serves as a mounting surface for other functional components of the machine 100.

[0042] The machine 100 also includes a seat 104 mounted on the base platform 102 to support a user in a seated position to facilitate dynamic, weight-bearing exercises. The seat is fully adjustable in both horizontal and vertical directions relative to the base platform 102. This adjustability accommodates a wide range of body sizes, limb lengths, and postural needs, allowing users to customize the seat position for optimal biomechanical alignment and ergonomic comfort. In some embodiments, the seat 104 may be modular and removablymounted, enabling quick and easy replacement or interchange with other specialized components, depending on the specific exercise protocol.

[0043] The machine 100 includes a chest pad 106 that is configured to be actively pushed in longitudinal direction of the machine 100 along a track having at least one guide rail 108 to engage muscles that extend the users spine, when the user performs the rowing action while being seated. The chest pad 106 may be positioned above the seat 104 and offset from the seat 104 in the longitudinal direction. The chest pad 106 may be configured to induce spinal flexion, requiring the user to perform thoracic extension, during the rowing exercise, to counteract the spinal flexion. As a result, during the rowing exercise, in which the thoracic spine of the user moves forward, the chest pad 106 is automatically pushed in the longitudinal direction.

[0044] The machine 100 may include a first weight stack 110 operatively connected to the chest pad 106 to adjust resistance for movement of the chest pad 106 along the guide rail 108. The first weight stack 110 may be operatively connected to the chest pad 106 through a cable and pulley mechanism to maintain the chest pad 106 in a predefined starting position, and enable movement of the chest pad 106 along the guide rail 108 only when the user exerts a pushing load through their chest that is greater than a predetermined threshold value. The first weight stack 110 may include a plurality of weights adapted to be selected and adjusted by the user to modulate resistance for movement of the chest pad 106 along the guide rail 108.

[0045] The first weight stack 110 may be operatively coupled to the chest pad 106 such that the chest pad 106 is biased to remain in the starting position with the help of one or more springs, such that the chest pad 106 only moves forward in the longitudinal direction, i.e., away from the seat 104, only when the thoracic spine of the user moves forward to push the chest pad 106 in the longitudinal direction. The chest pad 106 may be adjustable between multiple positions both vertically and horizontally to suit different user preferences.

[0046] The movement of the chest pad 106 in the forward direction engages the upper body muscle groups of the user. By combining the engagement of the muscle groups of the upper body, the machine 100 enhances activation of the muscles in the mid back that move the spine into extension, as the resistance-based movement of the chest pad 106, driven by the force exerted by the user, helps align the user’s spine into an optimal position.

[0047] The machine 100 is equipped with a pair of handles 112, each adapted to be gripped by the user and configured to move in the longitudinal direction when the user performs a rowing action in the seated position. The pair of handles 112 may be operatively coupled to a second weight stack 114 to enable the user to adjust resistance offered by the handles 112, as the user moves the handles 112 back and forth in the longitudinal direction mimicking arowing-like motion. The second weight stack 114 may be operatively connected to the handles 112 through a cable and pulley mechanism to maintain each handle 112 of the pair of handles 112 in a fixed, anchored position, and enable movement of each handle 112 from the anchored position when the user exerts a pulling load greater than a predetermined threshold value. The second weight stack 114 may include a plurality of weights adapted to be selected and adjusted by the user to modulate resistance for movement of each handle 112 from the anchored position. In some embodiments, the second weight stack 114 allows the user to select a desired weight to adjust the resistance for movement of the handles 112. Selection of a desired weight of the second weight stack 114 proportionally increases or decreases the resistance offered against movement of the handles 112 as a result of a pulling action carried out by the user.

[0048] When the user wants to perform a rowing exercise on the exercise machine 100, they can select their desired weight from the second weight stack 114 and pull the handles 112 towards them while they are still anchored. In some embodiments, the user can sit down on the seat 104, and reach forward to grasp and release the handles 112 from the anchored position. Subsequently, the user may perform the resistance-based rowing exercise by moving the weight-supported handles 112 back and forth in the longitudinal direction. During this exercise, as the user pulls the weight-supported handles 112 in the reverse direction, their thoracic spine moves in the forward direction. This forward movement of the user’s chest pushes the chest pad 106 in the forward direction, which in turn activates the rear-upper body muscle groups, such as the mid-thoracic muscles, as well as the latissimus dorsi muscles of the user’s upper body, to align the user’s spine in the optimal position.

[0049] In some embodiments, each of the pair of handle 112, in the anchored position, may be anchored at a vertical column 116 mounted on the base platform 102. The handle 112 may be anchored at the vertical column 116 to enable the user in the seated position to reach forward to grasp and release the handle 112 from the anchored position.

[0050] The exercise machine 100 may include at least one footrest 118 configured to support the user’s feet, while user is in the seated position to perform the rowing exercise. In an exemplary embodiment, the footrest 118 may be configured such that the user can manually adjust position of the footrest 118 for their feet based on the user’s comfortability for the exercise. The footrest 118 may be slidably configured with the base platform 102 to allow the user to slide the footrest 118 in both horizontal as well as vertical directions, and support their feet over the footrest 118.

[0051] In some embodiments, the machine 100 may include an adjustment member configured to adjust lateral and longitudinal positioning of the chest pad 106. The adjustmentmember may include a horizontal adjustment member, and a vertical adjustment member coupled to the horizontal adjustment member. The horizontal adjustment member may include a plurality of first holes configured to facilitate lateral adjustments of the chest pad 106 by inserting a first locking pin at a selected first hole among the plurality of first holes. The vertical adjustment member may include a plurality of second holes configured to facilitate longitudinal adjustment of the chest pad by inserting a second locking pin at a selected second hole among the plurality of second holes.

[0052] Referring now to FIG. 2, an exemplary side view of the exercise machine 100 is shown. The exercise machine 100 may include a handle-grab lever 202 designed to hold the handles 112 in the anchored position. The handle-grab lever 202 may be movable with respect to the base platform 102 via a hinge 204 fixedly mounted on the base platform 102, allowing the handle-grab lever 202 to pivot relative to the base platform 102 at the hinge 204. The handle-grab lever 202 may be equipped with a shaft 206 that has a groove at its top to secure each handle 112 in place. The handle-grab lever 202 may be configured with the base platform 102 so that it is pivotally movable between a retracted position and an extended position. In an exemplary implementation, the handle-grab lever 202 can be moved between the retracted position, in which it is spaced away from the user occupying the seat 104, and the extended position, in which it is located in close proximity to the user.

[0053] The handle-grab lever 202 may be operatively coupled with the second weight stack 114 or the corresponding cable and pulley mechanism such that, when the handles 112 are in the anchored position, the handle-grab lever 202 is automatically moved to its retracted position. When the user releases the handles 112 and moves them from the anchored position, the handle-grab lever 202 is adapted to move towards its extended position.

[0054] When the handles 112 are locked into place on the handle-grab lever 202 using the groove in the shaft 206, and are attached to the second weight stack 114 or the corresponding cable and pulley mechanism, the handle-grab lever 202 automatically shifts to its retracted position. When the user presses down on the shaft 206 with their foot, the handle-grab lever 202 moves to its extended position, bringing the handles 112 closer to the user seated on the seat 104, allowing them to grasp the handles 112 for exercise. In some embodiments, as the handle-grab lever 202 moves towards its extended position, the shaft 206 gradually descends in the direction of the footrest 118 so that, when the handle-grab lever 202 is in the extended position, the shaft 206 is flush with the footrest 118. After the user finishes using the handles 112 and repositions them on the handle-grab lever 202, the handles 112 release their weightfrom the handle-grab lever 202, causing the handle-grab lever 202 to return to its original retracted position.

[0055] In some embodiments, the handles 112 of the machine 100 may be mounted to the groove at the top of the shaft 206 of the handle-grab lever 202. This arrangement keeps the handles 112 attached to the shaft 206 and secured in their anchored positions when the handlegrab lever 104 is present in its retracted position. By pressing a bottom lever operatively coupled the handle-grab lever 202 with their foot, the user can cause the handle-grab lever 202 to move from the retracted position to the extended position, making it possible for the user to reach and grasp both handles 112 safely. When the user releases the bottom lever with their foot, the handle-grab lever 202 returns to its retracted position, enabling the rowing exercise to be performed through the repetitive action of pulling and releasing the handles.

[0056] In some embodiments, the handle-grab lever 202 may be biased to remain in the retracted position by a spring that connects the pivot end of the handle-grab lever 202 to the hinge 204. This spring enables the handle-grab lever 202 to automatically return to the retracted position and allows the shaft 206 to engage with a protruding member 208 of the cable and pulley mechanism after the user releases the shaft 206. To move the handle-grab lever 202 back to its extended position, the user can simply release the handles 112 from their anchored positions. This action disengages the shaft 206 from the protruding member 208, allowing the handle-grab lever 202 to move toward the extended position.

[0057] The machine 100 may further include a first range controller to adjust or limit the motion range of the handles 112, and a second range controller to regulate the motion range of the chest pad 106. These range controllers are designed to prevent excessive movement that could lead to discomfort or injury. They also allow users to tailor their exercise intensity by modifying range of motion of both the handles 112 and the chest pad 106. By providing precise control over the range of motion, the range controllers enhance safety, target specific muscle groups, and accommodate users with varying flexibility levels or injury concerns.

[0058] In some embodiments, the first range controller may be configured to restrict the range of motion of the pair of handles 112 to prevent excessive movement of each handle 112 during the rowing exercise. The first range controller may include a pivotally moving member configured for pivotal movement along an axis coaxial to an angularly moving part of the handle 112, and a selector plate having a plurality of holes. The pivotally moving member may include a lock having a retractable pin configured to lock the pivotally moving member in each of a plurality of angular positions by engaging with a selected hole among the plurality of holes of the selector plate. The angularly moving part may include a stopper located in a same planeas the pivotally moving member such that, during rotation of the angularly moving part, the stopper engages with the pivotally moving member to block further rotation of the angularly moving part beyond a selected position, thereby restricting the range of motion of the handle 112.

[0059] In some embodiments, the second range controller may be configured to restrict the range of motion of the chest pad 106 along the guide rail 108 to prevent excessive movement of the chest pad 106 during the rowing exercise. The second range controller may include a set of blocking tracks, and a blocking member positioned over the set of blocking tracks. The blocking member may include a linear track mounted on a support frame to guide the chest pad 106 along the guide rail 108, and a plurality of slots that define the range of motion for the chest pad 106 with each slot of the plurality of slots defining specific position that limits movement of the chest pad 106. The second range controller may also include a locking bar slidably attached to the linear track and configured to move along the linear track to engage with one of the plurality of slots to limit the range of motion of the chest pad 106.

[0060] Thus, the exercise machine 100 facilitates activation of the user’s upper body muscles. By combining the engagement of muscle groups of the upper body, the exercise machine 100 enhances the activation of the muscles that extend the thoracic spine, as the resistance-based movement of the chest pad 106, driven by the force exerted by the thoracic spine of the user, aligns the spine to a healthy position. The chest pad 106 of the exercise machine 100 is configured to allow the user to actively push it in the forward direction, so as to integrate engagement of the muscles on the mid back region of the user’s body, while simultaneously activating the latissimus dorsi muscles. The simultaneous engagement of the muscles on the mid back region and the latissimus dorsi muscles results in a better firing of the rear and mid-muscles, and assists in proper alignment of the user’s spine in a more correct position.

[0061] While the foregoing describes various embodiments of the invention, other and further embodiments of the invention may be devised without departing from the basic scope thereof. The scope of the invention is determined by the claims that follow. The invention is not limited to the described embodiments, versions or examples, which are included to enable a person having ordinary skill in the art to make and use the invention when combined with information and knowledge available to the person having ordinary skill in the art.

Claims

We Claim:

1. An exercise machine, comprising: a base platform; a seat mounted on the base platform to support a user in a seated position; a pair of handles, each adapted to be gripped by the user and configured to move in a longitudinal direction of the exercise machine when the user performs a rowing action in the seated position; and a chest pad positioned above the seat, and configured to be actively pushed by the user in the longitudinal direction along at least one guide rail to engage muscles that extend spine of the user during the rowing action.

2. The exercise machine according to claim 1, comprising a first weight stack operatively connected to the chest pad to adjust resistance for movement of the chest pad along the at least one guide rail.

3. The exercise machine according to claim 2, wherein the first weight stack is operatively connected to the chest pad through a cable and pulley mechanism to maintain the chest pad in a predefined starting position, and enable movement of the chest pad along the at least one guide rail when the user exerts a pushing load greater than a predetermined threshold value, and wherein, the first weight stack comprises a plurality of weights adapted to be selected and adjusted by the user to modulate resistance for movement of the chest pad along the at least one guide rail.

4. The exercise machine according to claim 1, further comprising a second weight stack operatively connected to the pair of handles to adjust resistance for movement of the pair of handles during the rowing action.

5. The exercise machine according to claim 4, wherein the second weight stack is operatively connected to the pair of handles through a cable and pulley mechanism to maintain each handle of the pair of handles in an anchored position, and enable movement of each handle from the anchored position when the user exerts a pulling load greater than a predetermined threshold value, andwherein, the second weight stack comprises a plurality of weights adapted to be selected and adjusted by the user to modulate resistance for movement of each handle from the anchored position.

6. The exercise machine according to claim 5, wherein each handle, in the anchored position, is anchored at a vertical column mounted on the base platform.

7. The exercise machine according to claim 6, wherein each handle is anchored at the vertical column to enable the user in the seated position to reach forward to grasp and release the handle from the anchored position.

8. The exercise machine according to claim 1, further comprising at least one footrest mounted on the base platform to support feet of the user in the seated position.

9. The exercise machine according to claim 1, further comprising an adjustment member configured to adjust lateral and longitudinal positioning of the chest pad, wherein the adjustment member comprises a horizontal adjustment member, and a vertical adjustment member coupled to the horizontal adjustment member, wherein, the horizontal adjustment member comprises a plurality of first holes configured to facilitate lateral adjustments of the chest pad by inserting a first locking pin at a selected first hole among the plurality of first holes, and wherein, the vertical adjustment member comprises a plurality of second holes configured to facilitate longitudinal adjustment of the chest pad by inserting a second locking pin at a selected second hole among the plurality of second holes.

10. The exercise machine according to claim 7, further comprising a handle-grab lever configured to hold each handle in the anchored position, and move relative to the base platform through a hinge mounted on the base platform to enable movement of the handle in the longitudinal direction based on the pulling load exerted by the user.

11. The exercise machine according to claim 10, wherein the handle-grab lever comprises a shaft having a groove at the top to secure the handle in the anchored position.

12. The exercise machine according to claim 10, wherein the handle-grab lever is configured to pivot between a retracted position and an extended position,wherein, in the retracted position, the handle-grab lever is present away from the user in the seated posture, and in the extended position, the handle-grab lever is positioned closer to the user, and wherein, the handle moves away from the anchored position when the handle-grab lever moves from the retracted position towards the extended position.

13. The exercise machine according to claim 10, wherein the handle-grab lever is configured to automatically return to the retracted position, upon release of the handle by the user.

14. The exercise machine according to claim 12, further comprising a bottom lever operatively coupled to the handle-grab lever such that when the user in the seated position presses the bottom lever with a foot, the handle-grab lever moves from the retracted position to the extended position, allowing the user to safely reach and grasp the handle.

15. The exercise machine according to claim 14, wherein the handle-grab lever is configured to return to the retracted position upon grasping of the handle by the user and release of the bottom lever, to enable the user to perform the rowing action by repeatedly pulling and releasing each of the pair of handles.

16. The exercise machine according to claim 1, further comprising a first range controller configured to restrict range of motion of the pair of handles to prevent excessive movement of each handle of the pair of handles during the rowing action.

17. The apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the first range controller comprises: a pivotally moving member configured for pivotal movement along an axis coaxial to an angularly moving part of the handle, and a selector plate comprising a plurality of holes, wherein the pivotally moving member comprises a lock having a retractable pin configured to lock the pivotally moving member in each of a plurality of angular positions by engaging with a selected hole among the plurality of holes of the selector plate.

18. The apparatus according to claim 17, wherein the angularly moving part comprises a stopper located in a same plane as the pivotally moving member such that, during rotation of the angularly moving part, the stopper engages with the pivotally moving member to blockfurther rotation of the angularly moving part beyond a selected position, thereby restricting the range of motion of the handle.

19. The exercise machine according to claim 1, further comprising a second range controller configured to restrict range of motion of the chest pad along the at least one guide rail to prevent excessive movement of the chest pad during the rowing action.

20. The exercise machine according to claim 19, wherein the second range controller comprises: a set of blocking tracks; a blocking member positioned over the set of blocking tracks, and comprising a linear track mounted on a support frame to guide the chest pad along the at least one guide rail, and a plurality of slots that define the range of motion for the chest pad with each slot of the plurality of slots defining specific position that limits movement of the chest pad; and a locking bar slidably attached to the linear track and configured to move along the linear track to engage with one of the plurality of slots to limit the range of motion of the chest pad.

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