An
exercise machine that provides a generally consistent resistive force against a user who walks, steps, or runs away from the
machine as part of a
strength training exercise program. The
machine is built upon a movable frame having transport wheel assemblies that allow the
exercise machine to be placed on an indoor floor surface or on the ground outdoors. The frame of the device further supports three parallel
spinning assemblies that together allow a length of linear strap attached to the user to run out from the
machine and thereafter be retracted or rewound back into the machine. The
spinning assemblies include a
flywheel assembly, a spool
assembly, and a spring
assembly, each co-axially arranged on a spin axle extending across the frame. The spring assembly is fixed against the frame and incorporates a
coil spring that tightens with the rotation of the spin axle in a first direction (allowing the linear run-out strap to extend out from the spool assembly). The
coil spring in the spring assembly thereafter tends to direct the rewinding of the strap back onto the spool assembly. The coaxial
flywheel assembly provides both an initial stationary
inertia and a subsequent rotational
inertia. The
flywheel acts as a
governor to balance the changing forces associated with the resistive force increasing in the spring assembly. Positioned on the spin axle between the flywheel assembly and the spring assembly is a spool assembly that allows the strap to unwind and subsequently to be wound back onto the spool. A guide strap may be provided around the spool to maintain the linear run-out strap within the spool assembly. A resistance adjustment assembly presses a
brake pad against the perimeter surface of the flywheel to adjust the force required to direct rotation of the
system. A weight horn bracket is provided to add additional disc weights if necessary.