Abstract:
Facilitating exercise using easy to transport and easy to assemble components and, when assembled, providing a portable apparatus on which a human can engage in a wide variety of exercises. Support elements including vertical components are supported on bases. Collars slideably insert over the support elements and further include bar supports for receiving one or more stabilizers. The stabilizers join the support elements and the bases forming a system base.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention generally relates to a system and methods for facilitating exercise. More specifically, the present invention is directed to a system, certain embodiments of which include easy to transport and to assemble components and, when assembled, provide a portable apparatus on which a human can engage in a wide variety of exercises. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     There are many forms of exercises that humans use to maintain and improve their health. Some of such exercises are categorized as “aerobic” exercises, while others are considered to be “anaerobic” exercises. One group of primarily anaerobic exercises that are intended to develop and maintain strength and size of skeletal muscles are generally known as strength training. One form of strength training uses gravity to produce the desired effects. Typically, strength training involves lifting and lowering a given weight a number of times, each cycle of which is called a repetition, or “rep”. A “set” is a series of reps. The type of exercise that is being repeated, the tempo at which the reps are performed, the number of reps and sets that are actually performed, and whether the person attempting the given exercise maintains proper form throughout the exercise (and doesn&#39;t “cheat”, that is, use muscles other than the intended muscles to accomplish the exercise) are all important factors in determining whether and how quickly the objectives of the exercise regime are accomplished. 
     There are many known devices that are used by humans for exercising. A wide range of these devices include more complicated components that are professionally built in advance, then installed in the device but which, despite the complexity, often only provide a generally limited workout. With many of these more complex devices, the person using the machine must come into contact with belts or wheels or other movable features to conduct the subject exercises. 
     Other known devices are formed by the joining and adjustment of a multiple of components together before the person can begin exercising. Certain of these devices are not stand alone devices and, for example, must be fixed to floors, ceilings, or other parts of buildings before they can be used. Other of such devices rely on large fixed bases or platforms to provide the stability needed so that people can actually engage in exercises on the devices. 
     There are a variety of disadvantages associated with these known devices. The devices that utilize complex components, such as movable wheels or belts or computer-like elements must be maintained and, after breakage, must be repaired to have any usefulness. The certain known devices formed by the joining and adjustment of a multiple of components may be time consuming to assemble and require tools to complete the assembly. When disassembled, these multi-component devices require time and effort and a storage place to keep the components sufficiently organized and accessible so that the device can be set up again. The devices that must be fixed to various parts of buildings—such as ceilings, floors, and door jambs—often cannot be easily set up and taken down on as needed. The set up (and take down) may require one or more tools, some experience in using the tools, be time consuming, and ultimately cause disfigurement or damage to those parts of the buildings to which the devices are fixed. The fixing of the exercise device to a part of the building renders that part of the building to be largely unusable for any purpose other than the use of the device for exercising. Known devices with large fixed base structures or platforms may be costly to transport—because of the packaging needed for the device, and the possible relatively greater weight associated with such devices also may be difficult for a single person to move from shipment drop off point to the point where the device is going to be set up and used and be inconvenient to move once set up. Many known devices with large bases, while possibly more stable, may permit only a limited range of exercises to be conducted thereon because the base may block more complete access to the exercise device including by those in a wheelchair. 
     A demand therefore exists for a system and methods, embodiments of the apparatus of which are formed from light weight, easy to transport components that can be quickly joined together without the need for tools and, when fully assembled, provide a stable platform on which a wide variety of exercises can be performed. The present invention satisfies the demand. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is directed to an exercise system, certain embodiments of which may be easily assembled from light weight and easy to transport components and, when assembled, provides a stable platform on which a wide variety of exercises may be performed. 
     For purposes of this application, the person using the exercise system will be termed “exerciser” herein. Also, for purposes of this application, the surface on which the exercise system is placed will be termed “floor” even though the system can be used and the methods conducted in a wide variety of interior spaces—including buildings—and exterior spaces—including a lawn area or a garden area, a playground, a patio, driveway, or other hard surface—and even in and on non-fixed structures—such as a boat and on its deck or other area of the vessel. 
     The exercise system of the present invention is directed to an apparatus that includes at least two support elements supportable on a system base. Certain preferred embodiments of the system include two support elements that can be further joined by one or more stabilizers. The support elements as joined are each supported on a base that collectively form the system base. In one preferred embodiment, each of the two support elements includes a base and a vertical component. Certain preferred embodiments of the vertical components include a post support on which a vertical post is received—thereby providing support therefor—and a post extension in slidable engagement with the vertical post. 
     While the base of each support element may be of any size and configuration to provide stable support for the vertical component, and thereby the system, one preferred embodiment of the exercise system includes support elements each with a base. Each base includes a first base section to which the vertical component is attachable or attached. The first base section of this embodiment includes opposing ends onto each of which a stabilizing rest is attached. 
     In one preferred embodiment, each support element includes a support base component having a reception element in which at least a portion of the vertical component may be releasably received thereby providing stable support therefore. One embodiment of the reception element is a flush reception aperture generally not raised above and opens through the first base section and is sized and shaped to receive a portion of the post support. Another embodiment of the reception element includes a raised reception element in or on which the post support may be received. The raised reception element may be fixed to and extend above the top surface of the first base section. 
     The vertical post includes a post inner space into which at least an extension insertion portion of the post extension is receivable. An embodiment of the post extension is sized and shaped and includes an extension outer surface such that at least a portion of the post extension is receivable within the post inner space. 
     Certain preferred embodiments of the support element include locking elements by which the relationship of one component of the support element relative to another may be easily established and maintained without the need for tools. One preferred embodiment of the locking element includes locking apertures and one or more locking pin. 
     In order to facilitate a number of exercises to be conducted thereon, an embodiment of the system includes one or more collars. One preferred embodiment of a collar is a handle collar. An embodiment of the handle collar includes a collar outer surface—to which one or more exercise handles may be fixed—and a collar inner surface—having a size and shape such that the collar may be inserted over and on a collar end of the post extension. An additional embodiment of a collar—and on an extension collar—is sized and shaped such that the extension collar may be slid along the post surface of the post extension. Embodiments of the collar may include one or more locking apertures that are sized and shaped and spaced along and through the collar outer surface such that a locking pin may be inserted therethrough in order to fix the position of the collar relative to other components of the support element. 
     Embodiments of the support element preferably include components to accept a stabilizer by which the position of each support element relative to the other support element, and thereby the entire exercise system is releasably fixed in a stable desired position. Embodiments of the exercise system can include one or more of the stabilizers. 
     One embodiment of the stabilizer of the present system includes an upper stabilizer. An embodiment of the upper stabilizer includes an upper stabilizer bar and upper bar supports. In one embodiment, the upper stabilizer bar is shaped as an elongated rod having opposing ends, each of which is receivable in an upper bar support forming an element of the opposing support element thereby providing support for the stabilizer bar and stably joining the support elements into the exercise system. In one preferred embodiment, each upper bar support is fixed to a surface of the handle collar. Such a system—in which a stabilizer bar is carried between the two support elements not only acts to improve the stability of the entire exercise system, but also allows an exerciser to do, for example, exercises—such as pull ups—that do not require additional exercise appliances and exercises that do require such appliances such as gravity boots, rings, etc. 
     Another embodiment of the stabilizer of the present invention includes a lower stabilizer. An embodiment of the lower stabilizer includes a lower stabilizer bar and lower bar supports. In one embodiment, the lower stabilizer bar is shaped as an elongated rod having opposing ends each of which is receivable in a lower bar support that forms an element of the support element. As with the upper stabilizer bar, the lower stabilizer bar may be in other shapes and have other structures associated therewith. Each of the lower bar supports may be fixed to a surface of the lower handle collar. Each of the lower bar supports may be fixed also to an outer surface of each support system such as the outer surface of the vertical post. An exercise system that includes such a lower stabilizer bar can improve the stability of the entire exercise system while permitting a person to conduct some additional exercises. For example, the person could do push ups on the lower exercise bar such that the person&#39;s body is raised above and at an angle relative to the floor on which the exercise system rests. The lower exercise bar can also permit—if placed in a position relatively closer to the floor—the exerciser to engage the bar with the exerciser&#39;s feet and perform sit ups without the need for another person to hold the exerciser&#39;s feet in place so that they do not rise with each rep. 
     An additional embodiment of the exercise system of the present invention may include a base stabilizer. An embodiment of the base stabilizer includes a base bar that is sized and shaped to engage at least a portion of each base component. One preferred embodiment of the present invention includes a base bar that is sized and shaped and includes at least one base bar end that is receivable within the base receiving portion of the base component. With each support element positioned generally side by side to each other, and the base components of the support base positioned generally adjacent to each other, the bar ends of the base bar may be received in opposing base receiving portions of the base components, thereby releasably uniting and stabilizing the separate support elements. 
     The components from which the system of the present invention are preferably made from materials that are of sufficient strength to permit an adult to conduct a wide range of exercises thereon without damaging the components of the system. The components may, for example, be made of steel, either painted, brushed, coated, or stainless. It is preferred that the materials from which the system components are made are relatively easy to clean after use and resistant to rusting even when used in outdoor locations. 
     The components from which the system of the present invention are preferably made are structured to resist unanticipated deflection or torquing. For example, many components of the system are made from a tubular shaped material having a non-circular cross section. Such shaped components resist spinning or twisting when weight is placed thereon. 
     One advantage of the present invention is that the system may be assembled from components that are sized and shaped such that they are easy to package and easy to transport. 
     Another advantage of the present invention is that components are sized and shaped and structured so that they can be joined to form desired configurations of the system without the need for tools and by one person. 
     A further advantage of the present invention is that certain embodiments of the system are configurable to permit a wide range of exercises to be conducted with it. 
     An added advantage of the present invention is that the components of the system can be assembled to provide a relatively open configuration so that those in wheel chairs may gain access to the system and conduct exercises with it. 
     Another advantage of the present invention is that the system is of a simplified design that does not require the use of moving belts, wheels, or weights in order to conduct exercises with the system. 
     An added advantage of the present invention is that the system is generally expandable in that the relatively simplified design of the system permits a wide range of exercise appliances to be attached to the components of the system. 
     An added advantage of the present invention is that the system can be easily disassembled and stored in a relatively small space when not in use. 
     These and other aspects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become more readily apparent from the attached drawings and the detailed description of the preferred embodiments, which follow. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The preferred embodiments of the invention will be described in conjunction with the appended drawings provided to illustrate and not to the limit the invention, where like designations denoted like elements, and in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of one embodiment of an exercise system according to the present invention shown in use and with an upper stabilizer; 
         FIG. 2  is a partially exploded perspective view of another embodiment of an exercise system according to the present invention with a lower stabilizer; 
         FIG. 3A  is a partially exploded perspective view of the base and post support of another embodiment of the exercise system according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 3B  is a partially cutaway perspective view of an additional embodiment of the present invention showing the base and post support; 
         FIG. 3C  is a perspective view of the post support of an additional embodiment of the exercise system having a different embodiment of a base according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 4  is a partially exploded perspective view of another embodiment of the exercise system according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 5A  is a perspective view of an embodiment of the handle collar component of the present invention; 
         FIG. 5B  is a side view of the embodiment of the handle collar shown in  FIG. 5A ; 
         FIG. 5C  is a view of the handle collar shown in  FIG. 5A  but from the opposing side shown in  FIG. 5B ; 
         FIG. 5D  shows the embodiment of the exercise system with handle collars illustrated in  FIG. 5A through 5C  in use; 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of another embodiment of a handle; 
         FIG. 7  is a partially exploded and partial perspective view of a handle sleeve; 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view of another embodiment of the exercise system in use; 
         FIG. 9A  is a perspective view of an additional embodiment of a post support; 
         FIG. 9B  is perspective view of the additional embodiment of the post support shown in  FIG. 9A  in use with other components of the exercise system; and 
         FIG. 9C  is a partially cutaway perspective view of an additional embodiment of the present invention showing a multi-sided reception element. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     A system for facilitating exercises is identified in the accompanying drawings as  21 . The system  21  includes an apparatus  23  having a system base  24 . Preferred embodiments of the apparatus  23  include at least two support elements  25  each having a base  31  and that can be joined by a stabilizer  91 . For convenience of description, terms such as “upper”, “lower”, “outer”, “inner”, “horizontal”, “vertical” “outwardly”, and “inwardly” are used to refer to the apparatus  23  and the components of the apparatus  23  in a generally orthogonal orientation as illustrated in the accompanying drawings. However, it will be understood that the embodiments of the invention described in this application advantageously can be used in a variety of orientations that are not necessarily strictly orthogonal. 
     One preferred embodiment of the present invention includes an apparatus  23  having two support elements  25 . While each of the two support elements  25  may include some differences,  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2  illustrate embodiments of the apparatus  23  having support elements  25  with generally many of the same components and features including a base  31  and a vertical component  41 . With respect to an embodiment of the present invention including two support elements  25 , each of the support elements may be identified in this application as a first support element  25 A and a second support element  25 B. For convenience, the component of each of the first support element  25 A and the second support  25 B may be referenced with the use of the term “first” or “second” respectively. Certain preferred embodiments of the vertical component  41  include a post support  42  onto which a vertical post  43  is positionable and a post extension  47  which is in slidable engagement with the vertical post  43  to allow the vertical dimension of the vertical component  41  to be generally adjustable. 
     The base  31  of each support element  25  may be of any size and configuration to provide stable support for the vertical component  41 , and thereby the apparatus  23  and system  21 . For example, the system base  24  or each base  31  may be of a generally planar construction. However, other embodiments may be of a more reduced construction in which the elements from which the base  31  is formed are of a more minimal construction, thereby reducing the transportation and storage costs, and, because of the reduced weight, allowing the assembly and disassembly to be accomplished quickly and easily. 
     One preferred embodiment of the support element  25  having such a more reduced construction includes a base  31  having support base components  33 . The support base components  33  of the illustrated embodiments include a first base section  34  aligned along an axis “FBS” and to which the vertical post  43  of the vertical component  41  is attachable.  FIG. 3A  illustrates an embodiment of the first base section  34  that includes opposing ends  34 A and  34 B onto each of which a stabilizing rest  35 A and  35 B, respectively, is attached. In the illustrated embodiment, each stabilizing rest  35 A,  35 B is aligned along an axis, axis “SRA” for rest  35 A and axis “SRB” for rest  35 B, respectively, and each axis SRA, SRB is in the embodiment of the base  31  shown in  FIG. 3A  generally perpendicular to the axis FBS. However, one or more of the axes SRA, SRB may be positioned such that the angle “α” formed by the axis FBS and axis SRA and the angle “β” formed by the axis FBS and axis of SRB each is less than 90 degrees or more than 90 degrees. For example, so that the floor area  19  under the apparatus  23  when fully assembled and ready for use has a more open configuration, the rest  35 A for each of adjoining support elements  25  may be placed at an angle “α” less than 90 degrees thereby defining a more open floor area  19  around the apparatus  23  into which a wheel chair move generally unimpeded.  FIG. 3C  illustrates an embodiment of the support base components  33  having such a more open configuration stabilizing rest  35 A. 
     In one preferred embodiment of the present invention, each support element  25  of the apparatus  23  includes support base components  33  having a reception element  36  in which at least a portion of a post support  42  of the vertical component  41  may be releasably received thereby providing stable support therefor. One embodiment of the reception element  36  shown in  FIG. 3A  is a flush reception aperture  36 A that is generally not raised above and opens through at least the first base section upper surface  34 US of the first base section  34  and is sized and shaped to receive the post support engagement element  42 A or the vertical post  43  itself. The embodiment shown in  FIG. 3A  includes a post support engagement element  42 A having an engagement lip  42 L that can be inserted through the flush reception aperture  36 A and twisted to releasably lock the post support  42  to the first base section  34  and thereby the base  31 . Embodiments of such support element  25  preferably include a reception aperture  36  that is sized slightly smaller than the outer dimensions of the post support  42  formed by the outer surface  42 D of the post support wall  42 W so that at least a base end  42 B of the post support wall  42 W can rest on the first base section upper surface  34 US. 
     Other embodiments of the reception aperture  36  may include a raised reception element  36 R that places the reception aperture  36  at a position not flush with but above the first base section upper surface  34 US. Such an embodiment is shown in  FIG. 3B . 
     Additional embodiments of the support element  25  includes support base components  33 —not having a reception aperture  36  in which at least a portion of a post support  42  of the vertical component  41  may be releasably received—but instead in which the base end  42 B of the post support  42  is fixed to the first base section upper surface  34 US such as by welding or other conventional attachment means, to provide stable support for the support element  25 . Such an embodiment with a post support  42  fixed to the base  31  is shown in  FIG. 3C . 
     One or more of the elements from the base  31  is formed may be of a generally solid material or a hollowed thick walled material. A preferred embodiment of the base  31  includes at least some components having a tubular construction. Such a construction is lighter in weight than components made from a solid material. 
     While the base  31  may be formed from components having a variety of different shapes, the illustrated embodiments of the base  31  have a non-circular cross section  34 C with a generally flat base surface  31 B (see  FIG. 3B ), thereby providing a stable platform on which the base component  31 , and thereby the entire support element  25  may rest. A base  31  having a non-circular cross section  34 C advantageously permits other elements that have a similar shape to be engaged within the base  31  and retained in place even when twisting or torquing forces are applied thereto. 
     One embodiment of the vertical post  43  includes a wall  43 W having an outer surface  44 A and an inner surface  44 B. The inner surface  44 B defines a post inner space  45  that is sized and shaped so that the vertical post  43  may be positioned over the post support  42  so that the post support outer surface  42 D is in general contact with the inner surface  44 B of the vertical post  43 . Such contact provides support and prevents a rocking motion within the vertical component  41  when the apparatus  23  is in use. 
     Embodiments of the vertical component  41  preferably include a post extension  47  sized and shaped so that extension  47  may be in slidable engagement with the vertical post  43  to allow the vertical dimension of the vertical component  41 , and thereby each support element  25  and the entire apparatus  23  to be generally adjustable. The embodiment of the support element  25  shown in  FIG. 4  includes a vertical post  43  having a wall  43 W, the inner surface  44 B of which defines a post inner space  45  that is sized and shaped to accommodate also the outer surface  47 A of the post extension  47  so that at least a portion of the extension  47  may be inserted in and be slid in and out of the vertical post  43  as needed in order to adjust the overall height “H” of the vertical component  41 . It is preferred that the sliding engagement of the extension  47  with the vertical post  43  is generally close also to minimize unanticipated movement of the extension  47  relative to the vertical post  43 , and thereby the vertical component  41 , and the entire support element  25  when the extension  47  is releasably locked in place (as explained below) and the apparatus  23  is in use. 
     Embodiments of the support element  25  preferably include locking elements  51  by which the desired relationship of certain of the components of the support element  25  relative to others may be easily established and maintained without the need for tools. One embodiment of the locking elements  51  is shown, for example, in  FIG. 4  and includes locking apertures  53  placed along and through the walls of certain components of the support element  25  and sized and shaped such that an appropriately sized and shaped locking pin  55  may be inserted therethrough. The number and position of the locking apertures  53  may vary in different embodiments of the support element  25 . Additional locking pins  55  may be provided to releasably fix different components of the support element  25  at the same time, thereby improving the stability of the system  21 . More specifically, the embodiment of the support element  25  shown in  FIG. 4  includes locking apertures  55  extending through the wall  43 W of vertical post  43 , through the wall  47 W of the post extension  47 , and through the wall  42 W of the post support  42 . Preferably, the locking apertures  53  are sized and shaped and spaced at least along the vertical post  43  and the post extension  47  such that a locking pin  55  may be inserted through the apertures, when properly aligned, in order to releasably fix the position of the post extension  47  relative to the vertical post  43 . 
     In order to facilitate a number of exercises to be conducted on the apparatus  23 , certain preferred embodiments of the system  21  include one or more collars  61 . One preferred embodiment of a collar  61 —a handle collar  62  includes a wall  63  having a collar outer surface  63 A—to which at least one or more exercise handles  71  may be fixed—and a collar inner surface  63 B having a size and shape such that the handle collar  62  may be inserted over at least a post extension upper end  47 E. 
     An embodiment of the handle collar  62  is shown in  FIG. 4  and is designated “ 62 C”. The wall  63  of handle collar  62 C shown in  FIG. 4  includes a cap  63 C such that, when the handle collar  62 C is placed over the post extension upper end  47 E, the inner surface  63 A of the handle collar wall  63  under the cap  63 C can come to rest on and thereby be supported on the extension upper end surface  47 ES of the extension  47 . 
     Another embodiment of a collar  61  is shown in  FIG. 2  and is termed extension collar “ 62 E”. Extension collar  62 E includes a wall  63  but without the cap  63 C as does the embodiment of the handle collar  62 C shown in  FIG. 4 . The embodiment of the extension collar  62 E shown in  FIG. 2  includes a wall  63  having a collar outer surface  63 A—to which at least one or more exercise handles  71  may be fixed—and a collar inner surface  63 B having a size and shape such that the extension collar  62 E may be inserted over the post extension upper end  47 E and slid down and along the outer surface  47 A of the post extension  47  so that the extension collar  62 E may be placed at generally any desired location along the extension  47  and thereby in order to adjust the position of the exercise handles  71  that may be mounted on the extension collar  62 E to accommodate a wide variety exercises. It is preferred that the inner surface  63 B of the extension collar  62 E is shaped and sized so that the extension collar  62 E makes generally smooth engagement with the outer surface  47  of the post extension  47  so as to also minimize unanticipated movement of the extension collar  62 E relative to the post extension  47 , and thereby the vertical component  41  when the extension  47  is releasably locked in place (as explained below) and the apparatus  23  is in use. 
     As with the post support  42 , the vertical post  43 , and the post extension  47 , the collars  61  may include one or more locking apertures  53  that are sized and shaped and spaced along and through the handle collar wall  63 A such that a locking pin  55  may be inserted therethrough and through the post extension wall  47 W in order to fix the position of the handle collar  62 E relative to the post extension  47  and thereby the vertical component  42 . 
     An additional embodiment of the collar  61  includes one that is sized and shaped to be positionable lower on each support element  25  and is termed “lower collar” and designated “ 62 L”. One or more exercise handles  71  may extend from and be carried on the outer surface  63 A of lower collar  62 L. The inner surface  63 B of the lower collar  62 L is sized and shaped such that the lower collar  62 L may be moved over the outer surface  44 A of the vertical post  43 . The handle collar  62 L may include one or more locking apertures  53  that are sized and shaped and spaced along and through the handle collar wall  62 W such that a locking pin  55  may be inserted therethrough and through the post extension wall  43 W in order to fix the position of the handle  71 . 
     To the collars  61 , a variety of exercise handles  71  and other components may be attached.  FIG. 5A through 5C  show different views of an embodiment of a handle collar  62 C.  FIG. 5A  and  FIG. 5B  show an exercise handle—termed “parallel handle” and designated “ 72 ”—affixed to the handle collar  62 C such that the handle  72  extends along an axis  72 A such that the handle  72  projects generally perpendicular to the front face  62 F of the handle collar  62 C and generally parallel to the plane “P” of the floor area  19 . The embodiment of the handle collar  62 C shown in  FIG. 5C  includes an additional exercise handle  71 —termed “angled handle” and designated “ 73 ”—affixed to the handle collar  62 L such that the handle  73  is affixed to a second face  62 S of the handle collar  62 C and at least a partial axis  72 B along which the handle  73  extends at a downward sloping angle “B” relative to the floor plane “P”.  FIG. 5D  shows the handle collar  62 C in position and the parallel handles  72  of each support element  25  being used to conduct an exercise routine. 
       FIG. 6  shows an embodiment of the lower collar  62 L which includes an exercise handle  71 —termed “inward handle” and designated “ 74 ”—affixed to a lower handle face  62 Y of the lower collar  62 L such that a first inward collar handle axis  74 A along which the inward handle  74  extends is generally perpendicular to the lower handle face  62 Y and a second inward collar handle axis  74 B of the inward handle  74  is positioned generally in a plane that is parallel to the plane along which the lower handle face  62 Y extends and at an angle “C” relative to the plane “P” of the floor. 
       FIG. 7  shows an embodiment of a support element  25  in which the vertical post  42  includes a sleeve  81 . To the sleeve  81  an exercise handle  71  may be attached. In the illustrated embodiment, the sleeve  81  includes a sleeve wall  82  the interior surface  82 A of which defines a sleeve aperture  84  sized and shaped and the inner side sleeve wall  82 SW of which includes a slot  82 S to receive a handle post  83  to a post side  83 S of which an exercise handle  71  is affixed. The sleeve  81  may be supported by brace  85 . 
     The two support elements  25  can be joined to form the apparatus  23  of the present invention preferably through the use of one or more stabilizers  91 . The following describes the various embodiments of the stabilizer  91 . 
     One preferred embodiment of the stabilizer  91  of the present system includes an upper stabilizer  92 . An embodiment of the upper stabilizer  92  includes upper bar supports  93  on which a stabilizer bar  97  can be releasably be supported. One embodiment of the stabilizer  91  is shown in  FIG. 1  and includes an embodiment of the stabilizer bar  97  having a bar outer surface  97 A so that the bar  97  is shaped as an elongated cylinder. The illustrated embodiment of the bar  97  is sized such that each end  97 E 1  and  97 E 2  of the stabilizer bar  97  may be received in appropriately sized and shaped upper bar supports  98 E 1 ,  98 E 2 . The embodiment of each support element  25  shown in  FIG. 1  includes a handle collar  62  having an upper bar supports  98 E 1 ,  98 E 2  affixed to each inner side  63 AI of the collar outer surface  63 A. Among other embodiments, each of the upper bar supports  98 E 1 ,  98 E 2  may be formed from a bar support wall  99 A that is shaped as a curved plane and has an upper support surface  99 AS on which each end  97 E 1  and  97 E 2  of the cylindrically-shaped stabilizer bar  97  may be received and supported. The embodiment of upper bar supports  98 E 1 ,  98 E 2  shown in  FIG. 1  includes one upper bar support  98 E 1  having a curved upper support surface  99 A while the opposing upper bar support  98 E 2  includes a bar support wall  99 A shaped as a cylinder  99 AC with an bar aperture  99 BA into which the end  97 E 2  of the bar  97  may be inserted and releasably retained. Certain of these elements are shown with respect to embodiment of the collar  61  shown in  FIG. 2  and  FIG. 5A-FIG .  5 C. When it is time to disassemble the system  23 , the bar  97 , if in place, is lifted so that the end  97 E 1  disengages from contact with the upper support surface  99 AS and the other end  97 E 2  is pulled from retention within the cylinder  99 AC. With the upper stabilizer bar  92  in place, the two support elements  25  are joined to permit exercises to be stably conducted thereon. Such a system  21 —in which a stabilizer bar is carried between the two support elements—not only acts to improve the stability of the entire exercise system but also allows an exerciser to do, for example, exercises—such as pull ups—that do not require additional exercise appliances but also those exercises that do require such appliances such as gravity boots, rings, etc. 
     Another embodiment of the stabilizer  91  of the present invention may include a lower stabilizer  93 . One preferred embodiment of the lower stabilizer includes a stabilizer bar  97  that is similar or identical bar to the bar  97  which may be used as the bar  97  with respect to the upper stabilizer  92 . Such a “universal bar” is advantageous in that costs associated with designing and manufacturing separate bars is avoided. Also, with one type of bar possibly used in two applications, the time that may have to be spent during assembly to determine which bar goes where in the system  21  is avoided. The lower stabilizer  93  shown in  FIG. 2  includes a bar  97  shaped as an elongated cylinder. The illustrated embodiment of the bar  97  is sized such that each end  97 E 1  and  97 E 2  of the stabilizer bar  97  may be received in lower bar supports  98 L 1 ,  98 L 2  appropriately sized and shaped to receive the bar ends  97 E 1 ,  97 E 2 . One embodiment of the stabilizer  91  is shown in  FIG. 2  and includes an embodiment of the stabilizer bar  97  having a bar outer surface  97 A so that the bar  97  is shaped as an elongated cylinder. The illustrated embodiment of the bar  97  is sized such that each end  97 E 1  and  97 E 2  of the stabilizer bar  97  may be received in lower bar supports  98 L 1 ,  98 L 2  appropriately sized and shaped to receive the bar ends  97 E 1 ,  97 E 2 . The embodiment of each support element  25  shown in  FIG. 2  includes lower bar supports  98 L 1 ,  98 L 2  affixed to each inner side  43 S 1 ,  43 S 2  of the vertical post  43 . As with the upper bar supports  98 E 1 ,  98 E 2 , among other embodiments, each of the lower bar supports  98 L 1 ,  98 L 2  may be formed from a bar support wall  99 L that is shaped as a curved plane and has an support surface  99 LS on which each end  97 E 1  and  97 E 2  of the cylindrically-shaped stabilizer bar  97  may be received and supported. The embodiment of lower bar supports  98 L 1 ,  98 L 2  shown in  FIG. 2  includes one lower bar support  98 L 1  having a curved upper support surface  99 LA while the opposing lower bar support  98 L 2  includes a bar support wall  99 L shaped as a cylinder  99 LC with an bar aperture  99 LBA into which the end  97 E 2  of the bar  97  may be inserted and releasably retained. When it is time to disassemble the system  23 , the bar  97 , if in place, is lifted so that the end  97 E 1  disengages from contact with the lower support surface  99 LS and the other end  97 E 2  is pulled from retention within the cylinder  99 LC. With the lower stabilizer bar  92  in place, the two support elements  25  are joined to permit exercises to be stably conducted thereon. The system  21  may include either an upper stabilizer  92  or a lower stabilizer  93  or both upper stabilizer  92  and lower stabilizer  93 . As with the upper stabilizer  92 , a system  21  having a lower stabilizer  93  has improved stability plus permits an exerciser to engage in a wide variety of exercises. For example, the exerciser could do push ups on the lower stabilizer  93  such that the person&#39;s body is raised above and at an angle relative to the floor on which the exercise system rests. The lower stabilizer  93  can also permit—if placed in a position relatively closer to the floor—the exerciser to engage the bar with the exerciser&#39;s feet and perform sit ups without the need for another person to hold the exerciser&#39;s feet in place. 
     An additional embodiment of the system  21  of the present invention may include a base stabilizer  94 . An embodiment of the base stabilizer  94  includes a base bar  95  that is sized and shaped such that the bar  95  from either of the opposing base bar ends  95 A,  95 B of bar  95  may be inserted through one or both of the stabilizing rests  35 A,  35 B. The embodiment of the base bar  95  illustrated in  FIG. 8  is a hollow tube having an angular cross section that is sized and shaped to pass through the hollow interior of the rests  35 A,  35 B. 
     With each support element  25  positioned generally side by side to each other, and the base components of the support base positioned generally adjacent to each other, the bar ends of the base bar may be received in opposing base receiving portions of the base components, thereby releasably uniting and stabilizing the separate support elements. 
     Additionally, to provide additional adjustability of the system, and, more specifically, to allow the system base  24  to be more open in order to facilitate more access to and around the system  21  such as by a person in a wheelchair, the post support  42  may include a post support outer surface  42 D having more than four sides (see  FIG. 3A  and  FIG. 3C ). A vertical post  43  having an inner surface  44 B that is sized and shaped to fit over such a post support  42  allows the support base component  33  to be moved in additional positions.  FIG. 9A  shows an embodiment of a multi-sided post support  42 . 
     An additional embodiment of the support element  25  may include a translation element  101  by which a post support  42  having more than four sides can be used with a vertical post  43  having an inner surface  44 B that has a different number of sides different from the number of sides of the post support  42 .  FIG. 9B  shows a translation element  101  by which a six-sided post support  42  can be used with a vertical post  43  having an inner surface  44 B having only four sides. Other components of the system may include such translation elements  101  to permit different shaped components to be used with each other. 
       FIG. 9C  is a partially cutaway perspective view of an additional embodiment of a reception element  36 MS that allows the support base component  33  to be moved in various positions. The reception element  36 MS is configured to receive a vertical post  43  or a post support  42  onto which a vertical post  43  is positionable. 
     It will be understood that the embodiments of the present invention which have been described are illustrative of some of the applications of the principles of the present invention. Numerous modifications may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the true spirit and scope of the invention.