Patent Publication Number: US-2007117683-A1

Title: Exercising apparatus with varying length arms

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
      The present invention relates generally to stationary exercise equipment. More specifically, the present invention relates to front end and upright elliptical trainers that coordinate the elliptical foot motion normally associated with walking and running with a back and forth hand motion. In other words, the present invention permits a user to exercise both their upper body and lower body in a coordinated fashion. Of course, this invention may be applied to other types of exercise equipment.  
      Generally, elliptical trainers are exercise machines where a user&#39;s feet travel in diametrically opposed elliptical paths that roughly simulates the natural path the user&#39;s feet would follow while running or walking. Elliptical trainers provide the advantage of permitting a user to exercise their lower body without the jarring effects normally associated with running and walking.  
      Typically, elliptical trainers provide resistance to the motion of the user via a drive mechanism. Elliptical trainers are generally classified into three general categories according to where the drive mechanism is located in relation to a user actuating the exercise apparatus. For example, back end or rear elliptical trainers have their drive mechanism positioned in back of the user. Conversely, front end and upright elliptical trainers have the drive mechanism positioned in front of the user. The front end and upright elliptical trainers provide the advantage of appearing to occupy less room than comparable rear elliptical trainers. Additionally, front end and upright elliptical trainers may be easier to store and move.  
      The front end and upright elliptical trainers also provide an added measure of safety because many of the moving parts of the elliptical trainer are placed within the view of a user and thus, the user is more aware of the moving parts. Consequently, the user of a front end or upright elliptical trainer is better able to prevent children or pets from becoming entangled in or harmed by the moving parts of the elliptical trainer.  
      However, not all of the moving parts of currently available elliptical trainers are positioned in front of the user. For example, the reciprocating supports of the reciprocating members are disposed beneath or behind the footpad and move back and forth on a track that may pinch the fingers of curious children. Consequently, a need exists for an elliptical trainer that has fewer moving parts positioned outside of the view of the user, in order to prevent accidental injury to curious children and pets that may be caught in pinch points.  
      The inputs of the drive mechanism of an elliptical trainer travel in a circular path. Two reciprocating members, which each include a footpad, are connected to the drive mechanism at diametrically opposed positions on the circular path and on opposite sides of the drive mechanism. The reciprocating members are used to convert the circular motion of the drive mechanism into the elliptical path that is followed by the footpads. Thus, as a user moves his or her feet about an elliptical path, the drive mechanism rotates and provides resistance to the movement of the user. This resistance helps to strengthen the user.  
      The drive mechanism also conserves the momentum of the user&#39;s movements. Specifically, as a person runs or walks, their body has a certain momentum. The drive mechanism of an elliptical trainer may use a flywheel to imitate the effects of a person&#39;s running or walking momentum to provide a more natural exercise experience.  
      Additionally, to provide a more natural exercise experience, various devices have been developed which permit a user to exercise their upper body while using an elliptical trainer. However, because of the circular motion of the drive mechanism, these devices use complicated linkages to convert the circular motion of the drive mechanism into a back and forth hand motion. Additionally, these linkages do not coordinate well with the elliptical motion of the footpads. Furthermore, these linkages may have catch points and may not effectively coordinate the exertion of the upper body with the exertion of the lower body of the user to actuate the drive mechanism. These linkages may also be unattractive and costly to manufacture and assemble because of the plurality of parts and time required to assemble each part into the linkages.  
      In other currently available elliptical trainers, the handles are directly linked to the elliptical motion of the feet, causing the user&#39;s hands to follow an elliptical path. However, elliptical hand motion may feel uncomfortable and unnatural to many users. Additionally, users tend to move their feet further than their hands so that the elliptical hand motion is too long and thus, may cause muscle strain.  
      Therefore, a need exists for an elliptical trainer that efficiently and more naturally coordinates a user&#39;s back and forth hand movements with his or her foot movements to impel the drive mechanism. A need also exists for an elliptical trainer that provides for back and forth hand movements through mechanisms that are more aesthetically pleasing, include fewer parts, and are less expensive to manufacture.  
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
      The apparatus and system of the present invention has been developed in response to the present state of the art, and in particular, in response to the problems and needs in the art that have not been fully solved by currently available exercise equipment. Thus, the present invention provides an exercise apparatus that coordinates the exercise of the lower body with the upper body. Specifically, the exercise apparatus of the present invention better imitates the natural motion of both the upper body and lower body while walking and running.  
      In accordance with the invention as embodied and broadly described herein, an exercise apparatus is provided. In one embodiment of the exercise apparatus of the present invention is an elliptical trainer. The elliptical trainer includes a frame shaped to stably rest on a surface such as the floor of a building.  
      The elliptical trainer also includes a drive mechanism known in the art that is mounted to the frame. The drive mechanism provides resistance to the movement of the user and conserves the momentum generated by the movement of the user. The drive mechanism may comprise a belt, a flywheel, a crank, an axle, a frictional element, a motor or any other component known in the art that may be used in a drive mechanism for an exercise machine.  
      Two spaced reciprocating members are connected to the drive mechanism so that they move out of phase with each other to actuate the drive mechanism. The reciprocating members include footpads that travel in an elliptical path. Each footpad is shaped to receive and grip a user&#39;s shoe or foot to prevent the user from slipping off of the reciprocating member as it moves about an elliptical path. Typically, the footpad is disposed at an angle so that the heel kick that normally accompanies walking or running is accommodated by the foot pad as it travels about the elliptical path.  
      Additionally, the reciprocating members include a reciprocating support that helps the reciprocating member convert the circular motion of the drive mechanism into the elliptical motion of the footpad. As the reciprocating member is actuated by a user, the reciprocating support moves back and forth on a track of the frame of the exercise apparatus.  
      Because the reciprocating support moves back and forth on a track, a potential pinch point is created. Thus, to help prevent accidents and in accordance with the invention, the reciprocating support is positioned in front of the footpad. By positioning the reciprocating support between the drive mechanism and the footpad, a user can better monitor this pinch point and prevent related accidents from occurring.  
      To exercise the upper body in a coordinated fashion with the lower body, the exercise apparatus of the invention includes arm members that are directly connected to the drive mechanism. Specifically, the arm members are attached to the crank so that they are diametrically opposed about the circular output path of the drive mechanism. The arm members include handles and are designed to convert the circular motion of the drive mechanism into a back and forth motion of the handles.  
      Each arm member includes a first portion having a fixed length. In other words, the length of the first portion does not change as the exercise apparatus is actuated. The first portion includes the handle of the arm member and is pivotally attached to the frame at a first connection point.  
      To convert the circular motion of the drive mechanism into the back and forth motion of the handles, each arm member also includes a second portion having an effective variable length. An effective variable length is the length of the arm member that actually varies as the exercise apparatus is actuated or a component of the arm that permits the arm to act as if its length actually varies. For example, the second portion of the arm members may include telescoping parts that slide within each other so that the length of the second portion actually varies as the exercise apparatus is actuated.  
      Alternatively, the second portion of the arm members may include a slot in which an engagement member moves back and forth to permit the second portion of the arm member to act as if it actually varies in length. Thus, the engagement member may be attached to the drive mechanism so that as the crank of the drive mechanism rotates, the engagement member slides within the slot causing the first portion of the arm member to travel in a back and forth path.  
      These and other features and advantages of the present invention will become more fully apparent from the following description and appended claims, or may be learned by the practice of the invention as set forth hereinafter. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS  
      In order that the manner in which the above-recited and other features and advantages of the invention are obtained will be readily understood, a more particular description of the invention briefly described above will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof which are illustrated in the appended drawings. Understanding that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are not therefore to be considered to be limiting of its scope, the invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings in which:  
       FIG. 1  is a partially cut away side view of an exercise apparatus of the invention;  
       FIG. 2  is a side view of another exercise apparatus of the invention;  
       FIG. 3  is a side view of an alternative exercise apparatus of the invention;  
       FIG. 4  is a side view of still another alternative exercise apparatus of the invention;  
       FIG. 5  is a side view of yet another alternative exercise apparatus of the invention; and  
       FIG. 6  is a side view of yet a further alternative exercise apparatus of the invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
      The presently preferred embodiments of the invention will be best understood by reference to the drawings, wherein like parts are designated by like numerals throughout. It will be readily understood that the components of the present invention, as generally described and illustrated in the figures herein, could be arranged and designed in a wide variety of different configurations. Thus, the following more detailed description of the embodiments of the exercise apparatus of the present invention, as represented in  FIGS. 1 through 6 , is not intended to limit the scope of the invention, as claimed, but is merely representative of presently preferred embodiments of the invention.  
      Referring to  FIG. 1 , a partially cut away side view illustrates an exercise apparatus  100  of the invention. As shown, the exercise apparatus  100  is an upright elliptical trainer that includes a frame  102  shaped to be stably supported by a floor  104 .  
      A drive mechanism  110  is mounted to the frame  102  and provides both resistance to the movement of the user and conserves the momentum generated by the movement of the user. In this embodiment, the drive mechanism  110  includes a crank  112  connected to an axle  114  that is rotatably attached to the frame  102 . A flywheel  116  is connected to the crank  112  by a belt  118  to help conserve the momentum imparted to the drive mechanism  110  by the user.  
      Additionally, a frictional element  120  of the drive mechanism  110  is used to provide resistance to the movement of the user. As shown, the frictional element  120  is a device  122  that engages the belt  118 . As the device  122  is moved within a slot  124 , the tension and thus, the friction between the belt  118  and the device  122  increases or decreases. The user can adjust the degree of friction encountered by moving the device  122  within the slot  124 .  
      The drive mechanism  110  may also include a generator  126  that converts a portion of the movement of the user into electrical power. The electrical power generated is used to power a control console  128 . The control consol  128  may be one that is well known in the art that may be used to monitor and provide feedback to the user during use of the exercise apparatus  100 .  
      The exercise apparatus  100  of the invention also includes a first arm member  130  and a second arm member  132  that are connected to the drive mechanism  110 . As used herein, an “arm member” is a structure whose portions do not pivot position relative to each other when in use. In contrast, currently available elliptical trainers have complicated linkages whose links pivot position relative to other links of the linkages while in use.  
      The arm members  130 ,  132  coordinate the exercise of a user&#39;s upper body with the exercise of their lower body. Each arm member  130 ,  132  includes a first portion  134  having a fixed length  136  and a second portion  138  having an effective variable length  140 .  
      The arm members  130 ,  132  are pivotally attached to the frame  102  at a first connection point  142  which is disposed intermediate the first portion  134  and the second portion  138 . The first portion  134  includes a handle  144  to be gripped by the user as the exercise apparatus  100  is actuated. Because the first portion  134  is pivotally attached to the frame  102  at the first connection point  142 , the handles  144  travel in a back and forth path  146 , such as a convex arc.  
      As shown, the second portion  138  is directly connected to the crank  112  of the drive mechanism  110  at a second connection point  152 . The second connection point  152  travels in a circular path  148  as crank  112  revolves around the axle  114 . Thus, at least a part of the second portion  138  travels in a circular path  148 . Additionally, the second connection points  152  of the arm members  130 ,  132  are positioned so that they are diametrically opposed to each other about the circular path  148  and on opposite sides of the crank  112  such that the arm members  130 ,  132  are out of phase with each other.  
      For the second portions  138  of the arm members  130 ,  132  to have an effective variable length  140  between the first connection point  142  and the second connection point  152 , the second portions  138  include telescoping parts  154 . Specifically, the second portions  138  include a male extension  156  that slides within a female bearing surface  158  as a distance  160  between the first connection point  142  and the second connection point  152  changes. The male extension  156  of the second portion  138  is attached to and extends from the first portion  134 .  
      The female bearing surface  158  is pivotally attached to the crank  112  of the drive mechanism  110  at the second connection point  152  and is disposed remotely from the first connection point  142 . Because the second portion  138  has an effective variable length  140 , the arm members  130 ,  132  are able to convert the circular motion  148  of the second portion  138  into the back and forth motion  146  of the handles  144  along an arc as the drive mechanism  110  is actuated.  
      A first reciprocating member  170  and a second reciprocating member  172  are indirectly connected to the drive mechanism  110 . As shown, each reciprocating member  170 ,  172  is rotatably attached to a respective arm member  130 ,  132  at a third connection point  174 . As the crank  112  of the drive mechanism  110  moves about the circular path  148 , the third connection point  174  follows an elliptical path  175  so that a part of each reciprocating member  170 ,  172  follows the third connection point  174  about the elliptical path  175 .  
      Because the reciprocating members  170 ,  172  are indirectly connected to the crank  112  through a respective arm member  130 ,  132  at the third connection point  174 , the horizontal movement of the third connection point  174  is greater than the horizontal movement of the second connection point  152  while the vertical movement is the same for both the third connection point  174  and the second connection point. In other words, the arm members  130 ,  132  magnify the horizontal travel of the drive mechanism  110  so that the drive mechanism  110  may be smaller while providing the reciprocating members  170 ,  172  the horizontal travel necessary for a user to exercise his or her lower body comfortably. This is accomplished because the first connection point  142  is pivotally fixed to the frame and the third connection point  174  is disposed further from the first connection point  142  than the second connection point  152 . Thus, the movement of the third connection point  174  about the first connection point  142  is greater than the movement of the second connection point  152  about the first connection point  142 .  
      Each reciprocating member  170 ,  172  includes a footpad  176  that travels in a second elliptical path  178 . The footpads  176  are shaped to receive and grip a user&#39;s shoe or foot to prevent the user from slipping off of the reciprocating members  170 ,  172  as the footpads  176  move about the second elliptical path  178 . For example, the footpads  176  may be covered by an elastomer to improve the traction between a user&#39;s shoe and the footpad  176 .  
      The footpads  176  are positioned on the reciprocating members  170 ,  172  such that as each footpad  176  moves to its most rearward position, the heel of a user is lifted above the toes. This positioning of the footpads  176  helps replicate a more natural heel kick that normally accompanies walking and running.  
      Each reciprocating member  170 ,  172  also includes a reciprocating support  180 . As shown, the reciprocating support  180  is a roller  182  moving back and forth on a track  184  of the frame  102  of the exercise apparatus  100 . The reciprocating support  180  is positioned forward of the footpad  176  so that a user can better monitor the potential pinch point between the reciprocating support  180  and the track  184  of the frame  102 . Thus, injury may be prevented by placing the reciprocating support  180  forward of the footpad  176  so that a user may visually monitor the pinch point during use of the exercise apparatus  100 . Additionally, by positioning the reciprocating support  180  forward of the footpad  176 , the second elliptical path  178  is flatter and thus, the movement of the footpads  176  are better able to imitate the natural movement of a user&#39;s foot while running or walking.  
      Referring to  FIG. 2 , a side view illustrates another exercise apparatus  200  that is similar to the exercise apparatus  100  of  FIG. 1  in many ways. For brevity, only the differences between the exercise apparatus  200  of  FIG. 2  and the exercise apparatus  100  of  FIG. 1  are discussed in detail. As shown, the exercise apparatus  200  includes a first arm member  202  and a second arm member  204 . Each arm member  202 ,  204  includes a first portion  206  having a fixed length  208  and a second portion  210  having an effective variable length  212 .  
      The arm members  202 ,  204  are pivotally attached to a frame  214  of the exercise apparatus  200  at a first connection point  216  disposed intermediate the first portion  206  and the second portion  210 . The first portion  206  includes a handle  218  whose orientation may be adjusted relative to the second portion  210  and travels in a back and forth path  220 . By adjusting the orientation of the handle  218 , the back and forth path  220  may be reoriented to be a convex arcuate path  222 , a concave arcuate path  224 , or a substantially vertical path  226 . This permits a user to exercise different muscles of his or her upper body while using the exercise apparatus  200 . Additionally, the handle  218  may be oriented to better imitate the natural movement of the arm while running or walking.  
      The handle  218  may be adjusted relative to the second portion  210  by loosening the fasteners  227  while not in use. Once the fasteners  227  are loosened, the handle  218  is moved to the desired orientation. Finally, the fasteners  227  are retightened to fix the handle  218  into the desired orientation for use. Thus, the position of the handle  218  may be pivotally adjusted relative to the second portion  210 , but while in use by a user, the first portion  206  does not pivot position relative to second portion  210 . Of course, the handle  218  may be adjusted using other methods that would be readily apparent to those of skill in the art from the description contained herein.  
      The second portions  210  of the arm members  202 ,  204  include a male extension  228  extending from the first portions  206 , a female bearing surface  230  that slides over the male extension  228 , and a linkage  232  attached to the female bearing surface  230 . The linkage  232  is offset from the female bearing surface  230  so that the male extension  228  slides parallel to the linkage  232  through the female bearing surface  230 . Additionally, the linkage  232  is pivotally attached to a crank  234  of a drive mechanism  236  at a second connection point  238  and to a respective first reciprocating member  240  or second reciprocating member  242 .  
      Referring to  FIG. 3 , a side view shows an alternative configuration of the invention in exercise apparatus  300 . As shown, the exercise apparatus  300  includes a smaller frame  302  than the frames  102 ,  214  of  FIGS. 1 and 2 . A drive mechanism  304  is attached to the frame  302  and includes a flywheel  308  rotatably attached to the frame  302  and a frictional element  310 . The frictional element  310  of this embodiment may be a pad that can be moved into engagement with the flywheel  308  or any other device known in the art to partially resist the actuation of the exercise apparatus  300  by the user.  
      The exercise apparatus  300  includes a first arm member  312  and a second arm member  314 . Each arm member  312 ,  314  includes a first portion  316  and a second portion  318  having an effective variable length  320 . Additionally, each arm member  312 ,  314  is pivotally attached to a frame  302  of the exercise apparatus  300  at a first connection point  322  and to the drive mechanism  304  at a second connection point  324 .  
      To provide the effective variable length  320 , the second portions  318  of the arm members  312 ,  314  each include a slot  326 . The exercise apparatus  300  includes an engagement member  330  that pivotally attaches the second portion  318  to the drive mechanism  304  at the second connection point  324  and slides within the slot  326 . Thus, the effective variable length  320  of the second portion  318  changes as the engagement member  330  and the second connection point  324  moves back and forth within the slot  326 .  
      The arm members  312 ,  314  are pivotally attached to a respective first reciprocating member  332  and a second reciprocating member  334 . The reciprocating members  332 ,  334  each include a footpad  336  and a reciprocating support  338  disposed in front of the footpad  336 . In this configuration of the invention, the reciprocating support  338  is a roller  340  that contacts and moves over a surface  342 , such as the surface of a floor.  
      Because the reciprocating supports  338  do not contact the frame  302 , the frame  302  may be smaller. Furthermore, the reciprocating members  332 ,  334  may be rotated up to a substantially vertical position for storage. Thus, exercise apparatus  300  may require less space when not in use.  
      Referring to  FIG. 4 , a side view illustrates another alternative exercise apparatus  400  that is similar to the exercise apparatus  300  of  FIG. 3  in many ways. For brevity, only the differences between the exercise apparatus  400  of  FIG. 4  and the exercise apparatus  300  of  FIG. 3  are discussed in detail. As shown, the exercise apparatus  400  includes a first arm member  402  and a second arm member  404 . Each arm member  402 ,  404  includes a first portion  406  having a handle  407  and a second portion  408  having an effective variable length  410 . Each arm member  402 ,  404  is pivotally attached to a frame  412  of the exercise apparatus  400  at a first connection point  414 . More specifically, the first connection point  414  rotatably attaches the first portion  406  to the frame  412 .  
      The second portion  408  includes a female bearing surface  416  disposed adjacent to the first connection point  414  and extending from the first portion  406 . The second portion  408  also includes a male extension  418  that slides within the female bearing surface  416 . The male extension  418  is pivotally attached to a drive mechanism  420  of the exercise apparatus  400  at a second connection point  422  and to a respective reciprocating member  424 ,  426  at third connection points  428 .  
      As the exercise apparatus  400  is actuated, the drive mechanism  420  moves the second connection point  422  about a circular path  430  causing the male extension  418  to slide within the female bearing surface  416 . Because the first portion  406  is pivotally attached to the frame, the handles  407  pivot about the first connection point  414  in a back and forth path  432  as the second connection point  422  travels in the circular path  430 . Thus, the arm members  402 ,  404  of the invention convert the circular motion  430  of the drive mechanism  420  into the back and forth motion  432  of the handles  407 .  
      Further, as the second connection point  422  travels in the circular path  430 , the third connection points  428  between the arm members  402 ,  404  and the reciprocating members  424 ,  426  travels in a first elliptical path  434 . The reciprocating members  424 ,  426  are curved so that as the third connection points  428  travel about a first elliptical path  434 , each footpad  438  of the reciprocating members  424 ,  426  moves out of phase with each other about a second elliptical path  436 . Additionally, the footpads  438  are disposed on the reciprocating members  424 ,  426  so that as they move about the second elliptical path  436 , the heel kick normally associated walking and running is imitated.  
      Referring to  FIG. 5 , a side view shows yet another alternative configuration of the invention as exercise apparatus  500 . As shown, the exercise apparatus  500  is a front end elliptical trainer. The exercise apparatus  500  includes a frame  502  shaped to stably support the exercise apparatus  500  on a surface  504 , such as a floor of a building, and a drive mechanism  506  mounted on the frame  502 .  
      The exercise apparatus  500  includes a first arm member  510  and a second arm member  512  pivotally connected to the frame  502  at a first connection point  514  and to the drive mechanism  506  at a second connection point  516 . Each arm member  510 ,  512  includes a first portion  518  and a second portion  520  having an effective variable length  522  that changes as the distance between the first connection point  514  and the second connection point  516  varies when the exercise apparatus  500  is actuated. The effective variable length  522  of the second portion  520  changes by permitting a male extension  524  extending from the first portion  518  to slide within a female bearing surface  526  that is disposed adjacent the second connection point  516  and remotely from the first connection point  514 .  
      As shown, the arm members  510 ,  512  are directly and pivotally connected to the drive mechanism  506  and to a respective first reciprocating member  530  and second reciprocating member  532  at the second connection points  516 . Thus, the reciprocating members  530 ,  532  are also directly and pivotally connected to the drive mechanism  506 . Consequently, the arm members  510 ,  512  of the exercise apparatus  500  do not include third connection points as have been described in the embodiments of  FIGS. 1, 2 ,  3 , and  4 .  
      The reciprocating members  530 ,  532  each include a footpad  534  and a reciprocating support  536  disposed behind the footpad  534 . Because the reciprocating support  536  travels in a linear back and forth path  540 , the footpads  534  travel in an elliptical path  542  as the second connection point  516  travels in a circular path  544  about the drive mechanism  506 . Thus, the reciprocating members  530 ,  532  convert the circular motion  544  of the drive mechanism  506  into the elliptical motion  542  of the footpads  534 .  
      Referring to  FIG. 6 , a side view illustrates yet a further alternative exercise apparatus  600  that is similar in many ways to the exercise apparatus  500  of  FIG. 5 . For brevity, only the differences between the exercise apparatus  600  of  FIG. 6  and the exercise apparatus  500  of  FIG. 5  are discussed in detail. As shown, the exercise apparatus  600  includes a first arm member  602  and a second arm member  604  pivotally connected to a frame  606  of the exercise apparatus  600  at a first connection point  608 . Additionally, each arm member  602 ,  604  is directly attached to both a drive mechanism  610  of the exercise apparatus  600  and a respective reciprocating member  612  at a second connection point  614 . The arm members  602 ,  604  are attached to opposite sides of the drive mechanism  610  at diametrically opposed positions about its circumference so that the arm members  602 ,  604  are out of phase with each other.  
      Each arm member  602 ,  604  includes a first portion  620  having a fixed length  622  and a second portion  624  having an effective variable length  626  that changes as the distance  628  between the first connection point  608  and the second connection point  614  changes as the drive mechanism  610  is actuated. The second portion  624  extends between the first connection point  608  and the second connection point  614 .  
      As shown, the first portion  620  is attached to a female bearing surface  630  of the second portion  624  and includes a handle  632 . The second portion  624  includes a male extension  634  that slides within the female bearing surface  630  to change the effective variable length  626  of the second portion  624  as the drive mechanism  610  is actuated. In this configuration, the handle  632  travels in a generally concave arcuate back and forth path  636 .  
      In summary, exercise apparatus having variable length arm members according to the invention have been provided. The exercise apparatus may be made of metal, plastic, composite, or any other material known in the art. The arm members may include telescoping parts or a slot for providing an effective variable length that permits the arm members to be directly connected to the drive mechanism while permitting the handles of the arm members to travel in a back and forth path. Thus, the exercise apparatus according to the invention better coordinates the exercising of the upper body with the exercise of the lower body to actuate the drive mechanism of the exercise apparatus. Additionally, the arm members feel more natural and comfortable to use, include fewer parts, and are more aesthetically pleasing than the complicated linkages used previously.  
      Because the arm members of the invention have an effective variable length, they may be attached to other parts of an exercise apparatus and effectively convert circular, elliptical, and other closed loop shapes into a desired back and forth motion of the handles. Thus, if the arm members of the invention were connected directly to the reciprocating member and not the drive mechanism, the arm members would be equally effective in converting the motion of any part of the reciprocating members into the desired back and forth motion of the handles.  
      The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its structures, methods, or other essential characteristics as broadly described herein and claimed hereinafter. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative, and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims, rather than by the foregoing description. All changes that come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.