Patent Publication Number: US-2006014614-A1

Title: Abdominal muscle exercise apparatus

Description:
FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE  
      The disclosures made herein relate generally to exercise apparatuses and, more particularly, to apparatuses configured for exercising abdominal muscles.  
     BACKGROUND  
      A person&#39;s abdominal muscles, which are referred to generally as ‘abs’, comprise a plurality of different muscle. A person&#39;s rectus abdominus muscle is disposed centrally along the length of the front of their abdomen and attaches between the lower rib cage and the front of the pelvic girdle. A person&#39;s internal and external oblique muscles are disposed medially and laterally, respectively, between the lower rib cage and the front of the pelvic girdle. Accordingly, the rectus abdominus muscle defines an anterior muscular wall of the abdomen and oblique muscles define lateral muscular walls of the abdomen.  
      As is well known, preferred approaches for exercising the abdominal muscles provide a safe and effective means for training both strength and endurance of the abdominal musculature. Such preferred approaches provide for incrementally progressive resistance means that prevent the abdominal muscles from accommodating to a specific force while enabling the user to remain challenged in training his or her abdominal strength and endurance as his or her strength and endurance increases.  
      Conventional approaches for exercising abdominal muscles without exercise apparatuses are known. To exercise the upper portion of the rectus abdominus muscle in such a manner (i.e., without an exercise apparatus), repetitions of a supine “crunch” exercise are performed in which the trunk of the human body is raised, in a curling motion, with the hips and knees bent and the feet remaining stationary on the floor. To exercise the lower portion of the rectus abdominus muscle in such a manner, repetitions of a supine “knee-up” exercise are performed in which the feet are lifted off the floor and the knees are lifted, in an arcing motion, toward the chest wall. Simultaneous exercising of the upper and lower rectus abdominus muscle is performed in such a manner using a “compound crunch” exercise wherein the supine crunch exercise and the supine knee-up exercise are combined in a coordinated movement. The left internal oblique and right external oblique muscles are exercised simultaneously in such a manner by performing repetitions of the supine crunch exercise in combination with twisting of the torso to the right side and by twisting to the left side to simultaneously exercise the right internal oblique and left external oblique muscles.  
      The abdominal muscle exercises described above (i.e., without the aid of an exercise apparatus) are not without hazard and inconvenience, especially with respect to the novice exerciser. One adverse issue associated with such abdominal muscle exercises is that muscle and joint injuries that occur are mostly related to the inertial strain developed when commencing the lifting of the user&#39;s body. Such injuries can be especially problematic if the user holds his or her breath while exerting, thus risking injury to the lower back and neck regions of the spine as well as the hip flexor muscles. Another adverse issue associated with such abdominal muscle exercises is that they often inherently cause the exerciser to create an undesirable whip lashing motion of the spine to assist in the initial lifting phase of the exercise. Still another adverse issue associated with such abdominal muscle exercises is that most exercisers find these conventional exercises uncomfortable to perform. Thus, exerciser compliance has been historically poor with such exercises rarely yielding desirable results. This is especially unfortunate for back and neck pain sufferers, because these individuals are often prescribed conventional abdominal muscle exercises to assist in alleviating spinal pain through development of a stronger and more physically fit abdomen. Besides the aforementioned adverse issues associated with such abdominal muscle exercises, spine pain sufferers often have great difficulty in or are precluded from lying on the floor and then standing back up.  
      Various resistance-type exercise apparatuses for exercising abdominal muscles are known (i.e., conventional abdominal muscle exercise devices). Such conventional abdominal muscle exercise apparatuses are also known to have limitations that adversely affect their effectiveness, desirability and/or practicality. Many of these conventional abdominal muscle exercise apparatuses have largely failed to provide adequate comfort, convenience, safety, and time-savings while providing endurance training and/or strength training in a manner adequate and specific to a user&#39;s individual needs. Some of these conventional abdominal muscle exercise apparatuses provide an excess of resistance so as to allow only a few repetitions to be performed before fatigue sets in, thus limiting the endurance training of the abdominal muscles while increasing potential risk of injury. Others provide too small a resistance such that the abdominal muscles are not adequately stressed so as to provide adequate strength training. Furthermore, such conventional abdominal muscle exercise apparatuses frequently provide only specific exercises thus requiring more than one device to effectively exercise the entire abdominal musculature or require numerous exercise movements, which are both time-consuming and complex to perform.  
      Conventional abdominal muscle exercise apparatuses that constrain a person to execute what are largely linear vertical motions and/or other motions that deviate in some respects from the natural, complex curvature motions of the spine during bending, thus presenting a particularly undesirable set of adverse issues. In executing abdominal muscle exercises with such conventional exercise apparatuses, the associated body motion results in bending of the torso at least at some points within the full range of motion that occurs at the hips rather than at the lower spine and stomach, thereby predominantly stressing the hip joint flexor muscles rather than the abdominal muscles in these ranges. Such motions are in sharp contrast to the “crunch” motion, “knee-up” motion, “compound crunch” motion and/or “torso twisting” motion in which the spine is desirably flexed forward in a curling path. Thus, the abdominal muscles consequently do not receive optimum benefit from use of such conventional exercise apparatuses.  
      Disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,071,119; 5,069,448; 5,046,726 and 4,863,162 are examples of such conventional abdominal muscle exercise apparatuses that constrain a person to execute what are largely linear vertical motions and/or other motions that deviate in some respects from the natural, complex curvature motions of the spine during bending. The abdominal muscle exercise apparatuses disclosed in these patents address individual problems associated with performance of crunch motion exercises. However, as discussed above, there are numerous problems that exist in conjunction with the means in which such conventional abdominal muscle exercise apparatuses facilitate such crunch motion exercises and that limit the effectiveness in which strength and endurance training of abdominal muscles can be safely performed using such conventional abdominal muscle exercise apparatuses.  
      Therefore, an abdominal muscle exercise apparatus and associated exercise technique that overcome limitations and drawbacks associated with conventional abdominal muscle exercise apparatuses and associated exercise techniques would be useful and novel.  
     SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE  
      Abdominal muscle exercise apparatuses and associated exercise techniques in accordance with embodiments of the inventive disclosures made herein overcomes inadequacies of conventional abdominal muscle exercising apparatuses and associated exercise techniques. Specifically, abdominal muscle exercise apparatuses in accordance with embodiments of the inventive disclosures made herein provide an adjustable, light-weight, compact and easy to use strength and endurance training apparatus configured for exercising the abdominal muscles in a time and motion efficient manner. Such abdominal muscle exercise apparatuses enables a user to easily assume and maintain a individual biased anatomically correct crunch motion, while minimizing the risk of injury associated with exercising abdominal muscles. Through the use of an exercise apparatus in accordance with embodiments of the inventive disclosures made herein, a user is able to perform “crunch”, “knee-up”, “compound crunch” and/or “torso twisting” exercise motions in which the spine is flexed forward in a curling path over an entire range of motion of the spine while providing both endurance repetition training and progressive resistance strength training. Furthermore, during use of an abdominal muscle exercise apparatus in accordance with embodiments of the inventive disclosures made herein, a user is able to sit comfortably, for example, in a chair and perform repetitions of abdominal muscle strengthening and endurance training exercises equivalent to conventional exercise techniques which target the abdominal rectus and oblique muscles while substantially limited physical stress to the regions of the spine, hip flexor muscles and joints.  
      In an embodiment of the inventive disclosures made herein, an apparatus configured for exercising abdominal muscles of a user comprises an elongated support structure, a translatable member, a lower body support assembly and a lower body support lifting mechanism. The elongated support structure has a first end and a second end and the translatable member has a first end and a second end. The translatable member is slidably attached to the elongated support structure adjacent the first end of the elongated support structure for enabling translation of the translatable member with respect to the elongated support structure. The lower body support assembly is movably mounted on the elongated support structure adjacent the second end of the elongated support structure. The lower body support lifting mechanism is coupled between the first end of the translatable member and the lower body support assembly whereby translation of the translatable member toward the second end of the elongated support structure results in a corresponding upward movement of a lower body engaging portion of the lower body support assembly. In use, the user applies their upper body weight onto the translatable member, which results in a downward translation of the translatable member and upward movement of the lower body engaging portion of the lower body support assembly. Accordingly, in response to applying their upper body weight on the translatable member for translating the translatable member downward, the user performs a crunching action as they lift their lower body weight in reacting to the corresponding upward movement of the lower body engaging portion of the lower body support assembly on which their lower body (e.g., feet) are resting.  
      In another embodiment of the inventive disclosures made herein, an apparatus configured for exercising abdominal muscles of a user comprises an elongated stanchion, a flexible link guide member, a translatable member, a lower body support assembly and a flexible link. The elongated stanchion has a first end and a second end and the translatable member has a first end and a second end. The flexible link guide member is attached to the elongated stanchion. A slidable portion of the translatable member is slidably attached to the elongated stanchion. The first end of the translatable member is disposed between the flexible link guide member and the second end of the elongated stanchion adjacent the first end of the elongated stanchion. The lower body support assembly includes a first end and a second end. The lower body support assembly is pivotally attached at the first end thereof to the elongated stanchion adjacent the second end of the stanchion. The flexible link has a first end attached to translatable member adjacent the first end of the translatable member, a second end attached to the lower body support assembly adjacent the second end of the lower body support assembly and an intermediate portion engaged with the flexible link guide member whereby downward translation of the shaft with respect to the shaft mount causes the lower body support to pivot relative to the elongated stanchion. In use, the user applies their upper body weight onto the translatable member, which results in a downward translation of the translatable member and upward movement of the lower body engaging portion of the lower body support assembly. Accordingly, in response to applying their upper body weight on the translatable member for translating the translatable member downward, the user performs a crunching action as they lift their lower body weight in reacting to the corresponding upward movement of the lower body engaging portion of the lower body support assembly on which their lower body (e.g., feet) are resting.  
      In yet another embodiment of the inventive disclosures made herein, an apparatus configured for exercising abdominal muscles of a user comprises an elongated stanchion, a U-shaped support structure, a shaft mount, a flexible link guide member, an elongated shaft, a lower body support assembly and a flexible link. The U-shaped support structure is attached at a first end thereof to a first end of the elongated stanchion. The shaft mount is fixedly attached between legs of the U-shaped support structure adjacent a second end of the U-shaped support structure. The flexible link guide member is attached to at least one of the shaft mount and the U-shaped support structure adjacent the second end of the U-shaped support structure. A slidable portion of the elongated shaft is slidably engaged with the shaft mount for enabling translation of the elongated shaft with respect to the U-shaped support structure. A first end of the elongated shaft is disposed between the shaft mount and a second end of the elongated stanchion. The lower body support assembly is slidably mounted on the elongated stanchion intermediate the first end and the second end of the elongated stanchion. The flexible link has a first end thereof attached to the elongated shaft adjacent the first end of the elongated shaft, a second end thereof attached to the lower body support assembly and an intermediate portion thereof engaged with the flexible link guide member whereby the lower body support assembly translates along the elongated stanchion toward the first end of the elongated stanchion in response to translation of the elongated shaft relative to the shaft mount toward the second end of the elongated stanchion. In use, the user applies their upper body weight onto the elongated shaft, which results in a downward translation of the elongated shaft and upward movement of the lower body support assembly. Accordingly, in response to applying their upper body weight on the elongated shaft for translating the elongated shaft downward, the user performs a crunching action as they lift their lower body weight in reacting to the corresponding upward movement of the lower body support assembly on which their lower body (e.g., feet) are resting.  
      Accordingly, an abdominal muscle exercise apparatus in accordance with at least one embodiment of the inventive disclosures made herein is configured for exercising the upper and lower portions of the rectus abdominus muscle. Furthermore, in accordance with at least one embodiment of the inventive disclosures made herein, such an abdominal muscle exercise apparatus is configured for exercising left and right internal and external oblique muscles which course medially and laterally respectively, to and from the lower rib cage and the front of the pelvic girdle. Still further, in accordance with at least one embodiment of the inventive disclosures made herein, such an abdominal muscle exercise apparatus is configured for enabling exercising oblique abdominal muscles by performing torso twisting crunching motion, which entail the user alternately twisting his or her torso trunk from left to right while depressing the translatable member downward and correspondingly lifting his or her legs in reaction to the lower body support assembly being displaced upwards.  
      It is an object of an abdominal muscle exercise apparatus in accordance with at least one embodiment of the inventive disclosures made herein to provide a device for exercising the abdominal muscles without over-stressing the structures of the lower back, neck and the hip flexor muscles and while providing a means for both endurance training and strength training of the abdominal musculature.  
      It is another object of an abdominal muscle exercise apparatus in accordance with at least one embodiment of the inventive disclosures made herein to permit the upper body to move forward under stress, in an arc configuration so as to enable a user to easily assume and maintain the proper crunch motion during exercise, thus distributing the flexure of the spine throughout the lumbo-sacral junction to the thoraco-lumbar junction of the spine so as to eliminate a focusing of undesirable flexure to any particular region of the lumbar spine.  
      It is another object of an abdominal muscle exercise apparatus in accordance with at least one embodiment of the inventive disclosures made herein to provide a means to perform the “crunch”, “knee-up”, and “compound crunch “and” torso twisting motions without the discomfort or fatigue normally associated with the conventional supine method.  
      It is another object of an abdominal muscle exercise apparatus in accordance with at least one embodiment of the inventive disclosures made herein to provide a single abdominal muscle exercise apparatus for performing complex “compound crunch” exercise safely and comfortably to target the upper and lower rectus abdominal muscle in a time saving manner such that when combined with the “torso twisting” exercises for the oblique abdominal muscles the crunch and knee-up exercises are not necessary and the entire abdominal musculature is exercised over a full range of motion.  
      It is another object of an abdominal muscle exercise apparatus in accordance with at least one embodiment of the inventive disclosures made herein to avoid stress to the muscles of the neck and the cervical discs normally associated with the conventional supine method.  
      It is another object of an abdominal muscle exercise apparatus in accordance with at least one embodiment of the inventive disclosures made herein to provide an abdominal muscle exercise apparatus whose inherent resistance is provided by the user&#39;s own lower body weight and which can be easily increased so as to accommodate users of different strength, and also provide a means of progressive resistance exercise for any individual users.  
      It is another object of an abdominal muscle exercise apparatus in accordance with at least one embodiment of the inventive disclosures made herein to provide an abdominal muscle exercise apparatus configured for imparting a resistive force provided at least partially by the user&#39;s own lower body weight so as to permit users having different endurance a means of progressive repetitive endurance exercise for any individual users.  
      It is another object of an abdominal muscle exercise apparatus in accordance with at least one embodiment of the inventive disclosures made herein to be light-weight and compact so as to be readily and conveniently portable.  
      It is another object of an abdominal muscle exercise apparatus in accordance with at least one embodiment of the inventive disclosures made herein to be relatively simple and inexpensive to manufacture, yet reliable.  
      It is another object of an abdominal muscle exercise apparatus in accordance with at least one embodiment of the inventive disclosures made herein to aid in coordination of “crunch”, “knee-up”, “compound crunch” and/or “torso twisting” exercise movements.  
      Other objects, advantages, novelty and benefits of abdominal muscle exercise apparatuses in accordance with embodiments of the inventive disclosures made herein will become evident when the following description of this invention is considered with the accompanying drawings.  
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       FIG. 1  is perspective view depicting an abdominal muscle exercise apparatus in accordance with a first embodiment of the inventive disclosures made herein.  
       FIG. 2  is an exploded view of the abdominal muscle exercise machine depicted in  FIG. 1 .  
       FIG. 3  is a side view of the abdominal muscle exercise machine depicted in  FIG. 1 .  
       FIG. 4  is an operational view depicting use of the abdominal muscle exercise machine depicted in  FIG. 1 .  
       FIG. 5  is perspective view depicting an abdominal muscle exercise apparatus in accordance with a second embodiment of the inventive disclosures made herein.  
       FIG. 6  is an operational view depicting use of the abdominal muscle exercise machine depicted in  FIG. 5 .  
       FIG. 7  is perspective view depicting an abdominal muscle exercise apparatus in accordance with a third embodiment of the inventive disclosures made herein.  
       FIG. 8  is a fragmented view depicting a multi-position foot support assembly of abdominal muscle exercise apparatus depicted in  FIG. 7 .  
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       FIGS. 1-3  depict an abdominal muscle exercise apparatus  1  in accordance with a first embodiment of the inventive disclosures made herein. Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the abdominal muscle exercise apparatus  1  includes a stanchion  2  (i.e., a suitably rigid) having a transverse bore  3  intermediate a head end  4  (i.e., a first end) and a foot end  5  (i.e., a second end) of the stanchion  2 . The foot end  5  is attached to a stanchion support member  6 , which extends generally transverse to the stanchion  2 . The stanchion support member  6  includes a left free end  7  and a right free end  8  forming a horizontal leg of the stanchion  2 , which provides stability to abdominal muscle exercise apparatus  1  when engaged with a support surface (e.g., a floor).  
      The head end  4  of the stanchion  2  is rigidly attached to a shaft mount  10  (e.g., a housing). The shaft mount  10  includes a tubular member  11  having a bore  15  extending therethrough. A bushing  14  is fitted in a top end  12  and a bottom end  13  of the bore  15 . Brass and plastic are examples of materials from which the bushing  14  is made. The stanchion  2  and the shaft mount  10  jointly represent an embodiment of an elongated support structure in accordance with the inventive disclosures made herein.  
      An elongated shaft  16  (i.e., a translatable member) includes a slidable portion  16 ′ which is slidably disposed in the bore  15  of the shaft mount  10 , a lower end  17  (i.e., a first end) disposed below the shaft mount  10  and a upper end  18  (i.e., a second end) that is attached to a generally transverse handle  19  above the shaft mount  10 . Preferably, the elongated shaft  16  is free to rotate within the bore  15  as well as translate within the bore  15 . In other embodiments (not shown), an abdominal muscle exercise apparatus in accordance with the inventive disclosures made herein may benefit from the elongated shaft  16  being precluded from rotating. The handle  19  includes a left free end  20  and a right free end  21  which may be gripped by a user for applying a force to translate the elongated shaft  16  relative to the shaft mount  10 . Accordingly, the free ends  20  and  21  are preferably covered with a resilient rubber, or other suitable material, so as to provide a gripping surface and comfort to the user. The lower end  17  of the elongated shaft  16  is disposed between the shaft mount  10  and the foot end  5  of the stanchion  2 .  
      A guide member retainer  22  for a flexible link guide member  23  includes a left flange  24  and a right flange  25  attached to the tubular member  11  of the shaft mount  10 . Alternately, the pulley guide member retainer  22  is attached to the stanchion  2 . The flexible link guide member  23  is attached to the guide member retainer  22 . A pulley or a roller rotatably mounted on the guide member retainer  22  and a non-rotating member having a low-friction contact surface mounted on the guide member retainer  22  are examples of the flexible link guide member  23 . A bolt, a pin or other type of known fastener which extends through a bore in the flexible link guide member and the guide member retainer  22  is one example of a means for attaching the flexible link guide member  23  to the guide member retainer  22 .  
      A pivot member  27  (e.g., a long bolt) is disposed through a bore  26  extending through each leg  27  of a foot support assembly  28  and through the bore  3  of the stanchion  2 . In this manner, the foot support assembly  23  is pivotally mounted on the stanchion  2 . Each leg  27  of the foot support assembly  28  has a first end  30  adjacent the bore  26  and a second end  31  attached to a foot support member  32 . A foot engaging portion of the foot support assembly  28  is provided by the foot support member  32 . The foot engaging portion  28  is configured for having one or both of a user&#39;s feet supported thereon.  
      It is disclosed herein that a foot support assembly as disclosed herein is an embodiment of a lower body support assembly, the foot engaging portion of the foot support assembly is an embodiment of a lower body engaging portion of the lower body support assembly and the foot support member is an embodiment of a lower body support member. In accordance with such embodiments, lower body support member of the lower body support assembly is configured for engaging (e.g., supporting) a user&#39;s foot, ankle, and/or other portion of the leg.  
      Referring now to  FIGS. 1-3 , a flexible link  36  has a first end  38  attached to the elongated shaft  16  adjacent its lower end  17 , a second end  40  attached to the foot support assembly  28  and an intermediate portion  42  journalled around (i.e., engaged with) the flexible link guide member  23 . In this manner, downward translation of the elongated shaft  16  results in corresponding pivoting action of the foot support assembly  28  whereby the foot support member  32  moves upward toward the head end  4  of the stanchion  2 . Accordingly, it can be seen that the flexible link guide member  23  serves to reverse movement direction of the second end  40  of the flexible link  36  relative to the first end  38  of the flexible link  36  and that a foot support lifting mechanism in accordance with an embodiment of the inventive disclosures made herein comprises the flexible link guide member  23  and flexible link  36 .  
      A foot support lifting mechanism comprising a flexible link and flexible link guide member is a preferred embodiment of a lower body support lifting mechanism in accordance with the inventive disclosures made herein. It is disclosed herein that other embodiments of lower body support lifting mechanisms are contemplated and envisioned within the scope of the inventive disclosures made herein. In one alternate embodiment, a lower body support lifting mechanism in accordance with the inventive disclosures made herein utilizes a plurality of pivoting rigid members that are pivotally coupled, for example, between a lower body support assembly and a translating member that translates along a rigid stanchion, thereby enabling lower body lifting functionality to be accomplished. In another alternate embodiment, a lower body support lifting mechanism in accordance with the inventive disclosures made herein utilizes a plurality of rotating drive members (e.g., enmeshed gears) that are coupled, for example, between a lower body support assembly and a translating member that translates along a rigid stanchion, thereby enabling lower body lifting functionality to be accomplished.  
      An example of the flexible link  36  is a length of essentially inelastic (i.e., flexible, but non-elongating) rope, cable, woven webbing or the like. As depicted in  FIGS. 1-3 , the flexible link  36  has a fixed, predetermined length. However, in other embodiments (not shown), the length of the flexible link is adjustable.  
      A pair of resilient resistance members  44  ( FIGS. 1 and 2 ) is removably attached to the stanchion  2  and the foot support assembly  28 . Specifically, as depicted in  FIGS. 1 and 3 , a first portion  46  (e.g., a first end) of the each one of the resilient resistance members  44  is removably attached to the stanchion support member  6  and a second portion  48  (e.g., a second end) of each one of the resilient resistance members  44  is removably attached to the foot support member  32  of the foot support assembly  28 . In this manner, the resilient resistance members  44  enable a resistive force to be exerted for counteracting pivoting of the foot support assembly  28  relative to the stanchion  2 .  
      The pair of resilient resistance members  44  is an embodiment of a means for imparting resistance that is connected between an elongated support structure and a foot support assembly in accordance with the inventive disclosures made herein. Embodiments of such means may be connected between such elongated support structure and such foot support assembly in any number of conceivable configurations. It is contemplated that less than or more than a pair of the resilient resistance members  44  may be utilized for imparting such resistance. Loops of resilient material and molded resilient bands are examples of the resilient resistance members  44 . Alternative embodiments of such means for imparting resistance in accordance with the inventive disclosures made herein include spring devices, hydraulic devices, flexible rod devices, a provision for attaching free weights to the foot support assembly  28  and/or the flexible link  36 , or any other conceivable isotonic or isokinetic resistance device that can be suitable incorporated.  
      The purpose of such a means for imparting resistance means is to provide additional resistance against downward translation of the elongated shaft  16  such that, when the elongated shaft  16  is pushed down into for achieving a crunch position, force generated by the means for imparting resistance combined with the user&#39;s weight resting on foot support member  32  resists the upward pivoting of foot support assembly  28  and downward translation of the elongated shaft  16 . Such means for imparting resistance may be configured for being replaceable or adjustable for enabling imparted resistance to be alterable (i.e., changeable, variable and/or adjustable). For example, the user may alter the imparted resistance by removing one or both of the resilient resistance members  44 , exchanging the resilient resistance members  44  with different resilient resistance members that have a different resistance rates, or installing additional resilient resistance members in addition to the resilient resistance members  44 . Furthermore, it is contemplated herein that such means for imparting resistance may be coupled between a support structure and translatable member of an exercise apparatus in accordance with the inventive disclosures made herein.  
      As depicted in  FIG. 4 , it may be seen that the user&#39;s lower body weight on the foot support member  32  of the foot support assembly  28  combined with engagement of the resilient resistance members  44  provides a resistive force to the downward displacement of elongated shaft  16 . It can also be seen that, through the orientation flexible link  36  and the flexible link guide member  22 , downward translation of the elongated shaft  16  from a static handle position S 1  to a compressed handle position C results in pivoting of the foot support assembly  28  and corresponding upward movement of the foot support member  32  from a foot assembly static position S 2  to a lifted position L. Accordingly, by the user pressing downwardly on the handle  19  in a curling crunch motion, he or she is able to easily execute a compound crunch and exercise the rectus abdominal muscle. By pressing downwardly on the handle  19  in a curling crunch motion while twisting alternately to the right or left sides, the user is able to execute torso twisting for exercising the oblique abdominal muscles.  
      Referring now to  FIG. 5 , an abdominal muscle exercise apparatus  100  in accordance with a second embodiment of the inventive disclosures made herein is depicted. The abdominal muscle exercise apparatus  100  includes a U-shaped support structure  101 , a stanchion  102 , a stanchion support member  106 , a shaft mount  110 , an elongated shaft  116 , a transverse handle  119 , a guide member retainer  122 , a flexible link guide member (not specifically shown), a foot support assembly  128 , a flexible link  136  and resilient resistance members  144 . The stanchion  102  includes a head end  104  and a foot end  105 . The U-shaped support structure  101  is attached at a first end  101   a  (i.e., its closed end) to the head end  104  of the stanchion  102 . The shaft mount  110  is attached to a second end  101   b  of the U-shaped support structure  101  between spaced apart legs  101   c  of the U-shaped support structure  101 .  
      The guide member retainer  122  is attached to the shaft mount  110 . Alternately, the pulley guide member retainer  122  is attached to one or both of the spaced apart legs  101   c  of the U-shaped support structure  101 . The flexible link guide member is attached to the guide member retainer  122 . The elongated shaft  116  is slidably mounted on the shaft mount  110 , thereby enabling the elongated shaft to translate with respect to the U-shaped support structure  101 . The foot support assembly  128  includes a collar  128   a  that is slidably attached to the stanchion  102 , thereby enabling the foot support assembly  128  to translate with respect to the stanchion  102 .  
      The flexible link  136  has a first end  138  attached to the elongated shaft  116  adjacent its lower end  117 , a second end  140  attached to the foot support assembly  128  and an intermediate portion  142  journalled around (i.e., engaged with) the flexible link guide member. In this manner, downward translation of the elongated shaft  116  results in corresponding pivoting action of the foot support assembly  128  whereby a foot support member  132  of the foot support assembly  128  moves upward toward the head end  104  of the stanchion  102 . Accordingly, it can be seen that the flexible link guide member serves to reverse movement direction of the second end  140  of the flexible link  136  relative to the first end  138  of the flexible link  136  and that a foot support lifting mechanism in accordance with an embodiment of the inventive disclosures made herein comprises the flexible link guide member and flexible link  136 .  
      A pair of resilient resistance members  144  is removably attached to the stanchion  102  and the foot support assembly  128 . Specifically, a first portion  146  (e.g., first end) of the each one of the resilient resistance members  144  is removably attached to the stanchion support member  106  and a second portion  148  (e.g., a second end) of each one of the resilient resistance members  144  is removably attached to the foot support member  132  of the foot support assembly  128 . In this manner, the resilient resistance members  144  enable a resistive force to be exerted for counteracting pivoting of the foot support assembly  128  relative to the stanchion  12 .  
      Referring to  FIG. 6 , a user mounts and operates the abdominal muscle apparatus  100  in a similar manner as described in reference to  FIG. 4 . However, functionality of the abdominal muscle exercise apparatus  100  depicted in  FIGS. 5 and 6  is different than functionality of the abdominal muscle exercise apparatus  1 - 4 . Specifically, lifting action of the foot support member  132  from a foot assembly static position S 2  to a lifted position L is accomplished by translation of the foot support assembly  128  along the stanchion  102  rather than by pivoting action in response to translating the handle  119  from a static handle position S 1  to a compressed handle position C.  
       FIGS. 7 and 8  depict an abdominal muscle exercise apparatus  200  in accordance with a third embodiment of the inventive disclosures made herein. The abdominal muscle exercise apparatus  200  exhibits similar overall function to the abdominal muscle exercise apparatus  1  depicted in  FIGS. 1-4  and has a similar overall construction. However, with respect to the abdominal muscle exercise apparatus depicted in  FIGS. 1-4  and as discussed in greater detail below, the abdominal muscle exercise apparatus  200  depicted in  FIGS. 7 and 8  comprises a distinctive means for imparting resistance and a distinctive foot supporting arrangement.  
      The abdominal muscle exercise apparatus  200  includes a stanchion  202  having a head end  204  (i.e., a first end) and a foot end  205  (i.e., a second end). The foot end  205  is attached to a stanchion support member  206 , which extends generally transverse to the stanchion  202 . The head end  204  of stanchion  202  is rigidly attached to a shaft mount  210 . The shaft mount  210  includes a tubular member  211  having a bore  215  extending therethrough.  
      An elongated shaft  216  (i.e., a translatable member) includes a slidable portion  216 ′ which is slidably disposed in the bore  215  of the shaft mount  210 , a lower end  217  (i.e., a first end) disposed below the shaft mount  210  and a upper end  218  (i.e., a second end) that is attached to a generally transverse handle  219  above the shaft mount  210 . Preferably, the elongated shaft  216  is free to rotate within the bore  215  as well as translate (i.e., linear translation) within the bore  215 . The lower end  217  of the elongated shaft  216  is disposed between the shaft mount  210  and the foot end  205  of the stanchion  202 . A guide member retainer  222  for a flexible link guide member (not specifically shown) is attached to the tubular member  211  of the shaft mount  210 . Alternatively, the guide member retainer may be attached to the stanchion  202 . The flexible link guide member (e.g., a pulley, roller or non-rotating member having a low-friction contact surface) is attached to the guide member retainer  222 .  
      A pivot member  225  (e.g., a long bolt) is disposed through a bore  226  extending through each leg  227  of a foot support assembly  228  and through a bore  229  of the stanchion  202 . In this manner, the foot support assembly  228  is pivotally mounted on the stanchion  202 . Each leg  227  of the foot support assembly  228  has a first end  230  adjacent the bore  226  of the stanchion  202  and a second end  231  attached to a cross member  235 . A foot engaging portion of the foot support assembly  228  is provided by the foot support member  232 . The foot support member  232  is pivotally mounted on the legs  227  of the foot support assembly  228  for enabling the foot support member  232  to be moved between a plurality of foot support member positions (e.g., a first position P 1  and a second position P 2 ). The ability to select between a plurality of foot support member positions is advantageous in that it allows the abdominal muscle exercise apparatus  200  and associated exercise technique to be customized and/or optimised dependent upon parameters specific to a given user.  
      A flexible link  236  has a first end  238  attached to the elongated shaft  216  adjacent its lower end  217 , a second end  240  attached to the foot support assembly  228  and an intermediate portion  242  journalled around (i.e., engaged with) the flexible link guide member. In this manner, downward translation of the elongated shaft  216  results in corresponding pivoting action of the foot support assembly  228  whereby the foot support member  232  moves upward toward the head end  204  of the stanchion  202 . Accordingly, it can be seen that the flexible link guide member serves to reverse movement direction of the second end  240  of the flexible link  236  relative to the first end  238  of the flexible link  236  and that a foot support lifting mechanism in accordance with an embodiment of the inventive disclosures made herein comprises the flexible link guide member and flexible link  236 .  
      A pair of resilient resistance members  244  is removably attached to the stanchion  202  and the foot support assembly  228 . Specifically, as depicted in  FIGS. 7 and 8 , the stanchion  202  includes a resistance member mount  260  and each leg  227  of the foot support assembly  228  includes a resistance member mount  262 . A first portion  246  (e.g., a first end) of the each one of the resilient resistance members  244  is removably attached to the resistance member mount  260  of the stanchion  202  and a second portion  248  (e.g., a second end) of each one of the resilient resistance members  244  is removably attached to the resistance member mount  262  of the foot support apparatus  228 . In this manner, the resilient resistance members  244  enable a resistive force to be exerted for counteracting pivoting of the foot support assembly  228  relative to the stanchion  202 . For enabling resistance imparted by the resilient resistance members to be alterable, it is contemplated that the first portion  246  of the resilient resistance members  244  could be removably attached to the stanchion support member  206  rather than the resistance member mount  260  of the stanchion  202  or that the second portion  248  of each one of the resilient resistance members  244  could be removably attached to the cross member  235  rather than to the resistance member mount  262  of the foot support apparatus  228 .  
      Certain structural components and/or assemblies (e.g., the elongated support structure, the foot support assembly, the translatable member and certain related components) of abdominal muscle exercise apparatuses in accordance with embodiments of the disclosures made herein may be custom manufactured articles fabricated using known fabrication techniques, proprietary fabrication techniques, commercially available materials and/or proprietary materials. Steel tubing is one choice for such structural components and/or assemblies. Such components and/or assemblies made from steel tubing may be fabricated using known operations such as cutting, drilling, turning, milling, die casting, extruding, welding and/or bending using proprietary and/or commercially available equipment. Plastic is another choice for certain structural components and/or assemblies. Such components and/or assemblies made from plastic may be fabricated using known operations such as molding, extrusion, vacuum forming, cutting, drilling, turning, milling, thermal forming, and/or ultrasonic welding using proprietary and/or commercially available equipment. Furthermore, certain components (e.g., the flexible link guide member, flexible link, resilient resistance members, bushings, etc) will be off-the-shelf items that are purchased as generic, already-manufactured articles.  
      In the preceding detailed description, reference has been made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which are shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. These embodiments, and certain variants thereof, have been described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice embodiments of the inventive disclosures made herein. It is to be understood that other suitable embodiments may be utilized and that logical, mechanical, chemical and electrical changes may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of such inventive disclosures. To avoid unnecessary detail, the description omits certain information known to those skilled in the art. The preceding detailed description is, therefore, not intended to be limited to the specific forms set forth herein, but on the contrary, it is intended to cover such alternatives, modifications, and equivalents, as can be reasonably included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.