Patent Publication Number: US-7909742-B2

Title: Functional training exercise apparatus and methods

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present disclosure relates to exercise equipment, and more specifically, to exercise equipment for improved functional training exercises. 
     BACKGROUND 
     The advantages of weight-training exercise machines are widely recognized. Conventional weight-training exercise machines may feature single or multiple stations which enable a user to perform one or a variety of exercises for developing and toning different muscle groups. For example, the various stations of such exercise machines may include one or more stations that enable a user to exercise muscles of the arms and upper body using “press,” “shrug,” or “curl” types of movements, and one or more stations for exercising muscles of the legs using “squat,” “press,” or “extension” types of movements. Such weight machines provide the desired muscle training capability in a convenient, safe, and efficient manner. 
     Although prior art apparatus enable a user to exercise a variety of different muscle groups using a variety of different movements, the standard movements afforded by such apparatus (e.g. press, shrug, curl, squat, extension, etc.) may not closely resemble the actual movements associated with the user&#39;s chosen activity. Therefore, exercise systems and methods that more closely approximate the movements associated with the user&#39;s chosen activity would have utility. 
     SUMMARY 
     Embodiments of apparatus and methods in accordance with the present disclosure provide user interfaces that are adjustable using a single-touch actuation assembly that enables a user to easily and efficiently release, move, and lock such user interfaces throughout a three-dimensional range of motion. More specifically, embodiments in accordance with the present disclosure allow the vertical and horizontal (or elevational and azimuthal) positions of the user interface to be adjusted either sequentially or simultaneously using a convenient, single-touch actuation assembly. Such embodiments may advantageously improve the ease with which the user may adjust both the vertical and horizontal positions of the user interface for performing an exercise, and may also provide improved positioning capabilities for the user to perform desired exercises, including functional training exercises associated with the user&#39;s chosen activity. 
     In one embodiment, an exercise assembly includes a load, a support assembly operatively positioned relative to the load, a force-transferring assembly operatively coupled to the load and to the support assembly, and an exercise station operatively coupled to the force-transferring assembly. The exercise station includes a user interface, at least one adjustment assembly configured to adjust a position of the user interface, and an actuator assembly selectively engageable with the at least one adjustment assembly. The actuator assembly is configured to approximately simultaneously enable adjustment of the user interface in a vertical direction and in a horizontal direction when the actuator assembly is actuated to release the at least one adjustment assembly, and to approximately simultaneously disable adjustment of the user interface in the vertical and horizontal directions when the actuator assembly is actuated to lock the at least one adjustment assembly. 
     In further embodiments, the exercise station includes an arm operatively coupled to the at least one adjustment assembly, the user interface being positioned on the arm, and the at least one adjustment assembly being configured to adjust an elevation angle and an azimuth angle of the arm. 
     In another embodiment, a method of performing an exercise includes selecting a training load, and actuating an actuator to enable movement of a user interface of an exercise station. Actuating the actuator includes approximately simultaneously enabling movement of the user interface vertically and horizontally. The method includes moving the user interface to a desired position, actuating the actuator to prevent movement of the user interface, and applying a training force to the training load via the user interface. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Embodiments of the invention are described in detail below with reference to the following drawings: 
         FIG. 1  is an isometric view of an exercise assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIGS. 2 and 3  are enlarged, partial cutaway views of an upper adjustment assembly of an arm of the exercise assembly of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIGS. 4 and 5  are isometric partial views of the arm coupled to a fork member of the upper adjustment assembly of  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIGS. 6 and 7  are enlarged partial views of an actuator assembly of the exercise station of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIGS. 8 and 9  are enlarged isometric views of a lower adjustment assembly of the exercise station of the exercise assembly of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 10  shows the exercise assembly of  FIG. 1  surrounded by an exemplary locus of possible arm positions of the exercising stations that may be achieved using the upper and lower adjustment assemblies in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 11  is a cable-and-pulley assembly of the exercise assembly of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 12  is a flow chart showing a method of exercising in accordance with another embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 13  is an alternate embodiment of a cable-and-pulley assembly that may be used with the exercise assembly of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 14  is an isometric, partially-exploded view of a multi-angle adjustment assembly in accordance with another alternate embodiment of the invention; and 
         FIG. 15  is a flow chart showing a method of exercising in accordance with yet another embodiment of the invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The present disclosure teaches exercise apparatus and methods for improved functional training exercises. Many specific details of certain embodiments of the invention are set forth in the following description and in  FIGS. 1-15  to provide a thorough understanding of such embodiments. One skilled in the art, however, will understand that the present invention may have additional embodiments, or that the present invention may be practiced without several of the details described in the following description. 
     In general, embodiments of exercise apparatus and methods in accordance with the present invention provide improved capabilities for a user to perform exercises, and more specifically, to perform functional training exercises associated with the user&#39;s chosen activity. As used in this disclosure, the term functional training exercise (or movement) refers to movements for training the body the way it will be used in activities of daily living, including movements associated with sports, or movements associated with a user&#39;s work, hobby, or therapeutic activities. Examples of functional training movements include, but are not limited to, torso bending and twisting movements, pushing and pulling movements, and sporting movements such as swinging a sporting apparatus (e.g. a bat, racquet, stick, golf club, etc.), throwing or tossing a sporting device (e.g. a baseball, shot put, discus, football, etc.), kicking motions (e.g. kicking a ball, karate motions, etc.), head and torso motions, jumping motions, or any other desired functional training movements. 
     In the following discussion, several exemplary embodiments of apparatus and methods in accordance with the disclosure are described. More specifically, an embodiment of an exercise assembly having two adjustment assemblies per exercise station is described first. Next, embodiments of methods of exercising in accordance with the present disclosure are described. Finally, a description of an exercise assembly having a single adjustment assembly for each exercise station is described. It will be appreciated, of course, that the following discussion of embodiments is not an exhaustive list of all possible embodiments, and that additional embodiments of apparatus and methods in accordance with the present disclosure may be conceived based on the teachings herein. 
       FIG. 1  is an isometric view of an exercise assembly  100  in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. In this embodiment, the exercise assembly  100  includes an upwardly extending central portion  110  coupled to a base assembly  102  that rests on a support surface  104  (e.g. a floor). The base assembly  102  may include foot engagers  106  for securing a user&#39;s feet during an exercise, as described in co-pending, commonly-owned U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/771,738 filed on Jun. 29, 2007, which application is incorporated herein by reference. In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 , the central portion  110  includes a shield member  112  and a pair of support members  114  that extend laterally outwardly from the shield member  112 . A weight stack  116  is positioned within the shield member  112 , each weight of the weight stack  116  being slideably mounted on one or more guide rods  118  ( FIGS. 1 and 2 ) that are disposed within the shield member  112 . 
     As further shown in  FIG. 1 , the exercise assembly  100  includes a pair of exercise stations  120  that enable a user to perform a variety of exercises, including functional training exercises. More specifically, each exercise station  120  includes an arm  122  coupled to an upright support  124  by a first adjustment assembly  140 . An exercise handle  125  may be coupled proximate a distal end of the arm  122  to a force-transfer assembly (not visible), operatively coupling the exercise handle  125  to the weight stack  116 . The upright support  124  extends from the support member  114  of the central portion  110  to a second adjustment assembly  180  proximate the base assembly  102 . The first and second adjustment assemblies  140 ,  180  of the exercise station  120  advantageously provide substantially improved adjustability of the position of the arm  122  (and thus the exercise handle  125 ) for performing exercises, as described more fully below. 
     It will be appreciated that, in alternate embodiments, the first and second adjustment assemblies  140   180  may be relocated to any suitable positions, and that the invention is not limited to the particular exercise assembly embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 . For example, in alternate embodiments, the second adjustment assembly may be moved up to be adjacent to (above, below, or beside) the first adjustment assembly near the end of the arm  122 , and the upright support  124  may be eliminated. In still other embodiments, the functionalities of the first and second adjustment assemblies may be combined into a single adjustment assembly. 
     It will also be appreciated that any desired exercise handle may be used in the exercise station  120  for performing any desired exercise. In the particular embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 , the exercise handle  125  is an elongated handle having a configuration like that of a handle of a golf club. In alternate embodiments, however, the exercise handle  125  may be configured in any desired shape, including a racquet handle, a baseball bat handle, a baseball, a hockey stick handle, or any other suitable functional training interface. Specific embodiments of functional training interfaces that may be used in conjunction with the exercise station  120  include those training interfaces (or handles) described in previously-incorporated U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/771,738 filed on Jun. 29, 2007. 
       FIGS. 2 and 3  are enlarged, partial cutaway views of the first adjustment assembly  140  of one of the exercise stations  120  of the exercise assembly  100  of  FIG. 1 . It will be appreciated that the first adjustment assemblies  140  of the left and right exercise stations  120  may be configured in substantially the same (or similar) configuration, (or even as identical or mirror image configurations), and therefore, for the sake of brevity, only one of the first adjustment assemblies  140  will be described in detail. In this embodiment, the first adjustment assembly  140  includes an arcuate indexing member  142  partially disposed within a first housing  144  coupled to the upright support  124 . As best shown in  FIG. 3 , the indexing member  142  includes a plurality of indexing slots  146  disposed along an arcuate edge thereof. An upright guide pulley  148  is positioned proximate the indexing member  142  and rotatably secured within the upper housing  144 . The upright guide pulley  148  is rotatable about a pulley rotation axis  149 . In alternate embodiments, the indexing member  142  and indexing slots  146  may be replaced with any other suitable means of indexing, such as holes, teeth, electromagnetic devices, frictional devices, or any other suitable indexing devices. 
     The first adjustment assembly  140  further includes a fork member  150  that is coupled to an end portion of the outwardly-extending arm  122 .  FIGS. 4 and 5  are isometric partial views showing the arm  122  coupled to the fork member  150 . The fork member  150  is pivotably coupled to the first housing  144  such that the fork member  150  (and the arm  122 ) pivots about an arm pivot axis  152 . As best shown in  FIG. 2 , the arm pivot axis  152  may be offset from the pulley rotation axis  149  to provide improved functionality of the first adjustment assembly  140 , as described more fully below. 
     In the exercise machine  100  of  FIG. 1 , the position of the arm  122  may be controllably adjusted by a user using the first adjustment assembly  140  by means of an actuator assembly  160  that extends through (or along) the arm  122 .  FIGS. 6 and 7  show enlarged views of the actuator assembly  160  that engages and disengages the first adjustment assembly  140  so that the position of the arm  122  may be adjusted. 
     As best shown in  FIG. 6 , in this embodiment, the actuator assembly  160  includes a handle portion  162  that extends outwardly from the arm  122  ( FIG. 1 ) at a distal location that is spaced apart from the first adjustment assembly  140 . An actuation member  164  extends between the handle portion  162  and a release mechanism  166  that engages the arcuate indexing member  142  of the first adjustment assembly  140 . As best shown in  FIG. 5 , the release mechanism  166  includes a return spring  168  that is coupled between an end portion of the actuation member  164  and a support tine  154  of the fork member  150 . The return spring  168  biases an engagement portion (or cross pin)  170  ( FIG. 7 ) of the release mechanism  166  into locking engagement with the indexing slots  146  of the indexing member  142 . 
     The handle portion  162  may be configured in a variety of different ways, including, for example, as disclosed in commonly-owned U.S. Pat. No. 6,508,748 issued to Ish, which issued patent is incorporated herein by reference. More specifically, in some embodiments, the handle portion  162  may be configured to actuate the release mechanism  166  when the handle portion  162  is rotated in either the forward or rearward rotational directions from an initial resting position, and to de-actuate the release mechanism  166  when the handle portion  162  is returned to the initial (or non-actuated) position. Alternately, the handle portion  162  may be configured to actuate the release mechanism  166  only when the handle portion  162  is rotated in a first rotational direction (either forward or rearward), and may be further configured to de-actuate the release mechanism  166  when the handle portion  162  is rotated in an opposite (or second) rotational direction. Of course, in further embodiments, any other suitable handles may be used, including non-rotating handles such as push-pull devices, push-button devices, electromechanical devices, lever devices, and hand brake devices, and any other suitable actuation devices. 
       FIGS. 8 and 9  are enlarged, partial isometric views of the second adjustment assembly  180  (with a second housing  181  of  FIG. 1  removed) of the exercise station  120  of  FIG. 1 . As with the first adjustment assemblies  140 , the second adjustment assemblies  180  may be configured in substantially the same (or similar) configuration, (or even as identical or mirror image configurations), and therefore, for the sake of brevity, only one of the second adjustment assemblies  180  will be described in detail. In this embodiment, the second adjustment assembly  180  includes a support bracket  182  coupled to and projecting outwardly from the upright support  124 , and an indexing bracket  184  having a plurality of indexing slots  186  disposed along an arcuate edge thereof. A locking member  188  is slideably engaged with the support bracket  182 , and is biased into engagement with the indexing slots  186  by a locking spring  190  ( FIG. 9 ). 
     A cable  192  is coupled to the locking member  188  and extends from the second adjustment assembly  180  through (or along) the upright support  124  to the release mechanism  166  of the actuator assembly  160 . More specifically, a first end of the cable  192  is coupled to the locking member  188  ( FIGS. 8 and 9 ), and a second end of the cable  192  is coupled to the release mechanism  166  ( FIGS. 4-7 ). 
     In operation, when a user desires to move the exercise handle  125  to a different position, the user actuates the handle portion  162  of the actuation assembly  160  which, in turn, applies tension in the actuation member  164 . The actuation member  164  stretches the return spring  168  and disengages the engagement portion  170  from the indexing member  142 , thereby releasing the first adjustment assembly  140 . The actuation member  164  also tensions the cable  192  and disengages the locking member  188  from one of the indexing slots  186  of the indexing bracket  184 , thereby releasing the second adjustment assembly  180 . With the engagement portion  170  of the first adjustment assembly  140  disengaged (e.g. while holding the handle portion  162  in an actuated position), the user may adjust the position of the arm  122  with respect to the user. For example, in some embodiments, the user may adjust an elevation angle θ of the arm  122  with respect to the upright support  124 . Similarly, with the locking member  188  of the second adjustment assembly  180  disengaged, the user interface is moveable with respect to a longitudinal axis  194 , allowing the user to adjust the lateral position of the user interface relative to the user. For example, in some embodiments, the upright support  124  is rotatable about a longitudinal axis  194 , allowing the user to adjust an azimuth angle β of the arm  122  about the longitudinal axis  194  of the upright support  124  ( FIGS. 8 and 9 ). Although it is contemplated in the embodiments illustrated in the accompanying figures that the user interface (e.g. exercise handle  125 ) is adjusted using an arc-like movement, it will be appreciate that in alternate embodiments, the position of the user interface need not be adjusted in an arc, and may be moved linearly or in any other suitable manner. 
     It will be appreciated that the exercise assembly  100  allows the user to adjust both the vertical position and the horizontal position of the exercise handle  125  (or user interface) by simple actuating the handle portion  162  of the actuator assembly  160 . The user may adjust either the vertical position or the horizontal position independently, or the user may adjust both vertical and horizontal positions simultaneously or sequentially as desired. 
     With the exercise handle  125  in the desired vertical and horizontal position, the user may release the handle portion  162 . This allows the return spring  168  of the first adjustment assembly  140  to contract and re-engage the engagement portion  170  with one of the indexing slots  146  of the indexing member  142 , and also allows the locking spring  190  of the second adjustment assembly  180  to re-engage the locking member  188  with one of the indexing slots  186  of the indexing bracket  184 . With the first and second adjustment assemblies  140 ,  180  secured in the desired position, the arm  122  is locked in place and the user may perform exercises using the exercise handle  125 . More specifically, when the user applies a training force to the exercise handle  125 , force is transmitted through the cable-and-pulley assembly to exert force on the selected load (e.g. portion of the weight stack  116 ). Those portions of the exercise assembly  100  that support the other components involved in the performance of the exercise, and enable the exercise to be performed, may be generally referred to as a support assembly, and may include the central portion  110 , the base assembly  104 , and any other suitable portions or components of the exercise assembly  100 . 
       FIG. 10  shows the exercise assembly  100  of  FIG. 1  surrounded by an exemplary locus  200  of possible arm positions of the exercising stations  120  that may be achieved using the upper and lower adjustment assemblies  140 ,  180  in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure. In this embodiment, the position locus  200  is illustrated as intersection points between a plurality of elevational rows  202  and a plurality of azimuthal columns  204 . Of course, in alternate embodiments, the positions within the position locus  200  may be distributed in a variety of different ways depending on, for example, the configuration of the one or more adjustment assemblies, and may include random positions, non-uniform positions, or any other suitable distribution of possible positions of the user interface. Embodiments of apparatus in accordance with the present disclosure allow the user to move the arm  122  after activating the handle portion  162  directly to any one of the possible arm positions of the position locus  200  ( FIG. 10 ) without first setting either elevation or azimuth. 
     In some embodiments, the number (and spacing) of the elevational rows  202  of the position locus  200  may be determined by the number (and spacing) of the indexing slots  146  ( FIG. 3 ) of the arcuate indexing member  142 . Similarly, the number (and spacing) of the azimuthal columns  204  may be determined by the number (and spacing) of the indexing slots  186  ( FIG. 9 ) of the indexing bracket  184 . In alternate embodiments, a greater or fewer number of rows  202  and columns  204 , or a different spacing (or density) of rows  202  and columns  204 , may be achieved by altering the number (and spacing) of the indexing slots  146 ,  186 . 
     After adjustment of one or more of the exercise stations  120 , the user may perform a desired exercise using the exercise assembly  100 . More specifically, the user may apply a training force on the exercise handle  125  ( FIG. 1 ). As noted above, the exercise handle  125  is coupled to the weight stack  116  via a force-transfer assembly. A variety of different force-transfer assemblies may be used to couple the exercise handle  125  to the weight stack  116  or other suitable training load. 
     For example,  FIG. 11  is an exemplary cable-and-pulley assembly  250  of the exercise assembly  100  of  FIG. 1 . In this embodiment, a cable  252  has a first end coupled to the exercise handle  125 . The cable  252  is operatively engaged with (or reeved over) an interface pulley  254  coupled to a distal end of the arm  122 . The cable  252  then engages the upright guide pulley  148  and extends downwardly to engage over a first fixed pulley  256 . The cable  252  then extends upwardly to operatively engage a second fixed pulley  258 , and extends downwardly to a central pulley  260  coupled to the weight stack  116 . From the central pulley  260 , the cable  252  extends upwardly to a third fixed pulley  262 , then downwardly again to a fourth fixed pulley  264 . The second and third fixed pulleys  258 ,  262  are attached within an upper portion of the central portion  110  above the weight stack  116 . 
     Finally, the cable  252  extends upwardly to the upright guide pulley  148 , and outwardly along the arm  122  to another interface pulley  254  of the other exercise station  120 . Stops  256  are associated with the user interface (e.g. exercise handle  125 ) to prevent retraction of the cable  252  and to maintain tension within the cable  252  during exercises. The structural and operational aspects of the stops  256  are generally known, as described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,582,346 issued to Lines et al., U.S. Pat. No. 6,482,135 issued to Ish et al., and U.S. Pat. No. RE 34,572 issued to Johnson et al., which patents are incorporated herein by reference. 
       FIG. 12  is a flow chart showing an exemplary method  300  of exercising in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. For convenience, the method  300  will be described with reference to the exemplary exercise assembly  100  described above and shown in  FIGS. 1-11 . It will be appreciated, however, that the methods disclosed herein may be practiced with other embodiments of exercising apparatus, and that such methods are not limited to the particular embodiments of exercise assemblies described herein. Furthermore, in the following discussion of methods in accordance with the present disclosure, the order of the acts described is not important, and unless otherwise specified, the order of the acts described may occur in any suitable order. 
     In the exemplary method  300 , a user selects a training load (e.g. a portion of the weight stack  116 ) for performing an exercise at  302 . At  304 , the user determines whether a position of a user interface of an exercising station is acceptable. If the position of the user interface is acceptable, then the user proceeds to performing an exercise at  318 . 
     If the position of the user interface is not acceptable (at  304 ), then the user actuates an actuator assembly to disengage one or more adjustment assemblies at  306 . As described above, in some embodiments, the actuation of the actuator assembly at  306  disengages first and second adjustment assemblies. 
     At  308 , the user determines whether a vertical position of the user interface is acceptable, and if not, the user moves the user interface to a desired vertical position at  310 . For example, in some embodiments, the adjustment of the user interface into the desired vertical position is accomplished by moving an arm into a desired elevation angle θ. Similarly, at  312 , the user determines whether a horizontal position of the user interface is acceptable, and if not, the user moves the user interface to a desired horizontal position at  314 . In some embodiments, the adjustment of the horizontal position of the user interface is accomplished by moving an arm into a desired azimuth angle β. 
     Next, the user may release (or otherwise de-actuate) the actuator assembly at  316 , thereby locking the one or more adjustment assemblies to secure the user interface in the desired position. With the user interface secured in the desired position, the user may perform an exercise at  318 . At  320 , the user decides whether exercises are complete. If not, then the method  300  returns to  302 , and the above-described activities ( 302 - 318 ) may be repeated indefinitely. When exercises are complete (at  320 ), then the method  300  terminates or continues to other activities at  322 . 
     The adjustment of the vertical position of the user interface at  310  may involve a noteworthy aspect of the exercise station  120  described above. More specifically, for embodiments of exercise assemblies  100  wherein the pulley rotation axis  149  is offset from the pivot axis  152  of the arm  122  (as shown in  FIG. 2 ), a change in the elevation angle θ of the arm  122  may cause a non-axial displacement of the cable  252  within the fork member  150  and the arm  122 . As best shown in cross-sectional view A-A in  FIG. 5 , during variation of the elevation angle θ of the arm  122 , the cable  252  of the cable-and-pulley assembly  250  ( FIG. 11 ) may traverse in an upward or downward direction  253 ,  255 . It will be appreciated that the cable  252  and the arrows  253 ,  255  are not drawn to scale, but rather, are sized to clearly illustrate the non-axial movement of the cable  252  within the arm  122 . It will also be appreciated that the actuation member  164  of the actuation assembly  160  ( FIG. 6 ), as well as other structures, have been omitted from view A-A of  FIG. 5  for clarity. Thus, in such embodiments, the cross-sectional shape of the arm  122  (and the fork member  150 ) provides internal space for the non-axial movement of the cable  252 , as shown in view A-A of  FIG. 5 . In still other embodiments, the cable  252  may be positioned outside the arm  122 . 
       FIG. 15  is a flow chart showing another exemplary method  500  of exercising in accordance with an alternate embodiment of the invention. In this embodiment, the method  500  includes selecting a training load for performing an exercise at  502 . At  504 , the user determines whether a position of a user interface of an exercise station is acceptable. If so, then the user may proceed to performing an exercise at  512 . 
     If the user interface is not in an acceptable position (at  504 ), then the user disengages a locking assembly to allow the user interface to be moved to a desired position at  506 . The user may move the user interface to the desired position at  508 . As noted above, in some embodiments, the position of the user interface may be adjusted by varying an elevation angle θ or an azimuth angle β, or both elevation and azimuth angles θ, β of an outwardly-extending arm of the exercise station. 
     As noted above, during movement of the user interface at  508 , the user may adjust the vertical and horizontal positions of the user interface simultaneously, sequentially, or a combination of both. More specifically, in some embodiments, the user may vary the elevation and azimuth angles θ, β of an arm simultaneously or sequentially, or combinations of both. 
     With continued reference to  FIG. 15 , after the user interface is moved to the desired position (at  508 ), the user may re-engage the locking assembly at  510 , thereby locking the user interface in the desired position. An exercise may then be performed at  512 . At  514 , a determination is made whether exercises are complete. If not, then the method  500  returns to the selecting of the training load (at  502 ), and the above-described activities ( 502 - 514 ) are repeated until all exercises are complete. When all exercises have been completed (at  514 ), then the method  500  terminates or continues to other activities at  516 . 
     It will be appreciated that a variety of alternate embodiments may be conceived, and that the invention is not limited to the particular embodiments described above. For example,  FIG. 13  shows an alternate embodiment of a cable-and-pulley assembly  350  that may be used in the exercise assembly of  FIG. 1 . It will be appreciated that the cable-and-pulley assembly  350  includes many of the same components as the cable-and-pulley assembly  250  described above and shown in  FIG. 11 . For the sake of brevity, only new aspects or components of the cable-and-pulley assembly  350  will be described. 
     In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 13 , the cable-and-pulley assembly  350  includes a pair of auxiliary pulleys  352  positioned proximate the central pulley  260 , and a pair of second auxiliary pulleys  354  positioned proximate the second and third fixed pulleys  258 ,  262 . The cable-and-pulley assembly  350  provides a different force ratio than the previously-described embodiment (i.e. cable-and-pulley assembly  250 ) so that the characteristics of the exercise assembly  100  may be modified as desired. In further embodiments, a greater or fewer number of auxiliary pulleys  352 ,  354  (e.g. two auxiliary pulley  352  and a single second auxiliary pulley  354 ) may be used to create still other cable-and-pulley assembly embodiments for use in alternate embodiments of exercise assemblies in accordance with the teachings of the present disclosure. 
     In addition, a variety of alternate embodiments of the adjustment assemblies  140 ,  180  may be conceived in accordance with the teachings of the present disclosure. For example,  FIG. 14  is an isometric, partially-exploded view of a multi-angle adjustment assembly  400  in accordance with another alternate embodiment of the invention. In this embodiment, the multi-angle adjustment assembly  400  provides a capability to adjust either the elevation angle θ or the azimuth angle β independently, or to adjust both the elevation and azimuth angles θ, β simultaneously, using a single adjustment assembly. 
     As shown in  FIG. 14 , the multi-angle adjustment assembly  400  includes a base member  410  having a plurality of indexing holes  412  disposed therein. The base member  410  is desirably a non-planar member, and in some embodiments, comprises a spherical or partially-spherical member. The indexing holes  412  are distributed over the surface of the base member  410 . In alternate embodiments, the positions of the indexing holes  412  may be distributed in a variety of different ways, include non-uniform positions, or any other suitable distribution of possible positions of the user interface. Alternately, using other forms of indexing, the holes  412  may be eliminated, and the possible positions may include any random positions of the user interface as desired. 
     The multi-angle adjustment assembly  400  further includes an actuation assembly  420  disposed within (or along) the arm  122 . The actuation assembly  420  includes a handle portion  162  and an actuation member  164  as described above. A release mechanism  430  is coupled to the actuator and is selectively engageable with the base member  410 . More specifically, in this embodiment, the release mechanism  430  includes an engagement pin  432  biased in a forward direction (toward the base member  410 ) by a biasing spring  434 . The engagement pin  432  is selectively engageable with the indexing holes  412  by rotating the handle portion  162  of the actuation assembly  420 . 
     When the multi-angle adjustment assembly  400  is used in the place of the first and second adjustment assemblies  140 ,  180 , the indexing holes  412  of the base member  410  may define both the elevational and azimuthal positions (angles θ, β) of the arm  122 . In operation, a method of exercising using the multi-angle adjustment assembly  400  may substantially as described above with respect to the methods  300 ,  500  shown in  FIGS. 12 and 15 , including adjusting the elevational angle θ and the azimuthal angle β simultaneously or sequentially as desired. 
     In an alternate embodiment, the multi-angle adjustment assembly  400  may be re-configured such that the base member  410  may be moveable with the arm  122 , and the engagement pin  432  may remain at a fixed location. In such an embodiment, the actuator assembly  420  may be de-coupled from the arm  122 , and may be actuated by the user in a variety of ways, such as by using a foot pedal, a spring-loaded pin assembly, or any other suitable way. Alternately, the adjustment assembly  400  may be re-configured such that the base member  410  remains fixed, and the engagement pin  432  selectively engages with the indexing holes  412  of the base member  410  from the inner side, that is, the side opposite from arm  122 . In other embodiments, the engagement pin  432  and indexing holes  412  may be replaced by other, frictionally-engageable locking devices. 
     Embodiments of apparatus and methods in accordance with the teachings of the present disclosure may provide significant advantages over the prior art. For example, embodiments of the present disclosure may provide improved adjustability of the position of the user interface, thereby providing improved exercise capabilities for the user. In this way, functional-training movements associated with a user&#39;s chosen activity may be more accurately simulated, including movements associated with sports, or movements associated with a user&#39;s work, hobby, or therapeutic activities. Also, movement of the user interface may be easily and efficiently performed. Embodiments of the present disclosure provide the desired capabilities using efficient and relatively-inexpensive adjustment assemblies. 
     While preferred and alternate embodiments of the invention have been illustrated and described, as noted above, many changes can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the scope of the invention is not limited by the disclosure of these preferred and alternate embodiments. Instead, the invention should be determined entirely by reference to the claims that follow.