Patent ID: 7153249

Claim:
A weight training bench apparatus for supporting the back of a user while the user lifts weights, comprising: A support frame including an base member and a leg assembly extending upwardly from said base member to engage a contour frame member; an elongate bench platform mounted on said support frame to define a platform upper end and a platform lower end and having upper and lower platform segments extending between the platform upper end and the platform lower end, said upper platform segment being positioned at least 12. 5 centimeters in conformance to a length of a cervical region to support the back of a user's head, said upper platform segment at a first angle approximately 30 degrees forward relative to a horizontal direction, said narrow upper platform segment permits the user to rotate his or her shoulder blades back around the sides and below the platform top surface to achieve a full range of muscle extension, and said lower platform segment having an upper first portion extending approximately 28 centimeters in length in conformance to the length of the thoracic region and at a second angle of at least 20 degrees and at most 40 degrees rearwardly relative to a horizontal direction to follow the curvature of the user spine thoracic region, and has a lower second portion positioned approximately 18 centimeters in length in conformance to the length of a lumbar region at a third angle of approximately 40 degrees forwardly relative to a horizontal direction, to complete a substantially V-shaped protrusion formed by the upper first portion and to further follow the bend of the user spine lumbar region; a seat mounted on said support frame at an angle of approximately 90 degrees and extending forwardly from said platform lower end and a gap approximately 6.25 centimeters between said lower end of said lower platform segment lower second portion and said seat to properly support the sacral/coccyx region, thereby providing full and proper spinal support and maximizing safety to the user by preventing bowing of any portion of the user's lower spine out of its natural shape and alignment under the loading of lifted weights, and limits compressive force on the vertebrae of the lower spine by providing an upward and inward lower back support protrusion against which the user's back is braced against direct downward sliding and pressure and thus which carries a portion of the lifted weight load for protection against back iniury and for enhanced back comfort for safe weight lifting.