Patent ID: 7470223

Claim:
An exercise apparatus provides variable resistance which comprises: a drag fan which includes a plurality of fan blades radially mounted on an axle, a multi-ratio pulley system operably mounted to the axle, the differing ratios providing variable resistance, a cord wound on a cord reel, the cord reel being operably engaged with the multi-ratio pulley system whereby pulling the cord turns the cord reel, which rotates the multi-ratio pulley system and the drag fan via the axle, a distal end of the cord opposing the cord reel having an apparatus attachment point, and a guide having the cord pass therethrough, the guide being slidably mounted to a first vertical element for height adjustment, the guide including a sleeve which slidably engages the first vertical element and a horizontal element which laterally extends towards a second vertical element, the guide further having a U-shaped bracket that is positioned at the distal end of the horizontal mount which receives the cord.