Patent ID: 7632220

Claim:
A stationary exercise apparatus, comprising: (a) a frame adapted to rest on a surface, the frame having a rear region which has a track extending longitudinally; (b) a crank arm rotatably connected to the frame and having a pivotal end rotating along a circular path, wherein the height between the track and the bottom of the circular path is shorter than 10 cm; (c) a supporting rod having a front end connected to the pivotal end of the crank arm, a rear end moving along the track of the frame, and a middle point, the length of the supporting rod being between the diameter of the circular path and twice the diameter thereof, wherein the front end and the rear end of the supporting rod are substantially at the same height when the front end of the supporting rod is at the lowest position of the circular path; (d) a swing arm having a pivot point connected to the frame and a swing end located below the pivot point for moving back and forth; (e) a link having a front end connected to the swing end of the swing arm to form a first joint, and having a rear portion connected to the supporting rod to form a second joint wherein a second height from the second joint to the track is in a range between 10 cm and 20 cm and a first height from the first joint to the track is smaller than the second height when the front end of the supporting rod is at the lowest position of the circular path; and (f) a pedal alongside coupled to the rear portion of the link and being over the rear end of the supporting rod, the pedal having a step surface which is lower than the top surface of the rear portion of the link.