Patent ID: 7727118

Claim:
A climbing exercise apparatus for a user comprising: a generally planar and rigid exercise surface of sufficient size for the user to interact therewith in a simulated climbing exercise, said exercise surface being generally vertically oriented and bounded by a perimeter and arranged for rotation about a central axis, said central axis being generally perpendicular to said exercise surface; a drive mechanism connected to said exercise surface and having an output shaft, said drive mechanism for converting movement of said surface into rotational movement of said output shaft; and a resistance mechanism connected to said output shaft, said resistance mechanism having a positive displacement pump for connection and rotation by said output shaft, a throttle, a circulating loop hydraulically connecting said pump and said throttle, and a circulating fluid disposed within said circulating loop, said throttle being selectively adjustable and acting upon said fluid whereby said resistance mechanism, once adjusted, limits the rate of motion of said exercise surface to a desired maximum rate when the user interacts with said surface.