Patent ID: 7172531

Claim:
A stationary exercise apparatus, comprising: a frame; a crank system coupled to the frame; a left movable member coupled to the crank system; a right movable member coupled to the crank system; a left foot member operatively associated with a left foot pad; a right foot member operatively associated with a right foot pad; a left cam system having a left cam surface and a left cam follower contacting the left cam surface wherein the left cam system couples the left movable member to the left foot member; and a right cam system having a right cam surface and a right cam follower contacting the right cam surface wherein the right cam system couples the right movable member to the right foot member, wherein the feet of the user imparting forces on the left and right foot members in cooperation with the left cam system and the right cam system may vary the stride substantially instantaneously, and wherein the apparatus is configured such that the feet of the user may travel in a substantially closed path.