Patent ID: 7530926

Claim:
An exercise apparatus, comprising: a frame configured such that at least a portion of the apparatus remains substantially stationary during use; a crank system coupled to the frame, wherein the crank system comprises at least a right side crank member and a left side crank member; a brake/inertia device coupled to the crank system; said apparatus having right and left sides, each such side comprising: a pivotal linkage pendulum system comprising a pendulum link member, said pendulum link member coupled proximate its upper end to the crank system so that the pendulum link member may swing forward and rearward in a pendulum manner while the crank system remains stationary without rotation and wherein the upper end of the pendulum link member moves in a path of motion as the crank system rotates during use; and a foot member comprising a foot pad, said foot member coupled to the pendulum link member proximate the lower end of the pendulum link member, so that a force may be applied to the footpad by the user permitting the footpad to instantaneously vary among a closed path walking, striding, or jogging motion including a nonelliptical path, the horizontal amplitude of each such walking, striding, or jogging motion being instantaneously variable by the user when the user varies a force applied to the foot pad, wherein the majority of the closed path walking, striding, or jogging motion of the footpad is below the path of motion of the upper end of the pendulum link.