Patent ID: 8876674

Claim:
An exercise machine comprising: a user engagement mechanism; a frame including a first beam; a weight carriage operably associated with the user engagement mechanism and movably joined to the frame so that the weight carriage moves substantially vertically and linearly relative to the frame in response to movement of the user engagement mechanism; the weight carriage including a weight engagement mechanism configured to selectively join to the weight carriage a desired combination of load elements selected from a plurality of first load elements; each of the plurality of first load elements including a perimeter edge defining an engagement surface; when the weight carriage is positioned in a rest position, each of the plurality of first load elements are positioned in a spaced relationship along a longitudinal axis of the first beam and the engagement surfaces for the plurality of first load elements engage the first beam in such a manner that the first beam supports the weight carriage and the plurality of first load elements; and each of the plurality of first load elements can be disengaged from the first beam independently of the other first load elements by selectively joining the first load element to the weight carriage and moving the weight carriage substantially vertically and linearly relative to the frame from the rest position.