Patent ID: 7481750

Claim:
A floor standing exercise machine for performing an assisted back extension to exercise a user's lower back, the exercise machine comprising: (a) a frame having a base adapted for standing on a floor; (b) a stationary pad supported by the frame at an angle of about 30 to 60 degrees to the floor, having a top and a bottom and a substantially planar front surface, and being adapted for supporting the user's lower body when the front of the user's thighs and hips are rested upon front surface of the stationary pad; (c) a means for supporting the user's feet; (d) a means for restraining the front of the user's thighs and hips against the stationary pad; (e) a pivoting pad having a top and a bottom and a substantially planar front surface, the bottom of the pivoting pad being pivotably connected at the top of the stationary pad, the pivoting pad being movable between a first position in which its front surface is substantially parallel to the front surface of the stationary pad and a second position that is angled downward from the first position, and being adapted for movement with the user's upper torso when the chest of the user is placed upon the front surface of the pivoting pad; (f) a releasable lock for holding the pivoting pad in the first position when not in use, the release of which allows the pivoting pad to drop to the second position without muscular force exerted by the user; and (g) a means for providing an adjustable upward mechanical force to the pivoting pad, the magnitude of which is variable from about zero to an amount that is about equal to a downward gravitational force exerted by a combination of the pivoting pad and the user's upper torso such that the pivoting pad is moved from the second position to the first position only by the user providing an upward muscular force, the magnitude of which is reduced by the magnitude of the adjustable upward force.