Patent ID: 8734304

Claim:
A lower back exercise apparatus, comprising: a stationary main frame having a forward end and a rear end; a user support assembly movably mounted relative to the main frame and adapted to support a user in an exercise position, the user support assembly being movable in a predetermined user support path during a lower back exercise; the user support assembly having primary support comprising a user support seat configured to support the user in a seated, exercise position, the user support seat having a forward end, and a secondary support comprising a foot rest spaced forward from the forward end of the user support seat and configured to support the user's feet with their legs extending forward and away from the user support seat towards the forward end of the main frame throughout the lower back exercise, the foot rest moving together with the user support seat and being in a fixed orientation relative to the user support seat throughout the lower back exercise movement; an exercise arm assembly pivotally mounted relative to the main frame and having a user engaging portion which is adapted for engagement by a part of a user's body when the user is supported in an exercise position on the user support assembly, the user engaging portion comprising a back pad on the exercise arm configured for engagement with the upper back of the user during the lower back exercise; a connecting linkage between the user support assembly and exercise arm assembly which links movement of the exercise arm assembly during the lower back exercise to movement of the user support assembly in said predetermined user support path; and a load which resists movement of at least one of the exercise arm assembly, the user support assembly, and the connecting linkage.