Patent ID: 7828698

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 coupling location and a left side crank coupling location; a brake/inertia device coupled to the crank system; said apparatus having right and left sides, each such side comprising: a first link member having upper and lower ends, said first link member coupled proximate its upper end to the crank system so that the lower end of the link member may swing forward and rearward in a pendulum manner generally unconstrained by the rotation of the crank system and wherein the upper end of the first link member moves in a path of motion as the crank system rotates; a second link member having upper and lower ends, said second link member pivotally coupled to the frame distal its lower end; and a foot member comprising a first coupling location, a footpad, and a second coupling location situated between the first coupling location and the footpad, wherein the first link member is coupled proximate its lower end to the foot member at the first coupling location and the second link member is coupled proximate its lower end to the second coupling location so that rotation of the crank system causes the first coupling location to rise and fall, wherein force may be applied by the user to the footpad to instantaneously vary among a substantially vertical stepping motion having substantially no horizontal amplitude and a closed path walking motion, striding motion, or jogging motion, the horizontal amplitude of each such walking, striding, and jogging motion being instantaneously variable by the user when the user varies a force applied to the foot pad.