Patent ID: 7544156

Claim:
An exercise apparatus, comprising: a stationary frame having a forward end and a rear end; first and second user engaging assemblies pivotally mounted side-by-side on the frame; an exercise resistance linked to the exercise arm assemblies; each user engaging assembly comprising a first pivoting arm pivotally connected to the frame for rotation about a first pivot axis, the first pivoting arm having a forward portion projecting forwardly from the first pivot axis and a rear portion projecting rearwardly from the first pivot axis, a second pivoting arm pivotally connected to the frame and spaced from the first arm, and a connecting link pivotally connected to the rear portion of the first arm and to the second arm; each connecting link comprising a counter-weight of predetermined weight to counter-balance the forward portion of the respective first pivoting arm into a rest position; first and second user engagement devices connected to the forward portions of the first pivoting arms of the respective user engaging assemblies for direct engagement by a user in performing exercises, the exercise resistance being separately linked to the first and second user engaging assemblies, whereby the two user engaging assemblies can be operated independently or simultaneously by a user; and the user engagement devices each comprising a handle pivotally connected to the forward portion of the respective first pivoting arm.