Exercise machine with enclosed resistance assembly

摘要

A resistance assembly (13) is disclosed for use in an exercise apparatus having a movable element (18) connected to a progressively increasing resistance assembly (13) by a cable (34). An exercise machine (10) employing the resistance assembly (13) is of a multipurpose type comprised of a frame (12) having an upright member (26) with a backrest (32) and a seat (30) attached thereto. The movable element (18) is operably associated with the frame (12) for movement by a user in performance of exercises resisted by an attached elastic resistance member (16). The elastically responsive resistance member (16) is selectively secured at one end to the upright member (26) to be positionable at one of a plurality of positions. A biasing device (20) to bias the force exerted by the resistance member (16) on the movable element (18) is accessible to a user in a seated position. To protect against injury in the event of breakage, the resistance member (16) is positioned in an enclosure (14) having both an outer sleeve (42) that is fixed to the frame (12) and an extendible inner sleeve (44). The inner sleeve (44) is secured to one end of the resistance member (16) and is attached by the biasing device (20) to the frame (12). The frame (12) is preferably provided with pulleys (38) and a cable (34) in a system to permit numerous exercising stations and associated movable elements (18) to access the resistance member (16).