Exercise apparatus with electronically variable resistance

DETAILED DESCRIPTION One of the objects of the present invention is to provide a suspended weight-resistance system for an exercise machine that incorporates many of the advantages of electromechanical resistance systems.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a weight-resistance exercise system capable of varying the resistance level and/or controlling the speed of an exercise motion in both the positive and negative directions.
A further object of the present invention is to provide an electromechanical resistance exercise apparatus with improved "feel".
Another object is to provide an electromechanical resistance exercise apparatus that may be realized with lower cost components than heretofore required.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an exercise resistance system in which there is increased "negative" resistance during the return stroke of an exercise.
A still further object of the present invention is to provide a variable resistance exercise system that is able to "coach" the user during the performance of an exercise by varying the level of resistance.
These and other objects of the present invention are achieved in an exercise apparatus that employs a suspended weight as the primary resistance means.
A variable torque drive system is coupled to the suspended weight to selectively alter the amount of resistance experienced by the user.
In one embodiment, the suspended weight comprises a single mass corresponding to the maximum resistance of the system.
During the forward or "positive" stroke of an exercise, the drive system assists the user in lifting the mass, the amount of assistance being determined by a user selectable resistance value.
The amount of assistance may be further varied under computer control.
In particular, a reduced level of assistance may be provided during the return or "negative" stroke of the exercise so that increased negative resistance is experienced.
In an alternative embodiment of the invention, a conventional weight stack is provided as the primary resistance means