Exercise system, apparatus and method

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The major components of the exercise system 10 will be first described with reference to FIGS.
3 and 4, which is then followed by a detailed description of each major component as illustrated in FIGS.
5-32.
Turning now to FIGS.
3 and 4, the exercise system 10 of the present invention includes base supports 12, a seat 14, a back stanchion 16 and struts 18 extending between the base supports 12 and the seat 14.
The stanchion 16 and struts 18 extend to a lower frame support 23, upon which rests horizontal supports 20, which in turn support the seat 14.
The horizontal supports 21 are integrally formed with vertical supports 20 to which are attached a lumbar pad 22 and a back rest 24.
A shoulder rod 26 is mounted through indexing plates 28 to the vertical structural supports 20.
The particular form of construction of the shoulder rod, index plates and attachment with the vertical supports 20 is described in greater detail below with reference to FIGS.
5-8.
With continuing reference to FIGS.
3 and 4, the exercise system be further includes a pair of shoulder brackets 30 each of which are mounted on the respective right and left extremities of the shoulder rod 26.
Construction details of the shoulder bracket 30 are described below with reference to FIGS.
9-13.
In accordance with the present invention, the exercise system be is provided with a pair of exercise arm assemblies, each of which is attached to one of the shoulder brackets 30 along one side of the frame, including the vertical supports 20 and the back rest 24.
Generally, each exercise arm assembly includes a first arm segment 32, a second arm segment 38 and an interconnecting positive linkage belt 34 between the first and second arm assembly segments.
In order to provide the desired exercise tension, an elastomeric member 42 is attached between selected points on the first and second arm segments 32, 38.
A hand grip assembly 44 is attached at the outer extremity of the second arm segment 38