Simulated hill-climbing exercise apparatus and method of exercising

DETAILED DESCRIPTION It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a lower body aerobic exercise and rehabilitation apparatus which simulates a hill-climbing or hiking type of movement.
A further object of the invention is to provide a lower body aerobic exercise apparatus which provides a selectively variable resistance.
Another object of the invention is to provide a lower body aerobic exercise apparatus which reduces impact stress on a user's joints while exercising.
Still another object of the present invention is to provide a lower body aerobic exercise apparatus which allows for variable range of motion by the user.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a lower body aerobic exercise apparatus which includes means for exercising the upper body of a user.
The above and other objects are achieved in accordance with a first aspect of the present invention by an exercise apparatus comprising a frame having a front and a rear.
A pair of arms are pivotally mounted at one end to the rear of the frame and a pedal is mounted to the other end of each arm.
The arms are linked to each other such that when the arms are aligned, the arms extend forward and down so that the pivot axes are above and behind the respective pedals.
The linkage may include a resistance mechanism to provide a selectively variable resistance to the pedal movement.
Alternatively, an independent resistance may be used.
In accord with another aspect of the invention, a method is provided for exercising with the above described apparatus.
A user positions his or her feet on the pedals and, when provided, selects a desired resistance.
The user then selects a desired speed and a desired range of motion and reciprocates the arms back and forth by alternately applying a force to the pedals in accordance with the selected speed and range of motion.
The arm pivot axes remain behind and below the user's hips throughout the selected range of motion.
These and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be apparent and fully understood from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments, taken in connection with the appended drawings