Exercise apparatus

An exercise apparatus comprising:

• a support element for physically supporting a user and a container having a storage volume, and one or more items of exercise equipment configured to be stored in the storage volume, wherein the container includes an access opening providing access to the storage volume;
• a closure element associated with the access opening, wherein the closure element is movable between a closed position in which it closes the access opening and an open position in which it does not close the access opening;
• a releasable lock associated with the closure element, wherein the releasable lock has a locked state in which it locks the closure element in the closed position and an unlocked state in which it does not lock the closure element in the closed position;
• and a control device that is configured to communicate with a personal mobile device associated with a user and exchange control signals therewith, said control signals including an authorisation signal that authorises use of the exercise apparatus;
• wherein the control device is operably connected to the releasable lock and is configured to set the lock in the unlocked state upon receiving an authorisation signal and in the locked state when no authorisation signal is received,
• and a weight sensor that senses a weight value associated with the items of exercise equipment stored in the storage volume,
• wherein the control device is configured to receive a weight signal from the weight sensor and detect from said weight signal the removal of said items of exercise equipment from the storage volume and the replacement of said items of exercise equipment in the storage volume;
• and
• a bench or seat.