Exercise apparatus and methods of operation thereof

An exercise apparatus comprising:

• a stationary foot platform;
• a slidable foot platform including a foot block having an inclined surface for engagement with a user's active foot, the slidable foot platform moveable between a first position in which the slidable foot platform is adjacent to the stationary foot platform and a second, extended position in which the slidable foot platform is spaced from the stationary foot platform;
• a plurality of resistance members selectively couplable to the slidable foot platform to selectively adjust a resistance on the slidable foot platform;
• and
• a coupling assembly including a plurality of rods coupled to the slidable foot platform, wherein each rod of the plurality of rods is selectively couplable to a corresponding resistance member of the plurality of resistance members to couple the corresponding resistance member to slidable foot platform,
• wherein the resistance on the slidable foot platform imparted by one or more of the plurality of resistance members coupled to the slidable foot platform by a corresponding one or more of the plurality of rods increases as the slidable foot platform is moved from the first position to the second, extended position.

A method of operating an exercise apparatus, the method comprising:

• positioning, by a user, a stationary foot on a stationary foot platform, the stationary foot platform having a lip extending upwardly therefrom;
• engaging the stationary foot with the lip;
• positioning, by the user, an active foot on a slidable foot platform, the slidable foot platform including a foot block having an inclined surface;
• engaging the active foot with the inclined surface;
• selectively coupling at least one resistance member to the slidable foot platform;
• and
• translating the slidable foot platform between a first position in which the slidable foot platform is adjacent to the stationary foot platform and a second, extended position in which the slidable foot platform is spaced from the stationary foot platform.