Exercise Apparatus having Bidirectional Resistance Movements with Active Load Regulation

An exercise apparatus comprising:

• a pneumatic cylinder structured to apply active resistance upon an exercise tool user interface;
• an air pressure regulator fluidly connected to the pneumatic cylinder;
• and
• where in response to a reactive resistance applied to the exercise tool user interface the air pressure regulator maintains the active resistance at a constant force.

An exercise apparatus comprising:

• a pneumatic cylinder that is double-acting to perform bidirectional resistance movements, the pneumatic cylinder having:
• an extension chamber;
• a retraction chamber;
• a directional control valve fluidly connected with the pneumatic cylinder and structured to be selectively engaged between:
• a first position, wherein the extension chamber is charged;
• a second position, wherein the retraction chamber is charged;
• and
• an engagement switch operably connected with the directional control valve, the engagement switch structured to engage the directional control valve into the second position, by default, upon disengagement of the engagement switch by a user.