Stretching exercise machine

A user controlled intermittent isometric stretching machine for stretching one or more muscle groups or joints of a body of a user in a plurality of positions, comprising:

• a frame;
• at least one restraint member movably mounted on said frame to engage a body part associated with the muscle group or joint that is to be stretched and to position such part at a desired location;
• each said restraint member being displaceable under the control of the user through a predetermined range of movement with respect to said frame, movement in a first direction in said range being effective to apply through the body part a stretching force to the associated muscle group or joint;
• angle indicator means positioned for viewing by the user to provide to the user a readout of the position of said restraint member in said range;
• power means selectively operable by the user to effect movement of said restraint member in said first direction therefore assisting the user in further stretching in said plurality of positions;
• blocking means selectively engageable by the user at any desired position in said range to support said restraint member against movement in a second direction opposite to said first direction therefore allowing the user to isometrically control the muscle group or joint that is to be stretched;
• and
• force measuring means operable when said blocking means is engaged to measure the force exerted by the body part upon said engagement member in said second direction.