Exercise machine

An exercise machine operable in a first mode for simulating an activity such as skiing or rowing involving reciprocating linear motion in a generally horizontal plane and in a second mode for simulating a cycling activity, said machine comprising:

• a frame;
• a shaft operatively connected to the frame for rotation about a shaft axis;
• a flywheel secured to the shaft and rotatable therewith;
• an elongate member having a longitudinal axis, said elongate member functioning as a runner when the exercise machine is operated in said first mode, the runner being mountable on the frame for linear reciprocating movement in a generally horizontal plane along the longitudinal axis of the runner between forward and rearward positions;
• a drive roller operatively connected to the frame for rotation about a roller axis, the drive roller being engageable with the runner such that rearward movement of the runner along its longitudinal axis causes rotation of the drive roller in a first direction and forward movement of the runner along its longitudinal axis causes rotation of the drive roller in a second direction opposite the first direction;
• a one-way clutch operatively connecting the drive roller to the shaft, the clutch effecting driving engagement between the drive roller and shaft when the drive roller is rotated in said first direction such that rotation of the drive roller in the first direction rotates the flywheel, the clutch effecting driving disengagement between the drive roller and shaft when the drive roller is rotated in said second direction such that the drive roller is free wheeling when rotated in the second direction to rotate independently of the flywheel;
• a pair of offset cranks operatively connectable to the shaft for rotating the shaft and flywheel about the shaft axis;
• a pair of foot pedals connected to the cranks;
• the exercise machine being operable in said first mode such that rearward movement of the runner along the longitudinal axis of the runner rotates the drive roller in said first direction to rotate the flywheel and forward movement of the runner along the longitudinal axis of the runner rotates the drive roller in said second direction independent of the rotation of the flywheel;
• and
• the exercise machine being operable in said second mode such that rotation of the cranks and shaft via the foot pedals causes rotation of the flywheel.

An exercise machine operable in a first mode for simulating a cycling activity, and operable in a second mode as a weight bench for supporting a user during a weight lifting activity, said machine comprising:

• a frame;
• a shaft operatively connected to the frame for rotation about a shaft axis;
• a flywheel secured to the shaft and rotatable therewith;
• a pair of offset cranks operatively connectable to the shaft for rotating the shaft and flywheel about the shaft axis;
• a pair of foot pedals connected to the cranks;
• the frame including a base structure and an elongate support, said elongate support having first and second opposite ends and an intermediate portion between the ends, the elongate support being connected at its first end to the base structure for pivoting about a generally horizontal axis between an upright position in which the second end is above the first end and a generally horizontal position, the elongate support being in its upright position when the exercise machine is operated in said first mode and being in its generally horizontal position when operated in said second mode;
• a saddle mountable on the second end of the elongate support when the support is in its upright position, said saddle being adapted to support a user when the exercise machine is operated in its first mode;
• and
• a pad mounted on the intermediate portion of the elongate support and having a surface which faces upwardly when the support is in its generally horizontal position, the support and pad functioning as a weight bench to support a user performing weight lifting exercises when the exercise machine is operated in its second mode.