Stepper/climber exerciser

Abstract

A stepper/climber machine includes a frame supported on a base with the frame being comprised of first and second hollow columns connected to a hollow cross-beam. Within the first and second hollow columns, there are first and second rigid struts, respectively. Each of the rigid struts has a foot pedal and handgrip fixed thereto. The rigid struts are connected by a cable which is trained through the hollow cross-beam so that as one strut moves upwardly, the other strut moves downwardly, thereby raising one handgrip and pedal while allowing the other handgrip and pedal to lower. The first and second struts are connected to one another through a hydraulic circuit which includes a branched portion with legs having opposed one-way check valves in series with solenoid valves. A selector determines the lengths of the strokes by opening and closing the solenoid valves alternately so that fluid can only flow in one direction through the hydraulic circuit. In this way, the person using the stepper/climber exercise machine must cycle the machine through complete strokes instead of being able to shorten the strokes as the exercise proceeds, allowing the person using the machine to optimize their workout. The hydraulic circuit also includes an adjustable valve which allows the user to increase or decrease the resistance to flow, and thus the resistance encountered during the exercise routine.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.