Cross-training exercise apparatus

An exercise apparatus comprising:

• a base having a front;
• a pair of foot supports joined to the base to accommodate movement of each foot support relative to the base between forward and rearward positions and to accommodate movement of each foot support relative to the base between raised and lowered positions;
• means associated with the base and joined between the foot supports for coordinating the movement of the foot supports between forward and rearward positions so that movement of one foot support relative to the base in one of a forward and rearward direction effects a corresponding movement of the other foot support relative to the base in the other of the forward and rearward direction so that neither foot support can be moved in one of the forward and rearward directions without effecting a corresponding movement of the other foot support in the other of the forward and rearward direction;
• and
• means associated with the base and joined between the foot supports for coordinating the movement of the foot supports between raised and lowered positions so that movement of one foot support relative to the base in one of an upward and downward direction effects a corresponding movement of the other foot support relative to the base in the other of the upward and downward direction so that neither foot support can be moved between the raised and lowered positions without effecting a corresponding movement of the other foot supports between the raised and lowered positions;
• wherein the base has a lower section adapted to rest upon an underlying support surface and an elevated section joined to so as to be elevated above the underlying support surface, and the apparatus includes means interposed between each foot support and the elevated section for joining each foot support to the elevated section to accommodate the aforesaid movement of each foot support relative to the base between forward and rearward positions and to accommodate the aforesaid movement of each foot support relative to the base between raised and lowered positions and
• wherein the interposed means includes a linkage assembly interposed between each foot support and the elevated section wherein each linkage assembly includes one and another elongated member having opposite first and second ends wherein said first ends of said one and another elongated members are pivotally joined to one another, and the second end of one elongated member is pivotally joined to the elevated section for pivotal movement relative thereto;
• each of the foot supports is affixed to a corresponding linkage assembly adjacent the second end of said another elongated member so that each foot support can be moved relative to the base as aforesaid by way of its corresponding linkage assembly;
• and
• the means for coordinating includes a first cable and pulley arrangement connected between the foot supports and the base for coordinating the movement of the foot supports between raised and lowered positions and a second cable and pulley arrangement connected between the foot supports for coordinating the movement of the foot supports between forward and rearward positions.

An exercise apparatus comprising:

• a base having two opposite sides and a front and having a elevated section and a lower section adapted to rest in a stationary condition upon an underlying support surface;
• a pair of foot supports arranged on opposite sides of the base and cooperating with the elevated section thereof in a manner permitting each foot support to be pivoted relative to the elevated section about a substantially horizontal axis to accommodate a forward and rearward movement of each foot support relative to the base between forward and rearward positions;
• and
• the pair of foot supports being suspended from the elevated section in a manner permitting each foot support to be raised and lowered relative to the elevated section between raised and lowered positions so that each foot support can be moved through any of a number of locations relative to the base wherein said number of locations are confined generally within a vertical plane;
• and
• first coordinating means joined between the foot supports by way of the base for coordinating the forward and rearward movements of the foot supports relative to one another so that neither foot support can be moved forwardly or rearwardly without effecting a corresponding forward or rearward movement of the other foot support;
• and
• second coordinating means joined between the foot supports by way of the base for coordinating the upward and downward movements of the foot supports relative to one another so that neither foot support can be moved upwardly or downwardly without effecting a corresponding upward or downward movement of the other foot support;
• and
• wherein each of the first and second coordinating means includes a cable and pulley arrangement for joining the foot supports to one another by way of the base so that movement of one foot support effects a corresponding movement of the other foot support as aforesaid.