Exercise machine with moving user support and multiple part linkage

An exercise machine, comprising:

• a stationary main frame;
• a user support frame which supports a user in an exercise position;
• a pivot assembly pivotally mounting the user support frame relative to the main frame for rotation about a user support pivot axis along a predetermined arcuate path during an exercise;
• the pivot assembly being lower than the hips of a user supported in an exercise position on the user support frame through at least part of an exercise movement;
• the user support frame having at least a primary support and a secondary support which support spaced positions on a user's body throughout an exercise movement, the secondary support being secured at a fixed angular orientation relative to the primary support and not moving relative to the primary support as the user support frame rotates along said arcuate path during an exercise, the primary support supporting the majority of a user's weight in the start position of the support frame;
• a user engagement device movably mounted relative to the frames for engagement by the user in performing exercises;
• a multiple part connecting linkage which is not part of the user support pivot assembly and which translates movement of the user engagement device to movement of the user support frame;
• all movement of each part of the connecting linkage during an exercise comprising at least partially non-linear movement;
• and
• a load for resisting movement of at least one of the user support, user engagement device, and connecting linkage.

An exercise machine, comprising:

• a stationary main frame;
• a user support frame which is adapted to support a user in an exercise ready position, the user support frame being pivotally mounted for rotation relative to the main frame about a user support pivot axis along a predetermined arcuate path from an exercise start position during an exercise;
• the user support frame having at least a primary support portion adapted to engage a first part of a user's body and a secondary support portion spaced from the primary support portion and adapted to engage a second part of a user's body when the user is supported in the exercise ready position, the secondary support portion being secured at a fixed angular orientation relative to the primary support portion and not moving relative to the primary support portion throughout an exercise as the user support frame pivots about said user support pivot axis along the predetermined arcuate path, the primary support portion supporting the majority of a user's weight in the start position of the support frame;
• the user support pivot axis being at a horizontal level spaced below a user engaging surface of at least one of the support portions during at least part of the pivotal movement of said user support frame along the predetermined arcuate path;
• a user engagement device movably associated with at least one of the frames and engaged by the user in performing exercises;
• a multiple part connecting linkage which translates movement of the user engagement device to rotational movement of the user support frame;
• all movement of the connecting linkage during an exercise comprising rotational movement;
• and
• a load for resisting movement of at least one of the user support, user engagement device, and connecting linkage.