It is an object of the present invention to provide an exercise apparatus which is relatively simple to operate and in at least one aspect of the present invention can be used for new and innovative exercises or body motions.

According to the present invention there is provided exercise apparatus which includes a main body including a base and a platform support, the platform support including a platform mounting section which is spaced from the base of the main body, a platform including a support surface and a forward end and rearward end with a platform axis extending between the forward and rearward ends, said platform being operatively mounted to the platform mounting section of the main body for pivotal movement about a pivot axis which extends generally laterally of the platform axis between a boarding position and at least one operative position.

In one preferred form the platform is adapted for use in one mode of operation whereby it can freely swing about the pivot axis between operative positions to each side of a position where the platform is disposed generally horizontally. The platform may be also adapted for use in another mode of operation whereby it can swing between the boarding position and an operative position in which it is disposed in a selected plane.

According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of exercising using apparatus as described above including the steps of the user positioning on the platform with the user's legs disposed against the platform with the lower part of the legs or ankles being restrained by restraining element and the user's upper body extending beyond the forward end of the platform and normally facing towards the platform, the arrangement being such that by appropriate positioning of the users upper body the platform can swing

upwardly from the boarding position through at least one or a plurality of operating positions.

In typical exercise mode, the platform is adapted to support the legs of the user with the users upper body extending beyond the forward edge of the platform. The arrangement is such that control of movement of the platform can be effected by positioning of the upper body of the user. Preferably, the user faces the support surface of platform when exercising.

Preferably, the pivot axis is disposed intermediate of the forward and rearward ends of the platform and in a preferred embodiment the pivot axis is disposed towards the forward end.

In a preferred form of the invention, the platform is disposed with its platform axis generally upright when it is in the boarding position with the rearward end thereof being located adjacent or towards the base of the main body. Preferably, gravity causes the platform to adopt this position.

The platform may further include restraining means for assisting in holding the legs of the user in position on the platform. The restraining means may be in the form of a padded member which is spaced from the platform support surface and engages the ankles of the user.

The apparatus may further include gripping members which can be used during use of the apparatus for assistance or when dismounting the apparatus. The gripping members may be in the form of rails extending between the base and the platform support. In additional or alternatively to, there may be provided gripping handles on the base of the main body.

In the second aspect of the present invention there is provided a stop against which the platform operatively rests when in the operative position. The weight of the user may be arranged so as to cause the platform to move into its operative position. Locking means may

be provided for holding or retaining the platform in the operative position. The stop may be removable so that the apparatus can be selectively used in either mode of operation.

The base may be in the form of a frame include for example a pair of parallel spaced apart members interconnected by a cross member. The length of base members may be adjustable in length by for example forming each member from two or more telescopically joined sections. The base is adapted to rest on the ground or other work surface when the apparatus is in use.

The support section may comprise an upstanding member extending from the base and preferably may include a pair of upright members which extend upwardly from the base and at right angles thereto. The platform mounting section may be in the form of a cross bar which has its ends mounted to the upright members so as to be rotatable about its longitudinal axis the mounting section being disposed towards the free ends of the upright members.

Preferred embodiments of the invention will hereinafter be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, and those in drawings: Figure 1 is a side elevation of exercise apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 is a first perspective view of the apparatus shown in Figure 1; Figure 3 is a further perspective view of the apparatus shown in Figures 1 and 2 with the platform in a different position; Figure 4 is a side elevation of exercise apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention; and Figure 5 is a side elevation of the apparatus shown in Figure 4 with the platform in

the operative position.

Referring to the drawings where like reference numerals have been used to describe like parts in each of the embodiments the exercise apparatus generally indicated at 10 comprises a main body 12 having a base 13 and a support section 20. The base 13 includes a pair of parallel spaced apart members 14 and 15 interconnected by a cross member 16.

The length of base members 14 and 15 may be adjustable in length by forming each member from two or more telescopically joined sections. The base 13 is adapted to rest on the ground or other work surface when the apparatus is in use.

The support section 20 comprises a pair of upright members 21 and 22 which extending upwardly from the base 13 and at right angles thereto. Towards the upper free ends of the upright members there is provided a platform mounting section 24 in the form of a cross bar 25 which has its ends mounted to the upright members so as to be rotatable about its longitudinal axis.

The exercise apparatus further includes a platform 30 which has a forward end 31 and a rearward end 32 and a padded support surface 34. The platform 30 is operatively secured to the cross bar 25 at a point intermediate its forward and rearward ends so as to be pivotally movable about the longitudinal axis of cross bar 25. A restraining element 36 in the form of a padded member 37 is mounted to the platform by mounting bar 39 and is spaced from the support surface 34. The position of the member 37 relative to the support surface may be adjustable.

The apparatus may further include a pair of gripping rails 26 and 27 which extend between the base 13 and the support 20 of the main body and a pair of gripping handles 28 and 29 formed on the base 13.

The platform 30 is mounted so that it normally adopts a boarding position in which it hangs downwardly from the cross bar 25 under the influence of gravity. In this position,

the user can readily mount the apparatus. In the mounted position the user's legs are disposed against the platform with the lower part of the legs or ankles being restrained by restraining element 36. The user's upper body extends beyond the forward end 31 of the platform 30 and is normally facing towards the platform. Thus by appropriate positioning of the users upper body the platform can swing upwardly from the boarding position.

In the embodiment of Figures 1 to 3 the platform 30 is freely swingable from the boarding position to a position beyond the horizontal. Thus the user can perform a series of exercises or body motions with the platform in a freely pivotable condition with or without the use of the gripping rails 26 and 27 and handles 28 and 29. The user can dismount by adjusting their upper body position so that the platform returns to the boarding position. The gripping rails may be used to assist in this procedure.

In the embodiment of Figures 4 and 5 there is further provided a stop 40 in the form of a cross bar 41 which prevents pivotal movement of the platform beyond the horizontal position. Thus in this embodiment the platform is maintained in a generally horizontal position during exercise. In the embodiment shown the platform moves into the horizontal position as a result of movement of the users body. A removable locking device in the form of a bolt may mounted in the region 44 may be provided to releasably hold the platform in the horizontal position. This arrangement enables other exercises to be done. The stop 40 may be removable so that the apparatus can be used in the mode described with reference to Figures 1 to 3.

Finally, it is to be understood that various alterations, modifications and/or additions may be incorporated into the various constructions and arrangements of parts without departing from the spirit or ambit of the invention.