Exercise Machine

problem:

Design an exercise machine that allows both legs and arms to be exercised.

solution:

  • Base 4-bar provides seat movement.
  • Seat back located on dyad allows force from user's back to help lift seat.
  • Pedals attached to another dyad which drives 4-bar.
  • Handlebars attached to dyad which also drives 4-bar.
  • Designed by Tim Berg, Graduate Student, University of Minnesota, 1995.

animation:

(The arrows represent simulated forces exerted by the user on the machine.)

kinematic diagram: