Ski exercising apparatus

Abstract

A ski exercising machine has a set of at least two parallel rails joined to cross members at the ends, the cross members providing support on a horizontal support surface, and joined to a central frame structure extending from the horizontal surface near the center to the rails, the rails extending from each cross member at each end upward at an acute angle with the horizontal rising to a maximum height in the center. A wheeled carriage rides on the rails, and there is at least one articulated footpad mounted to the wheeled carriage. A first power band having two ends, anchored at both ends by a clamp to a bottom surface of the frame structure beneath the wheeled carriage, passes over first rollers fixed to the cross members, and is anchored to the wheeled carriage, such that the power band is extended and exerts a restraining force toward the center of the machine as the wheeled carriage translates on the rails to either side of center. The set of rails is characterized in that the rails have a central arcuate portion and straight portions extending from each cross member to the central arcuate portion. In preferred embodiments there may be two articulated footpads, and footpads of different sorts are provided as modular assemblies for quick changing. Various rail structures are taught, including structures having keeper apparatus for the wheeled carriage.