EXERCISE DEVICE, SYSTEM, AND METHOD

Abstract

An exercise system, device, and method may allow a user of a wheelchair to perform various leg exercises. The system may include a wheelchair, resistance bands, and an exercise device. The exercise device may include a base, a footrest stand, and a resistance stand. The footrest stand and the resistance stand may both extend from the base. The footrest stand may allow a user to rest feet thereon and to push against the exercise device. The resistance stand may provide a place of attachment for resistance bands and provide resistance as a user performs various leg exercises while in a wheelchair.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Exercise provides numerous health benefits. Exercise has been shown to help with weight management, to increase happiness, to build muscle, to support the skeletal structure, to increase energy, to boost the immune system, to reduce the risk of chronic disease, to reduce pain, to help with sleep quality, to reduce the risk of injury, etc.

One popular method of exercising is to use weightbearing exercise equipment. This type of equipment may utilize free weights, stacked weights on a pully, resistant bars, resistant bands, chains, or may even be designed for bodyweight exercises. These types of exercise equipment are often designed for use by people without physical limitations.

Accordingly, there has been an ongoing need for improvements in and new offerings for exercise equipment designed for people with various physical limitations. Therefore, new designs and functional features for exercise equipment for people with various physical limitations would be well received by the general public.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In some embodiments, an exercise device for use with a wheelchair may have a base, a footrest, and a resistance stand. The base may have a receiving end and a resistance end. The footrest may be mounted to the receiving end and the resistance stand may be mounted to the resistance end. The footrest may be configured to receive feet of a user sitting in a wheelchair, or to have the feet of the user placed thereon. The footrest may further be configured to withstand a force exerted against the footrest by the user. The resistance stand may have one or more points of attachment for one or more resistance members. The one or more points of attachment may be in the form of an eyebolt or other type of mount. The resistance members may be configured to provide resistance against the force exerted on the footrest by the user.

In some embodiments, the resistance members may be one or more resistance bands that are configured to removably attach to the one or more points of attachment of the resistance stand and also to removably attach to the wheelchair. The resistance bands may be comprised of a band having two clips, the clips being configured to removably attach to the one or more points of attachment and to the wheelchair. The resistance bands may resist the force exerted by the user from pushing against the footrest.

In some embodiments, the footrest may be configured to withstand the force exerted on the footrest by the user generated from the user primarily engaging his/her quadricep, hamstring, and gluteal muscles in performing a leg press motion against the footrest. The footrest may also be configured to withstand the force exerted on the footrest by the user generated from the user primarily engaging his/her calf muscles in performing a calf raise motion against the footrest.

In some embodiments, the footrest may include a plate and a stand with the plate mounted to the stand and being configured to receive the user's feet. The plate may be angled between the vertical and the horizontal to more naturally align with the user's feet. The stand may elevate the plate above the base.

In some embodiments, the one or more points of attachment of the resistance stand may be positioned such that one or more resistance bands are substantially parallel with the base when removably attached to the one or more points of attachment and removably attached to the wheelchair.

In some embodiments, the exercise device may further include one or more supporting members configured to support the resistance stand against a force exerted against the resistance stand by the one or more resistance members when the user exerts the force against the footrest. The supporting members may be configured to keep the resistance stand firm and at an orthogonal position compared to the base when the exercise device is in use.

In some embodiments, an exercise system may include a wheelchair and an exercise device. The exercise device may have a base having a receiving end and a resistance end, a footrest mounted to the receiving end, and a resistance stand mounted to the resistance end. The footrest may be configured to receive feet of a user sitting in the wheelchair and to withstand a force exerted against the footrest by the user. The force may push the wheelchair and user away from the exercise device. The wheelchair may be connected to the exercise device by one or more resistance members configured to resist the force exerted by the user on the footrest. The resistance bands may also exert a force on the wheelchair to pull the wheelchair and user back toward the exercise device when the user controllably stops applying the force against the footrest.

In some embodiments, the resistance stand may include one or more points of attachment. The resistance members may include resistance bands having one or more clips. The one or more clips of the resistance members may removably attach to the one or more points of attachment and may further removably attach to the wheelchair. The resistance bands may provide resistance against the force exerted by the user against the footrest and may exert the force against the wheelchair to pull the wheelchair and user back toward the exercise device when the user controllably stops applying the force against the footrest.

In some embodiments, the one or more points of attachment may be positioned on the resistance stand such that the one or more resistance bands are substantially parallel with the base when removably attached to the one or more points of attachment and removably attached to the wheelchair.

In some embodiments, the footrest may be configured to withstand the force exerted on the footrest by the user generated from the user primarily engaging his/her quadricep, hamstring, and gluteal muscles in performing a leg press motion against the footrest. The footrest may also be configured to withstand the force exerted on the footrest by the user generated from the user primarily engaging his/her calf muscles in performing a calf raise motion against the footrest.

A method for an exerciser to exercise his/her legs while in a wheelchair may include the following steps. One skilled in the art will recognize that the following steps are not limited to the exact order described. One step may include utilizing an exercise device comprising a base and a footrest mounted to the base. Another step may include removably attaching one or more resistance bands to the exercise device. Another step may include positioning the wheelchair proximate to the footrest. Another step may include attaching the one or more resistance bands to the wheelchair. Another step may include the exerciser sitting in the wheelchair and placing his/her feet on the footrest. Another step may include the exerciser exerting a force against the footrest to push the wheelchair away from the exercise device, the one or more resistance bands resisting the force. Another step may include the exerciser controllably releasing the force against the footrest, the one or more resistance bands pulling the wheelchair back toward the exercise device. Another step may include repeating steps of pushing and controllably releasing described directly above.

The force exerted by the user against the footrest may be generated from the exerciser primarily engaging his/her quadricep, hamstring, and gluteal muscles in performing a leg press motion against the footrest. Alternatively, the force exerted by the user against the footrest may be generated from the exerciser primarily engaging his/her calf muscles in performing a calf raise motion against the footrest.

In some embodiments, the exercise device may include a resistance stand configured to have resistance bands removably attached thereto. Another step may include removably attaching one or more resistance bands to a left side of the resistance stand and one or more resistance bands to a right side of the resistance stand.

Another step may include removably attaching one or more resistance bands to the right side of the wheelchair and one or more resistance bands to the left side of the wheelchair.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Various embodiments will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a side elevational environmental view of an exercise system, including an exercise device, in use with a user in a squatted position;

FIG. 2 illustrates a side elevational environmental view of the exercise system of FIG. 1 with the user in an extended position;

FIG. 3 illustrates a top perspective view of the exercise device of FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 4 illustrates a bottom perspective view of the exercise device of FIGS. 1-3;

FIG. 5 illustrates a front elevational view of the exercise device of FIGS. 1-4;

FIG. 6 illustrates a rear elevational view of the exercise device of FIGS. 1-5;

FIG. 7 illustrates a side elevational view of the exercise device of FIGS. 1-6;

FIG. 8 illustrates a top plan view of the exercise device of FIGS. 1-7;

FIG. 9 illustrates a bottom plan view of the exercise device of FIGS. 1-8;

FIG. 10 illustrates an exploded perspective view of the exercise device of FIGS. 1-9; and

FIG. 11 illustrates an exploded perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the exercise device illustrated in FIGS. 1-10

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

As shown in the drawings and for purposes of illustration, the one or more embodiments disclosed herein illustrate an exercise device, generally referred to herein by the reference numeral 10. The exercise device 10 may be designed to allow a user 12 to perform leg press exercises, or other leg exercises such as calf raise, while in a wheelchair 14. The exercise device 10 may generally be comprised of a base 16, a footrest stand 18, and a resistance stand 20. The base 16 may generally provide a sturdy foundation for the exercise device 10. The base 16 may be designed such that it does not slip on the ground/floor when exercises are performed by a user on the exercise device 10. The base 16 may be designed to allow the footrest stand 18 and the resistance stand 20 to be mounted and secured thereon. The footrest stand 18 may be designed such that a user 12 may place their feet thereon and perform exercises by pushing against the footrest stand 18. The resistance stand 20 maybe designed to allow for resistance bands 22 to be attached thereto. Generally, the resistance bands 22 may have a first end 23a attached to the resistance stand 20 and a second end 23b attached to an armrest 24 of the wheelchair 14.

With reference now to FIGS. 1 and 2, environmental views of the exercise device 10 in use are illustrated. Generally, an exercise system may include the exercise device 10, resistance bands 22, and the wheelchair 14. As described above, the exercise device 10 may include the base 16, the footrest stand 18, and the resistance stand 20. The user 14 may sit in the wheelchair 14 and attach the second end 23b of a resistance band 22 to an armrest 24 of the wheelchair 14 with the first end 23a of the resistance band 22 being attached to the resistance stand 20. The user may then attach the second end 23b of another resistance band 22 to another armrest 24 of the wheelchair 14 with the first end 23a of the resistance band 22 also attached to the resistance stand 20. The user 12 may then begin to perform exercises using the exercise system with the exercise device 10.

For example, the user 12 may perform a leg press exercise. Once sitting in the wheelchair 14 with the resistance bands 22 attached as described above, the user 12 may then place his/her feet on the footrest stand 18. Starting from a squatted position, as shown in FIG. 1, the user 12 may exert a force on the footrest stand 18 by pushing against the footrest stand 18 with the muscles of his/her legs to an extended position, as shown in FIG. 2. As the user 12 pushes, the wheelchair 14 will roll backwards away from the exercise device 10 with the resistance bands 22 providing resistance against the movement. The user 14 may then, in a controlled manner, bend their knees, allowing the wheelchair 14 to move forward by a force exerted on the wheelchair from the resistance bands 22 with the muscles of the legs providing resistance against the force, and return to the squatted position of FIG. 1. The user 12 may then perform repetitions of this movement and sets of repetitions according to his/her exercise plan.

One skilled in the art will recognize that multiple exercises and variations may be performed using the exercise system and exercise device 10. For example, the leg press exercise described above may be modified by using only one leg and alternating the leg used to perform the exercise. Another exercise may start from the extended position of FIG. 2. Once the user 12 is in this position, the user 12 may push against the footrest stand 18 with his/her toes, with the resistance bands 22 providing resistance, allowing the heels of the feet to raise off of the footrest stand 18 putting the calf muscles into flexion. The user 12 may then relax the calf muscles in a controlled manner so as to provide resistance against a force exerted by the resistance bands 2 against the wheelchair as the user 12 returns to the starting position with his/her feet flat against the footrest stand 18.

Although a number of exercises have been described above, one skilled in the art will recognize that a user may perform variations of the described exercises and may further perform different exercises using the system and device 10.

With reference now specifically to FIGS. 3-10, the exercise device 10 is illustrated. As already described, the exercise device 10 may be comprised of a base 16, a footrest stand 18 and a resistance stand 20. In some embodiments, the base 16 may be rectangular in shape. The base 16 may be comprised of square bars 26. In some embodiments the base 16 may be comprised of four square bars 26a-d, including a front square bar 26a which may also be referred to as the receiving end of the base, a rear square bar 26b which may also be referred to as the resistance end of the base 16, and two side square bars 26c and 26d. The square bars 26a-d may be welded or otherwise secured together to form a rectangle.

In some embodiments, the front square bar 26a may contain one or more apertures 28. The one or more apertures 28 may be configured to assist in the attachment and securing of the footrest stand 18 to the base 16. This may be accomplished through the use of bolts 30 and washers. The apertures 28 may contain internal threading so as to allow the bolts 30 to thread into the apertures 28. In some embodiments, the one or more apertures may be positioned on the superior face of the front square bar 26a.

In some embodiments, the rear square bar 26b may contain one or more apertures 32. The one or more apertures 32 may be configured to assist in the attachment and securing of the resistance stand 20 to the base 16. In some embodiments, one aperture 32 may be positioned at one end of the rear square bar 26b and another aperture 32 may be positioned at another end of rear square bar 26b. In this embodiment, the two apertures 32 may be positioned in an anterior face of the rear square bar 26b. The one or more apertures 32 may contain internal threading allowing bolts 30 to be threaded therein.

In some embodiments, the base 16 may be comprised of one or more supports 34. The supports 34 may be positioned on either end of the rear square bar 26b. The supports 34 may press against or rest on the resistance stand 20 when the resistance stand 20 is secured to the base 16. The supports 34 may act to keep the resistance stand 20 in an orthogonal position compared to the base 16 while the exercise device 10 is in use.

In some embodiments, the square bars 26 of the base 16 may contain rubber lining, rubber padding, or the like on the inferior faces of the square bars 26. The rubber lining, rubber padding, or the like may help keep the exercise device 10 in place while in use. In some embodiments, the base 16 of the exercise device 10 may contain apertures through which the exercise device 10 may be bolted or otherwise secured to the ground/floor such that it does not move while in use. The weight of the exercise device 10 may also be configured to assist in keeping the exercise device 10 in place while the exercise device 10 is in use. In the above-described manners, the exercise device 10 may be kept in place on the ground/floor without moving while the exercise device 10 is in use.

The footrest stand 18, as already described, may be securely mounted onto the base 16 of the exercise device 10 and provide a place for a user 12 to place his/her feet and to push against when performing exercises using the exercise device 10. The footrest stand 18 may be comprised of a footrest plate 36, one or more support bars 38, and a base plate 40.

The footrest plate 36 may be configured for a user 12 to place his/her feet thereon. For example, the footrest plate 36 may have a front face 42 and a back face 44. The one or more support bars 38 may be secured to the back face 44 of the footrest plate 36. The one or more support bars 38 may hold the footrest plate 36 at an angle comfortable for the placement of the feet of the user 12. In some embodiments, the angle of the footrest plate 36 may be between 30-70 degrees from the horizontal. The one or more support bars 38 may hold the footrest plate 36 at a height sufficient for a user 12 to place his/her feet thereon. The footrest plate 36 may have an area big enough to allow a user 12 to adjust his/her feet both up and down and side to side to a position comfortable for that given user 12.

In some embodiments, the angle of the footrest plate 36 may be adjustable. In these embodiments, the footrest plate 36 may be attached to a swivel which locks into various angles by means of a pin. In this manner, a given user 12 may adjust the angle of the footrest plate 36 in a manner that is comfortable for them.

In some embodiments, the front face 42 of the footrest plate 36 may be comprised of a gripping texture 48 that helps to keep the feet of the user 12 in position without slipping while performing exercises with the exercise device 10. The gripping texture 48 may be strips of grip tape on secured to the front face 42, may be a large piece of grip tape that covers the area or a majority of the area of the front face 42, or may be strips of knurling on the front face 42, or a large area of knurling on the front face 42. One skilled in the art would recognize that other forms of gripping textures 48 may be employed, including use of rubbers or other materials.

In some embodiments, the footrest stand 18 may include a base plate 40. The base plate 40 may have one or more apertures 46. The one or more apertures 46 of the base plate 40 may be configured to align with the one or more apertures of the front square bar 26a of the base 16. In this manner, the base plate 40 of the footrest stand 18 may be secured to the base 16 through the use of bolts 30 and washers. In this embodiment, the one or more support bars 38 may be secured to the base plate 40 and extend upwards therefrom.

The resistance stand 20, as already described, may be securely mounted onto the base 16 of the exercise device 10 and provide a place for one or more resistance bands 22 to attach thereon. The resistance stand 20 may be comprised of square bars 50 and one or more mounts 52. The square bars 50 may make up the structure of the resistance stand 20 and the one or more mounts 52 may provide places of attachment for one or more resistance bands 22.

In some embodiments, the resistance stand 20 may be comprised of three square bars 50, including an upper bar 50a and two side bars 50b and 50c. The two side bars 50b and 50c may both include apertures 54 near the bottom end. The apertures 54 may be configured to align with the apertures 32 of the rear square bar 26b. in this manner, the resistance stand 20 may be secured to the base 16 through bolts 30 and washers. The two side bars 50b and 50c may extend vertically and orthogonally to the base 16 when secured thereon. The upper bar 50a may horizontally connect the tops of the two side bars 50b and 50c. As already mentioned above, the supports 34 of the base 16 may ensure that the resistance stand 20 remain orthogonal to the base 16 while the exercise device 10 is in use.

In some embodiments, lower ends of the two side bars 50b and 50c may be welded or otherwise secured to the ends of the rear square bar 26b of the base 16 such that the rear square bar 26b of the base 16 is sandwiched between the lower ends of the two side bars 50b and 50c. In these embodiments, the two side bars 50b and 50c may be secured to ends of the two side bars 26c and 26d of the base 12 through bolt and washer.

A front face 56 of the upper bar 50a may be comprised of the one or more mounts 52 described above. In one embodiment, the front face 56 may be comprise of two mounts 52 on either side for a total of four mounts. These pairs of two mounts 52 may all be aligned horizontally with each other such that one mount 52 of each pair is on the inside and one mount is on the outside. In such an embodiment, the mounts are configured to align with the armrests 24 of standard wheelchairs 14 such that when the resistance bands 22 are attached to the exercise device 10 and the wheelchair 14, they extend orthogonally, from an upper perspective looking down, from the upper bar 50a of the resistance stand 20. The height of the side bars 50b and 50c may also be sufficient such that the resistance bands 22 also extend orthogonally, from a side elevation, from the upper bar 50a. In this manner, the resistance bands 22 may be parallel with the side bars 50b and 50c of the base 16.

The one or more mounts 52 may each be designed such that one or more resistance bands 22 may be attached thereon. In some embodiments, multiple mounts 52 may be provided on the upper bar 50a. In this manner, the user will have a variety of positions to place resistance bands 22.

The mounts 52 may be made up of eyebolts, notches in the upper bar 50a, or a similar design configured to have a clip attached thereto.

With reference now to FIG. 11, in some embodiments of the exercise device, the base 16 may be comprised of three square bars instead of four square bars as described above. In these embodiments, the three square bars of the base may include the front square bar 26a, also referred to as the receiving end of the base and two side bars 26c and 26d. The two side bars may have apertures 32 configured to receive bolts 30 to secure the resistance stand 20 to the base 16. The apertures 32 may be located at a resistance end of the base 16.

In these embodiments, the resistance stand 16 may include four bars, an upper bar 50a, two side bars 50b and 50c, and a lower bar 50d that are connected together to form a quadrilateral. The upper bar 50b may include one or more points of attachment 52 that may be in the form of eyebolts. One or more of the upper bar 50a, two side bars 50b and 50c, and the lower bar 50d may be of lower gauged metal than the bars used in the footrest stand 16 and the bars used in the base 16.

In some embodiments, the total weight of the resistance stand 20 may be greater than the combined weight of the footrest stand 18 and the base 16. By way of example, without limitation, in some embodiments, the resistance stand 20 may have a weight in the range of 85-100 pounds, the base 16 may have a weight in the range of 25-35 pounds, and the footrest stand 18 may have a weight in the range of 15-25 pounds.

Although the various embodiments described above have described use of square bars, one skilled in the art would recognize that other embodiments may use circular bars, or bars of some other shape.

A method of exercising a user's legs while in a wheelchair may include various steps of which one skilled in the art would recognize may be placed in various different orders and arrangements.

One step may include utilizing an exercise device including a base and a footrest.

Another step may include sitting in a wheelchair.

Another step may include attaching one end of one or more resistance bands to the exercise device. The attachment may take place at a back wall or resistance stand of the exercise device.

Another step may include attaching another end of the one or more resistance bands to the wheelchair. The attachment may take place at one or both of the armrests of the wheelchair.

Another step may include placing the feet on a footrest of the exercise device.

Another step may include the user bending the knees in a squatting position while sitting in the wheelchair.

Another step may include the user pushing with the leg muscles to extend the knees to an extended position with the resistance bands providing resistance against the movement. This movement may cause the wheelchair to roll backwards on the ground/floor and away from the exercise device.

Another step may include bending the knees from an extended position to return to the squatted position with the muscles of the legs providing resistance against the resistance bands. This movement may cause the wheelchair to roll forward on the ground/floor and toward the exercise device.

Another step may include repeating the steps of extending and bending the knees in repetitions and/or in sets according to an exercise plan.

Another step may include getting to an extended position with the feet on the footrest of the exercise device and the knees straight with the resistance bands attached to the wheelchair and exercise device as described.

Another step may include pushing the heels off of the footrest with the toes by flexing the calf muscles while the exercise bands provide resistance. This step may cause the wheelchair to roll backwards on the ground/floor and away from the exercise device.

Another step may include relaxing the calf muscles in a controlled manner to place the heels back on the footrest. This step may cause the wheelchair to roll forwards on the ground/floor and toward the exercise device.

Another step may include repeating the steps of flexing and relaxing the calf muscles for a number of repetitions and/or sets according to an exercise plan.

Although several embodiments, systems, and methods have been described in detail for purpose of illustration, various modifications may be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. Accordingly, the invention is not to be limited except as by the appended claims.

Claims

1. An exercise device for use with a wheelchair comprising: a base having a receiving end and a resistance end;a footrest mounted to the receiving end of the base and configured to receive feet of a user sitting in a wheelchair and to withstand a force exerted against the footrest by the user; anda resistance stand mounted to the resistance end of the base and having one or more points of attachment for one or more resistance members, the resistance members configured to provide resistance against the force exerted on the footrest by the user.

2. The exercise device for use with a wheelchair of claim 1, wherein the one or more resistance members are comprised of one or more resistance bands, the one or more resistance bands being configured to removably attach to the one or more points of attachment of the resistance stand and to removably attach to the wheelchair.

3. The exercise device for use with a wheelchair of claim 2, wherein the one or more resistance bands are further configured to provide resistance against the force exerted on the footrest by the user.

4. The exercise device for use with a wheelchair of claim 1, wherein the footrest is configured to withstand the force exerted on the footrest by the user generated from the user primarily engaging his/her quadricep, hamstring, and gluteal muscles in performing a leg press motion.

5. The exercise device for use with a wheelchair of claim 1, wherein, the footrest is configured to withstand the force exerted on the footrest by the user generated from the user primarily engaging his/her calf muscles in performing a calf raise motion.

6. The exercise device for use with a wheelchair of claim 1, wherein the footrest is comprised of a plate and a stand, the plate mounted to the stand and being configured to receive the user's feet and being angled between the vertical and horizontal and the stand being mounted to the base and elevating the plate above the base.

7. The exercise device for use with a wheelchair of claim 3, wherein the one or more points of attachment are positioned on the resistance stand such that the one or more resistance bands are substantially parallel with the base when removably attached to the one or more points of attachment and removably attached to the wheelchair.

8. The exercise device for use with a wheelchair of claim 1 further comprising one or more supporting members configured to support the resistance stand against a force exerted against the resistance stand by the one or more resistance members when the user exerts the force against the footrest.

9. An exercise system comprising: a wheelchair; andan exercise device, the exercise device comprising a base having a receiving end and a resistance end, a footrest mounted to the receiving end, and a resistance stand mounted to the resistance end;wherein the footrest is configured to receive feet of a user sitting in the wheelchair and to withstand a force exerted against the footrest by the user, the force exerted by the user pushing the wheelchair away from the exercise device; andwherein the wheelchair is connected to the exercise device by one or more resistance members configured to resist the force exerted by the user on the footrest and to pull the wheelchair back toward the exercise device when the user stops applying the force against the footrest.

10. The exercise system of claim 9, wherein the resistance stand is comprised of one or more points of attachment, and wherein the one or more resistance members are comprised of one or more resistance bands, the one or more resistance bands being configured to removably attach to the one or more points of attachment of the resistance stand and to removably attach to the wheelchair.

11. The exercise system of claim 10, wherein the one or more resistance bands are further configured to provide resistance against the force exerted on the footrest by the user.

12. The exercise system of claim 11, wherein the one or more points of attachment are positioned on the resistance stand such that the one or more resistance bands are substantially parallel with the base when removably attached to the one or more points of attachment and removably attached to the wheelchair.

13. The exercise system of claim 9, wherein the force pushing the wheelchair away from the exercise device is generated from the user primarily engaging his/her quadricep, hamstring, and gluteal muscles in performing a leg press motion against the footrest.

14. The exercise system of claim 9, wherein the force pushing the wheelchair away from the exercise device is generated from the user primarily engaging his/her calf muscles in performing a calf raise against the footrest.

15. A method for an exerciser to exercise his/her legs while in a wheelchair comprising the steps of: (a) utilizing an exercise device comprising a base and a footrest mounted to the base;(b) removably attaching one or more resistance bands to the exercise device;(c) removably attaching the one or more resistance bands to the wheelchair;(d) the exerciser sitting in the wheelchair and placing his/her feet on the footrest;(e) the exerciser exerting a force against the footrest to push the wheelchair away from the exercise device, the one or more resistance bands resisting the force;(f) the exerciser controllably releasing the force against the footrest, the one or more resistance bands pulling the wheelchair back toward the exercise device; and(g) repeating steps (e) and (f).

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the force exerted by the exerciser against the footrest in step (e) is generated from the exerciser primarily engaging his/her quadricep, hamstring, and gluteal muscles in performing a leg press motion against the footrest.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein the force exerted by the exerciser against the footrest in step (e) is generated from the exerciser primarily engaging his/her calf muscles in performing a calf raise motion against the footrest.

18. The method of claim 15, wherein the exercise device further comprises a resistance stand configured to have resistance bands removably attached thereto, and step (b) further comprising removably attaching one or more resistance bands to a left side of the resistance stand and one or more resistance bands to a right side of the resistance stand.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein step (c) further comprises removably attaching one or more resistance bands to the right side of the wheelchair and one or more resistance bands to the left side of the wheelchair.

20. The method of claim 15, further comprising the step of positioning the wheelchair proximate to the footrest prior to step (d).