US Patent 10449413 Exercise devices and methods with retractable cords

An exercise apparatus includes a first cord, a second cord, and an adjustment mechanism. The first cord is pullable from and retractable around a first pulley. The second cord is pullable from and retractable around a second pulley. The adjustment mechanism allows for adjusting a pull-out tension provided by the first cord independently of a retraction tension provided by the first cord. The pull-out tension provided by the first cord is a tension provided by the first cord when the first cord is pulled from the first pulley. The retraction tension provided by the first cord is a tension provided by the first cord when the first cord is retracted around the first pulley.