Patent attributes
An exercise apparatus for the exercise of a user's gluteus muscles through a supported seated squat downward from an upper starting position and a upward return movement has a base, a pair of user foot support ramps mounted to the base for supporting the toe portions of the feet with the heels on the floor, a pair of spaced fixed uprights mounted to the base and located forward of the foot supports terminating in a pair of hand grips. A buttocks support assembly with an angled buttocks support pad is pivotally mounted to the uprights, and a compressible linkage connects the pad assembly to the base. The linkage provides an opposing force to the downward travel of the support assembly and a boost restoring force to the support assembly for returning the support pad to an upper starting position. The user provides a controlled descent from an initial upper position to a squat and a controlled return from the squat to the upper position. The angled orientation of the support pad and the foot support ramps assist in positioning the user to operate the apparatus such that the weight of the user is not fully supported by the pad and remains directed through the heels during a full range of exercise motion.