An exercise device upon which a user generally standing upright supported
by foot platforms suspended from a frame via linkages in which the
linkage lengths and pivot points correspond generally to the users upper
and lower legs and hip and knee joints. This device not only allows
natural free and spontaneous leg movement, able to simulate such
exercises as walking, jogging, running, stepping, skiing or gliding,
bicycling, climbing, reverse action and various isolated leg exercises,
where the exercises can be performed at random generally without the need
to reconfigure the device. This device preferably includes an isolation
system capable of simulating natural forces throughout the entire range
of movement in the horizontal and/or vertical plane. A safety/suspension
system can be provided, alone or in combination with the isolation
system, to resist sudden foot movement in the same direction, yet allows
a slow and controlled tilting of the linkages whereby the user may
simulate uphill and downhill travel.