Leg stretching apparatus
Disclosed are two separate leg supporting members which are independently pivotally connected to a base assembly. At their pivotal connection with the base assembly they are further provided with a disk assembly having a cable attached thereto. The cable from each leg supporting member is attached through guide means to a crank assembly which, during operation, forces the leg supporting members apart stretching the legs of a user of a device into a "split" position. The crank assembly housing is pivotally mounted such that when the housing is moved forward and/or rearward, the cable path of both cables is lengthened a small amount, providing the user with a controlled minute additional stretching movement. The leg supporting members during non-use are retractable partially into the base assembly and a torso retaining seat back assembly can be folded flat. The crank housing assembly can also be folded down on top of the seat back assembly providing a very compact storage configuration. In a preferred embodiment, a friction brake device is affixed to the crank assembly such that the user can straighten his legs away from the "split" position, thus strengthening his leg muscles as well as stretching them.