The Universal Exercise Unit is an extremely effective piece of equipment for improving overall muscle strength, as well as, allowing for the isolation of specific muscle groups in need of strengthening. It consists of a metal cage and a system of pulleys, straps, splints and weights. The UEU can be utilized in giving active assistance to patients who cannot independently initiate desired movements or who cannot complete full range of motion of a movement by suspending the extremity and decreasing the pull of gravity. For example, individuals with neurological disorders may perform a task in an atypical fashion due to abnormal muscle tone, uncoordinated movements, or poor balance or muscle strength. The UEU allows for the re-education of the client’s nervous system to isolate one extremity from another to facilitate more typical movement. While allowing for increased strength through specific exercises, the UEU facilitates increased range of motion and muscle flexibility as well as improved muscle tone.

While the UEU can be used to facilitate increases in muscle strength, flexibility, range of motion and normalization of muscle tone, it can be converted into a device that allows for dynamic vertical and horizontal suspension. This suspension is provided by a system of elastic bands and a belt worn around the waist. The suspension given by these elastic bands provides a gravity decreased position in which an individual can now work to improve functional skills, such as, sitting, crawling, standing walking, balance and coordination. The overall goal is the promotion of independent movement.

Universal Exercise Unit Benefits

• Strength Improvements
• Increased Range of Motion
• Improves Balance and Coordination
• Promotes Motor Learning and Planning
• Can be utilized with a variety of diagnoses