Exercise Apparatus
The present invention relates to an exercise apparatus that enables a number of exercises to be carried out utilising the apparatus. The present invention provides an aid to a user to perform an exercise using their own body weight. The apparatus comprises a biasing means arranged and configured to provide support for a user when in use, the biasing means including a sleeve and a piston arranged to move relative to the sleeve. The biasing means further includes a chamber provided between the sleeve and the piston wherein movement of the piston from a rest configuration to an extended configuration causes compression of the material in the chamber.
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an exercise apparatus that enables a number of exercises to be carried out utilising the arrangement.
2. State of the Art
With the recent trends in exercising many people seek to attend classes such as aerobics or alternatively become a member of a gym where they can attend and regularly exercise. However, these situations rely on an individual being able to attend either a set class or alternatively transport themselves to a gym which may be inconvenient for individuals as it causes them to modify their schedule accordingly. This often results in a situation wherein an individual misses out on their desired exercise routine. Additionally, most exercise apparatus involves a user pushing or pulling against a resistance, for example lifting a weight. However, it is becoming more widely appreciated that exercising in a manner in which exercise is conducted against the weight of the user more beneficial for the fitness and well being of the user.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention overcomes some of the problems outlined above by providing an exercise apparatus that aids a user to perform an exercise using their own body weight.
According to a first aspect of the present invention there is an exercise apparatus for providing support for a user when the user is performing an exercise, the apparatus comprising a biasing means arranged and configured to provide support for a user when in use, the biasing means including a sleeve and a piston arranged to move relative to the sleeve, the biasing means further including a chamber provided between the sleeve and the piston wherein movement of the piston from a rest configuration to an extended configuration causes compression of the material in the chamber.
The material in the chamber may be a fluid or a gas.
The apparatus preferably further comprises means to adjust the restoring force of the biasing means between an extended configuration and a rest configuration.
The apparatus preferably further comprises a user contact member arranged to be supported by the biasing means.
The contact member is preferably supported by the piston.
The user contact member is preferably tiltable relative to the biasing means
The user contact member preferably includes an elastically deformable material.
The biasing means beneficially comprises a valve system arranged to control the movement of piston relative to the sleeve.
The apparatus further comprises a base onto which the biasing means is mounted.
A protrusion is preferably arranged to extend generally perpendicular to the biasing means. The protrusion preferably extends generally perpendicular to the sleeve, extending either side of the sleeve.
The user contact member is preferably arranged to support a user's midriff and/or a user's back, and/or a user's buttocks.
According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is an exercise apparatus for providing support for at least a part of the torso of a user when the user is performing an exercise, the apparatus comprising a biasing means arranged and configured to provide support for a user when in use, the biasing means being variable to provide an adjustable restoring force between an extended configuration and a rest configuration.
The exercise apparatus preferably further comprises means to adjust the restoring force of the biasing means between an extended configuration and a rest configuration.
The exercise apparatus beneficially comprises a support member arranged to extend from a base, the support member being arranged to co-operate with the biasing means.
The exercise apparatus preferably further comprises a user contact member arranged to be supported by the support member.
The user contact member is preferably arranged to extend between at least two support points.
The biasing means is preferably the user contact member in one embodiment of the present invention.
The user contact member is preferably tilt table relating to the support member. This enables support for a user's midriff or back dependant on the exercise to be programmed.
The user contact member may be an elastically deformable material.
The clamping means is preferably arranged to enable the user contact member to be selectively tensioned to a selectable degree. The clamping means may be averaged to tilt relative to the support member.
The biasing means is preferably interchangeable between a plurality of biasing means. The biasing means is beneficially a spring. The biasing means may further comprise locking means arranged to lock the biasing means at a selectable configuration in order to enable the restoring force to be adjusted.
Referring to
Again referring to
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A further preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown in particular with respect to
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Referring to
It is further appreciated that the pressure within the chamber 136 may be varied as provided for by alternative gas struts currently available. A control or dial may beneficially be provided as indicated in
Benefits of the apparatus is significant and enables a user to perform press ups under range of core body weight exercises by providing support in a generally weak pelvic area. The apparatus provides the necessary support to allow the user to get into the anatomically correct position. It also enables the user to slow down the exercise thus enabling the user to perform the right technique and forces the user to contract the pelvic muscles thus ensuring muscle strengthening and continued progress.
The present invention has been described by way of example only and it will be appreciated by a person skilled in the art that variations and modifications may be made to the present invention without departing from the scope of protection afforded by the amended claims. It will also be appreciated that aspects of the invention may be combined to form arrangements having features of both first and second aspects of the present invention. For example, the invention as defined with respect to the first aspect may be combined with one or more features of the invention as described in the second aspect to provide an exercise station.
Claims
1. An exercise apparatus for providing support for a user when the user is performing an exercise, the apparatus comprising a biasing means arranged and configured to provide support for a user when in use, the biasing means including a sleeve and a piston arranged to move relative to the sleeve, the biasing means further including a chamber provided between the sleeve and the piston wherein movement of the piston from a rest configuration to an extended configuration causes compression of the material in the chamber, and the biasing means further comprising a valve system arranged to enable release of material from the chamber such that the force opposing movement of the piston relative to the sleeve is enabled to remain substantially constant for a substantially constant applied load.
2. An exercise apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising means to adjust the restoring force of the biasing means between an extended configuration and a rest configuration.
3. An exercise apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a user contact member arranged to be supported by the biasing means.
4. An exercise apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the user contact member is supported by the piston.
5. An exercise apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the user contact member is tiltable relative to the biasing means.
6. An exercise apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the user contact member includes an elastically deformable material.
7. An exercise apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the a valve system of the biasing means controls the movement of piston relative to the sleeve.
8. An exercise apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a base onto which the biasing mean is mounted.
9. An exercise apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a protrusion arranged to extend generally perpendicular to the biasing means.
10. An exercise apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the protrusion extends generally perpendicular to the sleeve, extending either side of the sleeve.
11. (canceled)
12. An exercise apparatus for providing support for at least a part of the torso of a user when the user is performing an exercise, the apparatus comprising a biasing means arranged and configured to provide support for a user when in use, the biasing means being variable to provide an adjustable restoring force between an extended configuration and a rest configuration.
Type: Application
Filed: Jul 20, 2008
Publication Date: Jun 2, 2011
Inventors: Graham Evans (Carmarthen), Richard Jones (Carmarthenshire)
Application Number: 12/674,917
International Classification: A63B 21/00 (20060101);