Dual circling exercise method and device
An exercise device and method using two generally opposing grips to guide a user's hands through generally circular movements for exercise of the human body.
This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. Section. 119(e) of provisional Application Ser. No. 60/497,283, entitled “Dual Circling Exercise Device,” filed Aug. 22, 2003 and of provisional Application Ser. No. 60/488,517 entitled “Dual Circling Exercise Device,” filed Jul. 18, 2003 both of which applications are incorporated by reference herein.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION1. Field of the Invention
This present invention relates to an exercise method and an exercise device. More specifically, to an exercise device and method using guided upper body circular motion.
2. Related Art
A variety of resistance exercise devices are known in the art. Upper body devices generally involve a linear, or near linear stroke-type movement back and forth, or up and down to simulate weight lifting. The motion on these devices is substantially a back and forth or modified back and forth (up and down) linear motion. Circular motion running or steeping exercise device to simulate running or walking with connected pedals or treadles are known.
Back and forth linear motion exercise devices often require the user to start and stop at the end of each stroke-type movement. It would therefore be a desideratum to have a non-linear motion exercise device with reduced stops and starts.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention is a circular motion exercise device. In Tai Chi the use of circular movement to build and utilize the “Chi” of the practioneer is well known. When using the circular motion exercise device and method the user's guided arm movement exercise muscles in the human body. The circular movements tend to be non-jarring. The user is positioned between two grips, such as handles. The grips are each attached to a guide. Each guide is pivotally attached to a support or base, whereby the grip has a limited route it can travel when the guide is rotated around the pivot.
In some exemplary implementations the bases or supports are generally placed opposing each other. The opposing relationship need not be parallel and may be variable, fixed or adjustable.
In some exemplary implementations the bases or supports are generally placed central to be situated approximately between a users legs.
During use, a user's hands each hold a hand grip. The movement of the grip around a pivot, guided through a generally circular or elliptical movement, also may direct the user's body to move up and down, side to side or both up and down and side to side. A guide associated with each grip provides for the guided movement. The guide may be a wheel, arm, lever or other movable member, the grip is guided in a generally circling path during exercise. Each grips can be moved or “driven” around the pivot on the guide in a clockwise or counter clockwise direction. A support places the pivots in a selected or fixed position.
Resistance against which a user moves or drives the grips around the pivot can be added. Resistance may be friction based or frictionless. Weight, air, wheels, and magnets are some (but not an exclusive list) of resistance providing elements which may be frictionless. Gears, belts, wheels, clutches, brakes, weight are some, bit not an exclusive list of resistance elements which may use friction. Resistance may be provided by a combination of friction and frictionless elements. Resistance may be fixed, variable or adjustable.
In some exemplary implementations the exercise device may provide a guided non-resistance arm and body movement.
In some exemplary implementations the may provide a guided weighted arm and body movement.
In some exemplary implementations the exercise device may provide a guided resistance arm and body movement.
The resistance may be provided by a movable wheel, a clutch or brake, magnetically, and/or through air pressure.
The method of exercise is causing each arm of the user to be guided through a smooth motion, at least partially, around a pivot. The movement for each arm may be a full 360 degree circle around the pivot, or an arc (which represent a movement of less than 360 degrees around a pivot).
The guided movement of the user's arms may be together or staggered. The arms may both be moved clockwise around the pivots. The user's arms may be moved counter-clockwise around the pivots. The user may move one arm clockwise around on pivot and one arm counter clockwise around the other pivot.
Leg position may also be used to target a particular muscle group or body region during the method of exercise and the method of use of the device. Feet close in to a seat as opposed to legs outstretched. Feet apart as opposed to feet together. On foot outstretched and one foot close in. The device may be used from a kneeling position, seating, lying down or standing.
Other features and advantages of the present invention will be set forth, in part, in the descriptions which follow and the accompanying drawings, wherein the preferred embodiments of the present invention are described and shown, and in part, will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon examination of the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings or may be learned by practice of the present invention. The advantages of the present invention may be realized and attained by means of the instrumentalities and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
It should be appreciated that for simplicity and clarity of illustration, elements shown in the Figures have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements are exaggerated relative to each other for clarity. Further, where considered appropriate, reference numerals have been repeated among the Figures to indicate corresponding elements.
DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTIONDetailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention, which may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed structure.
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The user may grip the handles palm down or palm up. Those skilled in the art will recognize that grips shown as handles generally perpendicular to the rotatable wheel element 12 & 12′, may be replaced with angled grips.
The hand grips may be fixed to the rotatable wheel element 12 & 12′ guides. It is preferred that the grips can freely rotate where attached to the rotatable wheel element 12 & 12′. The user's arm and hand movements, as shown in
The user 100 can sit on a seat 20 as shown in
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Resistance can be increased by the application of a magnetic force at the edge 67 of the rotating disk 62. At the edge of each rotating disk 62 a magnetic region 32 is provided. The magnetic region 32 may be a magnetized metal or a material attractive to magnetic forces. One or more magnets 34 are affixed to the device in close proximity to each magnetic region 32.
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Since certain changes may be made in the above apparatus without departing from the scope of the invention herein involved, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description, as shown in the accompanying drawing, shall be interpreted in an illustrative, and not a limiting sense.
Claims
1. A method of exercise comprising:
- placing a user between two generally opposing rotatable wheel elements, each wheel element connected to a base through a pivot;
- grasping a grip connected to each wheel element; and,
- using at least the users arms to rotate grips and the wheel elements at least partially around the pivots.
2. The method of claim 1 the method further comprising applying a resistive force to at least one of the rotatable wheel elements.
3. The method of claim 1 the method further comprising applying a weight to at least one of the rotatable wheel elements.
4. The method of claim 1 the method further comprising applying a force selected from the group consisting of friction and frictionless forces to at least one of the rotatable wheel elements.
5. A method of exercise comprising:
- placing a user between two generally opposing rotatable guides, each guide connected to a support through a pivot;
- grasping a grip connected to each rotatable guide; and,
- using at least an arm to rotate the grip and guide at least partially around a pivot.
6. The method of claim 5 the method further comprising applying at least a resistive force to at least one of the rotatable wheel elements.
7. The method of claim 5 the method further comprising placing the user non-standing between the rotatable guides.
8. An exercise device comprising:
- two generally opposing supports and pivots;
- a rotatable guide connected to each support at a pivot; and
- a grip connected to each rotatable guide
9. The exercise device of claim 8 further comprising applying at least a resistive force to at least one of the rotatable guides.
10. The exercise device of claim 8 further comprising a seat.
11. The exercise device of claim 8 wherein the guides are wheels.
12. The exercise device of claim 8 wherein the guides are arms.
13. The exercise device of claim 8 wherein the resistive force is frictional.
14. The exercise device of claim 8 wherein the resistive force is non-frictional.
15. The exercise device of claim 13 further comprising at least one of a brake and a clutch; whereby the frictional force is applied to the guide.
16. The exercise device of claim 14 wherein the non-frictional force is magnetic.
17. A method of exercise comprising:
- placing a user hands on two generally opposing grips on guides rotatably connected to a support through a pivot, whereby the movement of each grip is in a generally circular pathway;
- each circular pathway being generally in the same plane; and,
- using at least the user's arms to move the users hands holding onto the grips at least partially around a pivot support.
18. The method of claim 17 the method further comprising applying a resistive force to require greater effort to move the grips around the pivot.
Type: Application
Filed: Jul 17, 2004
Publication Date: Jun 30, 2005
Inventor: Mark Krietzman (Palos Verdes Estates, CA)
Application Number: 10/893,201