Resistance exercise garment

Abstract

A resistance exercise garment includes a pair of resilient resistance members. One of the members is attached to the hand/wrist area of the right hand and to the ankle/foot area of the left leg. The other resilient resistance member is attached to the hand/wrist area of the left arm and to the ankle/foot area of the right leg. The resistance members cross at the back of the user.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Various attempts have been made to provide resistance exercise garments based upon including some form of resilient or elastic resistance member which requires the user to expend energy in stretching the member and then the member is permitted to return toward its original pre-stretched condition. The present inventor has numerous patents dealing with this subject matter. One such patent is U.S. Pat. No. 5,186,701. The '701 patent relates to an aerobic resistance garment which uses resistance cords anchored to various portions of the body. A number of different embodiments are disclosed. Some of these embodiments involve having the resistance cords extend along the body by being anchored to different portions of the garment. FIG. 1 illustrates a version where the only anchoring locations are on the hands and feet. Specifically, one elastic cord is anchored at one end to the right foot and at the other end to the right hand while a second cord is anchored at one end to the left foot and at the other end to the left hand. A similar arrangement is shown in FIG. 5 where the cords anchored to the hands/feet are used in combination with additional elastic cords. My '701 patent also illustrates different manners of anchoring the cords to the hands and feet.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of this invention is to provide an elastic resistance garment which is particularly effective in providing the desired workout.

A further object of this invention is to provide such an elastic resistance garment which may be easily used by the wearer.

In accordance with this invention a pair of resilient resistance members is provided. One of the resilient resistance members is anchored at one end to the user's left hand/wrist and the other end is anchored to the user's right ankle/foot. The second resilient resistance member is anchored at one end to the user's right hand/wrist and at the other end to the user's left ankle/foot. Both resistance members cross each other in the back of the user.

The resistance members may be attached to the anchor members in various manners. For example, the hand anchor members could be in the form of a loop extending around the hand with the thumb on the outside of the loop. An alternative would be to provide the anchoring at the wrist portion of a glove. Such glove could be a fingerless glove or could be a mitt such as a thumbless mitt. Alternatively, the garment could include a shirt having a thumb loop at the end of the sleeve with the anchoring taking place at a wrist band.

A preferred form of anchoring in the ankle/foot area would be for the garment to have a stirrup at the end of each pants leg and the resistance member could be clipped to the stirrup. Other forms include the use of a shoe where the anchoring would preferably take place at the back of the ankle portion or on the outer side of the shoe at the ankle portion. Other variations include anchoring to the back of a sock at the ankle portion or to an ankle ring. Since it is intended to have the resistance members cross each other in back of the user, it is preferable to attach each resistance member to the back of the ankle/foot anchor member.

THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a rear elevational view of a resistance exercise garment in accordance with this invention;

FIG. 2 is a fragmental side view showing a portion of the shirt member of a garment with a hand/wrist anchor member in accordance with this invention;

FIGS. 3-6 show alternative forms of hand/wrist anchor members in accordance with this invention;

FIG. 7 is a side elevational view showing a resistance exercise garment during use; and

FIGS. 8-12 show various forms of ankle/foot anchor members in accordance with this invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention may broadly be practiced where a resistance exercise garment simply includes the essential elements of a hand/wrist anchor member on at least one of the right arm and left arm of the user and similarly an ankle/foot area anchor member on an opposite one of the right foot and left foot of the user. Preferably a pair of resilient resistance members is provided with each member being anchored at one end to one arm and at the other end to the opposite foot. The resistance members cross each other in back of the user.

A more preferred practice of the invention includes in addition to the anchor members and resilient resistance members other portions of a garment, such as a shirt and pants which could, but need not necessarily also enhance the exercise use of the garment.

FIG. 1 illustrates a resistance exercise garment 10 in accordance with this invention. As shown therein garment 10 includes a shirt 12 and pants 14. Garment 10 also includes hand/wrist area anchor members 16 on the user's right arm and left arm. These hand/anchor members may take various forms as later described. In addition, garment 12 includes a pair of ankle/foot area anchor members 18 for the user's right and left legs. A pair of resilient resistance members 20 is also provided. As shown in FIG. 1, one of the resistance members 20 is anchored at one end to the right hand anchor member 16 and at its other end to the left foot anchor member. Similarly, the other resistance member is oppositely mounted, namely, one end of the second resistance member is anchored to the left hand anchor member 16 and the other end to the right foot anchor member 18. As illustrated in FIG. 1 both resistance members 20, 20 cross each other in back of the user.

As shown in FIG. 7 the arrangement of FIG. 1 permits the user to take full strides with the arms fully extended. By attaching each resistance member from one hand/wrist to the opposite ankle/foot, it is possible, for example, in this manner to stretch a resistance member over one-half of its unstretched length. To achieve a full arm swing, each unstretched resistance member might be about 30-36 inches long and generally preferably about 34 inches long. This is a desirable range of length since stretching the resistance member about one-half of its original length in this range would provide sufficient resistance to give the desired exercise results. If, for example, a longer resistance member were used, then not as much force would be required to stretch the resistance member in a full swing. Conversely, if a shorter length were used, then an undue amount of strength would be required to stretch the resistance member.

Any suitable form of resistance member may be used in accordance with this invention. The resistance member could be an elastic cord or could be an elastic band. If desired, the resistance member could be a spring, such as a coil spring.

By having the resistance members cross in back of the user the user is able to move in a forward direction without tripping over the resistance members. In addition, by having the resistance member extend partially around the body, there will be a greater stretching upon the user's arms swinging, than would result if the resistance members were simply pulled straight outwardly.

FIGS. 2-6 illustrate various forms of hand anchor members. As shown in FIG. 2 the shirt 12 includes a sleeve 22 which terminates at its free end in a padded wrist band 24 having a loop 26. The resistance member 20 would be attached to anchor member 24 by being clipped to loop 26.

FIG. 3 illustrates a hand anchor member in the form of a padded band or loop 28 having a loop or fastening member 30. The fingers of the hand would be inserted through band 28 with the thumb outside of the band. Resistance member 20 terminates in a clip 32 of any suitable form which would be detachably clipped to loop 30.

FIG. 4 illustrates the hand anchor member to include a glove 34 having a padded wrist band 36 with a loop 38 or any other suitable attachment member. As shown, the wrist band 36 is adjustable in diameter by the provision of any suitable adjustable fastening means such as Velcro® hooks and loops 40. The resistance member would be clipped or otherwise secured to loop 38.

FIG. 5 illustrates a variation of the glove shown in FIG. 4. As shown in FIG. 5 glove 42 is fingerless thereby exposing the fingers and thumbs should such be desired by the user.

FIG. 6 shows a variation where the glove is in the form of a mitt 44. The mitt could fully enclose all of the fingers and thumb or, as illustrated, the mitt could be thumbless, with the thumb thereby exposed.

FIGS. 7-12 illustrate various embodiments of foot anchor members. The invention is intended to be practiced where the anchor member is in the general area of the ankle or foot. By having the anchor member upwardly from the ankle the full benefits of the invention are not achieved, although such location may be used within the broad practices of the invention. In the preferred practice of the invention the resistance member 20 is attached to the foot anchor member at a location other than the front of the foot/ankle and at a location other than the inward side of the foot/ankle. Preferably, each resistance member 20 is attached to the back of the foot/ankle or to the outward side of the foot/ankle, to prevent the resistance members causing the user to trip. Where the resistance member is attached to the outward side of the foot/ankle the resistance member would make more contact with the leg of the user than if the anchor point is in the back of the foot/ankle. In order to maximize comfort the garment is preferably padded at areas of contact with the resistance member. Preferably, the hand anchor members and foot anchor members are padded. Additional padding could also be applied to portions of the back of the legs of the garment or any other portions where the resistance members might make contact with the body during use.

FIG. 7 illustrates one form of foot anchor member. As shown therein the foot anchor member is a part of otherwise normal footwear 48, such as a shoe or sneaker or boot having a loop 50 secured at the back portion for attachment of the resistance member 20.

FIG. 10 illustrates the footwear 48 to be in the form of a boot having the loop 50 secured by a strap 52 or in any other suitable manner.

FIG. 8 illustrates a preferred practice of the invention wherein the pants 14 has its legs 54 terminate in stirrups 56. Each stirrup 56 may be provided with a loop or other fastener 58 for securement of a respective resistance member through use of clip 32. Alternatively, the resistance member could be clipped directly to the stirrup.

In FIG. 8 the attachment location of each resistance member 20 to its stirrup 56 is at the outward side of the stirrup. FIG. 9 shows a variation wherein each stirrup is provided with a further strap or band 60 spanning the stirrup 56 but extending rearwardly so that the loop 58 is thereby located at the back of the stirrup rather than at the outward side.

FIG. 11 shows a practice of the invention wherein the footwear for the foot anchor member is a sock 62 having a band or reinforced strip 64 with a loop 66 for receiving the clip of the resistance member.

FIG. 12 shows a practice of the invention wherein the foot anchor member is a padded band or strap 68 worn at the ankle. Adjustability is achieved through any suitable fastening structure such as Velcro® hooks and loops 70. The loop 72 for receiving the resistance member is shown as being at the back of the strap.

In practice, the garment 10 would be used by attaching each resistance member to one hand anchor member and to the opposite foot anchor member. The resistance members 20, 20 would cross in back of the user as clearly shown in FIGS. 1, 7 and 8. In practice, the user would walk or run having the arms fully extended and preferably having the fingers outward. Preferably the hand anchor member would be one which permits an open loose grip which would enhance relaxation of the whole arm and relaxation of the whole shoulder thereby facilitating a natural swing which could involve the front arm extending straight outwardly and downwardly with the opposite leg moving forwardly.

If desired the resistance member 20 may pass through suitably located loops, tunnels or other guide members on the back of the garment, such as on the legs, to guide each resistance member from one hand/wrist to the opposite foot/ankle.

Where the invention is practiced using stirrups there is assurance that the resistance member will be anchored in the general area of the ankle without danger of the pants rising up, as might otherwise result in the invention were practiced by anchoring the resistance member directly to the pants leg such as in the ankle area.

The invention could be used where the resilient resistance member being stretched and then returning toward its original length provides the exercise value. Preferably two such resistance members could be used. It is to be understood, however, that where, for example, the user has a physical disability, such as a missing arm or being able to swing only one arm, the invention could be practiced using only one resilient resistance member which would extend from one arm around the back of the user to the opposite leg.

The invention could be broadly practiced where the resistance members provide the sole form of exercise from the garment. In such broad practice the garment would consist essentially solely of the anchor members and resistance members. Preferably, however, the garment includes a shirt and pants. This provides added comfort and provides a padded area where the resistance members might otherwise make contact with the body particularly at the rear portion of the body. The invention could also be practiced as part of an integrated exercise garment which includes other forms of exercise or shaping structure. For example, co-pending patent application Ser. No. 10/781,406, filed Feb. 18, 2004, discloses a garment for supporting and shaping the mid-section of a wearer. All of the details of that application are incorporated herein by reference thereto. Thus, the garment, such as the pants 14 could include an abdominal band 74 as described in that patent application for supporting and shaping the abdominal region. Abdominal band 74 would be located as part of a wide waistband in the torso section of the pants 14. The waistband would be dimensioned so that its upper edge is below the wearer's rib cage and the lower edge is generally near the wearer's bellybutton. The waistband includes an abdominal section with a tensioning system for supporting and shaping the mid-section of the wearer.

Reference is also made to co-pending patent application Ser. No. 10/848,398, filed May 18, 2004 which discloses a resistance exercise garment that incorporates various resistance elements or members located at various portions of the garment. All of the details of that application are incorporated herein by reference thereto. The present invention could augment the benefits of the garment disclosed in that application.

In a preferred practice of the invention the shirt and/or pants portion of the garment could be made of materials conventionally used in sweat suits. Such materials, preferably have wickaway properties, particularly on the inside surface so that the user will be dry and comfortable. Where the shirt and/or pants are made of a stretch material, the garment has the advantages of being easy to put on and to take off. In addition, because of the flexibility of the stretch material the garment is more comfortable to wear. Further the flexible material is form fitting and thus more shapely and attractive. Suitable stretch material could be achieved by using a commercially available spandex material or by providing the proper type weave.

In the preferred practice of the invention the resistance members are completely detachable from the hand anchor members and the foot anchor members. The invention, however, could be broadly practiced where the resistance members are permanently attached to one or both sets of anchor members. A detachable mounting is preferred, however, because it permits the selective use of various types of resistance members having different resistance characteristics including length and stretchability or elasticity to provide a greater or lesser amount of resistance to the stretching of the resistance members. In the practice of the invention, where for example, one hand moves forward on one side and the opposite leg moves forward, there is an improved action with resistance members crossing at the back and being made taught. A larger range of swinging motion is possible. In practicing the invention the user can extend the arm straight outwardly with the hand dropped lower and even all the way down in a fully extended position. @PFDesktop\::ODMA/MHODMA/IMANDMS;CB;400709;1

Claims

1. A resistance exercise garment comprising a right hand anchor member for being worn at the hand/wrist area of the user's right arm, a left hand anchor member for being worn at the hand/wrist area of the user's left arm, a right foot anchor member for being worn at the ankle/foot area of the user's right leg, a left foot anchor member for being worn at the ankle/foot of the user's left leg, a first resilient resistance member attached at one end to said right hand anchor member and attached at its opposite end to said left foot anchor member, a second resilient resistance member anchored at one end to said left hand anchor member and attached at its opposite end to said right foot anchor member, and said first resistance member and said second resistance member being attached to said left foot anchor member and to said right foot anchor member at locations to cross each other in back of the user.

2. The garment of claim 1 wherein each of said anchor members is padded.

3. The garment of claim 1 wherein each of said resistance members is attached to its respective foot anchor member at a location selected from the group consisting of the back of said foot anchor member and the outward side of said foot anchor member.

4. The garment of claim 3 wherein said location is at said back of said foot anchor member.

5. The garment of claim 1 wherein said hand anchor member includes a fingerless glove having an adjustable wrist portion, and said resistance member is attached to said wrist portion.

6. The garment of claim 1 wherein said hand anchor member includes a mitt having an adjustable wrist portion, and said resistance member being attached to said wrist portion.

7. The garment of claim 6 wherein said mitt is thumbless.

8. The garment of claim 1 including a shirt having a pair of sleeves, and each of said hand anchor members being a band around the free end of its respective sleeve.

9. The garment of claim 1 including pants having a pair of legs each of said legs terminating in a stirrup, said stirrup incorporating said foot anchor member, and said resistance member being mounted to said stirrup at a location selected from the back of said stirrup and the outward side of said stirrup.

10. The garment of claim 1 wherein said foot anchor member is located at the ankle portion of footwear, and said resistance member being secured to said anchor member at a location selected from the back of said footwear and the outward side of said footwear.

11. The garment of claim 1 wherein said foot anchor member is part of a sock, and said resistance member being mounted to said anchor member at a location selected from the group consisting of the back of said sock and the outward side of said sock.

12. The garment of claim 1 wherein said foot anchor member is an ankle band in the form of a closed loop, and said resistance member being attached to said ankle band at a location selected from the group consisting of the back of said ankle band and the outward side of said ankle band.

13. The garment of claim 1 wherein the unstretched length of each of said resistance members is of a length in the range of 30-36 inches.

14. The garment of claim 1 including a pants having a torso section with a wide waistband adapted to be located with an upper edge below the wearer's rib cage and with the lower edge generally near the wearer's belly button, said waistband including an abdominal section, and said abdominal section being structured to support and shape the mid-section of the wearer.

15. The garment of claim 1 including a shirt and a pants being made from a wickaway material.

16. The garment of claim 1 including a shirt and a pants made from stretchable flexible material.

17. A resistance exercise garment comprising an anchor member for being worn at the hand/wrist area of one of the user's right arm and left arm, a foot anchor member for being worn at the ankle/foot area of one of the user's right leg and left leg, said hand anchor member and said foot anchor member being on opposite arms/legs, a resilient resistance member attached at one end to said hand anchor member and attached at its opposite end to said foot anchor member in a manner whereby said resistance member may cross the user's body at the back of the user.

18. A method of performing resistance exercise comprising attaching one end of a first resilient resistance member to an anchor member located at the hand/wrist area of the user's right arm and attaching the opposite end of the first resilient resistance member to an anchor member in the ankle/foot area of the user's left leg at a location at the back or outward side of the ankle/foot area, attaching one end of a second resilient resistance member to an anchor member at the hand/wrist area of the user's left arm and attaching the opposite end of the second resilient resistance member to an anchor member at the ankle/foot area of the user's right leg at a location at the back of or outward side of the user's right leg, crossing the first resilient resistance member and the second resilient resistance member with each other at the back of the user, and the user swinging one arm and one leg forwardly simultaneously with swinging the opposite arm and opposite leg rearwardly.

19. The method of claim 18 wherein the forward swinging arm is disposed downwardly with the hand in an open loose grip in a natural swing.

20. The method of claim 19 wherein each arm and its opposite leg are moved in the same forward/rearward direction while the other arm and leg are moved in the opposite direction, and extending the fingers of each hand outwardly during the swinging motion. @PFDesktop\::ODMA/MHODMA/IMANDMS;CB;400709;1