Exercise weight equipment and methods of use
This invention has to do with exercise weight equipment and is concerned with exercise weight equipment that may be fastened to a person's body during physical exercises. The exercise equipment comprises a preferably U-shaped bracket having opposing sides and a crossbar or rod that extends between and engages the opposing sides of the U-shaped bracket. The crossbar is spaced away from the U-shaped portion of the bracket so that the instep of a person's foot may be engaged between the bar and the opposing U-Shaped portion of the bracket. Strap means connect from one or both of the opposing sides of the U-shaped bracket and extend so as to be able to go around the ankle of a person using the equipment. Means for fastening the strap mean extensions are provided and may take the form of a buckle and belt means. The outer ends of the crossbar or rod have means thereon for engaging and holding captive weights that may be interchanged at will by the person exercising. Various methods of exercise using the above equipment are also disclosed.
To properly take care of ones physical condition, diet and exercise are recommended on a systematic basis. Exercise may take the form of running, walking, or repeat body exercises such as pull-ups, push-ups, knee-bends, jumping jacks, etc, where only the body itself is utilized working against gravity to perform the exercises. In such exercises a large number of repetitions may be necessary in order to challenge, strengthen and tone the muscles involved in the exercise. Each exercise that a person performs may only involve a small group of muscles. Many difference exercises may be necessary to work the majority of muscles in a person's body. A large number of repetitions for each set of muscles can be quite time consuming on a daily basis. To cut down on the number of repetitions, and therefore the time required and to challenge the muscle groups involved in each exercise, weight training equipment is used in conjunction with the exercises. Such weight training equipment may take the form ranging from very complicated assembled apparatus to individual weights that are hand held during the exercises. Some of the exercises in weight training and fitness require the person to hold a weight between their feet while they exercise their leg portions or do other exercises with the additional weight held between their feet. Holding the additional weight between one's feet usually disturbs the concentration necessary to perform the exercise properly and such distraction takes away from the full effect of the exercise. In these situations the weight used in the exercise may pose a danger, not only to the person doing the exercise, but to other people in the immediate surrounding area. Several arrangements to hold such weights have been proposed. One of the prior methods of holding the weight is to have a short dumbbell type weight usually a rod with two opposing facing enlarged ends that may be held between by the feet. The dumbbells is usually positioned with the enlarged upper part of the dumbbell hitting the top instep of the foot and the bottom part of the dumbbell extending below the soles of the feet so that holding the feet together prevents the weight from falling from the persons body during the exercise.
In addition, many exercises such as pull-ups, sit-ups, body press, bench lifts, and other exercises can be enhanced if an additional weight is held or added to the body. Where exercises depend upon body weight alone to provide the load against which one works in doing an exercise the body weight may be enhanced by attaching or holding a weight between the feet or holding a bar behind the knees. Where such exercises depend upon the ability of the person doing the exercise to hold the weight it detracts from the person's ability to concentrate on doing the exercise.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe invention disclosed herein has to do with exercise weight equipment. The equipment comprises an elongate rod having opposing ends that are preferably threaded. The rod is inserted through perforations in oppositely facing sides of a U-shaped bracket with the opposing ends extending outwardly from the sides of the bracket. Preferably the central part of the rod is surrounded by a resilient material on the portion that extends between the opposite facing ends of the U-shaped bracket. The U-shaped bracket has opposite facing sides and a crosspiece joining said sides and preferably a abutment pad on the bottom of the crosspiece. Strap means are provided attaching to one of the crossbar or bracket and having co-operative elements of engagement that releasably engage with one another to hold the weight on the foot or other appendage of the person doing the exercise. The rod and the bracket are spaced so as to fit around the instep of a person's foot and the strap means are positioned so as to hold the weight on the foot when the attachment ends are connected.
The invention further includes various methods of exercising, on exercise comprises first positioning oneself in a vertically upright stand that has horizontal arm rests and hand grips upstanding from said arm rests. The individual weights are then strapped on each foot and the person pulls himself upwardly so that his feet are not touching the ground. The person then abuts his back against the back of the vertical stand and bends his knees slightly and lifts his thighs towards his chest and then returns the knees and thighs to their original position. This motion is then repeated as often as desired. Upon completion of the exercise the person then lowers himself so that his feet may touch the ground and the weights are unstrapped and removed from the each individual foot.
The invention further contemplates the method of exercising that comprises the steps of sitting on a bench with the person's feet on the floor and strapping individual weights on each foot. One then grasps the bench itself or bench supports for stability while doing the exercise. The person then leans back until his spine is at about 45 degrees to the plane of the seat bench. While in this position the knees are pulled toward the chest while bringing the spine to an upright position on the bench. This position is then held for a short period of time and then the upper body and the knees are returned to their original starting position. This motion is repeated until the exercise is completed and the individual weights are removed from each foot.
The invention further includes the method of exercising that comprises first attaching individual weight assemblies to each individual foot. While standing straight the person then grasps an overhead chinning bar and then bends his knees until the body is supported only by the bar and the feet are touching each other at the ankles. The person then pulls himself until his chin is above the chinning bar then slowly lowers his body to its original starting position. After repeating the above motion as desired the person then places his feet on the floor and releases his grasp from the bar. The individual weights are then removed from each foot.
The invention further comprises the method of exercising that includes strapping individual weights on each individual foot while lying on a bench with the hips flat. The person then grabs the bench behind his head for support and bends his hips and knees at approximately 90 degrees. In this position the person then pulls his hips and knees upward and inward. This position is then held for a period of time and then the knees and hips are returned to the original starting position. This motion is then repeated as desired until the exercise is finished and then the individual weights are removed from the feet.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a safe and efficient weight assembly for use is daily exercise routines.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a weight that can be safely attached to one's body during daily exercises.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a hand held weight assembly with a releasable strap that can be quickly and efficiently strapped on and removed during daily exercises.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a means of attachment for a weight so that a person may concentrate on the performance of the weight exercises rather than on the holding of the weight itself.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a safe, comfortable and efficient weight assembly for use during daily exercises.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a new method of weight training where one can concentrate more on the weight training exercise that on the holding of the weight during the exercise.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide weights that can be releasably strapped to a person's foot for repetitive exercises.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide interchangeable weight assemblies that can be strapped on a person's appendages for repetitive weight exercises.
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Claims
1. An exercise weight assembly which comprises:
- a. An elongate rod with opposing ends;
- b. A bracket having opposite facing sides and a crosspiece joining said opposite facing sides;
- c. Means for engaging said rod with said bracket so that said rod extends between the opposing sides with each of its opposing ends extend outwardly from each of said opposite facing sides so as to provide weight engagement means for weights to be attached to said rod;
- d. Fastening strap means attached between each side face of said bracket and having attachment ends that co-operatively and releasably engage with one another;
- e. said rod and said bracket spaced so as to fit around the instep of a person's foot and said strap positioned so as to hold said weight on the foot when said attachment ends are connected.
2. The exercise weight assembly according to claim 1, which further comprises an elongate resilient material surrounding said rod as it extends between said opposing face sides.
3. The exercise weight assembly according to claim 1 which further comprises a resilient abutment pad attached to one of the surfaces of said crosspiece.
4. The exercise weight assembly according to claim 1 which further comprises a swivel connectors on each side face of said u-shaped bracket connecting to said strap means.
5. The weight assembly according to claim 1 which further comprises threads on each of said rod ends for releasable co-operative connection with threaded connectors for holding said weights captive while a person performs exercises with said weight assemblies.
6. An exercise weight assembly which comprises:
- a. An elongate rod with opposing ends;
- b. A unshaped bracket having opposite facing sides and a crosspiece joining said sides;
- c. said elongate rod extending between and joining said opposite facing sides, with said opposing ends of said rod extending outwardly from each of said opposite facing sides so as to provide weight engagement means on each opposing end of said rod;
- d. strap means co-operatively connected to one of said bracket or said rod and having attachment ends that co-operatively and releasably engage with one another.
- e. said rod and said bracket spaced so as to fit around the instep of a person's foot and said strap positioned so as to hold said weight on the foot when said attachment ends are connected.
7. The method of exercising that comprises the steps of:
- a. positioning oneself in a vertically moveable chair that has a seat and back abutment surfaces;
- b. trapping individual weight assemblies on each foot;
- c. moving the chair vertically so that one's feet do not touch the ground;
- d. with the back abutting the back abutment surface bend the knees slightly and lift the thighs toward the chest;
- e. repeat said motion more that once;
- f. lower said seat until your feet touch the floor;
- g. remove said weights from said feet.
8. The method of exercising that comprises the steps of:
- a. sitting on a bench with your feet on the floor;
- b. strapping individual weights on each foot;
- c. grasping the bench or bench supports for stability;
- d. leaning back until your spine is at about 45 degrees to the bench;
- e. pulling your knees toward your chest while bringing your spine to an upright position on the bench;
- f. holding the previous position and then returning the upper body and your knees to their original position;
- g. repeating said motion;
- h. and removing the individual weights from the feet when finished.
9. The method of exercising that comprises the steps of:
- a. attaching individual weight assemblies to each individual foot;
- b. while standing straight grab an overhead chinning bar;
- c. bend your knees until your body is supported only by the bar and your feet are touching each other at the ankles;
- d. pull yourself up until your chin is above the bar then slowly lower your body to its original starting position;
- e. repeat this motion as desired;
- f. place your feet on the floor and release your grip from the bar;
- g. remove the individual weights from each individual foot.
10. The method of exercising that comprises the steps of:
- a. strapping individual weights on each individual foot;
- b. lying on a bench with your hips flat and grabbing the bench behind your head for support;
- c. bending your hips and knees at approximately 90 degrees;
- d. pulling your hips and knees upward and inward;
- e. pausing and then returning your hips and knees to their original position;
- f. repeating this motion as desired;
- g. removing the weights from each individual foot when finished with said exercise.
Type: Application
Filed: Jul 6, 2007
Publication Date: Jul 30, 2009
Inventor: James Rand Minerva (Jeannette, PA)
Application Number: 11/825,656
International Classification: A63B 21/06 (20060101);