Method and Apparatus for Fitness Exercise

Abstract

In accordance with one embodiment, a method and apparatus for fitness exercise, generally comprising an arcuate board and exercise bands is provided for use in combination with routines designed to enhance the results which may be achieved by presently known exercise machines using a compact, portable device that can be used to exercise nearly every muscle in the body and in both strength exercises and stretching exercises.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

None.

NOTICE OF COPYRIGHT AND TRADE DRESS

A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material which is subject to copyright protection. This patent document may show and/or describe matter which is or may become trade dress of the owner. The copyright and trade dress owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by any one of the patent disclosure as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent files or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright and trade dress rights whatsoever.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a physical fitness and rehabilitation apparatus. More particularly, the present invention relates to a physical fitness and rehabilitation apparatus for improving strength, peripheral nervous system activity, balance, flexibility, and joint stabilization, and to a method for using the same.

DISCUSSION OF THE RELATED ART

Strength, flexibility and their relation to the muscles making up the core of body have become recognized as vital to the physical well being of individuals. The pelvic floor muscles, transversus abdominis, multifidus, internal and external obliques, rectus abdominis, erector spinae (sacrospinalis) especially the longissimus thoracis, and the diaphragm make up the muscles commonly referred to as the “core.” These muscles strongly effect posture, gate, stabilization during movement, and many more functions critical to life such as breathing.

Maintaining a healthy core can reduce the possibility of injury or strain from engaging in various sporting activities. Moreover, with people who have suffered an injury to the musculature comprising this region, a program of exercise which improves core strength can be critical in recovering full use of the extremities and avoiding reinjunry while maintaining the individuals quality of life.

For the many people engaging in physical activities, such as yoga, pilates, skiing, biking, roller blading, ice skating, etc., that routinely engage the core muscles, the benefits of core strengthening exercises have long been known. A strong core is associated with reduced possibility of injury by imparting greater strength and mobility, particularly with respect to some of the most common movements human beings make on a daily basis. A strong core is extremely important to mobility and breathing which, in turn, has a major impact on the quality of life. For those who have suffered injuries which interfere with mobility, there is a very real need to strengthen these muscles. Such recovery can often be achieved through an exercise routine which builds core strength and improve flexibility.

Core muscles can be strengthened in a variety of ways which include both aerobic and anaerobic exercise. Furthermore, tendons can be lengthened by repeated stretching leading to increased flexibility. Greater muscular strength allows the body to resist excessive motion between bodily joints. Increased flexibility or tendon length allows a greater range of movement of the joints before damage is sustained by the body.

A variety of exercises and apparatuses have been proposed to strengthen the core and improve flexibility. Many of these exercise apparatuses are large and expensive machines which are not easily portable. Thus, they are typically found only in gyms, exercise rooms, and other permanent exercise areas. In addition, most of these apparatuses use heavy weights as a means of generating resistance and increasing the muscular force required to perform an exercise. Furthermore, they tend to neglect balance, and muscle and ligament flexibility.

One exercise device comprises a board supported on two rockers. The exercise is performed by standing on the board while grasping a stationary object and rocking back and forth on the board. Thus, the upper portion of the body is held substantially vertical while the lower portion of the body conforms to the inclined surface produced by the board rocking back and forth. The orientation of the body with respect to the direction of rocking may be varied so the joints of the lower extremities receive a full range of motion.

Existing boards with rockers are not specifically designed to increase the strength of the core muscles. Particularly, they do not provide a means whereby the core muscles can be engaged while also engaging the parts of the nervous system which facilitate communication between one side of the cerebral cortex and the other.

Thus, an exercise method and apparatus that would be relatively inexpensive, portable, and adaptable to a variety of environments would be highly desirable in itself. If in addition, it lent itself to a corresponding exercise routine using the apparatus, which routine provided enhanced core strength and balance while, at the same time, increasing flexibility, it would be highly desirous. Such an apparatus would allow the user to concentrate on the muscles, tendons, ligaments, and parts of the nervous system essential to developing a strong and healthy core. The present invention effectuates these needs.

SUMMARY

The present ion advances the art and overcomes the aforementioned problems by providing an oblong arcuate element that permits exercise routines which could not previously be performed without complex exercise equipment and facilities. Preferably, the rocking element is a board or other elongated element preferably large enough for a person to stand on with their legs at least shoulder-width apart while rocking from side to side. The invention also provides corresponding exercise routines in which the user stands on the rocking element and performs a series of movements designed to engage particular muscles, nerves, and tendons providing enhanced core strength and balance while, at the same time, increasing a persons flexibility.

The present invention further provides a method of exercising a human body, the method comprising: providing a rocking element having an arcuate body portion adapted to be stood on and receive the weight of a human body, and a smooth bottom surface adapted to rock side to side on a exercise floor; placing the rocking element on an exercise floor and standing on the body portion; and performing an exercise program including rocking the body portion by transferring a persons weight from one side to the opposite side. Preferably, the exercise program comprises two or more routines selected from the group consisting of: routines performed with the human body in a standing position facing forward; routines performed with the human body in a prone position; routines performed with the human body in a supine position; and routines performed with the human body in a side-facing position, or any of the aforementioned positions while utilizing a pair of exercise bands removably attached to the rocking element.

The rocking element of the present invention employs a oblong arcuate exercise board comprising a body portion. The body portion is generally symmetrical for facilitating a stable rocking motion from side to side during use. Preferably, the body is made of a lightweight polymer. Preferably, the bottom surface includes a low friction protective layer.

In one embodiment, the body portion comprises a pair of releasably attached exercise bands located at either end of the body portion. These devices include, but are not limited to, resistance bands, suspension straps and stretch straps. For convenience, they may be collectively referred to as exercise bands. In one embodiment of the exercise bands of the present invention, they may comprise a means for adjusting the length to accommodate users of differing heights and body types.

In one embodiment, the means of releasable attachment for the exercise bands is a two-piece buckle assembly, such as a side release buckle with a female receptacle configured to engage a corresponding male plug. Either the female receptacle or male plug includes a pair of belt holes for insertion and adjustable frictional engagement of the exercise bands. The other of the female receptacle and male plug includes a belt hole with an opening for insertion and engagement of the rocking element. Alternative connectors may include a center release buckle, a threaded buckle, a cam buckle, a snap buckle, a carabiner and a spring dip.

In yet another embodiment, use of the apparatus may be facilitated with the use of a plurality of anti-slip regions which may be defined in an upper surface of the rocking element. The anti-slip regions may be located close to a periphery of the at least one side of the rocking element and may be comprised of ridges and/or grooves.

In one embodiment of the rocking element the upper surface having positioned thereon a plurality of textured non-slip positioning pads in parallel relationship, transversing the longitudinal axis of the board and extending laterally across the width of the board or portion thereof, in raised relationship to the upper surface of the rocking element providing comfortable non-slip tactile contact with the feet or shoes of an individual performing the exercises intended for the apparatus.

The present invention provides an apparatus and exercise routine that enhances the results which may be achieved by presently known exercise machines using a compact, portable device that can be used to exercise nearly every muscle in the body and in both strength exercises and stretching exercises. Numerous other features, objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figures

FIGS. 1A and 1B illustrate the basic rocking exercise according to the present invention;

FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrate the arm curl rocking exercise according to the present invention;

FIGS. 3A and 3B illustrate the basic side rocking exercise according to the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the board with exercise bands attached according to the present invention; and

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the board with exercise bands removed according to the present invention.

For simplicity and clarity of illustration, the drawing figures illustrate the general manner of construction, and descriptions and details of well-known features and techniques may be omitted to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the invention. Additionally, elements in the drawing figures are not necessarily drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements in the figures may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help improve understanding of embodiments of the present invention. The same reference numerals in different figures denote the same elements.

The terms “first,” “second,” “third,” “fourth,” and the like in the description and in the claims, if any, are used for distinguishing between similar elements and not necessarily for describing a particular sequential or chronological order. It is to be understood that the terms so used are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances such that the embodiments described herein are, for example, capable of operation in sequences other than those illustrated or otherwise described herein. Furthermore, the terms “include,” and “have,” and any variations thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, system, article, device, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements is not necessarily limited to those elements, but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, system, article, device, or apparatus.

The terms “left,” “right,” “front,” “back,” “top” “bottom,” “over,” “under,” and the like in the description and in the claims, if any, are used for descriptive purposes and not necessarily for describing permanent relative positions. It is to be understood that the terms so used are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances such that the embodiments of the invention described herein are, for example, capable of operation in other orientations than those illustrated or otherwise described herein.

The terms “couple,” “coupled,” “couples,” “coupling,” and the like should be broadly understood and refer to connecting two or more elements or signals, electrically, mechanically or otherwise. Two or more electrical elements may be electrically coupled, but not mechanically or otherwise coupled; two or more mechanical elements may be mechanically coupled, but not electrically or otherwise coupled; two or more electrical elements may be mechanically coupled, but not electrically or otherwise coupled. Coupling (whether mechanical, electrical, or otherwise) may be for any length of time, e.g., permanent or semi-permanent or only for an instant.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Illustrative embodiments of the invention are described below. The showings are for purposes of illustrating preferred embodiments and not for purposes of limiting the same. The following explanation provides specific details for a thorough understanding of an enabling description for these embodiments. One skilled in the art will understand that the invention may be practiced without such details.

Exemplary exercises that embody aspects of the invention are shown in FIGS. 1A through 3B. It should be understood that the invention is not limited to these exercises. Rather the exercises have been selected to demonstrate to those skilled in the art the variety of exercises contemplated by the invention, so that they can better understand the invention and be able to create additional exercises. It should also be understood that the drawings are not exact replications of an exercise, but are only meant to illustrate the approximate body positions so that the exercise can be better understood.

FIGS. 1A and 1B illustrate a lowered arm rocking exercise according to the present invention. This exercise is shown starting from a standing rest position 100. In this exercise, the person 40 stands on the board 12 with legs 104 and 105 approximately shoulder width apart with their feet 106 and 107 on the positioning pads 19 (See FIGS. 5 & 6) and their arms 102 and 103 lowered.

The person 40 pushes on one leg 104 with sufficient weight on the ball of the opposite foot 107 to balance while engaging the core 110 of the person 40. The person 40 then pushes on the other leg 105 and engages their core 110 to rock themselves to the other side. The arms 102 and 103 do not participate to balance the body when the person 40 is engaged in this exercise. However, in one embodiment, the person 40 may be holding onto a pair of handles 30 and 32 attached to a pair of exercise bands 22 and 24.

FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrate an arm raise stabilization exercise according to one embodiment of the present invention. This exercise begins from a standing rest position 200. In this exercise, the person 50 stands on the board 12 with legs 204 and 205 approximately shoulder width apart with their feet 206 and 207 on the positioning pads 19 and their arms 202 and 203 lowered. While maintaining this static position the person 50 may stretch the ligaments and muscles of the legs 204 and 205.

This time, however, the person 50 engages their core 210 with sufficient weight on the balls of their feet 206 and 207 to prevent from rocking to either side. The person 50 is holding onto a pair of handles 30 and 32 attached to a pair of exercise bands 22 and 24 which are attached to the board 12. The person 50 then raises their arms 202 and 203 to about the level of their head 212 while using the core muscles 210 to prevent from rocking to either side.

FIGS. 3A and 3B illustrate a sideways rocking exercise according to the present invention. This exercise is shown starting from a standing rest with the person 60 facing to one side and leaning back onto their back leg 304. In this exercise, the person 60 stands on the board 12 with legs 304 and 305 approximately shoulder width apart with their feet 306 and 307 on the positioning pads 19 and their arms 302 and 303 lowered.

The person 60 pushes on one leg 304 with sufficient weight on the ball of the opposite foot 307 to balance while engaging the core 310 of the person 60. The person 60 then pushes on the other leg 305 and engages their core 310 to rock themselves forward. The arms do not participate to balance the body when the person 60 is engaged in this exercise. However, in one embodiment, the person 60 may be holding onto a pair of handles 30 and 32 attached to a pair of exercise bands 22 and 24.

Thus, the apparatus 10 of the present invention is useful in providing a number of exercise routines that enhance the results which may be achieved by presently known exercise machines using a compact, portable device that can be used to exercise nearly every muscle in the body in both strength exercises and stretching exercises.

Referring more particularly to FIGS. 4 and 5, wherein like numbers refer to similar parts, an apparatus 10 for fitness exercise is shown in more detail. The apparatus 10 is constructed of a generally arcuate board 12 which is longer than it is wide, thus defining two long edges 14 and 16 and two short edges 15 and 17. The board 12 has a top surface 18 and a bottom surface 20.

The top surface 18 forms an arcuate support and is designed to be stood upon when exercises using the apparatus 10 are performed. In one embodiment, the top surface 18 of the board 12 comprises a plurality of non-slip positioning pads 19 (FIG. 6) selectively positioned transverse to the lateral axis of the board 12 substantially across the width of the board 12. As illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5, there are a plurality of non-slip positioning pads 19 selectively positioned in spaced apart relationship. In another embodiment the frictional contact between the shoes of a person performing exercises and the apparatus 10 is achieved using a high friction coating (not shown) is applied to the top surface 18.

It should be understood that the board 12 may be constructed of wood, fiberglass, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), or other plastics, and may be fabricated by any number of techniques including injection molding, structural foam molding, thermoforming, blow molding, reaction injection molding, etc.

In some embodiments, the apparatus 10 may comprise two exercise bands 22 and 24. The exercise bands are preferably constructed from an elastic material that provides resistance while stretched and repeatably returns to the original position when not stretched. In one embodiment, the exercise bands 22 and 24 may be removable from the apparatus 10. In other embodiment, the exercise bands 22 and 24 are integrated such that they are not easily removable.

In the illustrated embodiment, the exercise bands 22 and 24 comprise an engagement member 26 and 28 which is configured to attach a handle 30 and 32 or other accessory to the exercise band 22 and 24. The engagement member 26 and 28 may be a hook, tie, threaded joiner, buckle, or other form of connection. Other accessories for attachment at the engagement member 26 and 28 may comprise loops, straps, hooks, and grips.

Although the invention has been described with reference to specific embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention. Accordingly, the disclosure of embodiments is intended to be illustrative of the scope of the invention and is not intended to be limiting. It is intended that the scope of the invention shall be limited only to the extent required by the appended claims. To one of ordinary skill in the art, it will be readily apparent that the devices and method discussed herein may be implemented in a variety of embodiments, and that the foregoing discussion of certain of these embodiments does not necessarily represent a complete description of all possible embodiments. Rather, the detailed description of the drawings, and the drawings themselves, disclose at least one preferred embodiment, and may disclose alternative embodiments.

All elements claimed in any particular claim are essential to the embodiment claimed in that particular claim. Consequently, replacement of one or more claimed elements constitutes reconstruction and not repair. Additionally, benefits, other advantages, and solutions to problems have been described with regard to specific embodiments. The benefits, advantages, solutions to problems, and any element or elements that may cause any benefit, advantage, or solution to occur or become more pronounced, however, are not to be construed as critical, required, or essential features or elements of any or all of the claims, unless such benefits, advantages, solutions, or elements are stated in such claim.

Moreover, embodiments and limitations disclosed herein are not dedicated to the public under the doctrine of dedication if the embodiments and/or limitations: (1) are not expressly claimed in the claims; and (2) are or are potentially equivalents of express elements and/or limitations in the claims under the doctrine of equivalents

CONCLUSIONS, RAMIFICATIONS, AND SCOPE

While a particular form of the invention has been illustrated and described, it will be apparent that various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. For example, fitness apparatus is illustrated with exercise bands in some embodiments even though the inventor contemplates the possibility that the exercise bands may be removed all the while comprising the properties of the invention. Accordingly, is not intended that the invention be limited, except as by the appended claims.

The teachings provided herein can be applied to other systems, not necessarily the apparatus described herein. The elements and acts of the various embodiments described above can be combined to provide further embodiments. All of the above patents and applications and other references, including any that may be listed in accompanying filing papers, are incorporated herein by reference. Aspects of the invention can be modified, if necessary, to employ the systems, functions, and concepts of the various references described above to provide yet further embodiments of the invention.

Particular terminology used when describing certain features or aspects of the invention should not be taken to imply that the terminology is being refined herein to be restricted to any specific characteristics, features, or aspects of the method and apparatus for fitness exercise with which that terminology is associated. In general, the terms used in the following claims should not be constructed to limit the method and apparatus for fitness exercise to the specific embodiments disclosed in the specification, unless the above description section explicitly define such terms. Accordingly, the actual scope encompasses not only the disclosed embodiments, but also all equivalent ways of practicing or implementing the disclosed method and apparatus. The above description of embodiments of the method and apparatus for fitness exercise is not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the precise form disclosed above or to a particular field of usage. While specific embodiments of, and examples for, the method and apparatus are described above for illustrative purposes, various equivalent modifications are possible which those skilled in the relevant art will recognize.

While certain aspects of the method and apparatus for fitness exercise are presented below in particular claim forms, the inventor contemplates the various aspects of the method and apparatus in any number of claim forms. Accordingly, the inventor reserves the right to add additional claims after filing the application to pursue such additional claim forms for other aspects of the method and apparatus for fitness exercise.

Claims

1. An apparatus for fitness exercise comprising:

an oblong board for use on a floor having a top surface, a bottom surface, first short side and a second short side and two long sides, said top surface providing a place upon which a person may stand while performing an exercise;

wherein said board is arcuate and said bottom surface comprises an apex for engaging said floor when said person is performing said exercise; and

said top surface further comprising a plurality of anti-slip members transversing said board.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising at least two exercise bands having a first end and a second end.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 comprising a first exercise band wherein said first exercise band first end is releasably attached to said first short side; and

a second exercise band wherein said second exercise band first end is releasably attached to said second short side.

4. The apparatus of claim 3 further comprising a first handle and a second handle wherein said first handle is releasably attached to said first exercise band second end; and said second handle is releasably attached to said second exercise band second end.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the arcuate portion extends along more than half the length of said board and said first short side and said second short side are at least one inch above the floor when said apex is in contact with the floor.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said anti-slip members comprise a plurality non-slip positioning pads transversing the lateral axis of the board.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said apex is textured to create an increased coefficient of friction between the board and the floor.

8. A method for fitness exercise comprising:

providing a oblong board for use on a floor having a top surface, a bottom surface comprising an apex adapted to rock from side to side on the floor, a first short side and a second short side and two long sides, said top surface providing a place upon which a person may stand while performing an exercise; said top surface further comprising a plurality of anti-slip members transversing said board; placing said board on the floor; having a person stand on said top surface with legs spaced shoulder-width apart and with feet positioned above said positioning pads; and, while said person is standing on said board, and without restraining said sliding element except by said floor and said feet, performing an exercise program including rocking said board without moving said feet.

9. The method of claim 8 further comprising the steps of providing at least two exercise bands having a first end and a second end, a first exercise band first end is releasably attached to said first short side of said board; and a second exercise band wherein said second exercise band first end is releasably attached to said second short side of said board; and performing said exercising program.

10. The method of claim 9 wherein said exercise program comprises one or more routines selected from the group consisting of: routines performed with said person standing and facing forward while shifting their weight from one side to the other; routines performed with said person standing and facing forward and holding said exercise bands while shifting their weight from one side to the other; routines performed with said person standing and facing to their right and holding said exercise bands while shifting their weight from one side to the other; routines performed with said person standing and facing to their left and holding said exercise bands while shifting their weight from one side to the other; and routines performed with said person standing and facing forward and holding said exercise bands at shoulder-level and then raising them overhead while maintaining their balance.

11. The method of claim 10 wherein said exercise program comprises two or more routines selected from said group.

12. The method of claim 8 wherein said anti-slip members comprise a plurality non-slip positioning pads transversing the lateral axis of the board.

13. The method of claim 8 wherein said apex is textured to create an increased coefficient of friction between the board and the floor.

14. The method of claim 8 wherein said performing comprises a strength development exercise routine for improving strength, peripheral nervous system activity, balance, flexibility, and joint stabilization.